My Life's Stranger Than Yours
(A few things before we get started. First, this story's hit over 100 followers and reviews! Like I said before I've been dying to write a Ranma/Dragon Ball crossover for the longest time and this story being so well received is really flattering. Second, there's a few reasons this Chapter took so long, but those'll be addressed at the end. For now, just enjoy and thank you for the support.)
Reminisce and Rivalries: An Unexpected Challenger
"EEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKK!"
At the sound of Akane's shriek, Chi-Chi burst through the door wielding a broom
"Are you girls alright!?" she yelled.
"Hey hon, I'm back," Goku replied.
At the sight of her husband, Chi-Chi let out a relieved sigh.
"Hey, is everything okay in there?" called Gohan from across the hall. "I thought I heard screaming."
"Oh it's nothing son, everything's fine!" Chi-Chi assured him.
"Gee whiz Goku, I warned you about using your instant transportation like that! You nearly scared the girls half to death!"
Goku turned to see Videl in front of Akane who was curled into a ball in an attempt to cover herself, the latter shooting Goku a harsh glare that could rival that of his wife's.
"Hehe, sorry about that. I just wanted to get home and outta the rain quickly after I finally finished out in the fields," Goku chuckled.
Though they hadn't initially noticed when he first appeared, now that they got a good look at him, Goku was completely drenched and his clothes were dripping water onto the floor.
"In any case, you should hurry up and get out of those wet clothes. You still need to pick up Goten from Bulma's place," Chi-Chi reminded him.
"Oh yeah, that's right!" Goku wasted no time in pulling his farming outfit off. At the sight of Goku stripping, every female face in the room turned red and the two young girls proceeded to shield their eyes and turn their heads away.
"Goku! Not in here! Go change in Gohan's room!" Chi-Chi ordered.
"But I'm already in my gi," Goku replied.
Peeking through their fingers, the girls saw that Goku was indeed back in his orange and blue uniform. How he managed to do that before Chi-Chi coud even finish her sentence was beyond them.
"Alright then. I'm off to get Goten," said Goku.
Placing two fingers on his forehead, Goku flickered for an instant before vanishing from sight.
Despite witnessing Goku's instant transmission a couple of times before, she couldn't hide her surprise and let out a low shriek.
"Why does he feel the need to always disappear like that?" Chi-Chi said shaking her head.
"How does he even do that?" Akane asked.
Videl could only shrug. "Beats me."
"Enough about him for now. You girls should hurry and get dressed," said Chi-Chi.
"We'd have finished sooner but...we're just having a bit of trouble picking out what to wear," said Akane.
"Oh?"
Chi-Chi strolled over to the closet and began shifting through garments. A short moment later, she gasped as she pulled out an outfit, her eyes shining brightly.
"Oh my, I forgot this was here! It's been so long!"
The girls stared while Chi-Chi stared longingly at a reddish-pink and blue fighter's outfit that matched the chinese style of her normal wardrobe.
"One of you girls try this one!" Chi-Chi tossed the suit over to Videl who gave it to Akane who was still undressed.
The girl from Nerima placed the outfit against her frame before stepping in front of the mirror. While Akane checked herself out, Videl began questioning Chi-Chi's reaction to the suit.
"Chi-Chi, if you don't mind my asking, what exactly is the deal with that outfit?"
"That's the same outfit I wore the day I fought Goku in the World Marital Arts Tournament," Chi-Chi answered.
"Wait what!? Really!?" Videl exclaimed.
"You fought in the Martial Arts Tournament!?" Akane added.
Chi-Chi nodded. "Mmhmm. Not only that, but on that same day, Goku and I got married!"
"HUH!?"
"I had the same reaction," Videl giggled.
The girls turned towards Chi-Chi as she sat on the bed with a nostalgic expression on her face.
"When we were kids, Goku made a promise to marry me, but he was always running off training and going on adventures with the others so we didn't get to see much of each other. The Tournament was my best bet to see him again, and we were eventually pitted against each other. Goku ended up beating me and went on to win the whole Tournament and afterwards, he kept his promise and we got married."
Chi-Chi stared lovingly into space as the memories replayed in her mind. As Videl watched Chi-Chi reminisce, Akane handed her Chi-Chi's old outfit.
"Here. I think this thing suits you a bit more than it does me."
