Neo Genus Jusenkyo By Kevin D. Hammel My attempt at a Ranma/EVA blend. Shaken, not stirred. Episode 08 Hello, Ryomi: Ranma's Little Sister! Ranma 1/2 is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Publishing Rights are held by Viz in The US and Shogakukan in Japan. Neon Genesis Evangelion is property of Hideaki Anno. Video rights held by GAINAX in Japan and ADV Films in the US. My purpose is to honor these creators and their works. No infringement intended. *** Nabiki took careful aim with the water pistol she had loaded. She could make out the form of the second girl, and needed to hit. She swallowed, then used all the skill and talent she possessed to fire a stream of hot water at a confused girl, restoring her to her birth form. After that, the match continued to its inevitable conclusion, the triumph of Saotome over Kunou. Tired out by the energies she expended in the battle, Ranma collapsed soon after she stumbled from the ring's center. The aftermath was disappointing, though hardly surprising. Gloss shouted at Tatewaki, "So, Kunou-san. Does this end your love for us?" Kunou's face announced his total heartbreak. Gloss could almost feel sorry for the baka... ALMOST. The young man spoke in a strong but emotionless voice. "Indeed I do. Know that Kunou Tatewaki is a man of his word. I renounce all love I felt and feel for you." His blank expression changed to a glad one as he continued to speak, "However, I am happy to announce that, from this day forward, my heart burns with new love for You, Akane, Ranma, and I must add Nabiki to my pantheon of goddesses!" Kodachi, who had been as glum as her brother, perked up at Tatewaki's announcement. "So too do I abandon all love I felt and feel for Ranma, Naka, and Ayumi to that which I will have in the future!" Nabiki covered her eyes with her hands. "Gloopy Eedioty," Was all she could say as she shook her head back and forth, then... "Baka, baka, baka!" As she thought a bit more, a smile took root on Nabiki's face... Perhaps the Kunous would enjoy some photographs of all their various and sundry loves. Heck with a timer, Naka could sell pictures of all Tatewaki's loves... even Nabiki. Then Nabiki could sell pictures to Kodachi. Yen signs dancing before her eyes commanded her attention as she began to plan how to start her illicit photo business. Akane would have laughed at her sister's new predicament, if she and Ranma didn't share it. The youngest triplet had seen and heard enough from the pair of baka at ringside. Her attention turned to piggy. The girl looked at her wonderful pet with sadness and a bit of fear. WHAT was piggy... or was it WHO? A victim of Jusenkyo, just like her. That bond didn't make it any easier to look at her little pet with the same unconditional love she had before. WHY hadn't she used COLD water after 'proving' that the pig wasn't cursed? Because it had never even occurred to her that the piglet might share Ranma's curse... and Kasumi's. She could only look with sadness on what had been a beloved pet. Gloss looked at the black piglet, seeing all the fear and confusion the animal felt, feeling genuine sorrow for an animal that was forced to be something she wasn't; or at least hadn't been born. Just like Ranma, Nabiki, Akane, and... herself. Perhaps Ranma's friends Dr. Kuonji and Shan Pu could help the small animal fulfil her new destiny. But what was she to become? A human being or... WHAT? But this thought begged another question... WHAT, exactly, was a human being? Finishing the last thought with a mournful look, Gloss's face brightened. She could help this creature adjust to her new, larger world. Perhaps, she could even become a real Human. Would Ranma like to have a sister? Maybe Nodoka would get a REAL daughter, well as real as anything was in a confused world where form was dependent on water temperature. *** Soun turned from the closed-circuit monitor to look into this colleague's illegible face. "Well, Saotome, you must be proud of what your child did today. Ranma has proven herself again to be one of the finest templates." Genma forced his gloved hands together in some sort of godless prayer. "Indeed, Tendovski. How is 'Project Chordata' progressing? Soun looked at his superior with a proud smile. "Very well, Saotome. The LEAF 2 facility beneath Jusenkyo is complete, built ENTIRELY by G2 level J-morphs, all at UN expense." The last sentence clearly troubled the scientist. Noting concern on his friend's face, Genma offered a rare smile. "But, Tendovski, weren't those funds marked for 'Humanitarian' use? What could be more in keeping with that intent then implementing humanity's next phase of evolution?" His smile vanished again, as he became thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "I take it they have been..." "Put down and reprogrammed? Of course they were, old friend. We should only have to retire the ORIGINAL templates, when the time comes." Was there