Somewhere, deep within the classified, darkened catacombs of a Genom laboratory, a man awoke, stretched, and pulled himself to his feet. It was a technological breakthrough. Bubblegum Splash! 10 Family Reunion written by Mike Koos --------------------- At the Silky Doll, Ranma was again completely bored. Nabiki had reportedly taken Ukyou with her off on a ski trip somewhere - though whether or not that meant they were on a secret mission, Ranma didn't know... she'd had enough of trying to decipher the double-talk Nabiki even slipped into her casual speech. Or was that triple-talk? Quadruple-talk? Hell, she didn't care anymore. Nearly everyone else was tied up elsewhere; Shampoo was trying to cope with a tremendous workload at AD Police Headquarters, Ryouga was overseas looking at colleges in Europe - damn fool could never say no to Akane for long, Ranma thought - and even Sayuri and her sisters were too busy tending to their restaurant for Ranma to drop by for a visit. There was one consolation: Genma was far too busy catching up on 'managerial duties' to bother her. That meant he was off doctoring up the books to cover up his 'borrowing' funds for mooching purposes or whatnot, among other things. Because the Silky Doll was unfortunately understaffed, Akane had persuaded Ranma to help out around the shop. Kasumi, on the other hand, had volunteered to take time off from working alongside Dr. Tofu to help of her own free will. But then, Akane knew she could always count on her eldest sister for a favor. Ever since Father... was killed in that Genom 'accident' so long ago... her sisters, Ryouga, Ukyou, Shampoo and Ranma were the only ones she had left to count on in this world. For now, all Ranma knew she could do was stick around the Silky Doll, help around every now and then to fill in for the absent Ryouga, and hope something exciting would happen. Kasumi: Ranma-kun? Ranma: (looking up) Huh? Kasumi: I'm sorry, did I interrupt a daydream? Ranma: (sighs) No. I was just perfecting being bored, that's all. I think I'm actually getting better at it. Kasumi: Oh. Well, I was wondering if you know where the receipts Akane-chan wants us to index are. Ranma: Yeah, they're on the second shelf from the bottom in the back room. (She stands.) What time did Akane leave for her lunch break, again? Kasumi: She left about forty-five minutes ago. Why? You don't think anything has happened to her, do you? Ranma: Akane's a big girl. She can take care of herself. Ranma: Kasumi: I suppose you're right. But it would make me feel a lot better if she wasn't usually the one to start trouble to begin with. Ranma: ......... A customer looks both ways before approaching the counter. Kasumi: Oh! Good afternoon. May I help you? The woman looks nervously toward the front of the store and mumbles something no one else can hear. Ranma: (sudden sensation) Kasumi: (leaning closer) Excuse me? Customer: I said, (pulls a gun on Kasumi) would you mind terribly giving me all the money in the cash register? Customer: (pointing the gun at Ranma) And you, Red - no funny business. Better not do anything you're gonna regret. Ranma: Customer: (panning the gun past each of the other people in the store in turn) Or any of you, either. Kasumi: All right, all right. I'll do as you say. There is no need to threaten anyone. Customer: It's one of the perks of my job. Kasumi saw that Ranma was preparing to make a move, and allowed the robber to come behind the counter for a look into the cash register. Customer: Put all the money in this bag. (Hands a canvas bag to Kasumi.) Kasumi pulls the cash drawer out, but it jams halfway. Kasumi: I'm sorry. It occasionally sticks like that. She continues trying - unsuccessfully - to pull the drawer out all the way. Customer: Never mind! I'll do it! As she impatiently forces her way past Kasumi, Kasumi subdues her with a quick blow to the back of the neck, spoiling Ranma's plans of playing hero. Another customer approaches the counter. Woman: What did you do that for? I had the entire situation all planned out... Ranma: So your job's gonna be a little easier. Don't complain! You've got the collar... Kasumi: I... I just saw an opening and instinctively reacted. Woman: (picking the burglar up) Still, you shouldn't have attempted to be a hero - something like that, I'd expect from her (points at Ranma) but not you. Thanks for the help, anyway. The guys at the station're never gonna let me live down this one... Kasumi: Y-yes. Left to boredom behind the counter once again... Ranma: I'm impressed. I didn't expect you'd ever do anything like that. Where'd you learn that trick? Kasumi: Father taught it to me. Ranma: He did? Kasumi: (nods) He tried to teach me a lot of things. But then Akane became the one most likely to follow in Father's footsteps, and when Mother... died, he didn't mind when I decided to take over the household duties, instead. Kasumi: Besides, you don't live around a group of martial artists and all their challengers for several years and not pick up a few things here and there. Ranma smirks. Akane chose this moment to return from her lunch break. Akane: (watching the policewoman lead the burglar out of the shop) Guess I don't need to ask what you've all been up to. Akane: I see Kimiko got her collar, though. Get a little overzealous, Ranma? Ranma: Shows how much you know. Kasumi's the one who knocked her out. Akane: (shocked) Kasumi-oneechan? Kasumi: (embarrassed) Gomen. Akane: Sorry I missed it. Dad would've been proud. (Notices Kasumi's blush.) Ranma: What about Nabiki? Akane: ...Her too, I think. An older man enters the shop in quite a bit of a hurry. Ranma: Busy day. Kasumi: Welcome to our--! The three girls recognize the older man at once. He was moderately tall, gaunt, with an almost visible air of apprehension that could be seen in his eyes. His face was framed by a thinning mane of long black hair, and his equally thin mustache was likewise showing signs