ecs05norway
Zenryoku Zenkai!
Oh dear ghu you did go there. Beautiful!
A CYOA in Worm or I think my name is No No
- Thread starter Rajvik_wolfboy
- Start date
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- Tags
- worm cyoa cyoa si self insert
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
You guys are going to love finding out where his mother is from
- Location
- Jackson, Alabama
Let me guess: either the Chinese Amazons or the Musk?
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
Shouldn't have said anything should I?
- Location
- Jackson, Alabama
To me, your comment was a challenge to make a wild guess. It seemed logical given that Lung's mother is from China and the fact that Ranma was only slightly exaggerated from reality.
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
To me, your comment was a challenge to make a wild guess. It seemed logical given that Lung's mother is from China and the fact that Ranma was only slightly exaggerated from reality.
Well I am glad that the logic is sturdy then
Yes people, imagine the possibilities where Lung is the result of mixing Chinese Amazons and the Takamachi family
Chapter 4.2
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
Chapter 4.2
(Authors note: This should be the last one that has to be checked over by other sites mods before posting for a while, also, due to the holiday, next interlude will probably be out during the weekend)
**
The last time I had been held like this it was the day after my grandfather's funeral. Mother had to work the day shift at the precinct and the students had all elected to spend a week out, in respect of both my grandfather and our family. We accepted this stoically, as was traditional, and because of this, I had nothing to occupy my mind during the day. Mayumi, bless her, had come over and tried to keep my spirits up, but in the end, we had done nothing but lay there on my futon cuddling together. "You," she would whisper into my ear, "are not a monster. You loved him and the fact that no one knew he was dead that morning is not your fault." That had been what I had dissolved into, near hysterical tears while blaming myself for oversleeping that morning and not checking on him before leaving for school. Mom had been working overnights at the precinct and would barely have enough energy when she came in to make it to her futon before crashing, and when his health had taken a bad turn after my grandmother's death, it became my responsibility to check on him.
I couldn't say that Mayumi didn't understand, we all understood duty, it was something taught to us from before we could remember. Duty to family, to friends, to our school, duty was culturally ingrained into our minds and souls. Because of duty, I would return to school the next day and maintain a calm and bland face in front of all my classmates, perform my work as expected, and go about my life as if nothing bad had happened. Once I returned home, or went to Mayumi's, then I would be able to break down into tears and self-recrimination. I would wear a mask for the public, and then in the privacy of what I considered my remaining family, break down and be consoled, wrapped in loving arms, and told that everything would be alright.
**Saotome Mayumi**
"Trust me handsome," the person next to me said, practically cooing at the terrorist as the speaker stroked her hand up the man's leg. "That one isn't worth your time, I on the other hand, I can show you how much your hard work is appreciated. Just take me in the bathroom over there, and you will forget all your worries in a really short time." To hear those words come out of anyone's mouth sickened me, especially since they were referring to me. But to hear them out of the mouth of my best friend, my girlfriend, to one of the bastards that were keeping us at gunpoint. I felt my heart crack, falter, and then shatter as I watched her lead the smiling ass toward the aircraft's bathroom.
Sometimes it would seem like the scream came an eternity later, sometimes almost as soon as the door to the bathroom closed, but sooner or later there was always a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream come from the bathroom. One of the other terrorists runs up the aisle to check, doing a quick look around and head count, before cursing as he realizes that he was both two bodies short, and what likely has occurred. Reaching the bathroom, he ripped the door open, only to fall backwards at the twin blasts that greeted him. Then Akane steps out over the top of him. She is covered from the neck down in blood, a pistol in one hand, and a bloody knife in the other. Her face was a rictus of cold fury as she shoved the pistol in her hand down the back of her skirt before pulling a similar weapon from the now dying terrorist's hand. Sliding that one into her blazer pocket she searches him, quickly, for anything else of use before slitting his throat in a perfunctory manner.
Turning to the rest of us she points at people and starts snapping orders like a soldier, (or that idiot Sagara,) would, obviously expecting to be obeyed. Then, as the rest of the group starts to move themselves, she stalks over to me and pulls me to my feet. "Mayumi-chan, you're having another nightmare sweetheart," I hear someone say. Akane kisses me and I taste the coppery taste of blood. My response is to scream, and I wake up to find myself in my own bed, my mother standing there in the doorway, disheveled as I panted, trying to regain my breath.
"Not again," I muttered rubbing my face as my mother entered my room and knelt down beside me. I had dreamed of that day almost nightly since it had occurred, and I needed to get over it, I had to push past it and move on with my life, move on from Akane.
"Mayumi," my mother said pulling me into a hug, "I think you should talk to Akane about these dreams. Not on your life mom, I thought, I'm not saying so much as a word to her if I can help it ever again.
**
I awoke to the door's warning buzzer, jerking into a near upright position where I had been leaning back against someone as I sat on the stool at the counter. Whoever it was, their arms were wrapped around me and they were curled protectively around me as we both had fallen asleep sitting up and leaning against the kitchen island. Taylor, my brain told me and then I remembered talking to Dean, and then Taylor holding me while I drifted off into some weird mixture of dream and memory. Wait, BUZZER, Damn it! I reached over to grab the domino mask that I had left on the island and found it not there. I half spun to look for it even as my left hand came up to shade my face, and then I felt it already in place.
I let out a sighing breath as I relaxed once again, the adrenaline having blasted the last of the cobwebs from my brain. I looked and found that Taylor also had a mask in place even as the door opened to let Chris and Dennis into the common room. "Mwahuh," I heard Taylor mumble and blearily she raised her head from where it had been resting against my shoulder. "Sorry," she said softly with a slight smile, "I must have dozed off myself, you obviously needed the sleep."
"You too," I replied softly, taking a finger and pushing a lock of hair back up out of her face, "Rough night?" I asked.
"Nightmare about the fashion show," she said running her fingers through her hair and stretching, Don't watch Akane, I thought. And then her back arched and I found myself spinning away, DAMN IT AKANE, I said don't watch! "Ugah," she groaned. "I don't even own a set of heels, let alone know how to walk in a pair."
"We can fix that though," I answered twisting and popping my neck while pulling my phone out of my pocket. "In fact, I can think of someone who would probably love to help on both counts, and has a sister who needs to decompress some."
**Amy**
"You were at the hospital all night again weren't you," Vicky's voice blasted through my sleeping brain causing me to sit up and allow the blankets to fall from over my head. "What time did you finally drag yourself home?"
I glowered at my sister as she stood in the doorway to my room, "Yes I spent all night at the hospital again," I growled out as I glanced around to see what time it was. Finally, I found my alarm clock on the floor where I had apparently knocked it at some point this morning. "I got home about 5:30," I answered as I set the clock back on my bedside table, noting the time as a quarter of noon. "Met mom as she was heading out to work. She said that someone called and asked her to step in on the Canary case, so she is having to run to Boston to pick up the case file and meet with her new client."
Vicky nodded at that and smiled, "Do you have anything planned for the rest of your day?" she asked. I shook my head no and she smiled. I felt my stomach drop when she did, she had something planned, and I doubted I would like it. "Then get up and get a shower," she said bouncing up on her toes. "Taylor and Akane need our help, and their buying lunch and the snacks."
I was about to ask what they needed help with, but Vicky turned and dashed off to her room, obviously planning something. I just collapsed back into my bed. I don't know how much time passed between her running off and her coming back but I doubt it was very long before she was bouncing my bed to get me up. "Come on Amy, get up, we need to do this together."
I rolled my eyes at that and groaned. Unfortunately, I just couldn't stay angry with Vicky, she was just too enjoyable a person to be around. The energy she brought to everything was like a young puppy that just wanted to play with everyone, and you couldn't help but find it infectious. "Alright I'm up, I'm up." I grumped as I rolled back upright and then out of the bed. "I'll grab a quick shower and then we'll go?"
