//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Nightmare’s return Part 2: Nabiki and Akane, the Shark and the bomb // Story: Finally at Pegasus A MLP: FIM and Ranma ½ X-Over // by Alicornian //------------------------------// Chapter 14: Nightmare’s return Part 2: Nabiki and Akane, the Shark and the bomb “So that’s two chocolate chip and one strawberry correct?” Nodoka asked from the counter of her newest job, working for the Cake’s at their bakery. It was quite a shock to her that Ranko could get her such a job so easily but did have to agree that it wasn’t that bad of a job. Everyone in Coltsville where kind to her and the Cakes were very pleasant to work with. It was just the oldest of the Cake children that she really had to get used to still. “Pinkie do we have any more of the Strawberry?” Nodoka asked to the kitchen. The sound of pans crashing was soon heard. “Coming right out!” Pinkie said causing Nodoka to shake her head. It was true Pinkie was a hard worker but was a real disaster area when it came to backing yet somehow it always came out amazingly well. “Here you go!” Pinkie said carrying over five cup cake pans to the counter. “Just finished backing and frosting them.” Nodoka just shook her head and gently took the pan off her head and served the confection to the customer. With a thank you the customer left and she soon turned to Pinkie. “I think that was it for the breakfast rush Pinkie. You best get ready for school, your parents and I can handle it here.” Nodoka said smiling. “You sure you’re going to be okay because I mean we haven’t even seen Miss Bubbles yet and she always makes a huge order of muffins and it’s always different each day and one time she asked for a muffin we never tried making before and it took us like fifteen tries till we actually got it right for when she came in to get them but that was like ordered weeks before hand and I was all like you sure you want those and she was like yeah I wanted these and I was so sure that she wouldn’t want them because we accidently burned a few of the batches due to the new oven we got and I was worried that we accidently gave her a few of the burned bottoms ones and…” Nodoka just shook her head smiling at the bubbly happy teenager before it. Maybe working here was a good idea after all. --- “So how’s your Aunt Ranma?” Sparkle asked during their cooking class. “Not bad actually. Still I have to thank Pinkie and Rarity for helping her out.” Ranma said mixing a cake batter. “We’d do anything for a friend Ranma right?” Pinkie said working on her own cake. “And besides darling we just couldn’t leave your poor Aunt out in the cold and she does have a wonderful fashion sense. I’m honored to have her in my home and she such a dear when watching the girls while I work.” Rarity said working on her soon to be finished cake. “Wow Rarity that cake look amazing.” Sparkle said looking her cake over. “Why thank you Sparkle, still I’m a bit worried about Dashie’s cake.” Rarity said before turning her and the other’s attention to Dashie’s station. “Okay one last time, I just add the liquids to the cake mixture and mix it together.” Dashie said as she carefully added the wet items to the cake mix which somehow burst into flames… again. “How…” James asked behind Ranma. “I rather not know.” Ranma replied gaining a nod from the group. Over on the other side of the class room Summer was just finishing her cake which was starting to get a lot of attention from Bonny and the rest of the class. “Summer, the assignment was to make a simple cake but this… this is just amazing.” Bonny said looking over the four tiered white cake. “Um I’m just… doing as instructed and it is a cake.” Summer said shyly adding the last few decorations to the hidden front of the cake. It was at this that Jackie came over and gave the work a visual once over. “Not bad cuz but I think it’s missing something.” Summer blushed nodding causing the class to come around their teacher and the cake. “Jackie you have your own cake to work on as do the rest of you.” Bonny said before someone covered her eyes. “Alright all of you this had better be…” She soon stopped when her eyes was uncovered and she saw what the class had done for her. “Oh class this is so…” Before Bonny was not just Summer’s cake but a four tiered candy and lyre decorated wedding cake with a blank unicorn and earth pony figurine on the top acting as the bride and groom. “Congrats on the wedding Miss Bonny.” Ranma said the rest of the class soon cheering. “Oh, thank you class. This is the most wonderful thing anyone had done for us. Thank you all.” Bonny said crying happily. --- Nabiki sighed at her younger sister. The moment she had something in her hands she was acting out on it. Currently it was what one could call a cheese burger, fries, and what was left of a shake or at least it’s cup. Ever since her sister had tried to pick her up in France due to an oddly overpriced bill from her hotel Akane had been a literal short fused bomb that went off at the slightest touch. She had agreed to stay with her till America but after that she was on her own… yet she was still unsure if she should. Already she had caused issues on the way to the small fast food restaurant by threatening those passing by her, the driver of the taxi, a man who could have helped them find out about the city who decided it run for his life after Akane said she’d bash him for even talking to Nabiki, and was now causing the workers of the restaurant to heavily apologize to its patrons and begin cooking outside. “Excuse me miss.” A man said coming up to them. Nabiki sighed at this and growled inwardly. “Yes, may I help you?” She said in French. The man blinked and cleared his throat and began speaking in French as well. “Ma’am I’m sorry but I must ask you and your friend here to leave. Your scaring the patrons away and some are even willing to request that I…” The man quickly backed up as a large mallet nearly crushed him. “Get away from my sister you pervert!” Akane yelled at him. The man was about to yell for the police when Nabiki slammed her hands onto the table and looked Akane in the eye. “That tears it! I’ve had it up to here with your behavior Akane now you are, on, your, own!” Nabiki yelled at her before turning to the manager and handed him a twenty dollar bill. “I’ll be