of age. Kasumi: Oh, my-- Ranma: I don't believe it! Akane: *Otousan*!? It was, without a doubt, Soun Tendo. Soun: Akane-kun? Thank goodness! Please, you must hide me! Now that was the Soun Tendo they knew. Kasumi was the first to react, having long since developed a reflex for trying to keep her father calm. Kasumi: Otousan, please calm down. Being frantic won't help. Soun: I am *not* being frantic! Now, will you please help me, or should I-- Akane: (brightly) Of course we'll help you! C'mon! You can hide in the back. She leads the man to the Silky Doll's back room. Out of earshot of Ranma and Kasumi, Akane leans her head against her father's shoulder. Akane: I'm really glad you're alive, otousan. I've missed you for so long... there's a lot I need to ask you... Soun: (puzzled) Why wouldn't I be alive, Akane-kun? Meanwhile... Ranma: (softly) Akane no baka... Ranma: After all this time, he returns... I can't believe Akane didn't ask him where he's been or what happened to him. Kasumi: (half-lost in thought) I'm not sure it's him. Ranma: What? Kasumi: (changes expressions) Oh, nothing. Kasumi: I'm sure he will tell us everything that happened to him as soon as he has settled down. You know how excited Father can get. Ranma: That's hardly the word I'd use. Ranma: * * * * * After the Silky Doll closed for the evening, everyone finally had a chance to sit down within Akane's home above the shop to talk. Kasumi was in the mostly-improperly-used kitchen preparing a light snack, and an uncomfortable Ranma had decided to join her. Soun: (looking at a recent picture of Akane and Ryouga standing near each other) It truly has been a long time. Akane: Yes. It has. Soun: Be honest, Akane. What happened to me? The last thing I remember is being in my laboratory at Genom headquarters. I think I had had a disagreement with someone. And then there was an explosion... (puts a hand to his temple) Akane: (concerned, standing) Otousan! (pauses) Then what happened? Soun: It's hard for me to remember. As far as I could tell, I awoke in another lab being examined, poked, prodded... I honestly believe they were about to cut me open and use me for spare parts, Akane! That was when I decided that I had better escape. I managed to get out and then, find out where you lived. Akane: You really don't remember the events that led up to the explosion or what happened since then? Soun: No. What difference would it make if I did? Akane: You could prove that you were *murdered*, Father! (Realizes her slip.) I mean, that someone tried to murder you! She heard the sound of a teacup crashing to the floor. Kasumi was standing at the door with a stunned look on her face. Akane: Ranma knelt down to pick up the pieces of broken chinaware. Ranma: Here, let me help. Kasumi: I'm sorry. She sets the tray she had been carrying upon the endtable next to the door and focused on helping Ranma. Soun looks toward Kasumi with concern, noting Ranma's presence. Soun: Ranma-kun? Ranma: Uh... yes? Soun: How is your father? Ranma: (uncomfortably, though trying not to show it) I guess he's fine. He hasn't changed a bit since you last spoke to him. Soun: Good, good. How soon before I can pay him a visit? I'm looking forward to challenging him to another game of shogi. Ranma: (Before Akane can react.) It may be a while. He's keeping himself busy playing manager. Soun: Genma Saotome, busy? (Laughs.) Manager? For whom? Ranma: Me. He forced me to become an idol singer to make him some money. Soun: Of course. I should have known. [Flashback: Early on, Soun Tendo had shown promise in various technology-oriented fields, but in those he had never felt fulfilled. Then, in college, his roommate - Genma Saotome - had shown him, aside from a skill of cheating at the game of shogi, the peace and inner stability one could achieve through the martial arts. Encouraged by his friend's words - and a shogi debt the size of a small bookstore - Soun set technology aside and joined Genma in the study of the martial arts. He married and decided to open a martial-arts school. During an all-nighter of partying and drinking, Soun and Genma came up with the idea of having Genma's son - Ranma - marry one of Soun's daughters, take over the school after their fathers had passed on, thereby carrying on the tradition of the school in the best way possible. The plan still sounded worthwhile to them after sobering up, and so Akane was chosen to marry Ranma, being the closest daughter to Ranma's age and the one most skilled in the martial arts. However, because the martial-arts instruction business wasn't as popular as it once was... and because it cost a lot of money to keep rebuilding sections of the property once Ranma, Genma, Akane and their friends or challengers were through with it, Soun eventually found himself short of funds. He made a special arrangement with an old friend at Genom to help develop new technologies in return for keeping the school afloat. Soon, he had succeeded in the creation of a new form of artificial life with far-reaching potential: the Boomer. These mechanical wonders, humorously named during a round of drinks after what one colleague's infant son did within the confines of his diaper, could think for themselves, react, and perform countless tasks considered dangerous for humans - or enhance these tasks, particularly on the battlefield... Upset by Genom's private choice to use the Boomers for military applications, Soun took a stand. At the time, Genom felt they knew all they needed to know about Boomers and their creation. They couldn't afford to have Soun lead others in a rally against them, so they made a business decision to remove him from the picture. Soun Tendo disappeared. Claiming Soun had run out on his expenses, Genom seized Soun's martial-arts school and the ground it was built on, demolishing the school and the Tendo home in order to build a new research facility. Soun had the good sense to keep his scientific