Videl held the outfit against her body and viewed herself in the mirror with a satisfied expression.
"You know Videl, you're welcome to keep that if you'd like," said Chi-Chi. "It...doesn't fit me anymore anyways, " she hesitantly added.
Videl's expression grew steadily brighter. "Thanks Chi-Chi."
Not wanting to intrude on the moment right now, Akane excused herself back into the closet for she still needed to find a something to wear. Shifting through outfits, she soon pulled out what looked to be a bikini with a cape.
"What the heck is this? A swimsuit!?"
"KYAAAAA!"
Chi-Chi harshly twitched before dashing over to Akane and snatching the outfit out of her hand, desperately trying to hide it behind her back.
"I...just remembered, I need to go finish dinner! You girls hurry and get dressed!" On that note, Chi-Chi darted out of the room and slammed the door shut."
The young girls could only stare in confusion as beads of sweat ran down their heads.
"What...was that all about?" asked Akane.
"No idea."
[A few minutes later]
The boys exited Gohan's room, Gohan clad back in his school garb and Ranma sporting a green tracksuit.
"Man, I hope my clothes get dry soon cause this really ain't my style," Ranma groaned.
"I'll say. You look more like a gym teacher than a martial artist," came the giggling voice of Akane.
The boys looked ahead to see the Videl dressed in Chi-Chi's old fighting uniform and Akane dressed in a purple dress with an orange scarf.
While Ranma's face soured at Akane's comment, Gohan's face flushed a light red and his eyes widened at the sight of Videl.
'That's Mom's old outfit!' he recognized. 'It...really suits her.'
"Gohan? Why are you staring at me like that?" Videl asked raising an eyebrow.
The young saiyan's blush deepened as he quickly backpedaled. "I-I wasn't staring!"
"He totally was right?" Videl whispered
"No doubt," Akane softly replied.
"I...was just thinking...it may be a while before your guys' clothes get dry...so uh...what should we do in the meantime?" Gohan asked.
"Well, I dunno about you guys, but I'm kinda hungry," said Ranma.
"Now that you mention it, so am I," Gohan added.
"Well then, you boys are in luck since Chi-Chi's in the kitchen, and she invited Ranma and Akane to stay and eat with us." Videl replied.
"Alright, perfect timing!"
"GYAACK!"
The four teenagers stumbled back as Goku once again appeared out of nowhere, startling everyone sans Gohan.
"Dad you're back!" said Gohan.
"Yup, and I'm not the only one."
"I'm here too!" said a small voice. Everyone looked down at Goku's leg to see what looked like a miniature Goku who proceeded to leap into Gohan's arms.
"Goten!" Gohan greeted.
"Hey Gohan!" Goten replied. "Hey bro, why's Videl dressed like Mom?" he asked.
The girl in question responded by playfully noogieing him with a giggle.
Gohan turned to Ranma and Akane and promptly introduced Goten who made himself comfy on his brother's shoulder.
"Ranma, Akane this is my little brother, Goten."
'He's adorable!' Akane thought with a bright smile.
"Man, I heard of kids takin' after their parents, but this kid looks EXACTLY like his old man," Ranma commented.
"Yeah...we get that a lot," Goku grinned.
As Gohan put him down, Akane knelt down to introduce herself at face level with him. Goten's face became a light shade of red as Akane looked straight at him and introduced herself.
"Hi, my name's Akane. The goof behind me is Ranma."
"Hi I'm Goten," he quickly introduced himself while bowing.
Videl raised an eyebrow at Goten's intro. "Goten, why are you bowing?"
"Mom said I should be more respectful when I'm talking to girls," Goten answered.
Akane giggled at Goten and placed an affectionate hand on his head. "You're so cute."
"How come you're not that respectful around me?" Videl asked crossing her arms in a playfully offended manner.
"Cause you're my big sister!" Goten grinned.
"Ehh...!"
Videl and Gohan both flashed red before Goku and Akane let out a pair of chuckles.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, let's get going. I think Chi-Chi's almost finished with dinner!"
Goku dashed off to the kitchen leaving the kids behind.
"Hey wait for us!" Gohan called. "Goten come on!"
"Right!"
The two brothers jetted off leaving Videl and the Nerima martial artists alone.
"And that, my friends is the power food has over the men in this family," Videl commented.
"They're not the only ones," added Akane.