leaving as well and yes I suggest calling the police as well or better yet the SWAT team.” Akane just blinked at her sister as she walked out of the restaurant without her. --- Principal Moon smiled as she sat on the main roof of the school with her sister Kasumi. “And the guards say that they’ll be out for at least another month before they wake up.” Celestia/Celestial said sipping her tea. “They deserve it for what they’ve done to both Ranma and myself over the years. Still… do you really think it’s wise to have Nodoka here Tia?” Kasumi/Luna said over her salad. “I do Lulu, it’s just… well what we found that concerns me.” Celestia said smiling at the nicknames both had not heard nor called each other in year. “And what’s that?” Luna asked concerned. “Well… remember the burning tornado I told you about?” Celestia asked gaining a nod from Luna. “Well apparently our best Unicorn investigators state that whatever that was had a taint of magic to it along with something else.” Celestia said looking at her sister. “Could it have been, Ki?” Luna asked thinking on it. “The Investigators aren’t sure as they’ve never felt it before but the magic they could very much tell was no ordinary magic.” Celestia said leaning back in her seat. “Was it… his magic?” Luna asked hopefully. “No, this was more… elemental than chaotic or harmonic magic.” Celestia replied. “But the only elemental magic users we have among us are the Pegasus and a rare few Unicorns like Twilight Sparkle.” Luna said tapping her chin. “You don’t think…” Luna started. “Oh I do sister. I believe our solution is soon close at hand.” Celestia said smiling. --- Ranko sighed as she walked with her Aunt Nodoka. “Still worried about the others?” Nodoka asked gently. “Yeah. I mean think about it Aunty, you, Genma, and Soun found me. How long will it take for the rest of the NWC to come and try carting me back to Nerima Ward?” Ranko said sighing. “Now, now dear, we already took care of it remember. The San Francisco police already have the cell phone and tracker Nabiki gave me and the police here have already removed what was left of the trackers on Genma and Soun so even if they did track us here it’s very likely that the police already took them into custody.” Nodoka said trying to cheer Ranko up. “Yeah maybe…” Ranko said sadly. Nodoka sighed then turned and smiled taking Ranko’s arm gently. “I believe I know what might cheer you up.” Ranko looked dup to see Nodoka point to Cliff’s shop causing her to smile. “Yeah, I haven’t made you one yet so why not.” Ranko said guiding her Aunt inside. “Hey Ranko! Long time no see!” Cliff said from the counter. “Hi Cliff, still got those tests on you?” Ranko said as Nodoka looked over the shops wears. She smiled as she saw items that she would have loved having as a child or if she had Ranko while Genma was away. “Yep right here. So who’s the woman that came in with you?” Cliff asked handing the test for ‘what pony are you’ over. “ Long story short that my Aunt Nodoka, don’t worry she’s not with you know who.” Ranko said filling the sheet out as best she could. “Oh? Well that’s good. I mean sure having Ranma and Summer in your life now is great an all but you just can’t rid of your true family you know?” Ranko nodded at this. “Aunty, I filled out what I can, you’ll need to fill out the rest.” Ranko called out. “Alright dear.” Nodoka said coming over to the counter and filled in the blanks. Once it was done she gently handed it over to Cliff who looked it over. “Huh, says here you’d be a Unicorn Miss. Kind of odd since Ranko here is a Pegasus.” Ranko looked at him. “Well in the show in Episode Twelve, Cup Cake and Carrot Cake’s twin babies were both a Unicorn and a Pegasus because Carrot Cake’s great-great-great-great-Grandfather was a Unicorn and Cup Cake’s Great Aunt, Second Cousin, twice removed was a Pegasus. So maybe it happened here with me and her?” Both blinked a few times at this and just nodded at this. “I… may wish to fill the form out again myself this time. I thank you Ranko but maybe it be best I fill it out.” Nodoka said gently getting a nod. A few moments later Cliff handed the paper back over, “Still Unicorn Miss. Would you like some help getting the items for your pony?” Nodoka nodded as it was her first. Cliff nodded and helped her gain her Cutie Mark, a fan with a set of swords over it, a Zecora skin Pattern along with skin colored figure paint, a Rarity’s mane and tail along figure color which was the same as Ranko’s, red, and a set of pony clothing, a pony based kimono. Once they had finished there purchases they headed over to Ranko’s house never noticing that someone was watching them from the shadows. Once inside Ranko helped Nodoka create her pony figure while also working on her own. “Ranko, tell me about your friends. I haven’t fully met them yet.” Nodoka said as she worked. “Where to start?” Ranko said smiling. “Try the beginning Ranko.” Nodoka said gently. “Well, sure. First is James, originally he was my translator but we hit off with well…” Ranko said soon tapping her chin. “Family issues?” Nodoka said frowning. “Yeah… See, James’ family is mixed. Part of it is Chinese, another part is Japanese, and the last part is American.” Ranko explained gaining a nod from Nodoka. “They didn’t really get along well. From what I remember his Dad didn’t really get along with his grandmother so they moved to Japan for a awhile but his Grandmother’s a stubborn old bird and somehow followed them to our new home. Now he live here as a translator and a student.” Ranko finished putting down her pony figure. “He’s also the one who got me into My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.” Nodoka giggled at this. “What’s so funny?” Nodoka brought up her hand. “I was just thinking of how Genma would have reacted to this.” Nodoka smiled holing up her finished pony figure. Ranko blinked at this and soon joined in on the giggling. “Yeah you got me there. He’d call it every unmanly thing under the sun just to get me to give it up. Sadly he never will.” Nodoka nodded at this. “What of the man in the shop, Cliff?” Nodoka asked gently putting her pony figure down to dry and heading to the kitchen to wash her hands. “Well… Cliff was the one who sold me these figures, helped James and I get the right pieces for them, and well he’s an all-round great