designs alive within the family, though. His daughters struck out on their own into the world: Kasumi joined Dr. Tofu in the field of medicine. Nabiki felt her talents extended into the world of international espionage. But Akane had somewhat different plans...] Kasumi: Before anything else, otousan, I think you should come down to Dr. Tofu's office for a complete examination. Ranma: (looking at Kasumi) ......... Soun: Kasumi... I know you mean well, but I am completely healthy and fit. There is no need for an examination. Akane: Besides, they're still looking for him, oneechan! I don't think it's a good idea to take him out in public. Ranma: Who are *they* supposed to be, Akane? Akane: You know, the guys who were holding Father all this time and running experiments on him! Ten to one odds they're a part of Genom. Ranma: Odds? I think you've been hanging around Nabiki too long. Kasumi: Ranma-kun... Soun: Genom? You mean, that after all this time...? Akane: I wouldn't doubt it. Soun: I really have missed out on a lot. Kasumi: Father, I insist. Ranma: If it IS Genom that's after him, can we risk it? Kasumi: We could take him out in disguise. What about all that elaborate makeup gear your father bought? Ranma: (snorts) You mean that stuff he got to help hide from bill collectors and skip out on restaurant bills? It might work. Akane: I still say we shouldn't take the risk. Can't you or Dr. Tofu perform the checkup on him here, Kasumi? Soun: Hey! Don't I get a say in this? Ranma: Can you imagine Dr. Tofu or Kasumi having to lug that heavy X-ray machine and the rest of their large equipment here just because YOU were too stubborn to bring him in? Akane: I'd think we'd have YOU do all the lifting. Ranma: Hmph. And one more thing: If Genom IS after him, do you honestly think that they wouldn't think to look at his daughter's home right off the bat!? Akane: ......... Akane: All right. We'll take him to see Dr. Tofu first thing tomorrow. Soun: Akane! Kasumi: Ranma, I want you to be there when we examine Father, just in case... Akane: I'm going to be there, too. Kasumi: (Facing Akane.) No. You have to stay here and run the shop as if everything were 'business as usual.' Ranma: Yeah. Genom's probably already keeping an eye on us and it'd look pretty suspicious if you were to suddenly close up shop and disappear right now. Akane: (growing more frustrated) I guess you're right. But only THIS time! Ranma: Well, you can always sit down and fix Mr. Tendo a meal he'd want to come home to. Everyone except Akane suddenly glares at Ranma. Akane: (obliviously happy all of a sudden) You really think so? Ranma: Sure. Akane: Good! Oh, I'd better start looking for my cookbooks... (She leaves, whistling an unrecognizable tune.) Soun: Ranma-kun! I said I was perfectly healthy! Why would you want to inflict Akane's cooking on me? Ranma: It was the only way I could think of to get her mind off the subject. Don't worry. She's been on a flambe kick lately, anyway. Chances are, she'll turn everything into charcoal and we won't have to feel as guilty about getting something to eat while we're out. Kasumi: This isn't right. I feel so guilty already about lying to poor Akane-chan... Maybe I should at least tell her where you hid one of her cookbooks, Ranma. Ranma, Soun: Don't you dare! * * * * * And so, the following morning, Soun Tendo - looking uncomfortably like a taller and somewhat older version of Ryouga - was covertly escorted out of the building by Kasumi and Ranma. The task of getting Soun to Dr. Tofu's office had fallen upon Ranma, whose only means of getting around - other than the old method of vaulting from rooftop to fence to rooftop - was her treasured motorcycle. Like Ryouga, she took a tremendous deal of pride in her motorcycle. It was a part of her tough-girl image now, and besides, it made it a lot easier to get from one martial-arts challenge to another. She'd had to resort to all kinds of nonstandard - non*paying*, actually - ways of going places in the past, like clinging to the sides of subway trains. Now, she had a little more money of her own to throw around... not enough to buy a round trip to Jhusenkyo, but now that she had a decent-paying career, she wasn't as eager to pack up and go to Jhusenkyo. The song playing on the radio was "Fire Soul Love." Not bad, but it wasn't one of her songs. She'd decided only to despise a song if it was one of Nabiki's. She shot a peripheral glance back at her shotgun passenger to see how he was doing. Soun had obviously never been on a motorcycle before, or at least one being driven by Ranma, or else he wouldn't be holding on so tightly with a white-knuckle grip of death. Ranma: Ranma: (shouting over the wind and the music) You okay back there? Soun: ............ Ranma: (laughs) Just checking. She pulled into the hospital parking lot seven minutes later, clicking on the bike's anti-theft system before climbing off the motorcycle - or trying to, at any rate. Ranma: (Realizes she's dragging something behind her.) ......... Ranma: (to Soun) You can let go now. Soun: (letting go) Oh. Sorry. Dr. Tofu was a VIP doctor at MegaTokyo General Hospital. He had been there practically from the start, helping build the hospital up from its meager beginnings. Because, unfortunately for everyone, in MegaTokyo the only thing there was a severe lack of was innocent bystanders. As in the old days, Dr. Tofu still ran his special clinic - only now, it was housed in the ground floor of MegaTokyo General Hospital, and Kasumi worked there as his chief nurse and assistant. When he wasn't treating patients in the clinic, Dr. Tofu made the rounds of the hospital. Sometimes it helped to remove himself from Kasumi's presence, whether for his sake, hers, or the patients'. He was also the family doctor for both the Tendo family and the Saotome family, a role which blurred into the present day, where he was also secretly the doctor who treated the infamous Knight