Videl turned back to see that Ranma was already gone as well. No doubt chasing after the saiyans.
"Well, we better go too before there's nothing left," said Videl.
[Moments later]
The gang was back sitting in the living room, all the boys looking rather disappointed due to the fact that dinner wasn't quite finished yet.
"Aww man. I was hoping Chi-Chi would've been done by the time Goten and I got back," Goku whined. "I'm starving."
"Me too," added the brothers.
"Me three," chimed in Ranma.
"Well, Chi-Chi always cooks a lot, but since we're here," she said referring to herself, Ranma and Akane. "She's probably making more than usual."
"Makes sense." Akane noted.
"It's worth the wait though. Chi-Chi's an amazing cook." Videl assured.
"I believe you. Whatever she's making smells delicious!" Akane noted.
"I'll say," Ranma concurred. "I almost can't wait to try it out."
There was a brief pause in the air before Goten started to whine out loud. "Man I'm bored! Can't we go do something outside?"
"Isn't it still raining?" Gohan replied.
"Actually, it looks like that crazy storm blew over already," Goku answered. "I don't know about you kids, but I think I'll get in a quick training session before dinner."
"Oh Dad, can I go with ya!" Goten exclaimed.
"Sure son. Gohan, you wanna come with?" Goku offered.
"Thanks but, I think I'll pass this time Dad."
"If you say so."
"Can I come with you?"
Goku paused and turned back to see Ranma standing with a vaguely eager look on his face.
"Ranma, what are you doing?" asked Akane.
"I'm askin' to see if Gohan's old man will let me train with him," Ranma simply answered. "Since we got rained out, none of us got a chance to do any real training today, and since the storm's over now, I figure there's no time like the present."
'Also, I wanna see what techniques this guy has.' Ranma mentally added.
"Well, he has a point," Videl stated.
Akane was about to retort when Goku spoke up, cutting her off.
"Sure, I don't see why not," he answered.
"R-really?" Ranma asked.
"Actually...I think I may have a better idea. Why don't you and Goten have a sparring match," Goku suggested.
Any excitement that may have been building within Ranma quickly died down at Goku's proposal, while also being accompanied by confusion and disbelief.
"You...want me to fight the kid?" Ranma asked, a dry expression on his face. "No offense, but isn't that a little unfair?"
"Naw, it'll be fine," Goku assured. "Goten may be young, but you shouldn't underestimate him. Plus, I think Goten could benefit from having a different sparring partner than just us. So what do you say boys?"
"I'm game, but...Dad, are you sure about this? He doesn't look that strong," Goten pointed to Ranma.
The pigtailed boy paused before slowly turning to Goten a vein visible on his forehead.
"What'd you say?"
Akane could only let out a stifled laugh. "You heard him Ranma."
Ignoring Akane for the moment, Ranma dashed over to Goten and yelled, "Just whadaya mean by that, kid!?" he exclaimed.
"Well...I can tell that you're stronger than sis, but you don't look or feel anywhere close to my dad or my brother," Goten answered.
'Wait, what does he mean feel?' Akane noted.
The offended martial artist clenched his fist before exclaiming, "Alright fine! You wanna know how strong I really am? Bring it on kid!"
[A short moment later]
Everyone (sans Chi-Chi) stood right outside the mountain home, Ranma and Goten standing poised to battle. Due to the earlier rainstorm, the lawn was wet and slick and a few puzzles of water decorated the battlefield.
Off to the side, Akane viewed the scene with a hint of doubt.
"Uh guys, are you sure this is safe?" Akane asked. "Ranma should know better than to fight for real against a child, but after what Goten said before, I'm worried he might actually hurt him."
"Goten will be fine," Goku assured. "Like I said, you shouldn't underestimate him because he's young."
"Even so, he's fighting someone twice his age, and Ranma can be...unpredictable at times." Akane added.
"Akane...believe me when I say that Goten is more than able to hold his own against Ranma," said Videl.
'Even Videl's saying that?' Akane thought. Still not convinced, Akane turned to Gohan who had a look of concern on his face.
"Gohan...do you really think your brother can handle Ranma?" she asked.
"...We'll see," Gohan replied. 'If anything...the one I'm worried about is Ranma,' he mentally added. 'He's stronger than a normal human, but Goten...well he'll find out soon enough.'
