Legend:

Galnaav: Dragon's Bond
S-Ranma: Saotome Blade
X: Astral Minds
Claw: Adamantium Rage
Agent R: Male Agent ranma
Agent Red: Female Agent Ranma


Awexsome Cross 6/12ths

Chapter 004

A Tale of 2 (or more) Ranmas

“Perfect!” X exclaimed as S-Ranma came out of the bathroom of the hotel room that they were sharing, wearing the exact same clothes that the Ranma of this world was wearing at school when they saw him earlier that day. “She’ll never suspect a thing... that is until you open your mouth. But even still she’ll never suspect the truth.”

“I have to admit...” Agent R said, eyeing over their handy work. “When we first got our mission for this world I honestly thought we’d be trapped here forever, but I really think this could work.”

Red nodded. “Yeah especially since the Kuno here is so much less annoying than the one in our world.”

X chuckled. “In any of our worlds. Save Ranma and Claw here.” He said, motioning to the only two Ranmas in the room that haven’t yet encountered the Kuno in their own worlds.

Claw, who was doing alternating one handed push ups, stopped what he was doing and looked up at X. “So what’s this guy normally like? You know, in your worlds.”

X smiled. “Well I’ve gone over the memory of Kuno that all of us, who’ve met him, have and he’s pretty much the exact same in all our worlds.”

“Pompous.” Galnaav interjected.

“Arrogant.” Red chimed in.

“Stupid beyond all reason.” R added.

“And really talkative.” X finished.

Agent R, Red, and Galnaav all let out massive groans at that. “Oh my god he never shuts up!” R said. “It’s just on and on and on with the Rising Star this...”

“Blue Thunder that...” Red added.

Galnaav snickered. “Strike strike strike strike strike!” She said, doing her best Kuno impression.

S-Ranma looked confused at Galnaav’s impression. “What is this guy a baseball player?”

“He was the captain of the Kendo team from where we come from. He was obsessed with samurai culture to the point where he believed himself to be a samurai.” X started. “He was also really rich, so he got away with a lot of insane crap, like blatant sexual harassment, bullying, and he would also make random declarations on a whim and everyone would just go along with it.” X then leaned against the wall. “Not to mention that his father is the principal of Furinkan high and is almost as insane as him.”

“If not moreso.” Galnaav added.

Claw let out an impressed whistle. “Wow. No wonder you guys were so worried. Nobody with any brains would ever want to go out with what you guys have described.”

S-Ranma sighed and grabbed his sword off the coffee table. “Glad I never met him. I’ll make it a point not to in my world.”

X then telekinetically snatched the sword out of S-Ranma’s hands. “Hey! What gives!?” S-Ranma demanded, glaring at X.

X frowned. “You’re going under cover. No weapons. From what I can see, this worlds Ranma does NOT use them.” X then snatched the sword out of the air. “Bringing this along would be one helluva warning sign that there’s something up.”

“Pretty sure there’s no vampires in this world man.” Galnaav said non-chalantly.

S-Ranma glared at the white haired girl. “We’ve only been here a few hours girl. Last I checked vampires don’t come out much during the day.” S-Ranma then stalked menacingly towards Galnaav. “Maybe I’ll take you out for a night on the town, show you some bump in the night shit that’ll turn the rest of you white and drain whatever red’s left in you too.”

Galnaav stood up and got face to face with S-Ranma, glaring daggers into his soul. “You just keep going there!”

Agent R rolled his eyes. “Guys... come on!”

Galnaav turned to R and pointed back at S-Ranma. “He started it! He always starts it!”

“Yeah whatever.” S-Ranma said, turning away and walking over to the couch, sitting down and picking up his silver stakes from the coffee table next to it. “I can take these at least right?” he asked, holding them up for X’s inspection.

X shook his head and pulled the stakes the same as he did the sword. “No way man. You saw how clingy she was. Even if you conceal them I’m sure she’d find them in time.”

S-Ranma sighed. “Alright. Fine.”

