//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: What harm is a little Escapism? 
// Story: Finally at Pegasus A MLP: FIM and Ranma ½ X-Over 
// by Alicornian 
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Chapter 4: What harm is a little Escapism?

It had now been a full week in California and Ranma’s life was finally looking up. He now had a true friend who liked what he did, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic the TV series, soon an actual education with teachers who actually cared about the students and taught their classes in a way it kept Ranma awake and paying attention, he was now going to get English down to a point he could have a mildly normal conversation with his fellow class mates at school, and now he was the proud owner of a one story two bedroom, one bath, house. Life was actually… good and soon it was going to get better with school. “Come on Ranma it’s your first day! You don’t want us late do you?” Ranma looked up from his house door to see his good friend and current translator waiting for him on a brand new bike they both bought before they left San Fran. James was a ten speed sports bike in solid black while Ranma’s was dirt bike in a gun metal blue. He wanted a red and black one but the store only had gun metal blue in at the time. “Yeah, I’m coming. Just let me lock up first.” 

James laughed at this. “Come on Ranma, like who would want to break into your house?” Ranma didn’t want to answer that as he knew his old life. Going down the list as he and James took off for school Ranma ran through each person of his old life and how the house would look. Starting with his Father he’d use the back door with his thieving skills and steal everything in the house, sell it, then try and steal the deed, then sell the deed, then once he has enough use it all to by Sake or what even they sold her he could get drunk off of, then drag him back to Japan after beating up on him. Luckily the town had a local watch committee and since he paid using cash over the debit card, he had to take the money out first though, it be harder for Genma to do so. He also had the deed to the house placed in a lock box in the town back along with a copy in San Fran just in case. Also he insured everything in his new home so if Genma did take anything he’d easily replace it. As for dragging back to Japan, he and James had a plan for that but it would take some time to do it.

Next was Soun, who like his old man was a thief but not a very good one. Knowing him he’d work alongside his old man so it be the same issue. Then there was the second oldest daughter Nabiki Tendo, the heartless mercenary and loan shark. Ranma knew she’d use the law in some way to get his house and everything in it. However the house was owned by the town so if he went to the mayor and explained everything along with some backing from James and a phone call to Kasumi it would be Nabiki that be in trouble not him. Or so he hoped. Returning to his bike ride he quickly caught up with James and continued his thoughts. Now Nabiki was only and issue, yet her younger sister Akane Tendo, she was a problem. With her temper she’d more than likely destroy the house and possibly burn the place down after breaking in and trying to make something toxic. Why the girl just couldn’t admit she couldn’t cook was anyone’s guess. Making yet another turn on his bike to avoid three girls on a motor scooter and a very sturdy cart, he continued to the other girl he had issues with, Ukyo. His former best friend, who was very good at Anything Goes Cooking and one very good Okonomiyaki Chef, let alone a direct decedent to a ninja clan. Knowing her she’d too destroy the house, just in a way this town won’t really expect, with food, and skillet peelers. Shaking his head he and James finally rolled into the school and locked up their bikes, well at least Ranma did, twice. “Aren’t you being a bit overly cautious Ranma?” Ranma sighed and just gestured to head inside. 

James shrugged and both went in leaving Ranma to round out the list. The Kuno twins and their father would most likely try to buy it out from under him or do what they always do. Use underhanded tactics. Luckily he could just turn them in for a large reward. Word around San Fran’s school districts, Prince Kuno was a highly wanted man and there was a big cash reward on his head. As they walked together to the gym to not only hear the new student introduction but to gain their class schedules as well, Ranma’s mind finally went to the last of his past and the one that would do more than just destroy his house, he’d possibly destroy the town as well. Ryoga Hibiki, he on, off, on again, off yet again friend and longtime rival in the arts. Ranma knew Ryoga had not only a temper but also has an issue with tunnel vision.