Ranma took a defensive stance while shooting Goten a harsh look of irritation. The young saiyan in question merely stood completely at ease. As Ranma continued to stare at Goten's completely neutral expression, his earlier anger steadily dissipated.
'What am I doin'? I can't fight a kid for real,' Ranma thought. 'Huh, this is what I get for havin' a short fuse I guess. Still, I do still wanna make this kid eat his words, and this WAS Goku's idea in the first place...'
His mind made up, Ranma mentally proclaimed his plan for the upcoming match. 'Alright then Saotome, don't hurt the kid. Just rough him up a bit and show him what you're made of.'
"You ready to go kid," said Ranma.
"Uh huh!" At Goten's response, the young boy finally took a defensive stance.
Acting as mediator, Gohan stepped forth raising his arm. "Ready guys?"
Both parties nodded.
"Begin!"
Ranma made the first move, dashing forward at Goten with his arm pulled back. 'Don't hurt the kid, just give him a chop in the head.'
Ranma thrust his arm forward to strike, but to the pigtailed fighter's surprise Goten blocked his attack nigh perfectly.
'Hmmm...'
Ranma followed up his chop with a punch to the side of Goten's head, but the small fighter was able to avoid it by swaying away. Ranma quickly hopped backwards, distancing himself from Goten.
"Heh, not bad kid, but don't think I'll keep going easy on ya," Ranma 'taunted'.
"Hey, could you stop fooling around?" Goten asked.
"Huh?"
"Fight for real," Goten pleaded. "This won't be any fun if you're not serious."
Ranma sighed. "Look kid. I get that you wanna play, but seriously if I try to figh you for real..."
"Ranma!" Gohan called cutting him off.
As both pairs of eyes turned to the older half saiyan, Gohan could only respond with, "Do as he says."
Ranma and Akane raised their eyes in surprise. He WANTED Ranma to hit Goten for real?
"Uhhh Gohan, I don't think that's a good idea!" Akane warned.
"You heard him. Both of you, go all out!" Goku encouraged.
'Why do they have so much faith in this kid?' Ranma wondered. 'Aww who cares,' he dismissed. 'At the very least, now I don't have to feel guilty when I pound him!'
"Alright, you heard what your bro and old man said..." Ranma started.
Dashing back at Goten, Ranma pulled his fist back before throwing a serious punch at the young saiyan. "Don't get mad at me for this!"
Goten braced himself for Ranma's attack. As the older boy's fist flew at him, Goten raised his hand and caught the blow while getting very slightly pushed back.
"He...caught it!?" Akane exclaimed.
'What the-!?'
"Okay, now it's my turn!" Goten cheerfully replied.
Keeping his grip firm on Ranma's hand, Goten pulled his opponent forward, throwing him off guard, and threw his own serious punch at Ranma nailing him in the cheek and blowing him back onto the ground.
"Ranma!" Akane yelled.
The pigtailed martial artist shook his head recovering from that last attack before turning his attention back to Goten.
"Wow. I take back what I said. You're stronger than I thought!" Goten praised. "Guess that means I can go all out too!" he cheered.
Ranma could only stare at the bouncing boy with a look of pure bewilderment on his face.
'What the hell...IS HAPPENING!?'
(A/N: Once again, long time no see! I already explained this in my Spidey/MHA Fanfic, but the reason I was gone for so long is because I had gotten laid off from my job back in June and sort of fell into an emotional slump, both before and after it actually happened. Couple that with writer's block and most of my attention devoted to searching for a new job and you have a recipe for a long wait for an update. Still, it feels good to be writing again, though I apologize if this Chapter winds up shorter than usual, cause I'm still getting back into my old groove. Also, like I said in the beginning, this story has hit over 100 Followers and Reviews and I appreciate all the support.
Lastly, in case anyone missed it, I'm pulling the plug on my DBZ/Justice League fic. Read the A/N on my bio for details.
So, Ranma may have wanted to spar with Goten following that little insult, but he may have gotten more than he bargained for after taking that first punch. Next time, Ranma and Goten's battle takes off and both sides of fighters and spectators will get a taste of what the other side is really made of, but who'll be more surprised?)
PS: Ridley's playable in Super Smash Bros. and Broly's becoming Canon? 2018 is the year of miracles. Hopefully one of those miracles will get Yugi Mutou/Yami Yugi into Jump Force.
PSS: It's good to be back.