"It's a surprise," Vicky giggled, "just trust me, you'll have fun." I groaned at that as I trudged off to the bathroom. Vicky's idea of fun, and mine usually didn't match, so I doubted I would end up enjoying this. Still, it would be spent with two of our newest friends, at least one of whom understood the want and desire to stay out of the public eye.
**
"I truly hate you at times," I grumbled at Vicky as we set down outside Weymouth Mall. The two-story shopping monstrosity had already eaten up the better portion of an afternoon on Tuesday, and now we were back for the sole reason of finding some specific shoes for Taylor and Akane. All Akane needed was a pair of two-inch black pumps, something that I was sure we could easily find. Taylor though, she needed both those same black pumps, and a set of wedge heeled sandals with a three-inch lift. According to Vicky someone had talked the two of them into modeling for a fashion show a week from Sunday and neither of them owned, nor had ever worn heels before.
"Get over it," Vicky said as she started walking toward the food court doors. I hurried to catch up with her longer stride and was quickly walking beside her. "Besides," she continued. "You're going to get to watch both of them show off their legs and totter around on heels until they learn to walk in them." I lifted an eyebrow at my sister causing her to snicker. "I caught both you and Akane trying so very hard not to look at Taylor's legs in those dresses I had her try on Tuesday." She shook her head and smiled before reaching over and pulling me into a one-armed hug. "Ames, you should have said something long ago, I'd have found girls to set you up with on those double dates, not Dean's guy friends."
If it wasn't for Vicky's arm around me, I would have stopped dead in my tracks and probably collapsed right then and there. "How? Why?" I sputtered. No, not how, she said she caught me looking at Taylor's legs Tuesday, I thought.
"Amy, you're my sister," Vicky continued heedless of my own thoughts, "and like I said, I caught you looking, but if you think that just because you like girls like I like guys, that I'm going to disown you or something, well think again." Vicky's face looked a little hurt at the thought and I felt bad for it. But then she smiled and waved down the food court with her free hand causing me to follow her gaze and spot Taylor standing over the crowd. I smiled and she glanced down at me and grinned, "Is that what you like Ames, long legged brunettes? Cause let me tell you, if I swung that way, I'd be chasing Taylor myself."
"Huh?" I asked looking at Vicky.
"I'm Hetero little sis," she answered smiling and waving again while dragging me forward, "I'm neither blind nor dead."
**
(Authors note: This should be the last one that has to be checked over by other sites mods before posting for a while, also, due to the holiday, next interlude will probably be out during the weekend)
**
The last time I had been held like this it was the day after my grandfather's funeral. Mother had to work the day shift at the precinct and the students had all elected to spend a week out, in respect of both my grandfather and our family. We accepted this stoically, as was traditional, and because of this, I had nothing to occupy my mind during the day. Mayumi, bless her, had come over and tried to keep my spirits up, but in the end, we had done nothing but lay there on my futon cuddling together. "You," she would whisper into my ear, "are not a monster. You loved him and the fact that no one knew he was dead that morning is not your fault." That had been what I had dissolved into, near hysterical tears while blaming myself for oversleeping that morning and not checking on him before leaving for school. Mom had been working overnights at the precinct and would barely have enough energy when she came in to make it to her futon before crashing, and when his health had taken a bad turn after my grandmother's death, it became my responsibility to check on him.
I couldn't say that Mayumi didn't understand, we all understood duty, it was something taught to us from before we could remember. Duty to family, to friends, to our school, duty was culturally ingrained into our minds and souls. Because of duty, I would return to school the next day and maintain a calm and bland face in front of all my classmates, perform my work as expected, and go about my life as if nothing bad had happened. Once I returned home, or went to Mayumi's, then I would be able to break down into tears and self-recrimination. I would wear a mask for the public, and then in the privacy of what I considered my remaining family, break down and be consoled, wrapped in loving arms, and told that everything would be alright.
**Saotome Mayumi**
"Trust me handsome," the person next to me said, practically cooing at the terrorist as the speaker stroked her hand up the man's leg. "That one isn't worth your time, I on the other hand, I can show you how much your hard work is appreciated. Just take me in the bathroom over there, and you will forget all your worries in a really short time." To hear those words come out of anyone's mouth sickened me, especially since they were referring to me. But to hear them out of the mouth of my best friend, my girlfriend, to one of the bastards that were keeping us at gunpoint. I felt my heart crack, falter, and then shatter as I watched her lead the smiling ass toward the aircraft's bathroom.
Sometimes it would seem like the scream came an eternity later, sometimes almost as soon as the door to the bathroom closed, but sooner or later there was always a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream come from the bathroom. One of the other terrorists runs up the aisle to check, doing a quick look around and head count, before cursing as he realizes that he was both two bodies short, and what likely has occurred. Reaching the bathroom, he ripped the door open, only to fall backwards at the twin blasts that greeted him. Then Akane steps out over the top of him. She is covered from the neck down in blood, a pistol in one hand, and a bloody knife in the other. Her face was a rictus of cold fury as she shoved the pistol in her hand down the back of her skirt before pulling a similar weapon from the now dying terrorist's hand. Sliding that one into her blazer pocket she searches him, quickly, for anything else of use before slitting his throat in a perfunctory manner.
Turning to the rest of us she points at people and starts snapping orders like a soldier, (or that idiot Sagara,) would, obviously expecting to be obeyed. Then, as the rest of the group starts to move themselves, she stalks over to me and pulls me to my feet. "Mayumi-chan, you're having another nightmare sweetheart," I hear someone say. Akane kisses me and I taste the coppery taste of blood. My response is to scream, and I wake up to find myself in my own bed, my mother standing there in the doorway, disheveled as I panted, trying to regain my breath.
"Not again," I muttered rubbing my face as my mother entered my room and knelt down beside me. I had dreamed of that day almost nightly since it had occurred, and I needed to get over it, I had to push past it and move on with my life, move on from Akane.
"Mayumi," my mother said pulling me into a hug, "I think you should talk to Akane about these dreams. Not on your life mom, I thought, I'm not saying so much as a word to her if I can help it ever again.
**
I awoke to the door's warning buzzer, jerking into a near upright position where I had been leaning back against someone as I sat on the stool at the counter. Whoever it was, their arms were wrapped around me and they were curled protectively around me as we both had fallen asleep sitting up and leaning against the kitchen island. Taylor, my brain told me and then I remembered talking to Dean, and then Taylor holding me while I drifted off into some weird mixture of dream and memory. Wait, BUZZER, Damn it! I reached over to grab the domino mask that I had left on the island and found it not there. I half spun to look for it even as my left hand came up to shade my face, and then I felt it already in place.
I let out a sighing breath as I relaxed once again, the adrenaline having blasted the last of the cobwebs from my brain. I looked and found that Taylor also had a mask in place even as the door opened to let Chris and Dennis into the common room. "Mwahuh," I heard Taylor mumble and blearily she raised her head from where it had been resting against my shoulder. "Sorry," she said softly with a slight smile, "I must have dozed off myself, you obviously needed the sleep."
"You too," I replied softly, taking a finger and pushing a lock of hair back up out of her face, "Rough night?" I asked.
"Nightmare about the fashion show," she said running her fingers through her hair and stretching, Don't watch Akane, I thought. And then her back arched and I found myself spinning away, DAMN IT AKANE, I said don't watch! "Ugah," she groaned. "I don't even own a set of heels, let alone know how to walk in a pair."
"We can fix that though," I answered twisting and popping my neck while pulling my phone out of my pocket. "In fact, I can think of someone who would probably love to help on both counts, and has a sister who needs to decompress some."