It didn’t matter who was in the way as long as he got to his goals but when Akane or some other girls, like this Akiri girl, a sumo pig farmer, caught his attention he was all well, childish. Best comparison Ranma could make in his mind was Spike the Dragon around Rarity. It was a very close match according to him. Spike could focus on a lot of stuff but when Rarity was around it was like nothing else mattered and he was very kind hearted to her, never mean or hateful, just well… a good guy.

===

Rarity was not please with how today was going! First her alarm clock didn't wake her up in time to wake Sweetie Belle for first day classes, she had just received a request for custom clothing by not only Octavia and Venal Scratch, but also fourteen other residents in Coltsville. And worse of all she didn't even have time to make herself proper. Her hair was a mess, her current clothing was wrinkled beyond relief, and she had yet to put on her make up. Yet now, now she was going to be LATE for her first day. "This is the worse, day, ever!" She whined to Sweetie Belle's regret. "Rarity your not that late." Sweetie said looking up to her sister. "Belle I've never been late for any of my orders and I will not be late for school either. It's improper and I must be a proper role model for you and your friends." Sweetie sighed at this. 

"She's right Belle." Came a voice behind them. "Sparkle, your late as well?" Rarity asked shocked. "I'm... I'm late? I can't be late, I just can't. I had everything prepared, I even set all my alarm clocks to make sure I wasn't late, I just can't be late!" Rarity sighed as she looked to her dear friend. "Sparkle calm down." said a tiny male voice from her back pack, which popped out an iguana. "Your not late, your both right on time. She's just saying your a bit late meeting on the way to school." Twilight calmed down slightly at this. "Your right Spike, thank you but still. I am never, ever late, got it, because I can't!" Spike, Rarity, and Sweetie all shook their heads at this and continued onto school. 

"So... think we'll meet this love of Kasumi's at the school today?" Rarity asked as they soon joined up with Pinkie, Rainbow, and Scootaloo. "I hope so, I would so like to see how fast he really is and show him just how fast I am." Rainbow boasted smiling. "And I'd like to see him make a tornado." Scootaloo said from her motorized scooter and towed seats. She had gotten it for her birthday last year after constantly begging for one and for something to pull her friends in at times like she did when they were all ponies. "Not in town I hope." Twilight replied a bit worried. "Yeah because we'd have to repair everything yet again." Rainbow added from her BMX bike. She had gotten it with her allowance and had it customized to go at amazing speeds when she got it going. 

Sadly she couldn't get a motor cycle but to her, this did the trick. "Oh, oh, oh, think we can give him a party, you know a welcome to Coltville Party? We can have in the shop and serve cupcakes, apple tarts, ice cream sundays, but that's only if it's sunday, if it's not on sunday then they wouldn't be called Ice cream sundays..." The girls all laughed at the constant randomness of Pinkie. No matter if she was human or pony, Pinkie would always be Pinkie.

===

Sighing he took his seat next to James in the gym and awaited the introduction. Principal Moon stepped forward and soon spoke as James translated for Ranma. “Good morning everyone and welcome to yet another year of school here are Celestial Moon. Most of you here came from this very town and have graduated from one of our other schools, some of you are just starting school for the first time, and some of you are just about to leave. Yet let us not forget those who came here for other reasons as well, may it be better education, better relations, or a better life in all. We welcome you to not only our town, but our school. Now, I would like to introduce Miss Cheerily, our Elementary school teacher, Miss Cheerily?” 

A young woman with a pleasant smile, stripped faded strawberry blondish hair, and calming yet intelligent green eyes. She also wore a maroon colored dress and had three smiley faced flowers stitched into the bottom right and left hand sides of her dress.“Good morning everyone, I’m Miss Cheerily, the Elementary Teacher for Celestial Moon Elementary, I teach kindergarten through fifth grade classes. I’m also open to any student of any grade who wishes for a shoulder to cry on or a kind ear to talk to so don’t be afraid to talk to me if you want to.” She smiled to everyone then went to sit down. “Thank you Miss Cheerily. Now if the students for Kindergarten through fifth grades would follow Miss Cheerily she’ll hand you your class schedules.” Ranma looked to see five small rows of children follow the kind hearted teacher out of the gym. Ranma wondered just how one teacher taught five classes at one time. “Hey James, how can Miss Cheerily teach all those kids at once?” 