guy. He’s the second friend I gained when I came here and he can get you almost anything Pony wise you want. Almost being if you can afford it and he can get it sent to him.” Ranko said soon joining her at the kitchen sink. “I see. I’ll have to talk to him more about these figures.” Nodoka said giggling. “I actually enjoyed working on one.” Ranko nodded at this smiling. “Please continue Ranko.” Nodoka gently nudged. “Okay, okay, Next was… Sparkle Sunset. She was actually the very first person I met from Coltsville. I needed a translation book since I didn’t know English at first and she helped me get the right book. Then after the town holiday called Family Appreciation day she helped me with my report on the 49ers. She’s really smart but really friendly and helpful at the same time. We kicked it off right after we had a study session together at one of the cafés and found out we both really like the show…” Ranko said grabbing one of the hand towels to dry her hands off. “My little pony: Friendship is Magic correct?” Nodoka asked also drying her hands. She soon grabbed a pot to begin making dinner for the two of them. “Yeah. The whole town likes the show for some reason but I’m not complaining. After Sparkle was Pinkie and Vivian. Vivian or Vi is the local DJ to the town and one of the best techno player ever. Pinkie is well… Pinkie.” Ranko replied getting out a can of tomato sauce and some wheat pasta. “What do you mean by that?” Nodoka asked getting the water going on the stove. “Let’s just say she’s really hard to explain and leave it that.” Ranko said leaning against the sink. “Well she’s a very bubbly and friendly girl, I see no problems with her.” Nodoka said remembering her talks with her at work. “That’s true. Anyway after them was the Apples: Jackie, Mac, and Bloom. They’re the ones that own that huge apple farm near the outskirts of town.” Ranko said before putting the pasta into the water. “The ones that sell that wonderful tasting Apple Juice and pies?” Nodoka asked thinking. Ranko pulled out two bottles of the said juice and handed one to Nodoka smiling. “Just the same. I worked for them during the harvesting season when Mac got injured putting some hay bales away. He’s a lot better though. As for Bloom, let’s just say it’s best to stay out of her and her friends way when they’re working to gain cash for their own collections.” Nodoka giggled at this and soon drained the pasta and began working on the sauce. “You have many friends Ranko, I’m very happy for you.” Ranko took a sip of her drink smiling. “I’m not done yet. I still have a few more to go remember.” Nodoka giggled as she combined sauce with pasta. “True but let’s continue after dinner shall we?” Ranko nodded as she began setting the table. --- “Thank you come again!” Rarity said to her last customer for the day. Going to the door she finally closed and heavily locked it. Shying she looked over her rebuilt shop along with the numerous orders she still had yet to complete. After Blue’s attack on her shop her business had for some time been down but thanks to the Princess things had begun looking up. The shop was much more spacious, cloth she had been wanting was now made available to her and was at hand, the windows where replaced with a now shatterproof Lexan, and her door was given a much needed update along with better locks. It was a new design and was rarely used for home and businesses. The outer layer of the door was made of oak while the inner layer was solid steel with the decorative windows also made of Lexan and was fashioned with not one but two dead bolt locks. She also had the an alarm system put it that would inform the police of anyone, magical or none magical, of someone breaking it. This settled her nerves but not her mind. After the break in and trashing of her shop her mind had been greatly worried about her little sister Sweetie Belle. What if that night they got Sweetie, what if they had harmed her, what if Ranko wasn’t there save both of them, what if Blue had gone farther than just trashing her business and Sweetie couldn’t escape. It was one what if after another and often it had caused her to just break down crying. Luckily her friends had been there to help support her and help her in this hour of need and even helped her gain some, dare she think it, counseling to help with the fears and nightmares. Shaking her head she began closing for the night when… knock, knock. “Now who could that be at this hour?” Rarity asked going over to the door. She looked out the Lexan window and saw it was someone in a set of the most interesting clothing along with a Stetson hat. Looking the person over she tried to make up her mind if she should open the door or keep it locked. The person was obviously a woman, possibly seventeen to eighteen years of age, in a set of cut off jean shorts, a blue tank top, and a blue jean vest. The Stetson was covering her face partially but she could still see enough to tell that the girl’s eyes where brown and she wore bright hot pink lipstick. Whoever this was defiantly knew fashion. It was a very county girlish look that even Applejack would have enjoyed wearing. Opting the chance this possible customer she carefully open the door a crack. “I’m sorry dear but we’re closed for the night.” The woman frowned before speaking. “Darn, well would you at least give me an estimate on an order I’d like the place?” The woman slipped through the crack a slip of paper the Rarity carefully took and looked over. It was for a similar set of clothing she was currently wearing but in different designs and styles. Country but with a city girl feel, down to earth yet fashionable, fancy but not enough to draw to much attention, common yet not overly common, and of course attractive yet not overly eye-catching. After a bit of calculating the time to do the order along with the needed extra materials needed for a few of the orders she nodded to the woman through the crack. “I can have your estimate by tomorrow afternoon, come to the shop around four or five, we’ll talk more about pricing then.” The woman gave a tight smile and nodded before leaving. Rarity soon closed and locked the door sighing while also looking at the mysterious woman’s order. --- Nabiki smiled as she removed her Stetson hat in her rented room. Not one person in the town