**Amy**
"You were at the hospital all night again weren't you," Vicky's voice blasted through my sleeping brain causing me to sit up and allow the blankets to fall from over my head. "What time did you finally drag yourself home?"
I glowered at my sister as she stood in the doorway to my room, "Yes I spent all night at the hospital again," I growled out as I glanced around to see what time it was. Finally, I found my alarm clock on the floor where I had apparently knocked it at some point this morning. "I got home about 5:30," I answered as I set the clock back on my bedside table, noting the time as a quarter of noon. "Met mom as she was heading out to work. She said that someone called and asked her to step in on the Canary case, so she is having to run to Boston to pick up the case file and meet with her new client."
Vicky nodded at that and smiled, "Do you have anything planned for the rest of your day?" she asked. I shook my head no and she smiled. I felt my stomach drop when she did, she had something planned, and I doubted I would like it. "Then get up and get a shower," she said bouncing up on her toes. "Taylor and Akane need our help, and their buying lunch and the snacks."
I was about to ask what they needed help with, but Vicky turned and dashed off to her room, obviously planning something. I just collapsed back into my bed. I don't know how much time passed between her running off and her coming back but I doubt it was very long before she was bouncing my bed to get me up. "Come on Amy, get up, we need to do this together."
I rolled my eyes at that and groaned. Unfortunately, I just couldn't stay angry with Vicky, she was just too enjoyable a person to be around. The energy she brought to everything was like a young puppy that just wanted to play with everyone, and you couldn't help but find it infectious. "Alright I'm up, I'm up." I grumped as I rolled back upright and then out of the bed. "I'll grab a quick shower and then we'll go?"
"It's a surprise," Vicky giggled, "just trust me, you'll have fun." I groaned at that as I trudged off to the bathroom. Vicky's idea of fun, and mine usually didn't match, so I doubted I would end up enjoying this. Still, it would be spent with two of our newest friends, at least one of whom understood the want and desire to stay out of the public eye.
**
"I truly hate you at times," I grumbled at Vicky as we set down outside Weymouth Mall. The two-story shopping monstrosity had already eaten up the better portion of an afternoon on Tuesday, and now we were back for the sole reason of finding some specific shoes for Taylor and Akane. All Akane needed was a pair of two-inch black pumps, something that I was sure we could easily find. Taylor though, she needed both those same black pumps, and a set of wedge heeled sandals with a three-inch lift. According to Vicky someone had talked the two of them into modeling for a fashion show a week from Sunday and neither of them owned, nor had ever worn heels before.
"Get over it," Vicky said as she started walking toward the food court doors. I hurried to catch up with her longer stride and was quickly walking beside her. "Besides," she continued. "You're going to get to watch both of them show off their legs and totter around on heels until they learn to walk in them." I lifted an eyebrow at my sister causing her to snicker. "I caught both you and Akane trying so very hard not to look at Taylor's legs in those dresses I had her try on Tuesday." She shook her head and smiled before reaching over and pulling me into a one-armed hug. "Ames, you should have said something long ago, I'd have found girls to set you up with on those double dates, not Dean's guy friends."
If it wasn't for Vicky's arm around me, I would have stopped dead in my tracks and probably collapsed right then and there. "How? Why?" I sputtered. No, not how, she said she caught me looking at Taylor's legs Tuesday, I thought.
"Amy, you're my sister," Vicky continued heedless of my own thoughts, "and like I said, I caught you looking, but if you think that just because you like girls like I like guys, that I'm going to disown you or something, well think again." Vicky's face looked a little hurt at the thought and I felt bad for it. But then she smiled and waved down the food court with her free hand causing me to follow her gaze and spot Taylor standing over the crowd. I smiled and she glanced down at me and grinned, "Is that what you like Ames, long legged brunettes? Cause let me tell you, if I swung that way, I'd be chasing Taylor myself."
"Huh?" I asked looking at Vicky.
"I'm Hetero little sis," she answered smiling and waving again while dragging me forward, "I'm neither blind nor dead."
**
Last edited:
- Location
- SW Florida
She sees but is still blind! Mwahahahahaha!
That's good balance of oblivious and observant you've got there Vicky.
That's good balance of oblivious and observant you've got there Vicky.
Chapter 4.3
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
Authors note- other crossover characters appear, probably as one ofs for this set of scenes. I have background work-overs for the most expansive one, I'm sure the other two you'll recognize and pretty much dismiss anyway.
Chapter 4.3
**Akihabara**
Ran Saotome sighed as she watched her daughter finally shuffle back off to bed. Usually something like this would have been solved with a quiet call to Akane, her daughter's now ex-girlfriend, (and hadn't that been a surprise.) However, that was unlikely to happen as Akane was respecting Mayumi's request not to contact her. Of course, the other part of the problem was that it was Akane's actions to protect Mayumi that was causing the nightmares. Ran silently shook her head in exasperation at the level of stubbornness as she rinsed the two teacups and shut off the kitchen light. A quick check on her youngest child, Daisuke, who seemed to be solidly asleep, and the mother of four went to her own room and kneeled before the family shrine.
The shrine itself had been a wedding gift from her husband's mother, a family heirloom of some sort that while it had seen a good bit of travel, evidenced by some dings and scratches to the finish, was still as sturdy as the day it had been turned out by a master craftsman five generations prior. On the small, backpack sized, cabinet was an incense bowl and a series of photographs. On one side of the upper shelf sat his parents wedding photo, matched by her parents on the opposite side. Beneath that and just above the incense bowl was a group photograph of her, her late husband, and all their friends in a frame that had been labeled, "Nerima High School class of 1987, aka The Wrecking Crew." It was this photo she focused on, thinking back to those heady days when one of their teachers had come to them as a group and explained that she had been using their lives as the source for a manga.
Takahashi-sensei had explained how she had changed things, and played up certain aspects of their lives, exaggerating where necessary to make the story more fantastic and protect the real-life people behind her characters. Ran and her brother had been turned into one character who changed genders with a splash of water, and while other characters were more straightforward things like her father's lousy parenting skills and her husband's boorish attitude were portrayed as similar curses that changed their species. Even the exchange student from China had been drug into it, though that had been more about the girl's one-sided crush on Ran's brother and habit of preening than anything else. Still, the group of them had earned a reputation around the area for being a bit hard on their surroundings.
One example was the youngest daughter of the family that they had moved in with, (an old friend of their father's) who had been summarily engaged to Ranma, could, would and did on occasion, pick up small cars and trucks when angered by others at the school and use them as weapons against the people who angered her. Ran and her brother could handle their Akane because they had similar strength, as did Ryoga, Xian Pu, and Ukyo, their core group of friends, but that was because they had all been trained as high level martial artists since they had been small children. It was still hell on the landscape though, and then it seemed that with no warning, high school was over and real life demanded it's due.
Akane's older sister Nabiki married money, and their eldest sister settled down to care for their father while Akane and Ranma married and took over the Tendo family's dojo. Ran helped with the dojo and ended up marrying their friend Ryoga, (something that surprised most of the family) while Xian Pu had returned with her grandmother to China and Ukyo had moved to a different section of Tokyo to teach at a culinary school. The next generation were born, twins first for Ran and Akane both, and then Ran had Mayumi, and then Leviathan attacked Kyushu.
**Nerima, 1997**Six hours before Leviathan's attack on Kyushu**
"He's going to attack Kyushu," Ryoga said to Ranma, Akane, Ran, Tatewaki Kuno, Nabiki and Kodachi. Relations with the Kuno's were sometimes strained, but since Ran had started working with Nabiki in the stock market and Ryoga was teaching all the girls Rhythmic Gymnastics, (as well as how to use them in the martial arts) things had eased a bit more than they had been right after high school. "If we can get to Kyushu in time, we could help I'm sure." Ryoga was the dreamer of the group, always thinking big, always pushing forward, it was one of the reasons she loved the lug.