James looked to him and after thinking face palmed. “Oh I forgot to tell you that as part of the tour. Miss Cheerily teaches by the day. Kindergarten on Monday, first on Tuesday, and the like till Friday and strangely enough the town’s fine with it. That and word has it she’s the only one that can handle them.” Ranma nodded at this. Either the woman was brave or the school was having issues at the time. Everyone’s attention was then returned to Principal Moon as she returned to the podium. “Next I would like to introduce our three teachers for the Junior High this year. First is Mr. S. Armor. He will be teaching the history, PE, and Study Hall.” A tall well-built man in a white tuxedo with what looked like a military shield and stars on his right hand chest coat with slightly black hair stood and nodded to everyone before sitting down. “Joining him is his wife, Mrs. C. Armor who will be teaching art, reading, and spelling classes.” A woman stood up from her seat next to Mr. Armor. She too was a tall woman yet with a charming smile, amazingly multicolor, actually multicolored, pastel rainbow hair, and purple eyes. She wore a calming light pink dress and a necklace with a diamond heart on it. She waved at everyone before sitting down and hugging her husband. 

“And lastly we have our very own Mr. Apple from Apple Farms teaching Math and General Science.” Ranma had to stop and blink. The man had to have been at least six or seven feet tall! He was in normal farmer’s clothing, in red, with green apples on his shirt sleeves. He had dirty blond hair and looked seriously tough yet his eyes kind of betrayed the look of a big strong gruff man for they were a calming almost intelligent man. Thinking Ranma could easily compare the guy to Big Mac from the show but that be reading into things. “If the students for grades six through eighth follow them they too will hand you your schedules.” Again another set of rows full of students followed the teachers out of the gym and to the Junior High. 

They were next and Ranma needed to pay attention fully. “Now onto those who go to our High school this year, allow me to introduce our teachers for this year. First is Miss Lyra, she’ll be your Music Teacher this year.” Ranma couldn’t believe his realtor, a lovely woman with somewhat graying, at least he thought so yet she was far too young to have graying hair, possibly colored yet fading green striped hair, with green eyes. She always wore lyre jewelry for some reason. “Next to her is Bonny, our Home Ec. Teacher.” The next one had had even odder hair, strawberry blond and black hair stripped side by side, and was dressed just like Lyra, in a woman’s suit yet designed for cooking along with jewelry but this time in the form of wrapped candies. 

The teacher went down the group of eight teachers and soon called them forward to get their schedules. “So what’s your schedule like?” Ranma asked James showing him his. “Hey not bad Ranma, we’re in the same classes throughout the year. Principal Moon must have thought ahead knowing you’re not that good at English yet. Don’t worry I’ll take notes for you in our classes so you won’t fall behind.” Ranma smiled and thanked James as they headed first to their lockers then to their only class for the day, home room. Both had Lyra as their home room teacher and was just allowed to talk to each the other students or each other till the end of the class session. Once Class was out both left for lunch and then home for the rest of the day since tomorrow was going to be their true first.

===

"Now why in tar-nation are you teaching classes her Mac?!" Applejack said after the assembly to her brother after the classes were done with. "Because they need me Jackie. I at least can do math and some simple science or Agriculture." Mac explained from his seat. "But what about the trees? You just can't leave them unattended." Applejack argued. Mac sighed at this. She did have a point but what could he do? "Jackie the farm don't have Granny Smith no more so we have to make by other ways." Jackie flinched at this and looked down. "I'm sorry Mac, I'm just worried about the farm." Mac got up fro his seat and gave his little sister a much needed. With Granny Smith gone he and Applejack had to tend the farm on their own. True Applejack's friends where a big help during harvest time but without Granny Smith and her knowledge for the cider, apple pies, and other apple products the farm sales on a regular basis they had to get the money some other way, and begin the man of the house he felt it was his responsibility to do so. Everyone just had to adjust to this new way of living and to him the best way to do so was to adapt to the situation. He may have been a soft spoken pony but when it came down to it he could show his stuff, even if it meant educating others.

