It was a quiet night in one of the many streets of Furinkan community. One lone woman was walking home after a shift, she turned to the right corner… unbeknownst that she was being followed as a shadow was lurking. The woman was calmly walking until she got the feeling of being followed, frightened she turned around to the back but only saw nothing.
The woman exhaled in relief… but then everything went silent.
Pedaling in another street, Shampoo on her bicycle as she went on delivery, she still has more houses to go. She's eager to finish it and rest.
"Shampoo needs to finish quickly."
Shampoo then senses something odd, as if someone is tailing her. It couldn't be Mousse, since the glass boy would usually call her, and the fact that he was still at the restaurant last she checked. She hits the brakes before turning to see. "Who's there?!"
Her bike and the orders of ramen fell to the ground, with the food spilling all over, and Shampoo was nowhere to be seen.
At Okonomiyaki Ucchan's, the place was about to close for the day, with Konatsu busy doing the dishes, Ukyo went to the door.
"Konatsu, I'm gonna get the sign down!" Ukyo said as she went outside.
After about three minutes, Konatsu finished the dishes. He went to the counter only to see that Ukyo did not enter.
"Ukyo-san? Ukyo-san!" Konatsu called her. But no answer.
Sensing something was wrong Konatsu quickly went to the door and opened it, he looked down to see the restaurant's sign on the ground. His eyes widened in realization.
It was a hot and peaceful day at Furinkan, in Summer. Summer break started a couple of days ago, so everybody enjoys their breaks from school and a short time from work. However, days like this could lead to trouble and weirdness at any time, as Furinkan had its fair share of weirdness over the last year and so on.
We found ourselves at the Tendo Dojo, everybody was doing what they normally do; Katsumi doing household chores, Nabiki was calculating the profits or scheming, Akane doing her daily training with a jog, the fathers are playing shogi, and as for one other.
Ranma yawns in boredom, napping on the futon in the guest room. These days things are dull, like extremely. Sure, things like rivals, fiancees and other shenanigans are still common but after his journey as a Kamen Rider, all that begins to be boring.
It has only been two months since he avoided the fusion of the ten Rider Worlds and other worlds and met nine alternate versions of himself. It was quite hectic at first, to suddenly get transported to each domain and meet the native Kamen Riders who gave him the task of preventing the fusion and transporting him into the different alternative worlds.
From each alternative world, he meets an alternative version of himself and each one is a Kamen Rider who fights the monsters native to those worlds, and each one has different circumstances and reasons. By meeting those nine versions, he learned a little about life and such. He learned that there are many more things to fight for than just pride or the concept of being manly and that they are far more important. Witnessing and hearing his alternative selves fighting against the threats made him see that they uphold the martial artist's duty of protecting the weak to great lengths, which made him more motivated. He also learned a little about growing up from his alternate selves, which leads to maturity. He learned that happiness is more important than pride from his Kuuga self, he learned that fighting for what you believed in was never wrong, and he learned the true meaning of honor from his Kiva self. And many more.
Of course, it wasn't just the nine worlds and his alternative selves. He had been into other Rider Worlds and met other Kamen Riders, such as Ifrit or Showa. Heck, surprisingly the people he meets are connected and have started a multiverse protective group to protect alternative worlds from major threats.
Then things got crazy as he unravelled a hidden conspiracy behind the fusion worlds. It was done by an evil organization known as Dai-Shocker, consisting of alternative enemies of the Kamen Riders who banded together and planned for multiverse conquest. But thanks to Ranma and the combined power of all the Kamen Riders he ever met, Dai-Shocker fell and peace was restored all over the multiverse.
After the final battle, Ranma returned home and went back to his normal life, and that included returning to the usual hectics in Furinkan.
Of course, he lost his attraction to Akane along the way. Not because of how he had heard alternate versions act, but because of the way his Akane acted, both before and after the multiverse journey. She continued seeing perverts everywhere she went and lacked trust in Ranma. Since then there's been distance between them.