recognized her thanks to her choice of clothing. Laying back on the rooms bed she allowed her mind to return to the issues at hand. The first issue was of course finding Ranma and Nodoka Saotome. She had been keeping a keen eye on her tracker since she had left Greece and sadly found the signals had dropped for Nodoka, Genma, and her dad the moment they had landed. This meant one of two things, either Genma and her father sold the cells and trackers while Nodoka may have accidentally fried hers or they had all been captured by the police due to stupidity on Genma and her dad’s part. Luckily she was able to log the last known location of the trackers in her memory or she’d have never found that Ranma and Nodoka had settled down in this small town of Coltsville. She had also found out that Genma and her dad had been taken in by the police meaning only one thing. Nodoka had gone traitor on all of them and had to be handled in a proper manner. The next issue was already handled, disguise, which went off a lot better than she had hopped and she actually liked the look. Her next issue was the most concerning, her little sister Akane. The restaurant manager who request she and Akane leave had been kind enough to inform her that the police weren’t needed and Akane had left on her own which raised a new issue, Akane on her own. Nabiki shivered at that thought. Knowing Akane’s temper at the moment she’d be a danger to not just Ranma and Nodoka, but herself as well since she did leave Akane alone in that restaurant and had even gone as far as request the police on her. Shaking her head she sat up and shivered again at Akane’s mallet. Last she had seen it the hammer was about two feet long at the head and a foot and a half wide and possibly weight over half a ton. Yet in that restaurant… Nabiki shivered and nearly began crying in fear. The head of the hammer was now six feet long, two and a half feet wide, and was now on a long handle and had crushed a table with a solid steel beam holding its top up. Had that hit her or the manager… “Oh kami…” Nabiki quickly got up and ran for the bathroom. --- “I said, Where is Coltsville?” Akane yelled at the man before her. The man had been looking at the map and trying to figure out what she was saying as best her could while also trying to keep the enraged girl calm. “Look miss, yelling isn’t going to help me find this place your looking for any faster so please calm down.” The man said sighing only gaining a growl in response and repeated himself in broken Japanese. “If you don’t tell me where it is before I count three you’re going to be a smear on the ground!” Akane said flexing her mallet hand. “Okay, okay, calm down. Coltsville, Coltsville.” The man said quickly. “One.” Akane said being to count. The man quickened his search over the map. ”TWO!” Akane said powering up her Ki. “Just hold on now!” The man yelled holding up the map in defense. “DIE!” Akane yelled forming her much larger hammer. “I found it!” the man yelled falling over. Akane stopped and looked to the area the man was pointing at. Grabbing the man she pulled out his wallet, took his money, and began walking away but not before kicking a trashcan not into but through a wall. “Call the police and you’ll be the can.” Akane said walking away. The man only sat there nodding greatly. --- After dinner and her chat with Ranko Nodoka began her walk towards her current home with Rarity. She smiled at what she had learned about each of Ranko’s friends but… soon frowned at the last bit of information she had gained. -Earlier- Both laughed at the tale Ranko was telling of the boy named Blue and how much he compared to Tatawaki Kuno the ‘Blue Blunder’. “I mean I give the guy props for being thick headed but to say that he’s worse than old Kuno? Well at least he’d be a runner up!” Ranko finally finished gaining a giggling fit from them both. “N-normally I’d be scolding you for talking badly about someone but this…” Nodoka said trying to get herself under control, “this time I have to agree that the poor boy had it coming to him from what he had done.” Ranko nodded at this. “Yeah it took him three weeks to actually start talking around Summer again without running away like his pants where on fire.” Both giggled for some time till they finally where able to settle down without setting the other off. “So tell me more about this Summer Ranko.” Nodoka said gathering up the dishes. “W-what’s there to tell?” Ranko said looking away from her. “Come now Ranko, you’ve spoken so well about your other friends I’m surprised your so hesitant to speak about her.” Nodoka said a bit surprised. “Well.. that’s because.. there really not much to say.” Ranko said blushing. “Oh? You sure, because it looks like you have a lot you wish to say about her.” Nodoka said gesturing to a mirror. Ranko looked into only to Eep and quickly head into her bedroom saying, “I got to change for the night don’t worry about the dishes!” Nodoka blinked at this but shrugged and put the dishes into the sink. When she returned she soon took full notice of the display table and shelf the living room had. On the table was a slowly growing look alike of the My Little Pony’s Ponyville while on the shelf was Ranma and Ranko’s pony figures along with her own. Thinking she took a closer look at the figures as if trying to solve some unsaid riddle. On the right side was Pony Ranma along with a few ponies she guessed where people Ranma became good friends with. On the left side was Pony Ranko with the ponies of people she became good friends with as well. There was just something off about the two she couldn’t put her finger on about the figures before her. “Something wrong?” a manly voice said behind her causing her to jump a bit. “Oh Ranma you scared me. Don’t ever sneak up on me like that again if you please.” Nodoka said holding a hand over her rapidly beating heart. “Sorry Aunty. So something wrong with my figure?” Ranma apologized then asked. “Well… yes. I can pick out a few of your friends among them but… I can’t tell who these three are.” Nodoka said pointing out three of the Ponies. “Oh, well the first one is Princess Luna, she’s Princess Celestia’s little sister. She’s kind of cute in her own ways but well she doesn’t show up sadly in the series. Why I set her up with Celestia there. The next one is