“Okay everyone.” X said as he clapped his hands together to get everyone’s attention and got off the wall he was leaning against. “Here’s the plan. Claw, you’re running surveillance with me tonight. As soon as we see this worlds Ranma alone we kidnap him and bring him back to the hotel here where we’ll take turns watching him to make sure he doesn’t try to get back together with Akane before we’re done.”

He then pointed to S-Ranma. “Ranma, you’re going to take this worlds Ranmas place and be generally unpleasant to Akane until she starts to hate you. Try to be gradual with how much of a jerk you are to her, we want the transition from as seamless as possible.”

“Why can’t you take his place?” S-Ranma asked. “You’ve got the same build as me and him and you’re psychic, you’d be able to know what will work best at driving her away.”

“Two reasons:...” X replied. “First, I have a jusenkyo curse whereas this worlds Ranma does not seem to have one. Secondly you’re way better at getting on peoples nerves than me. If you need a hand with anything just think to me, I’ll pick up your thoughts and help you out psychically.”

S-Ranma sighed, clearly not wanting to be the one to do it. “Well what about Claw here?” He asked.

“He’s got permanent scars between his knuckles where his claws come out. She might notice those.” X replied.

Claw took a looks at his knuckles. “I do?” Sure enough he noticed 3 scars in between all his knuckles. “Huh... I do. Wonder why that is? I should be able to heal from anything.”

Galnaav rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what the big deal is. You’ll just be doing what you always do. Being a giant dick.”

S-Ranma glared at her but for once didn’t take the bait. “I don’t like being without my weapons okay? Those things have saved my life far too many times for me to count.”

X looked over to Galnaav and interjected. “It’s true he can’t count the times.”

Galnaav snickered at the comment. S-Ranma continued unfettered. “When you know that there’s things out there that only these weapons can kill... and you know that they would kill you in an instant without a second thought, it’s kind of hard to leave the house without them.”

Galnaav rolled her eyes. “Ugh. Cry me a river. I’ve probably seen things just as bad if not worse than you have. I come from a far more complicated world than you do. “

X looked over to S-Ranma and interjected. “It’s true. She has, and she does.”

“What about R?” S-Ranma asked. “He’s got no curse or noticeable scars.”

X sighed. “Just trust me okay? I’ve got this all figured out.”

Claw then raised his hand to get everyone’s attention. “Guys. Can we get back on track here? We can play who’s childhood sucked more when we leave this world alright?”

X shook his head. “Right. Getting back to it. Galnaav, you and Red will join Furinkan high as twin sisters and get to know both Kuno and Akane. Become their friends, find out about them, what makes them tick, what...”

“Whoa!” Red interrupted. “I am NOT wearing a dress.”

X frowned. “Not a good time for machismo Red. They have a dress code and we need the intel if we’re going to get this done.”

Red flopped down on a nearby chair. “Ugh! Fine! But you owe me! It’s bad enough I gotta wear this stupid necklace.” She said, shaking the heart shaped necklace around her neck that acted as their teleportation device and instruction manual for fixing the multi verse.

“Galnaav I want you to join the Tendo dojo. Tell them you heard they were the best and you want to be a student. This should get you close enough to Akane to get as much info as we’ll ever need on her. If you do it while we’re getting Ranma switched, then that should provide a little extra distraction for the rest of the family. Red you focus on befriending Kuno.”

The two female Ranmas nodded affirmation. Red much less enthusiastically so.

“Alright so that takes care of everyone except me.” Agent R noted. “What am I going to do?”

X smiled. “You’ve got the most important job of all. You need to get a job.”

Agent R frowned. “Excuse me?”

“A job.” X repeated. “We need income. This hotel isn’t paying for itself. We need to make some more money so that we can stay here. The leftover cash we all had pooled together only covers us for tonight. If we don’t get some more money. We’re on the street tomorrow.”

“How about I take Ranma’s place and he can...” Agent R started.

“Nooooo way sucker.” S-Ranma interrupted. I’ve got my job and you’ve got yours. No trades.” He said with a snicker.

“How quickly he changes his tune.” Galnaav said, dead panned.