Of course, the fiancées and rivals weren't a helping matter with their constant pursuit either. Compared to the fights travelling through the worlds, it became quite dull.
Ranma was beginning to long for the peace he got when traveling through different worlds. Sure he had to fight and help the Kamen Riders but at least he can take a breather at times between before and after the battles. He had begun to think that fighting outside of the shenanigans was relaxing, much to his baffle. At least Kasumi gave him a safe haven when he needed it, she knew exactly what he was going through since she had been witness to the battle for the Kamen Rider worlds.
Kasumi was caught in Ranma's journey when the Aurora Curtain came to them and has been travelling since then, providing emotional support and doing even more… like scolding any version of Ranma who attacks him. Oddly, Kasumi had dreams of the Rider War and all the things she saw and the Kamen Riders, she remembers them. She was also afraid that her dream would end up true if every Kamen Rider waged war against Ranma, but once the final battle commerce she was glad that the Kamen Riders sided with him and aided him in ending Dai-Shocker once and for all. After the journey and they came back home, Kasumi became more supportive in aiding Ranma in his stressful days.
Ranma lets out a long sigh. "I wonder what the other me's are up to these days?" He wondered out loud. He knew it was a dumb question, considering they were doing their usual routines and continuing to fight monsters in their respective world. Still, he couldn't help but wonder since he had gotten to know them and learned of their experiences, even for a short time. Ranma turns to the side. "Knowing them; either working hard in dealing with their own monsters or going about with their lovers."
"Ranma."
The one calling was Kasumi as she slid open the door.
Ranma straight up and sits, he asks. "Something's up, Kasumi?"
"Well, father assembles everybody." Kasumi replied.
"Wonder what it is this time?" Ranma wondered, letting out a long sigh of irritation. This wouldn't be the first time, usually when everybody is gathered to discuss important matters whether it involves the dojo, important tasks… or Ranma and Akane's engagement. But mostly talking about their engagement, and the fathers are more persistent.
"I don't know. But it seems rather serious this time." Kasumi replied. The way her father talked, was rather serious, the same kind whenever a matter that involves martial arts and the dojo. She knew that it was not the usual discussion regarding the engagement.
Noticing the seriousness in Kasumi's words and being reminded of the previous discussions, Ranma gets up and heads towards the washitsu. Once the two arrived, Ranma noticed that everyone had gathered for whatever subject it may be. Taking their seat, Ranma was sitting on the right side beside Nabiki while Kasumi was sitting on the left side beside Akane.
Soun and Genma took quick notice of it, mentally disappointed by the distance between their children. They usually sit next to each other whenever they eat or discuss but as of late, they have stopped to do that and sit from a distance. Ever since the failed wedding as the fiancees became more determined in their pursuit, Akane's temper rises and continues not to trust Ranma, that puts a strain on their relationship and Ranma has begun to sit separately from her. There have been times when the fathers sneakily try to make them sit next to each other, there have been both successes and failures but that still doesn't change a thing.
But decided to put that aside and work on that later, Soun began to speak.
"Thank you for gathering. There is something I need to tell you all." Everybody was silent as they listened intently to Soun. Judging by the tone of his voice, this seems very important. "Yesterday, in the meeting at the district council, there has been a case of missing people as of late-"
Soun was soon interrupted by a sudden volley of short knives coming from the opened door from outside. Ranma soon saw them and sensed danger, he quickly lay down on the floor as the knives passed by. Everyone was on high alert by the sudden attack, though a norm, as they all looked outside and saw a familiar quacking duck.
"Mousse?!"
It was Mu Mu the Duck, Mousse's Jusenkyo cursed form. He was flying straight towards Ranma before throwing more knives hiding in his feathers, the pigtail martial artist reacted before quickly picking one knife nearby, holding it in a reverse grip, and he quickly deflected them all with accuracy. Ranma sees Mousse get closer, with knives on his wings, the duck swings one wing but Ranma quickly dodges before swiftly turning and shoving his right hand on the duck's back, pinning him down to the floor.