a flicker of guilt in Tendovski's face for a moment? Noting the lapse, Genma realized for the first time that even his friend might actually have some feelings for his genetic material. This would bear observation. No one, not even Soun, could be allowed to stand in the way of Humanity's evolution. The new Genus THEY would forge, Humanity's future. *** Gloss searched the crowd for Ukyou or Shan Pu. It looked like they had already left. Well, the discussion she wanted to have with them was more appropriate for private surroundings anyway. She felt a hand brush her side and turned around to see, "Ranma? Are you all right?" Ranma grabbed her mother's hand and tried stay standing, but her legs felt like they were made of rubber. She wobbled started to fall, but found herself lifted by two strong arms and held close. Gloss glanced for a moment at the slight girl she held, smiled with pride and love, then carried her child home. *** Little Long Hair didn't look at her with a bent mouth as often as before. Somehow, the bent mouth look made the Little One feel happy. Little Twisted Hair had started to look at her with bent mouth though, so had Big Short Hair, and Little Short Hair. Big Tied Hair NEVER bent her mouth, of course. Big Tied Hair With Tail and Big Fancy Hair seemed to spend a lot of time with her, especially the Giant with the large tail that stuck straight up. The Giant with the tail put her in several small caves that hummed and shook. She also stuck sharp pointy things in her, but made such gentle noises that the Little One didn't mind TOO much. It seemed that that Giant liked her; perhaps the pointy things were to help the Little One. How could this be? Things that were good FELT good. The Giants were very strange. That brought to mind another change, the special word. Before, the special word had been 'Piggy'. Somehow when the Giants, especially Little Long Hair, used the word 'Piggy' she felt good. Now, Little Twisted Hair started using the word 'Ryomi' and all the others did too, even Little Long Hair. Of course, Big Tied Hair STILL didn't say much to her. But that's the way Big Tied Hair was. Finally, they made the Change come again, and she became a Giant. Now she was Big, just like Little Twisted Hair and Little Long Hair. When she was a Giant, she was taller than both her friends were. She wished she could walk on two legs like them, but couldn't figure out how to do it. Also, she wanted to make sounds like them. She tried, but couldn't do much more than squeal, like she did when she was Little. When she squealed, it DID make all the Giants bend their mouths up... EXCEPT Big Tied Hair, of course. She stayed Big for quite a while. Little Twisted Hair, Little Long Hair, and Big Short Hair visited her often. Big Short Hair would hold her sometimes and shake her back and forth. It felt nice, so she began to like Big Short Hair. One day, Big Tied Hair With Tail stuck a sharp pointy thing in her again. The Neo Giant began to feel sleepy, almost like it was night, even though it was day. Big Tied Hair With Tail and Big Fancy Hair put her in a small cave again, and filled it with warm water as she finally began to sleep. She floated in blackness, which was soon lit by a bright light inside her head. Ideas and thoughts began to come to her. The special word became a Name, her name, Ryomi. All the names she had known changed too. Little Long Hair became Akane, her best friend. Little Twisted Hair became Ranma, her Big Sister. Big Short Hair became her Mother. Little Short Hair was Nabiki, Akane's sister. Big Tied Hair was also Akane's sister. Her name was Kasumi. Big Fancy Hair became Shan Pu, and Big Tied Hair With Tail became Dr. Kuonji, Ucchan. Big Sister Ranma liked her, so Ryomi knew she would too. It turned out Ucchan's 'tail' was a tool to make delicious food. Ryomi couldn't wait to try some. Ideas came into her head, words... language. First was Japanese, her Mother and Big Sister's native language. Then she learned Russian, what Akane and her sisters often spoke. Finally she learned Mandarin. They spoke that a lot around here in the Amazon Village. Mother, Shan Pu, Ucchan, and Big Sister were all Amazons. Ryomi hoped she could become one too. She also learned the Art. It was just the mechanics for now. She would have to train with Mother, Big Sister, and Akane to really learn it. She couldn't wait for her lessons to start. Now, other things filed her head... school subjects, and little things. Do's and dont's for Giants... Humans. Why clothes were important, for instance. How to eat food like a Human, but she would NEVER eat a Little One. All the other things she needed to know. At last, blackness came again. *** Nodoka, Ranma, and Akane sat by the bedside with anticipation written on their faces. Today, the neo-girl would, hopefully, wake up. Ranma had suggested the name 'Ryomi' for her, after a pig that turned into a girl in a book she