===

Twilight couldn't believe her brother and Candance was going to be teaching classed at her school! "Oh this is going to be so exciting! I just can't wait to start classes!" Shining Armor just shook his head at his little sister. "Candance insisted on doing so but I'm not too sure about me teaching History. PE and study hall sure but..." Candance came up to Shining and gave him a peck on the cheek to calm him down. "You'll do fine, and Twilight remember to keep out of trouble this time. We don't want a repeat of last year." Twilight looked down at this blushing. She didn't mean to cause half the school to go wild over her old stuff toy, Mrs. Smarty-pants a second time. She just didn't want to be late for an assignment. It was for health class last year revolving around the confusing subject of stress. "I'll try not to." Candance and Shining came up to her and hugged her knowing that this year might be different.

===

Lyra and Bonbon sighed as the returned home, Lyra being the much more happier of the two. "Did you see them Bonny! We now have two humans in our school!" Bonny sighed at the constant subject out of habit. For years her love and roommate Lyra Heartstrings had been going on and on about humans being real when they were on Equestria that when they had arrived on Earth and were turned into said humans she and many others had to deeply apologize to her. "Yes, Lyre I saw. You've been going on about ti ever since you made that deal with that Ranma who just moved into town." Bonbon replied tiredly. Sighing she had to go over once again why they were teachers yet again. It was true having to rebuild a good portion of the town and they all had to take on new ways of living but with how this world worked money wise was a true issue for everyone, some even had to take on two jumps just to make ends meet.

Sadly the candy buisness wasn't doing very well for Bonbon so she had to take on teaching cooking classes. Lyra on the other hand had other issues. Due to her likign humans so much she had gone a bit human happy and made many clothing orders with Rarity and her music sadly wasn't pulling in what it used to so they had to go to Princess Celestia or currently Principal Moon for help. She kindly offered them both new jobs to help pull in money, Home Ec for Bonbon and real-estate agent plus teaching for Lyra. Both accepted along with many others. When it was all Bits there was no issue but when it came to Earth style money, things where much harder.

===

Cheerily waved off her last student as she finally slumped against the wall. Once again she was going to be busy all week with classes from kindergarten to fifth grade this year yet again. She had expected after the unexpected turning into a human to only need to teach one class like she always did but it seems this world worked much differently. No longer could a school just have one class full of student of different ages, they all had to be separate and taught different things as they grew. Sighign and heading back inside to her part of the school she thought back to Equestria and how things were so much kinder and easier there. There was no money issues or problems teaching classes, everything was just easy to understand and simplistic. Oh how she wished she could return there but she had a job to do, she was a teacher after all and she had to be ready to teach them all... somehow.

===

Ranma was beat after all his classes for the week. First was the math class that was amazingly taught by Mr. Apple. He explained that he had to take over for the original math teacher when his wife went into labor and if needed he’d continue teaching it. Ranma was glad he was a patient guy and showed everyone what to do. Addition and Subtraction was easy but multiplication was a nightmare. Next was his Science class which was done by the same teacher, Mr. Apple. He truly felt for the teacher but explained to the class that the teacher they had assigned for it backed out at the last min. Seems he wasn’t ready for such a large number of students. Art was taken over by Mrs. Armor, who was a very gentle touch for everyone and seemed to boost morale in everyone’s own art, which she said Ranma was a pro at. History and PE by Mr. Armor, who sadly was a bit of a task master. He and James wondered if he was a former military officer, possibly a drill Sargent for the PE class yet he seemed to be a book user when it came to History, which wasn’t bad. Then there was Music and Home Ec. Those where his best and worse classes, best when as a girl and worse when as a guy, as both Miss Lyra and Miss Bonny told him. 