Summer, can’t believe you couldn’t guess her Figure. Lastly is…” Ranma sighed as looked to the Alicorn figure, “Kasumi.” Nodoka blinked at this and looked at the ones depicting Summer and Kasumi and nearly gasped. On the right side it was Kasumi’s pony figure standing next to Ranma while on the left it was Summer standing next to Ranko. Then it started to fit together but she had to be sure. “Why did you make one of Kasumi Ranma? I thought you would have made one of Ukyo or someone else you liked.” Nodoka pointed out hoping Ranma would take the bait. “Well that’s because… I… I love her.” Ranma responded looking at the figure. Nodoka’s eyes grew wide. She was right, oh how she wished she wasn’t right. “And… how about Summer over by Ranko?” Nodoka asked gulping. Ranma brought a hand to his chin and thought on it. “I… guess I really like her.” Nodoka blinked at this and began to mildly worry. -Now- Nodoka unlocked and relocked the back door to Rarity’s home and business and carefully went up the stairs so she would not wake the Diamonds. Finally in her room she sighed as she sat down on her bed. Her former child was in love and not with just one person but two. One in the town they were now in that not only respected them but befriended them in a short time, the other in a small ward of Tokyo that was spoken badly of but also wanted nothing more but to cause pain and misery to all that lived there. Both treated her former child like a person, not some highly sought out prize to be gained by the winner or some untamable challenge that needed to be beaten. Yet… this was not what worried her, no, what worried her was the positions of the displayed pony figures. The figures of her former child’s two sides where on two different sides of the display with two different closely placed ponies. One Ranma’s side was Kasumi while on the other side was Ranko with Summer. Did this mean her former child… loved both and if so, how? Both Ranma and Ranko where one person how was it one person loved two girls equally? Shaking her head she decided to look in on this on her own time, for now she needed rest for tomorrows work. --- Rarity sighed as she finally finished on her current two important customers for the day. The first was Lyra, who had come in earlier with her group to pick out and adjust tuxedoes. Lyra insisted that she wear a tux not a wedding dress. The other was currently in the dressing room trying on yet another wedding gown she had made. Bonny and her group of ladies in waiting along with maid of honor, Vinyl Scratch, which Rarity still was trying to get her head around if it wasn’t for Lyra’s best ‘lady’ as it were, Octavia, for their dresses to be finished. “There we are Bonbon, why don’t you have a look in the mirror and tell me what you think.” Rarity said smiling. “Rarity I must thank you for making all of this for us but are you sure you only wish half? This all must have cost you a fortune to make.” Bonbon said walking over to the mirror. “I’m very certain Bonbon, besides it’s for your wedding darling; just consider your dress as an early wedding present.” Rarity said gaining a gasp from Bonbon. “Rarity… I don’t know to say,” Bonbon said finally looking into the mirror and seeing he beautiful white dress trimmed in her and Lyra’s favorite colors, “but… thank you. Thank you so much.” Rarity just smiled as and the others hugged Bonbon as she happily cried. After everyone had passed around the tissue box they all bid Rarity far well and went their separate ways. “Sigh, well, seven dresses and a tuxedo down, an entire line of clothing to go.” Rarity said going back to her work bench where the draws of the modern cowgirl clothing that was requested around closing time last night. She had done all the estimates and even made some designs for the girl to look at. Sighing she walked over to her work calendar to mark off the day’s work when the shop doorbell rang. “Be with you in a moment!” Rarity called kindly after marking off her work, checking her appearance, and readying herself for her customer. “Welcomes to the Rarity’s where everything is fashionable.” Rarity greeted her customer. “That it is.” the woman replied looking the shop over. Rarity nodded as she noticed the same woman from last night. “I have your estimates right here Miss but they’ll be adjusted as soon as we finalize the job per say.” Rarity said handing a slip of paper over. “Hmm, this is fine. Here are my measurements,” the woman said handing a small slip of paper over, “and how long will this take to fully finish?” Rarity looked to her work calendar remembering the order’s details. “Well I’m already made some designs I’d like you to look over and if we go with them I’ve already estimated that I’d have them done by at least late next week, possibly Friday afternoon.” The woman nodded. “Very well let’s see them.” The woman soon yawned greatly and gently shook her head. “Are you tired dear? If you like I could get you something.” Rarity offered. The woman looked at her as if in shock and slowly nodded. “Coffee if you have it, black.” Rarity smiled and went to get the coffee going while the woman sat down at one of the small desks used for meetings. --- Nabiki just watched at the shop owner go to the back of the shop to start her coffee. The woman didn’t even know her and she was offering her coffee. Shaking her head to drive her need to sleep away again she slowly began drifting off back to her dream or more precisely… her nightmare. -Nabiki’s Dream- “Akane stop!” Nabiki yelled at her enraged sister as she continulessly swung her hammer around the Dojo destroying room after room as Ranma Saotome jeered and laughed and goaded her sister. “Come on you call yourself a Martial artist! You can’t hit the broad side a barn, from the inside!” Ranma goaded gaining another swing and crushed TV. “Stop it! Please! Akane!” Nabiki yelled then turned to her cheering fathers. “Go! Go boy! You are doing well to honor the Art!” Genma yelled happily. “Akane you’re doing well! Once you hit the boy we can drag him to the priest and have you two wed!” Soun yelled laughing till Ranma jumped over them and both got caught by Akane’s hammer, neither moving after wards as Akane kept chasing Ranma. “Akane! No!” Nabiki yelled as she looked at the now dead fathers. “Akane stop this right now!” Kasumi yelled