"Sure Ryoga," Ranma replied almost dismissively, "and since you've figured this out, then I'm sure their big brains have also figured it out and ain't gonna let anyone in there from outside. So how are we going to get there?"
"We have a plane," Tatewaki commented offhand. "We could fly into Kagoshima or any of a number of airports on the island."
"And if they deny us landing clearance?" Akane said, either playing devil's advocate or trying to poke a hole in Kuno-sempai's ego Ran couldn't tell. "What are you going to do then?"
"Why parachute in of course," Tatewaki replied nonchalantly, "I can have Sousuke pack parachutes for whomever wants to go, and then we leave. They can't stop us once we are on the ground there after all."
"So, who goes?" Akane asked, "I'm not getting left behind while you men go and fight this thing."
"Neither am I," Kodachi, Tatewaki's sister replied echoing Akane's response. Her brother started to say something which she shut down just as quickly with a glare and the words, "We are not the last anymore brother."
"Of course not dear," Ranma had said drowning out Tatewaki's sigh and closing the issue, so that was four.
"I'm out," Ran had answered even as Ryoga had said, "I'm in."
"Of course you're in pork but," Ranma had snarked only to get a glare from his sister.
"Ranma, you will be nice to him," Ran had growled, "and the lot of you better come back."
"Yeah yeah sis," Ranma had answered loftily, "odds are pork but is completely off and nothing will happen. So why don't we get this ball rolling, eh Kuno." Them waving as the five of them walked out to one of the Kuno's cars had been the last time she had seen them alive. All of them cocky, laughing and so sure of themselves.
**Akihabara now**
Ran opened her eyes feeling the tears flowing freely down her face. They had returned in a way, brought back by one who had stayed and fought beside them until the island itself had sank beneath him. One who had also lost family, and while he couldn't get the closure of knowing how his family had ended, he had at least brought two bodies and hours of their actions back to her and Nabiki.
It was strange to find out how small a world they lived in was, that this stranger had been the relative of a friend, and they had stayed in touch over the years. Now, checking the time, she decided that since he lived in the same city as her daughter's ex, she was going to ask a favor and see if he couldn't get the girl to call. Picking up the phone she dialed a long stream of numbers and waited for someone to answer on the other end, "Hello Nemuri-chan," she said as a young girl answered the phone on the other end, "Could you put your father on please, I need to ask a favor of him."
"Of course Auntie Ran," the girl bubbled back, just a second and I'll go get him." Ran could hear the phone's receiver get set down and the girl running off calling "Daddy, Auntie Ran is on the phone for you!"
**
**Brockton Bay**
"I can't believe that twit," Vicky grumbled as we left the store, the blonde stalking out like someone had just grabbed her butt. "I mean, it isn't difficult to for them to just say that they don't have anything like that in stock currently."
"Calm down Vicky," Amy sighed as she tottered along. Somehow Vicky had talked her into a set of two-inch, black, patent leather pumps like what Taylor and I had needed, and now all three of us were learning to walk in the damn things. "Now, where is that shop they suggested we go to?" she asked.
Still grumbling Vicky stepped over to the ad and map board that malls all over, used to guide you where you wanted to go. "It looks like it is in one of the outer areas." Vicky answered. "Since the clerk said they didn't open until after four, I would suggest we catch a movie to kill the time and then go see if they have the higher heels like she said they would."
"Sounds like a plan," I replied. "Taylor, what do you think?"
She shrugged, "Alright, but what's playing?"
**
Two hours later we walked out of the theater, I myself contemplative, Vicky bouncing and the other two somewhere in between. "So how much of that honor stuff is true?" Vicky asked damn near floating through the lobby of the theater toward the exit. She wasn't actually floating though because I had shut all of our powers down for the afternoon.
"It depended on various things to the point of being subjective to the storyteller's perspective." I answered. "First point being that the main character of that movie was Chinese, not Japanese and even though there are surprising similarities between the cultures, they are not the same."
"Noted," Vicky replied smiling as she walked backwards toward the exit. "But personal honor was a big deal during the time period for them as well wasn't it?"
"Honestly," I answered, "probably no more than it actually was in Europe during the middle ages. The thing is though, we're talking about something that would have happened sometime in the mid to late eighteen-hundreds going off the American west scenes and the weapons. Probably closer to the century mark than the middle of the century at that. During that time frame there wasn't any big changes in either country outside the Meiji Restoration, and the level of assassination that started the movie was not something that would have been condoned during that situation."
Vicky chuckled, "Mister Wolfe is going to love having you in his history class."
It was at that point we walked through the doors back into the mall to find four men with AK's staring down the theater patrons. "Alright folks," one of them said. "I think that's all of you from that showing, now get your asses to the central court." He punctuated his order by chambering the assault rifle, a round flying to the floor in waste.
"Fuck!" was all I could say.
**outside**
Brockton Bay Police Lieutenant Martin Riggs looked at the mall in front of him and then at the two sergeants who had been in charge of the scene until his arrival. Detective-Sergeant Josephine Lupo was scowling at the front doors of the mall, the fingers of her right-hand drumming against the grip of her holstered berretta nine-millimeter on her hip. As if to counterpoint the detective, PRT Sergeant Wynonna Earp was leaned almost casually against the front of the PRT Rapid Response van that held the rest of her squad. "Calm down Jo," Earp said glancing away from the door and at the other sergeant, "stressing is not going to get those people out any faster, and the Protectorate will be here shortly."
"It's been twenty minutes already Earp, what's keeping them?" Lupo growled.
"Looking for Squealer I imagine," Earp answered calmly. "Report was that she dropped a whole slew of Merchant assholes off and then drove away, her vehicle disappearing under some kind of invisibility cloak. I guess some people might just want to make sure she's not sitting out here watching and waiting to light the lot of us up when we make our move."
"I think you're giving the druggies to much credit," Lupo snapped out.
"And I think you are not giving them enough." Earp answered calmly. "Besides we have something else to deal with at the moment. Have either of you heard about a new cape in the area?"
Lupo looked at Riggs who shook his head in response so Lupo answered, "No, why?"
"Cause that's an awful lot of bugs heading this way," Earp answered pointing to the mass of insects that were making their way across the parking lot toward them. "Johnson, stand by with your sprayer, we might need you."
**Inside**Taylor**
Akane cranked my power up to fifteen as we were herded to the central courtyard of the mall by the four merchants with rifles and as we went, I awoke and gathered every insect and spider I could find in my extended range before using them to sweep through the mall in a search. I found Merchants pillaging the various stores and shops, emptying out cash boxes and registers, even cutting into a few safes. The pharmacy over in what some would probably call the geriatric's wing had been ransacked for both money and pills, and as we could see, everyone that had been inside the mall itself was gathered in the central courtyard under the gaze of Skidmark. The leader of the Merchants sat on some kind of bastard child of a powered wheelchair and throne that had been made of various car parts being welded together. The cape sneered at the crowd as our group was brought in and told to find a place to sit. "Hebert, Takamachi, over here." I heard someone call out. Looking I found a girl that I vaguely recognized from Winslow, blonde with pink and green streaks running through it, waving at us, so I looked at the others before we headed over.
"Holy shit has your luck turned around Hebert," she said softly as we sat down near her. "You not only have miss bad ass here, but the Dallon sisters to pal around with as well now. Shit has definitely gotten better for you."
"And you are?" Vicky asked in a low voice, a single eyebrow lifted.
"Someone who owes Hebert here more than I could probably ever repay because I let certain shit occur to her for the last half year at school." I lifted an eyebrow at that so she explained, "I just transferred to Winslow this school year, not, I might say, by my choice. But I wasn't around for last year's bullying."