Sabers. Besides, Ranma was one of his best - and most frequent - patients. The good Doctor had cleared his schedule for Soun's sake. When it came to anything remotely involving the Knight Sabers, it was best not to have anyone else around. Soun entered the clinic, followed by Ranma, who was keeping uncomfortably alert. Kasumi: You've come! Was there any trouble? Soun: I will never ride on a motorcycle again. Ranma: How're you going to get home? Soun: I'll hitchhike. It worked last time. Kasumi: I won't hear of it. Dr. Tofu is waiting for us. She opens the door to the main room of the clinic. Kasumi: (cautiously) Doctor? Your patient... er... Father is here. Tofu: My father? Kasumi: Uh... You know what I mean. Tofu: Indeed I do. (To Soun) Come in, I've been expecting you. Soun: Do I have to? Ranma: (To Kasumi) Come on... (They push Soun into the examination room and close the door behind them.) Tofu: I must say, it has been a long while since we last talked. How have you been all this time? Soun: Fine, I suppose. And you? Tofu: I guess we've done fairly well. Soun: (looking at Kasumi) 'We?' Tofu: (nervously waving his hands) Oh, no, nothing like that! Kasumi-chan is only my nurse. (He sighs.) Soun: (suddenly realizing something) Does she have to be in here? Tofu: Kasumi? Yes. It's a part of her job. Why do you ask? You're not afraid to let your own daughter examine you, are you? If you are, I might be able to make an exception for this one case... Soun: I guess not. (sighs) Let's get this examination over with before I come to my senses. Kasumi: (to Ranma) Ranma-kun, you'd better wait outside. Ranma: (sarcastic) Gee, and here I wanted to watch. Kasumi: Just stand guard outside, okay? Ranma: (grumbling) Okay. She leaves the examination room and closes the door. Ranma: (propping herself against the wall) It's not like there's anything interesting to do out here. (Checks one of the magazines left on the table.) 'January 12, 1995!?' * * * * * Some time later, while Ranma was busying herself with reading the latest out-of-date copy of a news magazine from America, Dr. Tofu was in the examination room calling Kasumi aside for what he hoped were the undeniable results. This was because he'd already run the scans a few dozen times to make absolutely sure, and both Soun and Kasumi were growing quite tired of the routine. Still, he didn't think he was one hundred percent sure... Kasumi: Are you absolutely sure these are the results? Tofu: Yes. You saw how many times I've checked. Kasumi: The patient? Tofu: Yes, yes. The patient. It's as you feared. Kasumi: Oh, dear... Soun: (unsuccessfully attempting to look over their shoulders from many different angles) What? What is it? Kasumi: I'm afraid... that you aren't the real Soun Tendo. Soun: (trying to let this sink in, but failing miserably) What!? Tofu: You look like him, you sound like him, act like him - and on basic scans even have the same medical problems - but you are in reality a Boomer whose systemry is cleverly designed to fool people and most scanners. Now, I haven't detected any potential homing devices or signals on you, but since I've never seen such sophisticated circuitry before, I can't be sure... Soun: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, I'M NOT THE REAL SOUN TENDO!?!? Kasumi: Calm down, please. It's my guess that you're a Boomer-based clone, or something similar. So you *are* Soun Tendo; just not the original. Kasumi: Soun: I'm not going to listen to this! I'm leaving! Soun angrily storms out the door, leaving a surprised Ranma in his wake. Kasumi: Wait! Where are you going? It's not safe for you out there, remember? Soun: (distant) I'm going home. Kasumi: Which home? There's no answer. Kasumi notices Ranma is still sitting near the door. Ranma: Akane's NOT going to like this. Kasumi: Well, don't just stand there! We've got to get him back! Ranma: (leaves) Tofu: (to Kasumi) Does this mean our dinner engagement for tonight is off? Kasumi: What? Oh, yes. * * * * * Ranma wasted little time in getting from the Doctor's clinic to the parking lot where her motorcycle was literally hidden - no one was going to dare to swipe it if she could help it - and had the bike running in a matter of seconds. In fact, she'd practiced the manuever on a regular basis just to be sure. In retrospect, Ranma decided that unlocking the security chain and turning off the alarm would have been good things to practice, too. Kickstarting her bike into action - again! - she started off in the direction she had seen Soun take. Soun Tendo had always been a decent runner. Not as fast as Genma, of course, but he had no problems easily disappearing whenever he wanted to. He'd said he was going home. Did that mean he was headed for the former site of the Tendo dojo? Ranma mentally shrugged; it was as good a place as any to start. Along the way she could put those precious heightened martial artist's senses of hers to use in case she passed by Soun... The way Akane was feeling, it'd be a while before she would consider 'forgiving' Ranma for losing track of her father, Boomer version 2.0 or not. Five minutes later, Ranma passed the runner on her motorcycle. He didn't recognize her - Ranma's features were hidden by her favorite helmet (a picture of a little lost P-chan adorning the space above the visor), including, but not limited to, her trademark red braids. Had Soun not been quite single-minded when running away from something, he might have recognized the motorcycle, the helmet and everything else Ranma was wearing. She was entirely grateful for this as she brought her bike around to form a roadblock ahead of him. It was then that she noticed the pair of Boomers trailing them. Ranma: Stop! Soun skidded to a halt, remarkably so since he hadn't been wearing shoes. Ranma immediately leapt off her bike and pulled Soun to safety. Soun: What do you think you're doing? Ranma: (Watching the Boomers retro-jet to a stop close