Normally he was good at cooking but not the type of cooking they had to do today. It was meant to be a simple sugar cookie class. How he made such a mess, and a fire, with such cookies was still a mystery to him. His last class was a true stunner. It was taught once again by Mrs. Armor. His English class was actually not that hard. They started out simple and worked up, starting with simple kindergarten teaching all the way up to where he was now which was fifth grade English. He could even speak and understand it some as well. “Hey Ranma, want to go shoot some hoops?” Ranma heard over his shoulder on his way home. “Sorry guys, I got homework I got to get done.” Ranma replied back to the group of school friends he had just made. Truth was he wanted to return home to his room and re-watch the Heart and Hooves Day episode that was on since he wasn’t in America during Valentine’s Day and he really missed his true love, Kasumi, back home. “Alright man, take care!” his friends yelled back. It was a short walk back to his house, as he sadly had a flat tire on his bike due to a bad jump he made on it and soon to head to his room his room and watch the show when… “Hey Ranma, how’s it going!” Ranma turn and smiled at his best friend here in America, James. “Not bad, was going to go watch me the repeat of Hearts and Hooves.” 

James smiled at this. “Well you know you can always ask to borrow my DVD set.” Ranma shook his head at this smiling. “You’re a true friend and a good representation of Generosity. But as a good representation of Loyalty and Honesty I’d feel bad for doing so and would invite you to my room to watch with and aren’t you worried that the DVDs might give out with as much as we watch them?” James patted his friend on the shoulder. “You’re a true friend. So… why don’t we go out and get you your own set, my treat, plus I want to show you something.” Ranma blinked at this and… nodded in agreement. It would be nice to have a DVD set of the series for himself and he’d want to show his love what helped him cope while away from her. Who knows, maybe he’d get her into the show as well. 

A long walk later James and Ranma appear before a toy store. James had wanted to bring Ranma back to Cliff’s shop since the move and according to him it was the best place to get anything Pony related. James guided Ranma into the now no longer crowded shop, as its opening day sale was already a week over, and was greeted by non-other than Cliff, the store’s owner. “Hey, James, what brings you here?” Cliff asked behind the counter. “Got another member of the herd Cliff and wanting to show him around the shop and help him pick up a DVD set for himself.” James answered patting Ranma on the shoulder. “I’ll go and get that for you while you look around the shop. Need anything just give me a shout?” Cliff said walking to the DVD section of the shop. Both nodded as he went. “We’ll let’s get the mini tour on its way!” James said causing Ranma to laugh. It felt good for him to do this now. 

No more needing to hide his emotions like he did back in Japan. Now he could be… an average high schooler with actual friends. “Over here we have the Collectable section. Cliff has everything from Godzilla to My Little Pony G1 here, but those are really hard to get and most are remakes of the originals which isn’t that bad.” James said pointing out the aisle against the wall. “G1?” Ranma asked. “Generation 1 or G1 for short, basically it tells you what set something were from. Next we have the clothing. Hats, shirts, coats, pants, even shoes. It’s great to have the stuff during conventions Ranma so if you ever feel like letting your inner Brony out, this is the place to go.” Ranma nodded understanding. “You already know the popular section.” James said pointing to the section they were still in with the counter. “Here you find what’s currently out and what’s popular, which I want to show you now.” Ranma followed his friend to a section of the aisle till, “Catch.” Ranma quickly caught what was tossed to him and found it was a box. 

“Blank MLP: FiM?” Ranma asked holding up the box. “Yep, they’re blanks.” Cliff called out as he came up to them. “They’re basically pure white ponies without a cutie mark or even identity. Lot of Bonies gets these to help identify themselves, think of it as… a template for the pony you.” Ranma thought it over and was a bit spooked by it. You could MAKE your own pony, and it was a representation of him?