"Alright I can understand that," I told her waving off the other's irritation. "Apology accepted, though, I'm sorry to admit, I don't know your name."
"Katherine Fleischer," she answered with a smile, "Most people call me Katie though."
I watched as the others shook hands with her, and things were fine, at least until she shook hands with Akane which was when both of them went, "Oh shit!"
**
Chapter 4.3
**Akihabara**
Ran Saotome sighed as she watched her daughter finally shuffle back off to bed. Usually something like this would have been solved with a quiet call to Akane, her daughter's now ex-girlfriend, (and hadn't that been a surprise.) However, that was unlikely to happen as Akane was respecting Mayumi's request not to contact her. Of course, the other part of the problem was that it was Akane's actions to protect Mayumi that was causing the nightmares. Ran silently shook her head in exasperation at the level of stubbornness as she rinsed the two teacups and shut off the kitchen light. A quick check on her youngest child, Daisuke, who seemed to be solidly asleep, and the mother of four went to her own room and kneeled before the family shrine.
The shrine itself had been a wedding gift from her husband's mother, a family heirloom of some sort that while it had seen a good bit of travel, evidenced by some dings and scratches to the finish, was still as sturdy as the day it had been turned out by a master craftsman five generations prior. On the small, backpack sized, cabinet was an incense bowl and a series of photographs. On one side of the upper shelf sat his parents wedding photo, matched by her parents on the opposite side. Beneath that and just above the incense bowl was a group photograph of her, her late husband, and all their friends in a frame that had been labeled, "Nerima High School class of 1987, aka The Wrecking Crew." It was this photo she focused on, thinking back to those heady days when one of their teachers had come to them as a group and explained that she had been using their lives as the source for a manga.
Takahashi-sensei had explained how she had changed things, and played up certain aspects of their lives, exaggerating where necessary to make the story more fantastic and protect the real-life people behind her characters. Ran and her brother had been turned into one character who changed genders with a splash of water, and while other characters were more straightforward things like her father's lousy parenting skills and her husband's boorish attitude were portrayed as similar curses that changed their species. Even the exchange student from China had been drug into it, though that had been more about the girl's one-sided crush on Ran's brother and habit of preening than anything else. Still, the group of them had earned a reputation around the area for being a bit hard on their surroundings.
One example was the youngest daughter of the family that they had moved in with, (an old friend of their father's) who had been summarily engaged to Ranma, could, would and did on occasion, pick up small cars and trucks when angered by others at the school and use them as weapons against the people who angered her. Ran and her brother could handle their Akane because they had similar strength, as did Ryoga, Xian Pu, and Ukyo, their core group of friends, but that was because they had all been trained as high level martial artists since they had been small children. It was still hell on the landscape though, and then it seemed that with no warning, high school was over and real life demanded it's due.
Akane's older sister Nabiki married money, and their eldest sister settled down to care for their father while Akane and Ranma married and took over the Tendo family's dojo. Ran helped with the dojo and ended up marrying their friend Ryoga, (something that surprised most of the family) while Xian Pu had returned with her grandmother to China and Ukyo had moved to a different section of Tokyo to teach at a culinary school. The next generation were born, twins first for Ran and Akane both, and then Ran had Mayumi, and then Leviathan attacked Kyushu.
**Nerima, 1997**Six hours before Leviathan's attack on Kyushu**
"He's going to attack Kyushu," Ryoga said to Ranma, Akane, Ran, Tatewaki Kuno, Nabiki and Kodachi. Relations with the Kuno's were sometimes strained, but since Ran had started working with Nabiki in the stock market and Ryoga was teaching all the girls Rhythmic Gymnastics, (as well as how to use them in the martial arts) things had eased a bit more than they had been right after high school. "If we can get to Kyushu in time, we could help I'm sure." Ryoga was the dreamer of the group, always thinking big, always pushing forward, it was one of the reasons she loved the lug.
"Sure Ryoga," Ranma replied almost dismissively, "and since you've figured this out, then I'm sure their big brains have also figured it out and ain't gonna let anyone in there from outside. So how are we going to get there?"
"We have a plane," Tatewaki commented offhand. "We could fly into Kagoshima or any of a number of airports on the island."
"And if they deny us landing clearance?" Akane said, either playing devil's advocate or trying to poke a hole in Kuno-sempai's ego Ran couldn't tell. "What are you going to do then?"
"Why parachute in of course," Tatewaki replied nonchalantly, "I can have Sousuke pack parachutes for whomever wants to go, and then we leave. They can't stop us once we are on the ground there after all."
"So, who goes?" Akane asked, "I'm not getting left behind while you men go and fight this thing."
"Neither am I," Kodachi, Tatewaki's sister replied echoing Akane's response. Her brother started to say something which she shut down just as quickly with a glare and the words, "We are not the last anymore brother."
"Of course not dear," Ranma had said drowning out Tatewaki's sigh and closing the issue, so that was four.
"I'm out," Ran had answered even as Ryoga had said, "I'm in."
"Of course you're in pork but," Ranma had snarked only to get a glare from his sister.
"Ranma, you will be nice to him," Ran had growled, "and the lot of you better come back."
"Yeah yeah sis," Ranma had answered loftily, "odds are pork but is completely off and nothing will happen. So why don't we get this ball rolling, eh Kuno." Them waving as the five of them walked out to one of the Kuno's cars had been the last time she had seen them alive. All of them cocky, laughing and so sure of themselves.
**Akihabara now**
Ran opened her eyes feeling the tears flowing freely down her face. They had returned in a way, brought back by one who had stayed and fought beside them until the island itself had sank beneath him. One who had also lost family, and while he couldn't get the closure of knowing how his family had ended, he had at least brought two bodies and hours of their actions back to her and Nabiki.
It was strange to find out how small a world they lived in was, that this stranger had been the relative of a friend, and they had stayed in touch over the years. Now, checking the time, she decided that since he lived in the same city as her daughter's ex, she was going to ask a favor and see if he couldn't get the girl to call. Picking up the phone she dialed a long stream of numbers and waited for someone to answer on the other end, "Hello Nemuri-chan," she said as a young girl answered the phone on the other end, "Could you put your father on please, I need to ask a favor of him."
"Of course Auntie Ran," the girl bubbled back, just a second and I'll go get him." Ran could hear the phone's receiver get set down and the girl running off calling "Daddy, Auntie Ran is on the phone for you!"
**
**Brockton Bay**
"I can't believe that twit," Vicky grumbled as we left the store, the blonde stalking out like someone had just grabbed her butt. "I mean, it isn't difficult to for them to just say that they don't have anything like that in stock currently."
"Calm down Vicky," Amy sighed as she tottered along. Somehow Vicky had talked her into a set of two-inch, black, patent leather pumps like what Taylor and I had needed, and now all three of us were learning to walk in the damn things. "Now, where is that shop they suggested we go to?" she asked.
Still grumbling Vicky stepped over to the ad and map board that malls all over, used to guide you where you wanted to go. "It looks like it is in one of the outer areas." Vicky answered. "Since the clerk said they didn't open until after four, I would suggest we catch a movie to kill the time and then go see if they have the higher heels like she said they would."
"Sounds like a plan," I replied. "Taylor, what do you think?"
She shrugged, "Alright, but what's playing?"
**
Two hours later we walked out of the theater, I myself contemplative, Vicky bouncing and the other two somewhere in between. "So how much of that honor stuff is true?" Vicky asked damn near floating through the lobby of the theater toward the exit. She wasn't actually floating though because I had shut all of our powers down for the afternoon.
"It depended on various things to the point of being subjective to the storyteller's perspective." I answered. "First point being that the main character of that movie was Chinese, not Japanese and even though there are surprising similarities between the cultures, they are not the same."