"Yesh! What kind of beef do you have with me, this time?!" Ranma complained to Mousse who was quacking.
"Knowing you; you must've ticked him off." Nabiki said.
"Hardly! Last time I saw him, he challenged me again and I beat him. Nothing else!" Ranma responded.
"He has the right to be upset." Everybody in the room turned around and saw Cologne, the ancient elder who had just arrived. "It's about Shampoo."
Ranma has a feeling that something may happen if Mousse is this upset over Shampoo and the tone that Cologne has. "What happened?"
Cologne explains. "Last night, Shampoo didn't come back since she went out to deliver. Normally, I would suspect her to stay overnight with you, Son-in-law, but she usually calls to let me know."
Last night, Cologne had sent Shampoo to do deliveries, however, it had been a few hours to the point she received phone calls about customers who didn't get their orders, which were unsettling for Cologne, more so for Mousse. She knows her granddaughter well, if there was any trouble she was in or in another ploy to get close to Ranma, her granddaughter would let her know. Worried, and horrified feeling she was having, she and Mousse went out in search of her all night, and till sunrise for the glasses boy.
Understandable, Ranma looks back at the quacking Mousse. "And you've assumed that she's here and the first thing you do is attack me? Haven't you even bothered to stop and think about it? Though… why do I even bother asking this?" He knew he shouldn't bother arguing with the boy-turned-duck about the girl in question.
"Come on now, Mu Mu, settle down now." Cologne approached the restrained duck, as Ranma pulled back his hand. She pulled out a thermos and poured hot water over him. "I know you're worried about Shampoo but at least try to be rational."
Mousse, who changed back, on four in a depressing and worried state. "I can't think rationally when Shampoo is missing. And if she isn't here then where could she be?!" He exclaimed.
"She's not the only girl missing."
Everybody turned to the backyard to see another face, it was the male crossdresser kunoichi, Konatsu.
"Konatsu?" Ranma wondered what happened, though he had a bad feeling about it.
"Last night, when we were about to close the shop, Ukyo-san went to take the sign off but she took a few minutes and I went to check on her. Once I set foot outside, I saw her nowhere." Konatsu explained. He still remembers how Ukyo mysteriously vanished after stepping outside. "Worried, I went on a search for her all night… but sadly I did not find her."
All night Konatsu has been searching for Ukyo. He tried looking for clues as to where she may have gone. He only found one measly clue but not enough to find where.
"Ukyo as well?" Ranma asked. He was shocked to know that his childhood friend was missing, but this whole thing sounded more like a kidnapping.
"Yes! Oh, this is truly dreadful, what has become of Ukyo-san?!" Konatsu bawled.
"This is worse than I imagined." Soun said.
"Do you know something, Tendo?" Genma asked.
"The discussion I mentioned earlier has something to do with Shampoo and Ukyo." Soun responded. Everyone quickly returns their attention to the Tendo household patriarch, including Cologne and Mousse, and Konatsu.
"Good." Seeing that everyone is paying attention again, he returns to what he was talking about. "As I said; there has been a case of missing people as of late. The friends and families of those victims say that none of them have ever returned home nor heard from."
Everybody, aside from Cologne, was shocked to hear. Seeing their expressions Soun continues.
"According to the investigation, all victims are all young women in their teens or early twenties."
"Young women?" Nabiki repeated.
"Oh my." Kasumi gasped.
"What a creep!" Akane stated.
"However, there was one witness who said that they saw someone carrying a girl." Soun explained the piece of information.
"Are you telling me that there's someone who kidnapped Shampoo?!" Mousse exclaimed.
"And kidnapping Ukyo?!" Konatsu gasped.
"Most definitely." Soun replied. "At first, it was at nighttimes they went missing but there have been reports of girls also going missing during the daytimes, as well."
"Rather bold of them to pull it in the middle of daylight." Nabiki said.
"Rumours of the missing young women have reached many residences and neighbourhoods, now the girls are afraid of going out either alone or outside." Soun added.