“Cliff you didn’t have to make it sound like that.” James said gently taking the box. “And just how am I to explain it?” Cliff asked going back to his counter. “They’re… souls that need a guiding light and hand. It’s a missing part of you that you wish to reclaim that you can now easily get back if your willing to get it back.” James explained yet this still crept Ranma out a bit, why he didn’t know. “Ah, you mean its escapism.” Cliff said ringing up the DVD set. “Escape-what?” Ranma asked curious. “Escapism: the act of indulging in daydreams or fantasies to escape everyday life.” Cliff explained. “Oh.” Ranma answered understanding now. “So… why not make one Ranma?” James asked. “Huh? Wait me?” Ranma asked a bit taken off balance by this. “Sure, better yet why not make a set. We are doing a two for one deal this week.” Cliff added smiling. “I… don’t know guys.” Ranma answered scratching the back of his neck. His hair had been cut to a much more normal American style and now made it even harder for his to be found should the NWC ever show up, which was unlikely.

“Come on Ranma I’m treating, and besides if you don’t want them you could give them to me.” James added. Ranma nodded at this. “True, but which ones to get?” Ranma asked a bit worried. “Well you could take the test that Cliff has on the counter for free to find out what kind of Pony you are.” James answered pointing to the sheets of paper behind Cliff. Nodding Ranma took the test and about a half hour later with James help when he didn’t understand a question because of his level of reading Ranma soon got his answer. “Well this says you’re a Pegasus Ranma. So why not buy two Pegasus Blanks?” James asked. Ranma thought about it and agreed about the test. Pegasus according to the test where competitive by nature and love to show off their talents at every available moment, but that's often because they’ve put in a lot of practice to perfect their techniques and want to take pride in their hard efforts. Because of this, they sometimes get a little too proud, fearing competing if they don't feel they can win and getting quite hotheaded if someone questions their capabilities and simply put they hate losing. 

Yet even though they may be a bit self-centered, it’s true that they still care deeply for their friends and would stand up for them no matter what because they are deeply loyal to them, even if a Pegasus may not always show it. Just because they're not as talented as some doesn't mean they're worthless, because Pegasus love them for who they are, although you may still joke around and give them a hard time — really, who doesn't like a laugh? They are also incredibly brave and will be the first one to volunteer to venture off into the unknown or stand up against an enemy, perhaps letting their impulses get a hold of them before a rational plan is actually thought of. While a lot of ponies may care how they look or concern themselves over what they're doing, Pegasus always want to present themselves in the coolest way possible. Whatever someone else is, a Pegasus goal is to be 20% cooler and better if possible. To them sadly fashion and style are a waste of time, because Pegasus know that's not what determines how cool a pony is. This was quite true for Ranma and though he hated to admit it, it fit him, and her, to a T. Still… he was unsure about making his own pony figures.

“I don’t know guys. I mean sure I can draw but I don’t know a thing about making figures.” Ranma replied looking at the blank pony boxes marked Pegasus. “Not a problem. I wanted to buy a few myself to match the citizens of Ponyville so I can show you how to make them easily, though… we’ll need to pick up two Cutie Mark Stamps for them.” Ranma looked at him a bit confused. “Oh right. They’re kind of like stencils you can stamp onto your pony figure’s flank then paint in. The stamp’s ink is washable so if you mess it up or don’t like it you can just wash it off. Cliff?” James explained then asked. Cliff waved Ranma over to a section of the counted filled with stamps of all kinds, the mane 6 cutie mark stamps being a bundle while all the others were individual. “They haven’t come out with the Royal set yet but take your time and select the one that’s you.” Cliff explained as Ranma looked them over. Ranma thought about himself and what kind of Cutie Mark he would have had if he was a part of Equestria. At first he thought it would be one for the martial arts but… that was a part of him he wanted left alone and he didn’t think any of the ponies in the show even studied them except maybe Celestia and Luna’s guards. Then he thought about his favorite technique to use, The Hiryu Shoten Ha or more commonly known at the Rising Dragon Blast which made powerful tornados that could defeat any enemy. 