"Noted," Vicky replied smiling as she walked backwards toward the exit. "But personal honor was a big deal during the time period for them as well wasn't it?"
"Honestly," I answered, "probably no more than it actually was in Europe during the middle ages. The thing is though, we're talking about something that would have happened sometime in the mid to late eighteen-hundreds going off the American west scenes and the weapons. Probably closer to the century mark than the middle of the century at that. During that time frame there wasn't any big changes in either country outside the Meiji Restoration, and the level of assassination that started the movie was not something that would have been condoned during that situation."
Vicky chuckled, "Mister Wolfe is going to love having you in his history class."
It was at that point we walked through the doors back into the mall to find four men with AK's staring down the theater patrons. "Alright folks," one of them said. "I think that's all of you from that showing, now get your asses to the central court." He punctuated his order by chambering the assault rifle, a round flying to the floor in waste.
"Fuck!" was all I could say.
**outside**
Brockton Bay Police Lieutenant Martin Riggs looked at the mall in front of him and then at the two sergeants who had been in charge of the scene until his arrival. Detective-Sergeant Josephine Lupo was scowling at the front doors of the mall, the fingers of her right-hand drumming against the grip of her holstered berretta nine-millimeter on her hip. As if to counterpoint the detective, PRT Sergeant Wynonna Earp was leaned almost casually against the front of the PRT Rapid Response van that held the rest of her squad. "Calm down Jo," Earp said glancing away from the door and at the other sergeant, "stressing is not going to get those people out any faster, and the Protectorate will be here shortly."
"It's been twenty minutes already Earp, what's keeping them?" Lupo growled.
"Looking for Squealer I imagine," Earp answered calmly. "Report was that she dropped a whole slew of Merchant assholes off and then drove away, her vehicle disappearing under some kind of invisibility cloak. I guess some people might just want to make sure she's not sitting out here watching and waiting to light the lot of us up when we make our move."
"I think you're giving the druggies to much credit," Lupo snapped out.
"And I think you are not giving them enough." Earp answered calmly. "Besides we have something else to deal with at the moment. Have either of you heard about a new cape in the area?"
Lupo looked at Riggs who shook his head in response so Lupo answered, "No, why?"
"Cause that's an awful lot of bugs heading this way," Earp answered pointing to the mass of insects that were making their way across the parking lot toward them. "Johnson, stand by with your sprayer, we might need you."
**Inside**Taylor**
Akane cranked my power up to fifteen as we were herded to the central courtyard of the mall by the four merchants with rifles and as we went, I awoke and gathered every insect and spider I could find in my extended range before using them to sweep through the mall in a search. I found Merchants pillaging the various stores and shops, emptying out cash boxes and registers, even cutting into a few safes. The pharmacy over in what some would probably call the geriatric's wing had been ransacked for both money and pills, and as we could see, everyone that had been inside the mall itself was gathered in the central courtyard under the gaze of Skidmark. The leader of the Merchants sat on some kind of bastard child of a powered wheelchair and throne that had been made of various car parts being welded together. The cape sneered at the crowd as our group was brought in and told to find a place to sit. "Hebert, Takamachi, over here." I heard someone call out. Looking I found a girl that I vaguely recognized from Winslow, blonde with pink and green streaks running through it, waving at us, so I looked at the others before we headed over.
"Holy shit has your luck turned around Hebert," she said softly as we sat down near her. "You not only have miss bad ass here, but the Dallon sisters to pal around with as well now. Shit has definitely gotten better for you."
"And you are?" Vicky asked in a low voice, a single eyebrow lifted.
"Someone who owes Hebert here more than I could probably ever repay because I let certain shit occur to her for the last half year at school." I lifted an eyebrow at that so she explained, "I just transferred to Winslow this school year, not, I might say, by my choice. But I wasn't around for last year's bullying."
"Alright I can understand that," I told her waving off the other's irritation. "Apology accepted, though, I'm sorry to admit, I don't know your name."
"Katherine Fleischer," she answered with a smile, "Most people call me Katie though."
I watched as the others shook hands with her, and things were fine, at least until she shook hands with Akane which was when both of them went, "Oh shit!"
**
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Jonn Wolfe
(Verified Sarcastic) (Not a Wolf)
- Location
- Beyond Sanity Since 1971
Interesting backstory. So, the Santome's are parahumans here?
Well, hello Rune.
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
no, they aren't parahumans, they were/are still high level martial artists, but there was no cursed pools of Jusenkyo, no trip to the chinese mountains.
Worse, they took the entire Mall AND the cinema hostage.
Jonn Wolfe
(Verified Sarcastic) (Not a Wolf)
- Location
- Beyond Sanity Since 1971
Oh, so the siblings switch off - throwing everyone and Lisa on their gender... That, or Ranma is a consummate actor.
Tisaku
Head Chief Thinkomancer
-with what? Can't use a torch or you burn whatever is inside. Grinders would take hours. Can't even take them with because most floor safes are anchored.-
- Location
- Jackson, Alabama
I would guess it's a case of Merchants being Merchants, as in them not thinking it through.
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
And a plasma torch requires both a special power source, (220 I believe) no, they are using concrete saws, the 2-stroke type.
Chapter 4.4
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
(A/N: I almost waited to post this chapter, however, with the next two post being an interlude and PHO, well i felt it should be itself. Enjoy)
Chapter 4.4
**
**Outside**
"So that's the current situation inside," the figure that had introduced itself as Skitter, a new Ward that was still working on their power, informed them while showing a scale map with her insects. "The fun thing is that apparently Uber and Leet are also in play."
"What are those two jokers doing here," Battery asked.
"Right now," Skitter said, a hint of humor in her voice. "They are guiding Sergeant Earp's squad into position."
**
Wynonna Earp looked at the two characters that were holding the exterior door open, allowing her squad into the mall's support areas. Uber was wearing a pair of shades, tactical clothing and an ankle length trench coat with a monster pistol in one hand while Leet was wearing a set of Mjolnir armor from the HALO series with its standard carbine. Do you have a path for us?"
"Of course," Uber said with a smile, "I will take point and clear your path to the upper level over the central court, Leet will bring up the rear."
Wynonna nodded, "Then take point," she told him stepping through the door with the last of her people, "I'll be watching your back, Johnson, you're bringing up the rear with the armor."
A bear of a man wearing a sprayer tank and carrying a carbine as well nodded and walked over to Leet who looked at Uber and shrugged. "Alright team," Earp called out softly, "I'm on point with Uber, Johnson is on drag with Leet. Now let's go save some civies."
**
Uber ghosted forward, the PRT sergeant close behind and damn near as quiet even without his soft soled stealth boots. When the Merchants had first hit his and Leets shop in the mall, the pair of Rogues had been able to take out the two idiots quietly. Once they had done that, the pair had locked the door to their back area and started working through the supply areas of the mall. Initially the pair had planned to deal with the druggies themselves, but the problem turned out to be that there were too many of them and they were just to spread out.
**
"So what do we do now Uber," Leet asked him as they circled back to their shop.
"Well you could explain why you're here to begin with," an unknown voice buzzed between them. The two of them put their backs to the wall and scanned the hallway. "Oh calm down you two, you are obviously not here with the Merchants, so what is going on and why are you here?"
"Nothing on the sensors but a handful of insects bro," Leet said in a tone that said he was about to panic.
"That would be because I'm not actually there with you," the voice answered. "And before you panic, I'm an arthropod master, not a human one, I'm using the bugs in the area to talk to you. Now, are you going to answer my questions, or do I tell the PRT to take you down as well?"
"No," Uber said with a sigh as he relaxed slightly. "We have a comic and game shop here in the mall, when the Merchants showed up, we thought we might be able to handle it, but there are too many of them in too many places."