by.) Trying to save your hide from THOSE guys! (points) Soun: Where did *they* come from? Boomer1: You're coming with us. Boomer2: Genom wants you back. Ranma: Guess that answers THAT question. Ranma: (removing her helmet) I don't think he's going anywhere with you guys. Boomer1: You don't have a say in the matter. Boomer2: We're taking him back whether you want us to or not. Ranma: (shrugs) That's kinda what my Dad always says. But then, I never really listen to HIM, either! Boomer1: You should learn to respect your elders. Boomer2: You *are* going to listen to us. Ranma: No; I don't think so. (cracks knuckles) C'mon, attack me already! I don't have all day! Boomer1: (attacking) Impertinent fool! Boomer2: (attacking) You asked for it! Boomer1: (looks nervously at Boomer2) ......... Ranma uses this moment of indecision to grab the first Boomer and fling it into the second. Both Boomers collide, sending electronic parts and steel armor flying everywhere. Luckily, all of the debris falls short of hitting either Ranma or her motorcycle. Ranma: (nudging a severed Boomer head with the toe of her boot) Ranma: (Turns to look at Soun.) Ready to go? But Soun wasn't there. Ranma: Aww, geez, do I have to go after him AGAIN!? She notices a set of indentations close to Soun's footprints in the dirt and kneels down to peer at them. Ranma: Boomer footprints? * * * * * Akane: YOU DID *WHAT*!? Ranma yawns to relieve the pressure in her ears from Akane's yelling. Ranma: I lost him, okay? I couldn't help it. I was fighting some Boomers trying to take him away, and then some more came and got him while I was fighting. Akane: How could you be SO STUPID!? Kasumi: (Places a hand on Akane's shoulder.) Now, Akane, I'm sure you don't mean to yell at Ranma-kun. After all, you wouldn't have been able to be in two places at once, either. Akane: (Calms down.) Maybe. But we can't afford to lose him! I want to be able to charge Genom with SOMETHING! Ranma: Who are you kidding? Genom's beyond the law! Kasumi: No one is beyond the law, Ranma-kun. Besides which, we still might be able to find him. While we were at the clinic, the Doctor and I hid one of Akane's special homing beacons on him. Akane is surprised, and Ranma... Ranma: WHAT!? Why didn't you tell me this BEFORE you sent me after him? Kasumi: You didn't ask. All: ............... Kasumi: (Noticing the others' pained expressions.) Why does everyone always look at me like that whenever I make a joke? Kasumi: The truth is, I forgot to tell you. I wasn't expecting him to run away like that. Akane: Oneechan, you know Father better than that. You know how he reacts to bad news. Kasumi: It's been too long since I last took care of him. Akane: ...... In the meantime, Ranma has taken to using the computer to track Soun's whereabouts. Ranma: Got it! Akane: Eh? Ranma: I know where they've got him. Or the beacon, anyway. The signal's from Genom's Gamma Six plant. Akane: Gamma Six? (sighs) That's one of Genom's more heavily guarded research facilities! And we're three Knight Sabers short-- Akane: (Whirls around to face Ranma.) Don't you *dare* say it. Ranma: Say what? Akane: Never mind. We're going to need a little help on this one. Kasumi: Akane, I understand you can temporarily re-synchronize one or more of the hardsuits to work with someone else if necessary. Perhaps I could volunteer. Akane: (Looks at Kasumi for a moment.) Thank you, oneechan. But it wouldn't work. You're taller than Nabiki, Ukyou or Shampoo. Kasumi: Oh. Well, it was just a thought, anyway. I'll stay behind, then. Akane: We do need someone to oversee everything... Kasumi: Don't worry about hurting my feelings, Akane. I'll do it. Akane: I've got a better idea in mind. Ranma: (curious) You do? Akane: Yes. And I think you're going to like it. I'm gonna call in Sayuri and her sisters as temporary replacements. Ranma: For Shampoo, Ukyou and Nabiki? That's only three out of five! Akane: Why did you mention Shampoo's name first? Ranma: Not NOW, Akane! Akane: Oh. Right. No, but I guarantee you'll be surprised. Akane: I can't have anyone else using Nabiki's suit because she'll never let me hear the end of it... and she'll use it as a blackmail or bargaining chip against me. You know how she is... (Leaves the room to place the call.) Ranma: (to Kasumi) Hmmm... maybe she's finally wisening up. Akane: (from neighboring room) I heard that! * * * * * It took an hour for Sayuri Mizuno and her sisters to get to the location Akane had specified and join up with the Knight Sabers. They, too, had brought their own moving van-type truck. Ranma: Sayuri! You've come! What's with the truck? Sayuri: (smiles) We couldn't resist the invitation. Oh, the truck? You'll see. Ranma: Akane: (Walks over to Ranma and Sayuri.) I guess this is gonna be the first field-test of your gear, huh? Ranma: Gear? Look, Akane, if someone doesn't tell me what's going on... Akane: Sayuri? Sayuri: You guys have your own machines and weapons to fight with, right? Well... (gestures toward her truck) we've got some of our own, now. The four remaining Mizuno sisters wheel five large robot mecha suits out of the truck. Ranma does a double-take. Ranma: Where did you get those? Sayuri: Akane made them for us. We've been doing what the Knight Sabers are doing in Osaka. You know, fighting crime, bugging Genom, things like that. Have you heard anything about a group known as the 'Bluebirds?' Ranma: I've heard the name, but not much else. Sayuri: That's us. We probably haven't been around long enough to make a big name for ourselves like you guys in the big leagues. Ranma: (smiles) We do what we can. Ranma: (suddenly concerned) Are you sure you want to use those suits if Akane created them? They might blow up on you or something-- Akane flattens Ranma with a convenient one hundred-ton mallet. Akane: They work just fine, thank you very much! Akane: Can we please get started now? Father's life is in danger and we're standing around out here