from the Kitchen. “Oh kami no! KASUMI LOOK…” Nabiki yelled by once again Akane swung this time finally hitting Ranma… and Kasumi. “KASUMI!” Nabiki screamed. “Nabiki… no… baka!!!!” Akane yelled now turning and swinging at her with an insanely mad and murderous look on her face. “AH!” It was at this Nabiki sat straight up screaming and soon cried. -End memory- “Here you are darling.” The shop owner said jarring Nabiki out of her frightening memory. “Oh… thank you.” Nabiki said taking the cup and sipping it in her shaking hands. “Dear are you alright. You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.” The shop owner said sitting down next to her with a cup of tea. “I… I’m fine, nerves.” Nabiki replied sipping her coffee more. “I… see. I won’t pressure you into talking to me about them dear but it might help you calm down.” The shop owner offered. “You’re way too generous,” Nabiki said looking into her cup, “but… I’ll keep it in mind. Are those the designs?” the shop owner nodded as she handed them over. Nabiki had to admit, even if she wasn’t a clothes designer the designs were… amazing. She then looked over the room again and frowned internally. Just look at this place. Nabiki thought to herself. This woman before me isn’t even out of high school yet and she’s running a business like this, must be lucky to have such a place. She looked back to the designs and just closed her eyes. Look at these designs, humph, look at this business! I bet there isn’t a day she’s without a customer. And look at what I got, a run down Dojo with a master who either constantly having a drink or is so much a wimp he won’t even take on any students. Nabiki thought angrily. Bet she doesn’t even have to blackmail people to come to her business. Once I find Ranma I’m making him, I’m going to make his work so hard he sweats yen by the second! She has a home, I’m going to lose mine… and I won’t let that happen. NO, because I’ll do anything, ANYTHING, to keep MY home, even if it means sell out my own family. Nabiki thought smiling a bit. I deserve to have everything right? I’m the one who earns the money for the house why shouldn’t I get it? It’ll be mine soon. ALL MINE! Nabiki thought shaking. “Dear you alright, you’re shaking like a leaf.” Nabiki soon snapped her head up and looked into the shop woman’s eyes. “Huh, oh um, sorry just… nerves.” The shop owner gently took her hand and looked at her. “Dear there something wrong with you and I really think you should talk to someone about it.” Nabiki pulled her hand back and just looked at her. “What would you care?!” --- Rarity flinched back at the woman’s retort. “I care greatly dear because you look like you’re in trouble.” The woman just slammed her hands down onto the table. “So what if I am, it’s none of your concern!” Rarity just looked at the woman. “It is when you’re yelling loud enough to frighten customers away.” The woman just laughed. “Yeah like I’D scare them away, at least you have a working business.” Rarity just looked at her. “Excuse me?” The woman just waved at her business. “Just look what you got here, I bet it was all given to you by your rich parents. You get things handed to you like they’re meant to be given to you. You don’t know what it’s like to have to scrape and scrounge and do things just to keep your home. Bet if you didn’t have any customers you’d just go up to your daddy and ask for a few hundred bucks like it was nothing! I deserve to be spoiled! I deserve to have a working business! I DESERVE EVERYTHING!” It was at this Rarity just slapped the woman. “Now you listen here! I don’t know what kind of life you’ve had but don’t you dare compare it to mine!” Rarity yelled before calming down. “I worked from age ten to now getting to where I am now. I worked hard to become recognized and known all over town and not once did I ever ask my parents for money. I’m not sure what you had to do for your own living and I pray I’ll never have to but that does not make me spoiled or greedy. When I have the time I go out and help others no matter who they are. I donate time and money to all those who need it without regret. Dear you only deserve what you earn for yourself not what someone gives you.” Rarity lectured. The woman just stood there then began shaking. “You dare to lecture me! YOU don’t have a lazy excuse for a father drinking the house dry, YOU don’t have a sister you needs to be put in a ward, YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME!” the woman yelled back. “I do know one thing about you dear, and that’s your hurting.” The woman got ready to yell back but stopped. --- Nabiki just looked at the woman as her words stuck a cord. “Something happened to you and making you hurt and all you can do is lash out because of it. It’s also made you need to protect yourself with material possessions. You also feel you need money to make yourself happy. Dear… you need to let go of your pain… and your greed.” The woman said gently putting her hands on her shoulders. “I… I can’t. I’ll… I’ll lose it… I’ll lose my home, my family, my…” Nabiki just looked at the woman. “You’re what dear?” the woman asked kindly. Nabiki dropped her head letting her Stetson hat drop onto the table. “My life,” Nabiki said bringing her head up to the woman who gasped. --- Akane just growled as she walked the train tracks towards the next station. She hatted America, she hatted her sister Nabiki, and she hatted Ranma Saotome! As soon as I find him I’m going to mallet him. Then I’m going to do it again, and again, and again, and again! I’ll keep hitting him till he learns his lesson then… then I’m going after Nabiki. Nabiki… yes Nabiki… she betrayed me… betrayed the family. She knows, yes, she knows where he is. She just wants me out of the way so she can have him, her little piggy bank Ranma. I’ll show her… I’ll show her how empty a bank he is! Akane thought as she slowly began to laugh till it began to sound insane. --- “Thank you, come again!” Nodoka said to the last of the dinner rush customers. “That was the last one dear.” Mrs. Cake said gently behind Nodoka. “Why don’t you head home early tonight? We can handle things here.” Nodoka just shook her head. “I couldn’t, it just wouldn’t be right not to help close up tonight.” Mrs. Cake was about to end the issue till the shop door’s bell rang and Rarity