"Alright," the voice buzzed. "Two things, first is that the PRT is already on site and need a way in that isn't covered by the Merchants. Currently they are waiting for Protectorate assistance before coming in. Second is that if you need to get my attention, just say Hey Skitter, and then ask or say what you need to, I'll hear and answer."
"We can play Pathfinder for them," Uber answered, "Can you indicate where we are to them?"
"Yes," Skitter answered, "What is the nearest landmark to where you are going to let them in?" Uber answered and Skitter seemed to chuckle. "I'll see if I can get the squad moving that way, be ready to wait for a few minutes though."
"Understood," Uber answered. "Team gamer is on the move.
**Outside**
"Alright," Battery said with a sigh. "So they're helping instead of going off on their own, do we have a plan?"
"Oh yeah," Lieutenant Riggs said with a smile as Armsmaster slid silently to a stop at their command post.
"Armsmaster on site at Weymouth Mall," he said as he climbed off the motorcycle, "Battery, report on the situation.
**Akane**
"So," I said looking at the girl whose power I had just shutdown. "Are you an active combatant, or do you stay under everyone's radar?"
"Active," Katie answered with a sigh. "And I'm not one of the heroes around this town." When she said that I lifted an eyebrow which caused her to grimace. "But I've started to regret quite a few of my decisions over the years, maybe the ones regarding my family the most. That said, it's also hard to go against family, even in acts of teenage rebellion."
Vicky and Taylor looked confused, and Amy looked a bit pensive at that comment, so I continued my questions. "Can you fight, or are you like me and more of a support type?"
"Both," she answered with a smirk, "but in this instance, I think I qualify as a direct combatant. You give me my power back, and I'll have a good number of these idiots pinned and unable to fight in short order."
"Good," Taylor said with a smile. "Amy, can I have a pen and your notebook for a bit, I think it's time to line out the plan."
"What are we going to do with just the five of us?" Amy asked handing over a notebook and pen. "I doubt there's enough bugs in the mall to make a difference and unless Katie has a blaster power the most we can do is either have Vicky play frisbee with the tables, or charge Skidmark and Mush."
"And doing that would just allow the rest of them to gun everyone down," Taylor acknowledged. "Thing is first, it's not just five of us in here, it's seven. Secondly, there is a PRT squad currently moving into position to come into the mall with the other two's help. Third, the police and the Protectorate are also on site, and all are coordinating together for this. Fourth, I'm acting as coordination and scout for all the forces so we can get the civilians out and deal with the problem." As she had been talking, Taylor had been sketching and labelling in the notepad. "Katie, I have to ask for the plan, what is your power?"
**Outside**
Armsmaster looked at the list of capes on scene as the insects spelled things out beside the map that Skitter was providing. "I approve of your plan," he finally said. "Once everyone is in position, execute."
"Understood sir," the mass of insects buzzed, saluting before dispersing to reinforce the map and list.
**
Skidmark chuckled as Mush finished his story. The stupidity of some people never ceased to amuse him and soon they would be flush with both cash and materials for sale. Suddenly, and with no warning, the buildings PA system kicked in crackling, "What the fuck?" he asked looking at Mush who shrugged. Pulling out his walkie talkie, Skidmark called out, "Ok, which of you shitstains is fucking around in the security office?"
Whatever the answer was, the voice on the radio was drowned out as a voice called out, "You ready for this?"
**
Uber looked down on the central courtyard from the second floor's walkway and then looked up to watch as the PRT squad positioned themselves to take out the Merchant grunts that were surrounding the civilians. There would be no challenge, just the call of "PRT" as they stepped up and opened fire on the gang members. Off to one side he saw a knot of teens handing something around between three of them before nodding to each other, "On the bounce and with the beat people," Skitter's insect voice buzzed softly in his ear and he stepped up to the bannister with the PRT as Skidmark started to react to first the Public Address speakers and then the threat of Glory Girl throwing herself at him.
**
Skidmark's attention snapped from the speakers to the blonde missile flying at him and he responded by standing and throwing down a repulsion field between him and the flying brute. This caused her to stop in place as she tried to force her way through to him, "Fuck off Glory Hole," he snapped with a smirk laying down another field and throwing her back the way she had come, was that a smirk, he thought as she flew back. He didn't have time to contemplate the issue though as he heard something metallic hit his power throne behind him, causing him to spin and catch the contents of the exploding containment foam grenade in the face.
**
Distraction complete, insects swarmed the gang members even as the people on the second floor started firing their weapons. Mush laughed at the shooters, his garbage armor seeming to make him immune to their fire. Rune slamming him into a pillar with a table on the other hand, was apparently done with enough force that he was either knocked unconscious or broke something serious as he went limp in response. By the time the song ended, the Merchants in this area were all down, unconscious and quickly being secured. The best part of it all, was that no one important was injured.
**Outside**
"Now that is how an operation is supposed to happen," Riggs laughed as he watched the representation of the civilians being escorted out. "Michaels, Palmer, Civies are being led your way." Turning to Armsmaster the Lieutenant smiled, "That's a good girl you have there in Skitter, why haven't you debuted her yet?"
"Her and her partner are getting special costumes made by someone other than Public Relations," the tinker answered. "Though I think that they are going to have to have PR make a quick set for a likely press conference."
"What's so special about the costumes they're having made?" Riggs asked.
"They're bullet resistant." Armsmaster answered before going to join Assault and Battery as they entered the mall.
**
Chapter 4.4
**
**Outside**
"So that's the current situation inside," the figure that had introduced itself as Skitter, a new Ward that was still working on their power, informed them while showing a scale map with her insects. "The fun thing is that apparently Uber and Leet are also in play."
"What are those two jokers doing here," Battery asked.
"Right now," Skitter said, a hint of humor in her voice. "They are guiding Sergeant Earp's squad into position."
**
Wynonna Earp looked at the two characters that were holding the exterior door open, allowing her squad into the mall's support areas. Uber was wearing a pair of shades, tactical clothing and an ankle length trench coat with a monster pistol in one hand while Leet was wearing a set of Mjolnir armor from the HALO series with its standard carbine. Do you have a path for us?"
"Of course," Uber said with a smile, "I will take point and clear your path to the upper level over the central court, Leet will bring up the rear."
Wynonna nodded, "Then take point," she told him stepping through the door with the last of her people, "I'll be watching your back, Johnson, you're bringing up the rear with the armor."
A bear of a man wearing a sprayer tank and carrying a carbine as well nodded and walked over to Leet who looked at Uber and shrugged. "Alright team," Earp called out softly, "I'm on point with Uber, Johnson is on drag with Leet. Now let's go save some civies."
**
Uber ghosted forward, the PRT sergeant close behind and damn near as quiet even without his soft soled stealth boots. When the Merchants had first hit his and Leets shop in the mall, the pair of Rogues had been able to take out the two idiots quietly. Once they had done that, the pair had locked the door to their back area and started working through the supply areas of the mall. Initially the pair had planned to deal with the druggies themselves, but the problem turned out to be that there were too many of them and they were just to spread out.
**
"So what do we do now Uber," Leet asked him as they circled back to their shop.
"Well you could explain why you're here to begin with," an unknown voice buzzed between them. The two of them put their backs to the wall and scanned the hallway. "Oh calm down you two, you are obviously not here with the Merchants, so what is going on and why are you here?"
"Nothing on the sensors but a handful of insects bro," Leet said in a tone that said he was about to panic.
"That would be because I'm not actually there with you," the voice answered. "And before you panic, I'm an arthropod master, not a human one, I'm using the bugs in the area to talk to you. Now, are you going to answer my questions, or do I tell the PRT to take you down as well?"
"No," Uber said with a sigh as he relaxed slightly. "We have a comic and game shop here in the mall, when the Merchants showed up, we thought we might be able to handle it, but there are too many of them in too many places."