chatting! Ranma: (enraged, with a rather painful-looking bump on the back of her head) YOU CALL *THIS* CHATTING!? Kasumi: Please calm down, Ranma-kun. Akane, I know you are frustrated, but it won't do to beat up on him! Sayuri: 'Him?' What do you mean by that? Ranma, Akane, Kasumi: ..................... Ranma: (*extremely nervous*) Oh, it's nothing! Akane: (also *extremely nervous*) Nothing at all! Eh-heh... Kasumi: Hm? Ranma: (As Akane pushes Kasumi away.) They're always saying I'm so much of a tomboy I act like a guy. That's why Kasumi said, 'him.' Sayuri: Oh. I see. Sayuri: But Akane does have a point. Boomer or not, I doubt Mr. Tendo will survive long in there, so we'd better get moving. We've wasted enough time already. Ranma: Right! (Starts toward the Silky Doll van to put on her hardsuit when...) Sayuri: All right, minna! It's morphing time! Ranma, Akane, Kasumi, Yuka, Kinu, Ryoko, Michiko: **WHAT**!?!? Sayuri: (Nervously puts her hand behind her head.) Heh... Just kidding. The others simply glare at her. Sayuri: Hey, what are we waiting for? Let's go! All: Right! It takes a grand total of six minutes for everyone to gather their 'formal wear' and regroup. Akane: Six minutes and eleven seconds! We've got to work on our timing. Ranma: Don't look at me! I was done in three. Akane: This *isn't* a race, Ranma. Ranma: ......... Sayuri: Well, you should know that it takes at least five minutes for us to get into our mechs and power them up. You're the one who built them, after all, Akane. Akane: But if you disable the safeties you can shave an extra minute and a half off-- Ranma: (uneasily) Uh, I think we'll stick with the safeties for now. She recalls a time when doing as Akane had just requested had caused her suit to blow up and almost deep-fry her. Akane: But... Ranma: C'mon, Akane - we're already ready, so we're not gonna get anything done *talking* about getting ready! Don't you see? Kasumi: H-- She does have a point, Akane-chan. Akane: (Resigns herself.) Okay, okay. We're moving. Akane: Sayuri, since your group has the heavier arms, I want you to create a diversion to allow the rest of us to sneak in somewhere else. Can you do that? Sayuri: I think so. Akane: Okay. Ranma, you and I'll take the back way in, assuming they don't spot us first. Ranma: Has anyone bothered to scan that place to see where all the bad guys are right now? They might already know we're coming! Akane: ......Kasumi-oneechan will be monitoring the building and everyone's progress. Ranma looks toward Kasumi, who merely nods. Ranma: Ranma: All right; you win. Let's go! Akane: (To everyone.) You heard her! Akane: Hey, wait a minute. Aren't I supposed to be the one in charge? Ranma: (Sticks out her tongue at Akane.) Biiiiii... * * * * * The attack begins. As Akane had planned, Sayuri's crew is immediately met by resistance. Ranma and Akane use the resulting disturbance as a distraction to sneak around to the rear of the facility and enter there while everyone was preoccupied. However, they hadn't counted on a squad of Boomers waiting there for the two Knight Sabers. Akane: What the...!? Ranma: Well, this is JUST GREAT! I thought you said they'd all be out front! BoomerLeader: What, are you kidding? No one falls for the 'distraction in front - sneak in rear' routine anymore! Ranma: Don't look at me! It was HER plan! Akane: Shut up! BoomerLeader: BOTH of you SHUT UP! You're both going to DIE! Ranma, Akane: That's old, too! BoomerLeader: I'm old-fashioned, so sue me! With the noise of the Bluebirds' fight as background noise, the Boomers happily encircle Ranma and Akane and begin hacking away - literally, of course. Ranma and Akane fight back, their backs to each other. Meanwhile, Sayuri's senses and scanners pick up the battle in the rear of the facility. Sayuri: I had a feeling this plan wouldn't work. Minna! Ranma and Akane are in trouble back there! Should we break away and help? Yuka: We've got too many things to worry about right here, oneechan! Yuka, Michiko, Kinu and Ryoko appear in insets on Sayuri's screen. Michiko, Kinu, Ryoko: Yeah! Sayuri: It was just a thought. Ryoko: Think later! Blast NOW! Despite the fact that Boomer technology had originated from a martial artist, most of the mindless Boomers fighting Ranma and Akane were no match for the two martial artists. This fact became painfully obvious to the leader of the Boomers as Ranma punted him into the sunset, an honor the two Knight Sabers usually reserved for Tatewaki Kunou. Akane: (catching her breath) See? I told you the plan would work! Ranma: (glaring at Akane) ............ Ranma: They know we're here. Why don't we just take one of the sides instead of the front or rear? Akane: No. That'd take too long. She walks straight through the rear entrance, Shampoo-style. Shrugging, Ranma follows after her. * * * * * Somewhere inside the building, a familiar robed figure examines Soun, who's now chained to a platform attached to a wall. Soun finally comes to in time to see this. Soun: ......... Soun: Who are you? Moose: You wouldn't know me. But I know you very well... Father. Soun: 'Father'!? I'm not your father. I only have one son... and he's adopted! Moose: Oh, you're my father, all right. You're responsible for my being here! Soun: That's impossible! I don't even know who you are! Moose: ......... Moose: Very well, then. We'll continue this discussion when the rest of the family arrives. Soun: A Boomer makes its way into the room, unsure what to make of the scene. Moose barely acknowledges its presence. Boomer: Sir! Moose: What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy? Boomer: ...... Boomer: Uh, I'm over here, sir. Moose: (wheels about) I knew that. I was just testing you! Unfortunately, Moose had chosen the wrong direction to face yet again. Boomer: (patiently) Over *here*, sir. Moose: (wheels about, *again*) Don't trifle with me. I can have you reduced to scrap metal in less than one decision! Now what do