"Couldn't this matter be left for the police?" Ranma asked. He knew well that this sort of thing should be left to the proper authorities.
"Unfortunately the police couldn't handle this case due to the lack of evidence. Additionally, the witness who has seen the suspicious person possesses an incredible acrobatic skill. The police deduced that the kidnapper is most likely an acrobat… or a martial artist." Soun explained.
Sensing something was coming up, Ranma decided to cut to the chase. "So, in other words; the district council is asking for cooperation with the martial artists to catch the culprit?"
"You catch on pretty well, Ranma. Yes, the council is asking to catch this culprit disturbing this community before they move to other communities. And other districts." Soun said. "So, therefore… the Tendo Dojo will take on this culprit and rescue those girls!"
"Right, you are, Tendo!" Genma exclaimed in agreement.
Ranma blankly stares at the fathers. But he knew that this case seemed too much for the cops if they couldn't get any leads, and quite possibly no match for this unknown kidnapper if they were that good at kidnap people without being spotted, he had a feeling that this might take a martial artist with a set of skills to handle it. Plus, he had his own, lack of trust, in the police in this community, they rarely did anything with all the property damages and the weirdness going around. These sorts of things were usually done by either him or anyone else. And he realized it through his Ranki self, that the police in Furinkan were incompetent.
Shaking his head, Ranma knew that they couldn't trust this case to the authorities due to their incompetence, and so it was up to Ranma and the martial artists to handle it. Again.
"You can count on me! Whoever kidnapped Shampoo, I'll make them pay!" Mousse declared as he rose up.
"So do I!" Konatsu exclaimed.
"Your cooperation is most appreciated." Soun said.
"Well, guess you have a new plate on your hand, Saotome." Nabiki said to Ranma.
"All I'm hoping for is that this doesn't turn into something big." Ranma said. Though, he couldn't expect it that much, since things like this usually get either big, out of hand or weird out. But the feeling he has says otherwise.
After much planning, everybody has begun their operation. They are outside in front of the gate at the moment.
"According to the council, they stated that all young women are attractive in their own way." Soun explained.
"So, in other words, we need to lure out the culprit by having pretty girls walking around." Genma concluded.
"Precisely. I believe the best way is to separate in groups with each girl." Soun explained. He turns to Konatsu as he continues. "Konatsu looks convinced enough to be one, so Saotome and I will group him."
"I'll do my utmost best!" Konatsu exclaimed in determination.
Soun turns to the pigtail boy. "Ranma…"
"Yeah yeah, I'll turn into a girl to act as bait to lure out the culprit." Ranma replied. He already knows that he's going to be used thanks to his curse, a big advantage for this case, but a big nuisance.
"Atta boy, son!" Genma commented.
"Yes, that, and I would also like that you protect Akane at all times." Soun added.
"So, that means the second group is me, Akane and Mousse?"
"Yes, that's right."
"You kinda be kidding me?! Why should I team up with that jerk?" Mousse complained looking at the wall. His glasses were yet again on the top of his head.
"We're right here." Ranma said, with a deadpan look in his eyes. "Seriously, get some eye contacts."
"I should be saying the same thing! Why should I team up with him?" Akane complained.
Ranma sighed after hearing it, to say that he did expect Akane's uncooperative retort came as no surprise. Obviously, she is still mad about what transpired two days ago which involves fiancées arriving at the Tendo Dojo and fighting each other for who will give Ranma lunch, and as usual, Akane blows her stake and pounds him, calling him a pervert. That day, Ranma tried to avoid the conflict and brought their fight outside of the house, but failed to avoid Akane's wrath. Since then she's been in a foul mood, and Ranma knows that it is useless to try and explain when she's in a foul mood.
Though, for her to stay mad while in the middle of a case is unreasonable.
"Akane, either the culprit would target one or two girls at the time, we'll have to take our chances." Soun said. "And I trust Ranma to be there to protect you. Please, this case is important."