"Alright," the voice buzzed. "Two things, first is that the PRT is already on site and need a way in that isn't covered by the Merchants. Currently they are waiting for Protectorate assistance before coming in. Second is that if you need to get my attention, just say Hey Skitter, and then ask or say what you need to, I'll hear and answer."
"We can play Pathfinder for them," Uber answered, "Can you indicate where we are to them?"
"Yes," Skitter answered, "What is the nearest landmark to where you are going to let them in?" Uber answered and Skitter seemed to chuckle. "I'll see if I can get the squad moving that way, be ready to wait for a few minutes though."
"Understood," Uber answered. "Team gamer is on the move.
**Outside**
"Alright," Battery said with a sigh. "So they're helping instead of going off on their own, do we have a plan?"
"Oh yeah," Lieutenant Riggs said with a smile as Armsmaster slid silently to a stop at their command post.
"Armsmaster on site at Weymouth Mall," he said as he climbed off the motorcycle, "Battery, report on the situation.
**Akane**
"So," I said looking at the girl whose power I had just shutdown. "Are you an active combatant, or do you stay under everyone's radar?"
"Active," Katie answered with a sigh. "And I'm not one of the heroes around this town." When she said that I lifted an eyebrow which caused her to grimace. "But I've started to regret quite a few of my decisions over the years, maybe the ones regarding my family the most. That said, it's also hard to go against family, even in acts of teenage rebellion."
Vicky and Taylor looked confused, and Amy looked a bit pensive at that comment, so I continued my questions. "Can you fight, or are you like me and more of a support type?"
"Both," she answered with a smirk, "but in this instance, I think I qualify as a direct combatant. You give me my power back, and I'll have a good number of these idiots pinned and unable to fight in short order."
"Good," Taylor said with a smile. "Amy, can I have a pen and your notebook for a bit, I think it's time to line out the plan."
"What are we going to do with just the five of us?" Amy asked handing over a notebook and pen. "I doubt there's enough bugs in the mall to make a difference and unless Katie has a blaster power the most we can do is either have Vicky play frisbee with the tables, or charge Skidmark and Mush."
"And doing that would just allow the rest of them to gun everyone down," Taylor acknowledged. "Thing is first, it's not just five of us in here, it's seven. Secondly, there is a PRT squad currently moving into position to come into the mall with the other two's help. Third, the police and the Protectorate are also on site, and all are coordinating together for this. Fourth, I'm acting as coordination and scout for all the forces so we can get the civilians out and deal with the problem." As she had been talking, Taylor had been sketching and labelling in the notepad. "Katie, I have to ask for the plan, what is your power?"
**Outside**
Armsmaster looked at the list of capes on scene as the insects spelled things out beside the map that Skitter was providing. "I approve of your plan," he finally said. "Once everyone is in position, execute."
"Understood sir," the mass of insects buzzed, saluting before dispersing to reinforce the map and list.
**
Skidmark chuckled as Mush finished his story. The stupidity of some people never ceased to amuse him and soon they would be flush with both cash and materials for sale. Suddenly, and with no warning, the buildings PA system kicked in crackling, "What the fuck?" he asked looking at Mush who shrugged. Pulling out his walkie talkie, Skidmark called out, "Ok, which of you shitstains is fucking around in the security office?"
Whatever the answer was, the voice on the radio was drowned out as a voice called out, "You ready for this?"
**
Uber looked down on the central courtyard from the second floor's walkway and then looked up to watch as the PRT squad positioned themselves to take out the Merchant grunts that were surrounding the civilians. There would be no challenge, just the call of "PRT" as they stepped up and opened fire on the gang members. Off to one side he saw a knot of teens handing something around between three of them before nodding to each other, "On the bounce and with the beat people," Skitter's insect voice buzzed softly in his ear and he stepped up to the bannister with the PRT as Skidmark started to react to first the Public Address speakers and then the threat of Glory Girl throwing herself at him.
**
Skidmark's attention snapped from the speakers to the blonde missile flying at him and he responded by standing and throwing down a repulsion field between him and the flying brute. This caused her to stop in place as she tried to force her way through to him, "Fuck off Glory Hole," he snapped with a smirk laying down another field and throwing her back the way she had come, was that a smirk, he thought as she flew back. He didn't have time to contemplate the issue though as he heard something metallic hit his power throne behind him, causing him to spin and catch the contents of the exploding containment foam grenade in the face.
**
Distraction complete, insects swarmed the gang members even as the people on the second floor started firing their weapons. Mush laughed at the shooters, his garbage armor seeming to make him immune to their fire. Rune slamming him into a pillar with a table on the other hand, was apparently done with enough force that he was either knocked unconscious or broke something serious as he went limp in response. By the time the song ended, the Merchants in this area were all down, unconscious and quickly being secured. The best part of it all, was that no one important was injured.
**Outside**
"Now that is how an operation is supposed to happen," Riggs laughed as he watched the representation of the civilians being escorted out. "Michaels, Palmer, Civies are being led your way." Turning to Armsmaster the Lieutenant smiled, "That's a good girl you have there in Skitter, why haven't you debuted her yet?"
"Her and her partner are getting special costumes made by someone other than Public Relations," the tinker answered. "Though I think that they are going to have to have PR make a quick set for a likely press conference."
"What's so special about the costumes they're having made?" Riggs asked.
"They're bullet resistant." Armsmaster answered before going to join Assault and Battery as they entered the mall.
**
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Kellcat
Occasional Ex-Lurker
- Location
- Texas
...that this is considered "special" is a damning indictment of the PRT/Protectorate. :/
Ranma, Akane Tendo, both Kunos and Ryoga are all dead (lost on Kyushu to Leviathan). None of them will ever be meeting Lisa.
And it was said that their teacher (aka Rumiko Takahashi-sensei) exaggerated things for comic effect, and created the curses (especially turning 2 different and distinct people into one character) to protect the real people she was vaguely basing her manga on... there would not have been any gender fakeouts in real life.
- Location
- Seattle, Washington, USA
It's "you all" not "you."
For some reason, they seem to think that wearing even concealed armor is an aggressive act. As if a dead child will make them look better than a live one.
Magical gender bending, no. But Ranma in drag remains a possibility for fakeouts.
ecs05norway
Zenryoku Zenkai!
Well, they are presumed dead, along with millions of others who were lost with Kyushu. But no bodies have been recovered. So there's a small chance someone might turn up if the author feels it appropriate.
Not likely, as much as I'd like to see it. Nabiki vs Lisa is a possibility, though.
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
Alas no, the boys, AKane, and Kodachi are very much dead. In the original take of this i had Lung showing up with Ranma and Ryoga's bodies and explaining what happened. I dropped it because I couldn't get it to work. Maybe as a flashback in a later scene though.
Now THIS has possibilities
Now THIS has possibilities
2 bodies recovered (by Lung, presumably!) and from wording he likely witnessed the others die.
Edit: and imped by the author. I would swear that post wasn't there, even though the timestamp claims 29 min before...
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Summoning
Rajvik_wolfboy
Wolf amongst the stars.
- Location
- Florida
I am about to do something that no sane author does,
Of course my sanity, (or lack there of) has been something that has been hotly debated for decades, (ok, years at least.)
To that course:
From the darkest depths I call the,
He that is born of manifests and alcohol
For you i lay out the cheapest scotch and the finest paper
And so I summon the, master of the shipping chart
@Datcord
Look ye mighty upon this story,
And SHIP
Of course my sanity, (or lack there of) has been something that has been hotly debated for decades, (ok, years at least.)
To that course:
From the darkest depths I call the,
He that is born of manifests and alcohol
For you i lay out the cheapest scotch and the finest paper
And so I summon the, master of the shipping chart
@Datcord
Look ye mighty upon this story,
And SHIP