you want? One of the far walls opens up, and Akane and Ranma walk in - almost as though this were a casual visit. Boomer: (uneasily) The Knight Sabers are in the building. Moose: (uneasily) Ah! Well, show them in, show them in. Boomer: (puzzled, decides to leave the room) As you wish. Akane notices the captive Soun. Akane: I should've known it was you, Moose! Now let this man go! Ranma: (aside) You mean *Boomer*, don't you? Akane: (aside) Now is NOT the time to argue over trivial details! Ranma: (aside) Why not? Moose, who has been standing by, watching all of this, interrupts. Moose: Ahem! Now then, Akane-chan, I suppose you should know it is *me* you have to thank for this little family reunion. Soun: (confused) *Akane*!? Akane: Okay, why have you done all this? Moose: For two reasons. First, from the business point of view, Genom made a horrible mistake in removing the unfortunate Mr. Tendo from the picture so long ago. Akane: At least you're man enough to admit your mistakes. Moose: It wasn't my mistake! I signed on with the company long after that! Akane: Whatever. So what really happened to Mr. Tendo? Moose: I can't tell you that. They won't even tell ME what happened. But anyway, what we've done here is clone some existing tissue samples of your father in an attempt to try to learn some more of his secrets in the construction of Boomer technology. As you no doubt know, the current generation of Boomers is sadly limited compared to your father's original designs. Ranma: 'Cheap crap' is more like it. Whatever happened to the concept of QUALITY? A stray CAT can outthink those things! Moose: (glares at Ranma) And *you*, I'm sure. Akane opens her mouth to add something to the insult, but changes her mind. Moose: You don't have to be here. You aren't a part of this family. Ranma: Yeah, well, if some people had their way, I would be! Moose: It doesn't matter. You can go ahead and stay; you're going to die anyway. Ranma: Isn't that the same thing you said the last couple of times you fought us? Moose: Enough! I've got to finish my speech and I'm wasting time arguing with the likes of you? Ranma: That sounds like something that idiot Kunou would say. (She hurriedly looks around just to make sure the idiot in question wouldn't pop up.) Moose: Don't confuse my words with anything that moron spouts! My words actually bear meaning and intent! Ranma: Yeah, whatever. Moose: Hmm. Well, anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah. Reason number two. Moose: You may not realize it, any of you, but a while back Akane's wonderful little band of marauders caused the destruction of a research facility at which I was working. I was caught in the blast, and came out severely injured. Akane: Which research facility? There've been so many... Soun: ......... Moose: It matters little now. Suffice it to say that I was rebuilt, using tried-and-true Boomer technology! Most of my body is now cybernetically reinforced and enhanced! Ranma: Wow! Do you have the mind of a Boomer, too? Sure seems like it. Moose: Don't tempt me. I can kill you here and now with little effort. Ranma: (shrugs) Yeah, whatever. I've seen what you can do. Moose: What makes you think I haven't been pulling my punches until now? Ranma: Desperation, perhaps? Moose: ...... Moose: Anyway, as I was saying... Since I am now mostly a product of your father's technology, I am just as much his child as YOU are! (laughs, as everyone nervously swallows hard) Ranma: Whatsamatter? Never have a family of your own? Moose: Shut up! Now that I've finished my monologue, prepare to die! Or would you rather I kill your precious Soun Tendo first? Akane: You wouldn't kill your own father, would you? Moose: ...... Moose: Okay, that's it! You're dying first! He attacks, leaping at the two Knight Sabers and launching a dozen weapon-tipped chains at them. The chained weapons themselves weren't important, however, as Ranma and Akane easily dodged them all without much effort. Moose: I've been waiting for this moment, you know! On our last encounter, I wound up falling directly into that ancient training ground, Jhusenkyou! I spent a lot of time training there to defeat you! Ranma, Akane: ! Ranma: (sudden realization) She manages to catch one of the chains Moose was only now reeling back in and used it to turn him into a pathetic version of a pinwheel. Ranma: Guess this is where I get even! Making a crude effort to aim, Ranma releases her hold on the chain, sending Moose flying toward a convenient pool of water which had no obvious use in this particular laboratory. Moose lands in the pool with a rather ridiculous flailing splash. As the water calms, Moose resurfaces... as a cybernetic duck. Curiously, however, the machine part of the duck didn't seem to agree with the other half; parts of the machinery jutted out at odd angles and made the duck look like it was attached - quite painfully - to an antique threshing machine. Apparently, Ranma and Akane thought, Jhusenkyou curses and cybernetics didn't quite agree. Moose: (angrily) Quack! Quack quack quack! Ranma: A *duck*!? You turn into a duck? That's the stupidest thing I've ever-- Akane: (brings her elbow down onto Ranma's head) You're one to talk... Soun: Umm... this is all nice and fine, but could someone please let me down and tell me what in the world is going on here? Ranma: (Moves to free Soun from the wall.) I'll do it. Moose: QUACK! Akane notices that the cybernetic half of the duck weighs it down, slowly dragging it underwater. She rescues it, being careful to hold Moose as a whole, since she wasn't sure if pulling on one half or the other would rip Moose in half. Moose: (protesting) Quack!! Akane: Oh, shut up! Akane sets Moose down on a workbench and leaves him there as she helps Ranma pull Soun down. The agitated duck tries to fly or move, but cannot, due to the weight of the cybernetics. Finally, Ranma, Akane and Soun stand around the duck, wondering what to do with