stepped into the shop with a crying and shaking young woman Nodoka recognized right off and went to the phone. “Wait Miss Nodoka.” Rarity said gently. “But Rarity that’s…” Rarity gently sat upset girl down before answering for her. “Tendo, Nabiki. I know and I know she’s in need of some help.” Mrs. Cake looked to Nabiki then nodded before yelling to the back for Pinkie to get one of her special cupcakes. “Miss Rarity what do you mean by…” Nabiki looked up at Nodoka and sniffed greatly before answering. “It’s… its true Nodoka… I need help. I… I don’t want to hurt anymore.” Nodoka just blinked as she was pulled to the side by Rarity while Mr. and Mrs. Cake along with Pinkie tended to Nabiki. “Miss Nodoka, I had a bit of an argument along with talk with her. I’m not sure of the situation she’s in but… I feel she truly needs some help and I’m hoping you can fill in some gaps for me.” Rarity said gently. “Are you sure you wish to help her Rarity. She’s not one you truly wish to…” Rarity gently raised her hand stopping Nodoka. “Miss Nodoka, it’s my policy to be generous to everyone even to those who fell they don’t need such generosity. She told me something I… think you need to hear.” Nodoka looked back at the slow cupcake eating Nabiki who was being held by gently smiling Pinkie and sighed nodding for Rarity to go ahead. “Miss Nodoka, she said that she let go of her pain or her greed and this if she did she’d lose her home, family, and for some reason even her life.” Rarity said gaining a gasp from Nodoka. “But… why?” Rarity sighed and filled Nodoka of the argument and the talk they just had at her shop. “It’s… that serious? But I thought the Tendo Dojo was well kept.” Nodoka said shocked at the news. “I’m afraid it’s far worse than she lets on. I’m afraid we’ll need to speak to either Ranma or Ranko about this.” Rarity said gently. It was at this Mr. Cake came up to them. “It seems the poor girl cried herself out. We’ve contacted the local inn and going to take her there. Mrs. Cake’s going to stay with her for the night and hope she’ll be fine in the morning. Whatever got that poor girl upset must have been something bad to do this.” Nodoka and Rarity both nodded at this as Pinkie and Mrs. Cake carefully carried Nabiki to the Inn. --- The next morning Ranma, Nodoka, James, and the girls all sat around a table at a local dinner, the school being allowing them all out due to the situation. Even Principal Moon was at the in to help in the situation. “Now that we are all here and with refreshments Ranma can you please begin on what has this Nabiki so upset?” Principal Moon said gently. “Well…” Ranma said scratching the back of his head, “from what I know the Tendo Dojo is kind of at its breaking point after a certain… incident. Nabiki’s been the bread winner for the family ever since the Tendo girls’ mother passed away.” The girls all blinked at this till Sparkle leaned forward. “Wouldn’t their dad try to I don’t know do something about the gap?” Ranma shook his head no. “Nope, from what I’ve seen I’m guessing Soun kind of just became withdrawn causing the girls to have to take on different roles in the family. Nabiki: Money, Kasumi: Homestead, and Akane: Dojo sensei. Thing is each of them was far too young to take up those roles on their own and it resulted into what it is now.” Jackie just raised an eyebrow. “What’s so wrong with taking up the slack in the family?” Ranma looked at her sadly. “A lot Jackie for you see it kind of went downhill after their mother died. Nabiki had to step down into School Racketeering, Kasumi had to take on the responsibilities of the home and I mean EVERY responsibility of the home, and Akane slowly became a bit mass of anger issues that each resulted in Nabiki becoming a high school Machinery, Kasumi a living Maid and Housekeeper, and Akane a very short fused girl.” The girls all gasped at this. “But… didn’t their father do anything for them?” Rarity asked worried. “I’m not really sure but I’m guessing that things got to such a point that it just came down to the union of the so called Tendo and Saotome Schools of Anything Goes joining to get them back to where they were when Mrs. Tendo was around. But you all know what that went.” Ranma said gaining a nod from everyone. “So that’s why they’re after you, to just join the schools?” James asked confused. “I’m afraid not James.” Principal Moon said looking to Nodoka. “Aunty?” Ranma asked. Nodoka sighed. “When I was caught by the police Principal Moon helped me stay out of trouble till we arrived here and I was able to speak with you. I asked Principal Moon to look in on Genma and… sigh. It’s not good.” Principal Moon sadly nodded. “Genma and Soun are very focused on finding Ranma and Ranko for one simple reason. They believed that Ranma had fooled himself into believing he had a free life to live yet according to them he has no free life to live, that he has an obligation to fill. To marry one of Soun’s daughters, unite the schools, allowing them to,” she shivered, “live like Kings.” Ranma just shook his head. “I knew Genma was a lazy good for nothing but to go so far as force someone into marriage so you can live off their hard work. That’s just… wrong.” Everyone nodded at this. “S-so what are we going to do about Miss Nabiki?” Summer asked. “Yeah, I mean she’s one of those people wanting to drag you back to Japan.” Dashie added in. “I don’t believe she wants to aid them anymore.” Rarity said gently. “Are you serious Rarity?” James said looking at her. “I am darling; you didn’t see how upset she was when we… talked.” Rarity said carefully. “Yeah and she ate like three of my Super Duper Don’t Be Saddy and just be happy cupcakes last night then three more this morning so I’m guessing she was really, really, really sad or she was super-duper hun-mph!” Jackie stopped Pinkie’s long winded talk by putting a strudel into her mouth. “Wait she ate six of your cupcakes?” Dashie said shocked. “Is that important?” Nodoka asked. “Trust me when I say eating Pinkie’s Super cupcakes have helped a lot of people in town. Especially those in the hospital; just eating one make you feel really good and well happy.” James explained. “I’ll have to try…” Nodoka said before Pinkie pulled out a cupcake. “How…” Ranma began to ask till Sparkle quickly lifted a small box up cupcakes and Pinkie’s