Agent R sighed. “Alright fine. It needs to be done anyway, and I couldn’t see Ranma here hold down a job anyway. I’m the only logical choice, I get it.”

“Hey!” S-Ranma said defensively.

“Ha ha! Nice turnaround bro.” Red said.

“Alright.” X started, leaving the wall he was leaning against. “It’s 6:00 and the Tendos are just finishing dinner. Akane’s planning on taking a bath shortly so now’s the perfect time to catch them unawares. Lets do this.”

***************

Soun Tendo smiled as he read his paper at the table. While Kasumi cleared the dishes. Life was good. He had three beautiful children, his best friend was living with him, and his youngest daughter was engaged to marry his best friends son, who as luck would have it, not only turned out to be quite the nice young man, but his daughter was all for the arranged marriage. It could only be smooth sailing from here.

Just then the sound of rolling thunder streaked overhead. Now ordinarily Soun might have taken that as a bad omen. But nothing could possibly go wrong. Not with how good of a mood he was in.

Ranma and Akane, as per usual after dinner, were cuddling on the couch. The TV was turned on but neither of them were paying attention to it. Akane pecked Ranma on the cheek and then stood up.

“Where you going?” Ranma asked.

Akane stretched and smiled at her husband to be. “I’m going to take a bath. Feels like forever since I’ve had one.”

“Awww!” Ranma mock pouted. “Can’t it wait just a little longer?”

Akane playfully punched Ranma in the arm. “Don’t be so greedy Ranma. It’s unattractive.”

Ranma chuckled and then stroke a mock sexy pose. “There’s nothing unattractive about me and you know it beautiful.”

Akane gave a cute little smile and then flipped her hair and walked towards the bathroom.

**************

“Bleeeargh!”

Claw and S-Ranma jumped back as X hurled all over the Tendo training hall wall that they were hiding behind. “Jesus man! What’s wrong with you?” Claw demanded.

“That was completely disgusting!” S-Ranma added. “But also really unexpected. What was that all about?”

X looked incredibly surprised as he wiped the vomit from the sides of his mouth on his sleeve. “Oh my god.” X started. “Their thoughts were so sickeningly cutesy that I actually barfed.” He then looked up at his compatriots and continued. “I think this might be more difficult than I thought. They are disgustingly in love.”

Claw snickered and put a hand on S-Ranmas shoulder. “Too bad our boy here hasn’t had acting lessons.”

S-Ranma growled and wiped Claw’s hand off his shoulder. “Stow it. I’ve got this covered. Two days tops and she won’t be able to stand me.”

“Okay.” X said. “Well lets get this show on the road. X then gave a psychic signal to Galnaav who was waiting by the front gate of the dojo. Galnaav looked over in their direction, nodded, and then entered the property through the gates.

***********

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

Soun looked up from his paper. Kasumi poked her head out of the kitchen. “Shall I get the door father?” She asked.

Soun folded his paper and set it down on the table. “No daughter that will be quite all right. I’ll get it.” He then unfolded his legs and started heading for the front door. Kasumi went back into the kitchen to continue doing the dishes.

Just then Ranmas hand, of it’s own accord covered over his mouth and he felt his body leaving the couch, then floating through the air. He struggled and tried to call out to Kasumi but he couldn’t seem to move his tongue to make out any words, and his own hand was effectively gagging him anyways. “Mmmmmm! Mmmm!! Mmmmm!!!”

Ranma quickly floated past the kitchen as Kasumi’s back stayed turned and she hummed a merry tune to herself as she cleaned the dishes. Just as Ranma was out of her sight she turned around. “Ranma?” She called.

Kasumi noticed that Ranma was no longer in the main room, shrugged and went back to her duties, figuring that he must have gone to the bathroom.

****************

Ranma continued to struggle as his slow wingless flight brought him out into the front yard and over the wall. Where what looked like three almost identical versions of him were waiting for him. Ranma’s struggles doubled at the sight of them.

X sighed and started walking down the street, telekinetically forcing Ranma’s body to look like it was just walking normally next to him and Claw as they headed back to the hotel. As they started to leave S-Ranma chose that moment to bound over the wall and into the yard.