it. Ranma: Well, what ARE we going to do with him? We can't leave him like this... he's gotta be embarrassed enough as it is... Moose: (rising temper) Quack...! Quack! Akane finds a beaker of water - or what she assumes to be water - bubbling over a nearby Bunsen burner. To be sure, she pours a couple drops of the liquid onto the counter. When nothing melts, she pours the rest of it onto Moose. Moose: Qu---arrrgh! Moose: That was HOT, oneechan! Akane, Ranma, Soun: (collectively punching and kicking Moose) WHO'RE YOU CALLING 'ONEECHAN!?!?' Moose: (Picks himself up.) You, I suppose. About to renew his attacks, Moose is interrupted by a loud, blaring alarm. Moose: Oh, now what? It never fails. Every time I try to beat someone to a pulp, there's all these interruptions! The Boomer runs back into the room. Boomer: It's the Knight Sabers' friends outside, sir! They're destroying the building! Moose, Ranma, Akane, Soun: They're WHAT!? Boomer: I said-- Moose: (Noting that large chunks of debris are starting to rain down on them all; hits Boomer on the head.) Never mind! We've got to get out of here! In panic, Moose and the Boomer scramble out of the room. Soun: Akane. Akane: Huh? Soun: It is you, isn't it? Akane: Otousan, I...... Soun: Shh. Not a word, daughter. I... Soun: I'm sorry. Akane: For what? Soun: I'm sorry I'm not your real father. I'm a copy. Akane: But you were... murdered! (They start to leave the building the way Akane had come in.) You're just as much my father now as...... (Her voice grows silent.) Ranma: (sighs) Isn't cloning fun? Akane: (punches Ranma) Don't ruin the moment, *baka*! Akane: (Hugs Soun.) You're real enough for me. Ranma: (Dodges uncomfortably large chunk of falling plaster.) That may be all fine and well, but what now? Are you gonna come live with Akane, or what? Akane: Ranma! (Looks inquiringly at Soun.) Soun: ......... Soun: I can't. Akane, Ranma: What?!? Soun: Even if we make it out of here, Genom will still be after me. Now that I have a better idea of what has been going on and what happened to me, there's something I must do. Ranma-kun... tell your father I said hello. That said, Soun heads off in another direction and disappears amidst the rain of debris. Ranma: Wait! Akane: Otousan! No...! Akane: (sadly) He's gone. I've lost my father *again*! Ranma: We don't know that for sure! But if we don't get out of here, we're gonna lose US, too! Akane doesn't move. Ranma picks her up and carries her out of the building. Shortly after they leave the building, a large explosion consumes it. Akane: OTOUSAN!!! Kasumi: Oh, my... Everyone else: ..................... Ranma: Akane... Ranma: I'm sure he made it out alive. Akane: (sniffling) How can you be so sure? Ranma: He's a fighter, too. I don't think he'd let Genom get rid of him again! Akane: You're just saying that! Ranma: (softer voice) Maybe. Which would you rather believe? Kasumi: Ranma-kun's right, Akane. It's better to believe he's still alive than assume the worst. Akane: (sudden realization) The homing beacon! Ranma, Kasumi: What? Akane: The homing beacon you planted on him, oneechan! We can still track him, can't we? Kasumi: (shakes head, sadly) I'm afraid not. The signal died out a while ago, while all of you were still in the building. Chances are he or someone else discovered it and disabled it. Akane: Or it was destroyed along with him... Kasumi: Akane! It's not going to do you any good to mope around like this! Akane: Leave me alone. (She walks off.) Ranma: ......... Ranma: (To Kasumi.) Do you think she'll get over this? Kasumi: In time. Just as it was the last time she lost our father. He is the main reason for her crusade against Genom, isn't he? Ranma: I guess... Sayuri's team approaches. Ranma: Sayuri? Why'd you guys blow up the building? Sayuri: We didn't! Honest! Ryoko was just having some fun swinging Boomers into the facility and something there must have blown up because... Ranma: It's okay, it's okay. Just don't tell Akane who might have been responsible for the explosions, or she'll have a fit. And we all know how bad THOSE can get to be-- Akane: (Suddenly appearing next to Ranma to bean her with a handy large, metal mallet.) I HEARD THAT, RANMA!! Ranma: Don't DO that, you kawaikune tomboy! Akane: (fuming) WHAT?!? Ranma: (sticking out her tongue at Akane) Biiiiiiiii...... Akane: Mou... You're in for it now, Ranma!!! She chases after Ranma, swinging her mallet wildly. (end) ------------ CREDITS Written by: Mike Koos Pre-readers: Richard Beaubien Robert Geiger Tom Williams Disclaimer: All characters, stories and situations are the property of whoever created them. I'm just the simple fanfic writer in this situation; some of these characters and the situations I run them through are mine, of course. I have yet to determine exactly who owns the rights to this disclaimer, however. ------------ Note: Yes, I know this story's been an awful long time in coming. I had a valid excuse at first - working on stories like Sailor Moon: Thanks for the Memories - but mostly, I've been reluctant to release yet another Ranma story into the vast flood of Ranma stories that are out there today (and not just in RAAC ^_^). You can probably see it in this story... Hmm... now that I've got some of the background explained (do the Jhusenkyou curses exist in BGS? What happened to Soun? and other puzzling questions of the universe), maybe I can get back to writing a less serious BGS story... :) ------------ Previous episodes of Bubblegum Splash! can be found at the rec.arts.anime.creative archive site at ftp.cs.ubc.ca/pub/archive/anime-fan-works/ ...or you can always find the latest versions of my stories on my pages at the WWW address below. Questions, comments, suggestions? Drop me a line. ^_^ * Mike ('Kino Makoto') Koos: makoto@cal.net * http://www.fanfic.net/~makoto * * "I can do nothing to stop you. Your background music is too strong * for me." - Sam Johnson, Whose Line is it Anyway?