backpack up. “She always carries some for emergencies.” Sparkle explained. “Ah. Mind if I try one too?” Ranma says then asks. Pinkie smiles and hands over another cupcake from the box to Ranma and Nodoka. Both looked at the well decorated pink frosted cupcake and took a test bite. “Whoa.” Ranma said soon digging into his cupcake. “Pinkie this cupcake is amazing; I’ve never tasted such a delicious confection like this before.” Nodoka said smiling. “That’s why everyone seems to just cheer up whenever they have one of those cakes Miss Nodoka.” Jackie said happily. “Nobody can stay upset, down, or gloomy after one of them.” Both Ranma and Nodoka nodded to this. “So… she had six of these? You sure she wasn’t just hungry?” Ranma asked finishing his. “Maybe but we won’t know till after she’s done.” Principal Moon answered gently. “Done with what?” Nodoka asked. “Her meeting with the police,” Mrs. Cake answered as she guided Nabiki up to them with two officers, “but she wishes to speak with you two privately, if that’s alright.” Nodoka and Ranma slowly nodded as the others went to a far off table to give the group some privacy. “I won’t run officers; I just wish to talk to these two.” Nabiki said to the two officers next to her. Sadly they shook their head no. “Sigh, fine.” Nabiki said sitting down. “So… what’s going on Nabiki?” Ranma asked. “Hold on Ranma, shouldn’t we call Ranko and let her know of this?” Nodoka said secretively. Ranma blinked at this then understood. “I’ll inform sis later, Aunty.” Nabiki looked between the two then closed her eyes nodding. “So… you three made up and are family again?” Both nodded to Nabiki. “Sigh, look Ranma I can’t blame you and your, sister, for running out on us but… I. I want to know why? Why then and why here?” Nabiki asked sadly. “You know the reason why we left Nabiki. You, your family, Genma, everyone back in Nerima Ward knows why.” Ranma responded. “No we don’t Ranma, or at least a few of us didn’t.” Nabiki said sighing. Ranma closed his eyes and sighed. “We couldn’t take the chaos there anymore. We couldn’t take all the fighting, the arguments, the pushing, the rivals and fiancés coming out of the wood work. We just… had enough. So we left, never to return to that Ward again.” Nabiki shook her head. “That still doesn’t explain why you just up and left us Ranma. We needed you.” Ranma just leaned forward and placed his hands on the table. “Needed me for what Nabiki? Needed me to be a punching bag for your mallet happy sister? Need Ranko to be your ticket to Kuno’s wallet? Need me to run a dojo that makes fun of the True Style of Anything Goes? Need us to pull you out the pit you’ve all duged yourselves into with a shovel named Genma Saotome and Soun Tendo?” Ranma constantly pointed out. Nabiki looked down and said only one word, “No.” Ranma and Nodoka blinked at this. “At least… no to all but the last one you said. Ranma, you and your sister where the only ones keeping those two and all the crazies back home in-line; you don’t even know how bad it was before you came to Nerima Ward.” Nabiki said looking down, “Or after mom left us.” Ranma sat back down at this. “Okay… then fill us in. Open up to us.” Nabiki sighed and looked down. “Before mom died everything was great. Dad pulled in students, mom made flower arrangements, Kasumi and I went to school it was just fine and even old Principal Kuno wasn’t causing issues but after mom passed… Principal Kuno started traveling, Dad was home but wouldn’t even lift a finger to help around the house, he’d just stay in that bedroom either drinking, having a smoke, eating a meal we would either Kasumi made or we could order out from. And then it really got bad.” Ranma and Nodoka just sat and listened to the poor Tendo girl for hours hearing how thing had become after the death of the Tendo mother. “It was finally when we received a post card from your dad that… Ranma when we heard all of you were coming we thought that was it. The dojo, the house, our very lives would be over but… Ranma, when we finally got to know both of you it… it felt like things where finally going to go back the way they were. The Dojo would stay in repair, the house would have someone other than Kasumi cleaning it, Akane would finally get the help she really needed and just grow up it was all…” Nabiki sighed then looked down. “Just a dream, a dream Dad and Genma tricked us into. Moment you left things just… fell into place. Things I didn’t want to fall into place. I didn’t want to… Ranma… I don’t know when it happened but… something opened my eyes. Showed me what was really going on around me, around all of us… and the constant danger we all were and maybe still in.” Nodoka and Ranma just looked at her. “What danger Nabiki? What’s really going on?” Ranma asked worried. “It’s… It’s Akane Ranma. She’s… she’s gotten to the point she…she’s…” Nabiki slowly pulled her legs in and started rocking in her seat. “Nabiki,” Nodoka said getting up and walking around the table to hold the greatly frightened girl, “Nabiki its okay, your safe here.” Nabiki just shook her head quickly. “No, no were not. Ryoga and Ukyo are on their way as well but Akane… Akane…” Nabiki just looked right into her eyes. “Akane’s gone insane.” --- “Yeah you heard me right Kuno. USA, California.” Akane said at a badly beaten payphone. Akane had walked a long way and had now started to look truly… insane. “Someplace called Coltsville. Not really sure where this place is but I don’t care.” Akane said leaning against the worn out and badly damaged home. Somehow she had found a working payphone in an old abandoned suburb along with some useable but badly tattered clothes. “Yeah, yeah, what ever Kuno just get you and your family over here.” Akane said annoyed. Then she took a sweet and innocent look as she smiled and said, “I’ll give you whatever you want… even that date you’ve been wanting…” This got a reaction over the line along with a dial tone. Akane smiled and hung up the phone. “Fool, I’ll give you a date,” Akane said as she clenched her hammer hand forming a large forty ton, long shafted, mallet with spikes out of thin air, “with Mallet-sama, right after I’ve hammered Ranma and my traitorous sister, Nabiki.” She emphasized this by slamming the hammer down on an old beat up van turning it into a steel pancake. To be continued