“Sorry about this Ranma.” X said sympathetically to his otherworldly counterpart. “I really hate to kidnap you like this but it’s important. If we don’t, who knows what could happen.”

“Yeah.” Claw added, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Believe it or not it’s actually a mission from god.”

X continued. “I guess it couldn’t hurt to tell him what’s going on. Hard to tell with his mind in a state of panic like this, but the six of us took it rather well, and he’s the same guy as us.”

Claw nodded. “Good point. Well Ranma, it’s like this: We’re all Ranma as well but from different dimensions...”

*****************

Galnaav sighed as she looked around the yard while waiting for the door to be answered. It felt like forever since she had last been at the Tendo Dojo. She wasn’t even sure how she felt about being back. At one point it was home, but on the other hand after her nomadic stay in the other world of dragons, monsters and magic, it felt downright alien to her. No place really felt like home without her daughter Crimson around.

Just then the door slid open revealing Soun Tendo, breaking Galnaavs reverie. “Hello there.” He said, smiling at Galnaav. “What can I do for you tonight young lady?”

Galnaav smiled back, but kept it reserved for appearances. “Hi. My name is...” Galnaav then thought for a second realizing that her chosen name: Galnaav, after her mentor in the other world, was a little masculine and foreign sounding. She then picked the first Japanese girls name that she could think of. “Ranko Motosae.” She continued.

Sound bowed to the girl. “Very nice to meet you.”

Galnaav or ‘Ranko’ as she was now going by bowed as well. “Nice to meet you too. Sorry I’m dropping by so late.”

Soun waved it off. “Think nothing of it. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I’m a new student at Furinkan starting tomorrow and I was wondering if you were accepting new students into the anything goes school of martial arts.” She said. “I want to learn to be the best there is, and I heard that this school is the best.” She said, letting a little bit of her pride in her abilities shine through.

Soun looked thoughtful. “Well...” He started, stroking his mustache. “I haven’t had a student in quite some time. To be honest young lady, the only person I’ve taught at all since my wife passed is my daughter.”

Galnaav forced a disappointed look on her face and hung her head. “Oh... I see. I’m so sorry to have bothered you sir.” She then turned around and started heading for the gate.

At the sight of the girls disappointment Souns heart broke in two and his last shred of hesitation disappeared. “Now wait just a moment.” He started, stepping forward and putting a hand on her shoulder.

Galnaav smiled at her carefully planned manipulation. She then put on a hopeful expression that worked so well at scoring free food from vendors back in the day and turned back around.

“I said that I hadn’t had a student in a long time. I didn’t say that I wouldn’t accept anyone new.” He said with a smile. “I’d be happy to teach you.”

“Thank you so much!” Galnaav said. She then gave a deep bow.

Soun chuckled. “Ha ha! Think nothing of it. Why it’ll probably be as good for me as it is for you. Why not get a start on it tomorrow? Right after school?” He asked.

Galnaav smiled wide and nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll be there! You can count on me! You won’t be disappointed sensei.” She then bowed again quickly and left out the gate.

Soun watched her depart and smiled. It actually felt quite good to be called sensei again. He was actually finding himself looking forward to tomorrow. He then went back inside.

******************

S-Ranma entered the home through the open shogi where the other had taken the local Ranma through and lay down on the couch. “Here goes nothing.” He said to himself as he picked up the remote control from the coffee table and pointed it at the TV. He flicked through the channels for a moment and then settled on a music video. “Sad that this is the best thing on right now.” He lamented.

Just then Soun entered the room from the front where he just finished talking with Galnaav. “Who was at the door?” Ranma asked.

Soun smiled. “Just my new student.” He said with a huge smile. “Not sure what’s come over me, but I feel inspired by this young girls enthusiasm. So I guess I’m getting back into teaching.”

S-Ranma turned back to the TV. “Whatever.”

Soun looked a little taken aback by the attitude that was uncustomary of the young man that he had practically come to see as one of his own. “Right then.” Soun said and kept walking.

Soun passed Akane on his way up the stairs, and she smiled at him. “Daddy.”