Still… he wasn’t sure. He then though about the picture he just drew during the test. It was both the Mare in the Moon and Celestia’s sun together and even though many had done it he had done it in a way it looked… eerily accurate and amazing. Yet then… he shook his head and sighed. “Let me guess, too many things about you to put into one Cutie Mark?” James asked pointing out a few to Cliff which were added to the bag with the DVD set and Blank Pony figures. “Yeah, I think I’m like the Crusaders. You know, trying to figure out who I am and what I’m truly meant to be.” Ranma replied standing back up after checking out the bottom section of the stamps. “So… you’re a foal?” Cliff asked gaining him a “are you serious” look from Ranma. “No I’m a stallion just… I’m not sure what my Cutie Mark would be if I was a pony.” Ranma replied. James patted his friend on the shoulder. “If that’s what you want to do that’s fine. You can always add the Cutie Mark later. Now let’s go check out the patterns and paints. They’re over here on the back wall.” Ranma nodded and followed his friend and Cliff to the back where there where a lot of fan based items for making models and such. Looking over the patterns he decided that he’d just get one and use it on both. After a long talk with Cliff and James he decided on the Zecora Pattern and some skin colored figure paints. Next was the hair, which Cliff explained that in the past they had came with a hair insert tool. The hair back then was made of a synthetic fiber that would last it some time. It was called fiberglass and was removed from all toys do to it being quite sharp and the fiber after that being nylon was also removed so hair for the blank ponies where now made out of the same plastic as the figures.

James explained to Ranma that he could get the same style but different color or get one of the special edition hairs that belonged to the Mane 6. Ranma thought it over and decided on a style similar to what he used to have for both mane and tail. However the color was just like the figure, white and had to be added. “So what colors you’re going with? We got any color you can think of. Gold, silver, sapphire, jasmine…” Cliff started to rattle off till. “Just my two favor colors will do, red and black.” Both James and Cliff looked at each other than to Ranma. “You sure Ranma, I mean we’re not trying to tell you what to choose or anything but those are pretty basic colors.” James replied. “And part of the most commonly sold here.” Cliff added. Ranma smiled at both for the suggestions and advice but wanted to follow his heart and since they would be him/her in pony form it felt right to choose. “Thanks guys but… it’s what I want.” Cliff nodded and pulled out the figure colors and added them to the bag. “Will that be it?” He asked ringing everything up.

“Yep, that’ll be it for now.” James replied paying for everything. Soon they left the store thanking Cliff for the help and returned to Ranma’s house. “I’ll catch you tomorrow Ranma. Take care.” James said heading to his house now. “Later.” Ranma returned heading into his room. He sat down the bag from Cliff’s shop and went to get changed feeling that doing something like making ponies be easier as a girl, as most of his homework was the same this time around. To be truthful he found he was able to cook just as good, if not better in his female form, and that he was able to do much more delicate work like his one Home Ec. Class, or so he hoped. He was tasked to make a simple shirt and found he couldn’t do it as a male but was given a second chance to do it at home and turn it in the next day. Thankfully one of the girls next door was able to lend him a sowing machine. It was small but would do the job and silently hoped he would get an A in the end, even though it had been made while in his female form. 

A quick dinner, shower, and cold splash later Ranma pulled out the boxes holding the figure pieces and put them together to make sure they fit. Sighing and a bit worried of what she was doing she got out the DVD set and went to the episode she wanted to watch. She sighed as memories of home flooded back to the day she left. “Just five more years Kasumi, just wait for me for five more years and we’ll be able to say I do.” Ranko said to the empty room. Finally the episode was over and Ranko looked down at her work. On one side of her work desk was a Zecora patterned light tanned and near human colored coated, red pig tailed mane and tailed Pegasus pony in a red vest with black rear horseshoes and leather like bracers on the upper forelegs. On the other side was the exact same yet the mane and tail were black. These where his/her custom ponies that were now a part of who he/she was right then and there, a Brony and soon… a brand new person, a free, American.

To be continued