As much as Akane hates to admit it and be around Ranma, finding the perp and finding the kidnapped girls takes priority. She huffed in defeat, understanding the situation.
Soun then addresses Mousse. "And Mousse, at times like these is better to put aside the differences and join forces." He got closer to him, hands on his shoulders and got closer to his ears, whispering.
"Alright! I'll do it!" Mousse declared with enthusiasm. He turns to Ranma and Akane. "Ranma, Akane, let's do our best to save Shampoo and the other girls!"
"Er… right…" Akane said, a sweatdrop appearing on her head.
Ranma simply blinks. Something about Mousse's sudden change of attitude sets off some flags to Ranma, what did Soun say to the glasses boy?
After some time since the operation began, the two groups separated in opposite directions. With Soun, Genma and Konatsu, as the crossdresser boy puts on pretty clothes to make him look like a normal girl taking a stroll while the two grown men are on the lookout hiding, they plan on ambushing the culprit if they approach Konatsu. Meanwhile in Ranma's group, with the pigtailed boy turned into a girl, he and Akane were walking side by side while Mousse in his duck form was flying up to see anyone suspicious.
But needless to say, things are awkward for the groups.
"Do you think we look suspicious, Saotome?" Soun asked, dressed in a trench coat and a fedora.
"Nonsense." Genma replied, dressed in similar attire as Soun. "We're merely two men simply just taking a stroll after finishing a business."
"Right." Soun nodded.
As they continue their stakeout, Genma poses a question. "By the way, Tendo. What exactly did you tell that Mousse fellow before we left?"
"You see…" Soun gestures to Genma to come closer. "I've asked Mousse to keep a look at Ranma and Akane's mending their relationship. You know how that boy loves Shampoo, and if Ranma and Akane mend their relationship and develop, Shampoo may give up and be with Mousse."
"Oh! That's brilliant, Tendo!" Genma commented, liked the idea.
"Yes, well, while I hate to use that boy's feelings and motivation, and using this case, but things have really gone messy as of late." Soun said, he felt guilty for using other people. "I don't want to sound so desperate, but the fate of the school depends on them."
"Yes, well, while I hate to use that boy's feelings and motivation, and using this case, but things have really gone messy." Soun said, he felt guilty for using other people. "I don't want to sound so desperate, but the fate of the school depends on them."
"You're right, Tendo." Genma agreed.
To protect the engagement, the fathers are determined to rekindle their children's relationship. Despite the agreement of postponing the wedding and letting Ranma and Akane sort out their relationship, they have begun to get desperate due to the fiancées coming at Ranma more aggressively and they fear that the boy would change his mind and marry one of them. They have done plenty of things in order to fix their relationship, they first try waiting patiently, then scolding and pep talks, then arranging coincidences for them to be alone, words of encouragement, using tricks and even berating Ranma. All in all, none worked, and resulting in a few property damages done by Akane.
"Excuse me?" The two stopped as someone called them out, and they turned around and saw a police officer.
"Y-Yes, officer?" Soun asked, feeling a bit nervous.
"Do you mind telling me what you are doing following that girl?" The police officer asked, the man had noticed the two men following Konatsu, from anyone's perception they would view them as suspicious.
Panicked a little, Soun quickly replies. "Why nothing! Honest! We're just two men going out and taking a stroll. Right, Saotome?" Soun looks over at his friend.
But what he found was Genma in his panda form playing with a tire, he was avoiding the cop by switching into his cursed form. The sight of a random panda surprised the police officer.
"Saotome!" Soun cried.
This is a short preview of a new project I'm working on, in commemoration for the reboot anime coming real soon. Though I'm struggling, I'm on a slow pace because of IRL, need to find new ways of motivation. I was hoping to publish before the anime release, but I may as well do it after.
As you may have guessed it; this is indeed a crossover of Ranma ½ and Kamen Rider Decade, though Ranma-Decade belongs to Ten-Faced Paladin's Journey Through the Decade. Just a little something to show my thanks to him and his stories to introduce me to the Ranma series.