Soun looked distracted after his encounter with Ranma. “Ah. Yes that’s me.” He then went to his room without another room. Akane looked back after him quizzically then shook her head and continued on.

She smiled as she saw her fiance watching music videos on the telvision. She sat down in front of Ranma intent on leaning against his chest.

“Hey. Down in front.” Ranma said, sitting up and looking around her. “Couldn’t you find another seat?”

Akane was shocked at this reaction, but decided that he was probably just really into the show. “Sorry hun. I didn’t realize you were watching this.”

“What else could I possibly be doing, staring at a TV with a remote in my hands?” Ranma asked.

Akane’s jaw dropped at the audacity that Ranma was displaying. “Ranma!” She sputtered in absolute shock. “How...? Why...? How dare you talk to me like that! I’m your fiancé!”

Ranma shrugged. “Fine whatever. I’m going to bed.” Ranma said, as he got up off the couch and headed for the stairs.

Akane stared off at her fiancé completely baffled.

**************

later that night, Galnaav entered the hotel room to see X and Claw tying up a telekinetically incapacitated local Ranma in a chair. Agent R sat on the couch in the background watching.

Ranma looked up at Galnaav and shouted. “Oh god miss. Help me! These crazy people that all look like me are trying to kidnap me! I think they’re trying to replace me! Miss please! Call the cops!”

Galnaav looks surprised and then her white hair started to turn red all on it’s own. “Hey.” Claw called out to her. “Your hair just turned red.”

Galnaav took a locke of her hair and pulled it in front of her face. “Finally.” She said. She then walked over to the bathroom and turned on the tap. She put her hand under the hot water and then walked back out into the main room, now fully male. “So how’s it going?” He asked.

Local Ranma groaned at the sight of himn. “Oh god not another one!” He said as he hung his head. “How many of you fake Ranmas are there? What kind of conspiracy is this? Is this a government thing?”

Galnaav nodded in understanding. “Not so well I see.”

Claw sighed. “No sir. Nice to be back in male form?” He asked.

Galnaav groaned and walked over to the couch, flopping down next to Agent R. “A whole week stuck as a girl... wouldn’t wish that on any of you.”

X snickered as he tied the final knot. “Actually I’ve been there. Wasn’t a picnic considering what all was going on at the time.”

“Let me go!” Local Ranma screamed in his chair. “I need to get back to my fiancé!”

“We told you.” Started X. “You can’t. She’s destined to fall in love with someone else.”

Local Ranma glared at him. “That’s a load of crap! There’s no such thing as destiny! I choose who I love and its her! Now let me go before I get really mad.”

Agent R sighed. “Ugh. Give it a rest Ranma. We already told you that you two were never meant to be together. You know, that whole angels and demons rebelling against god and the devil by messing with the multiverse thing. We’re fixing it and we’re starting by getting Akane together with Kuno.”

“Kuno?” Ranma demanded. “That nerd? He’s got nothing on me. She’d never go for him. She’ll never fall for it. She loves me and she knows me.”

“We’ve already got your replacement set up Ranma. He’ll make good and sure that she hates you once the week is through.” Claw said.

Galnaav chuckled. “Yeah. He’s really good at it.”

“I’ll get you for this.” Local Ranma threatened.

Claw looked over to X concerned. “I guess we shouldn’t have told him after all.” he said.

X nodded. “Yeah. Well I can’t get them right all the time.” He then used a minor mind spike on Local Ranma to put him to sleep. “We should probably get some rest. Red and Galnaav have school tomorrow.”

**************

Author’s Notes: {Hello everyone. Anyway it’s been a while so I may be a little rusty. I’ve been reading over my old fics though trying to reacquaint myself with the characters and the whole fanfiction thing. It’s hard to get back into this after so many years. Been away from writing for quite a while, but I think this turned out somewhat decent.

Also, if anyone is interested in being my pre-reader that would be awesome. I work best when I’ve got someone to bounce ideas off of. Write me an e-mail if you’re interested.

Morden Night: mordennight@hotmail.com
http://mordennight.tripod.com