had once read. With a bit of stirring, the girl blinked her eyes open to see... "Mamma, Akane, and Big Sister. I'm glad you're here." The girl said in Japanese with an innocent smile, accented by two small fangs that recalled her original form... *** Nearby, in Genma's office, the two who directed LEAF shared the moment with the visitors. Their eyes were everywhere in the LEAF complex, including every hospital room. Soun offered a look that could have been mocking or bemused as he spoke to his friend. "SO, Saotome, it would seem you have another 'daughter'. Congratulations!" Genma reflected his subordinate's expression as he replied. "Indeed, Tendovski. Kuonji's software is most impressive. The subject's behavior already seems to be almost at human norms. Unlike..." Soun's face darkened for a moment. "Kasumi... I know Saotome. Her programming was not as successful. But... perhaps there will be a use for the Denver unit..." "Interesting. I'll send a genetic sample by courier. '05' might get a pilot after all." "Da. As the Zoomorphs become more complex, we'll need all the firepower we can muster." Genma looked troubled for a moment; then wore his usual mask again. Sound noticed, looking concerned as he asked, "What, Saotome? Is something the matter?" "I was just concerned about the implications of changing the proto- JAVA's genetic core so late in the clone-cycle." "Interesting observation... But the money is spent, and it's not like we're risking a HUMAN life on it, after all. Besides, you are a scientist. It should be a very interesting experiment, we'll just use a pig and a JAVA instead of some labe rats." "Hai, Tendovski... Hai." Genma thought, realizing it WOULD be interesting, as the two of them expanded the frontiers of Biology past another barrier. *** The next morning, Ryomi walked next to her sister on the way to school. There were now six girls in their little group, now evenly split between Saotomes and Tendovskis. Ryomi was excited. Today, she was going to go to school with Big Sister and Akane. Even Mother went to school, though they weren't supposed to call her `Mother` in public. Her other name was 'Gloss'. Just like her other name used to be 'Piggy', though now it was ALWAYS Ryomi. As they approached the school building, Ryomi could almost feel the tension building in four of her companions. All of them were on edge, except Kasumi, of course. As they entered the gate, a voice rang out, "I bid thee good morning, my four loves!" Akane, Gloss, and Ranma bolted forward to confront their nemesis. This looked like fun. Ryomi decided she wanted to play too, "Wait for me!" She called after the other girls, running after them with a big smile on her face. "Ryomi-chan, WAIT!" Nabiki shouted, then took off after the neo-girl. Gloss, Akane, and Ranma tried to provide a barrier to protect Ryomi, who they heard running up from the rear. Ryomi looked up ahead, though she had sensed it before. There was a MALE up there. Her face began to flush as she ran around the girls positioned to protect her. She looked up at the male, "Hello, you are a male." She smiled at him as she continued, "Do you want to ma...umf" Further speech was silenced as a hand covered her mouth. Then she remembered. THIS male was Kunou, and NOBODY liked him, so Ryomi remembered she didn't either. Though he did appear to be a fine male. *** Ryomi thought lunch was... Interesting. Humans ate in the strangest ways. Her food was packed in a small box, which she took out at lunch. It consisted mostly of cold sushi, which she ate with her fingers. Everyone else used the funny sticks to pick their food up. Little... pigs just ate with their mouths, but that was a little harder for humans, because their mouths didn't stick out, so fingers worked just as well for sushi. Some food, like the curry they had last night, didn't work with fingers, so she was learning how to use the funny... chopsticks... But it was hard, and strange. But the food tasted so good, and there were so many wonderful things to put on it to change its taste. Despite all the problems, human food was really nice. Gloss looked at Ryomi, scornfully at first, then with a smile. Sure she picked up the food with her fingers, but she was neat. "How do you like the food this morning, Ryomi-chan?" The bigger girl asked. "Very delicious!" Ryomi replied with a mouth full mostly of rice, some of which dribbled out. Nabiki and Ranma stifled laughter at the sight, resulting in two snorts that induced laughter in Ranma's little sister. Of course, laughing and a mouth full of food don't mix. Soon Ryomi was coughing and spraying rice over her family and friends. Gloss gave her a reproachful stare. "Ryomi-chan. Remember what I said about talking with your mouth full. Do you see why that's important?" "Yes, Mo... Gloss." She replied, eyes downcast for a moment before she continued to eat. Luckily, lunch was completed with out further incident. ***