Star Trek: The Return of Ranma Saotome *** Part 5: "The Eternally Lost Boy Strikes Back!" Commander William T. Riker woke up wet and younger. As predicted, his personality and Ranma were slowly synchronizing, so Riker reacted to Genko’s intrusion with predictable results. "What you do that for?!" Riker exclaimed. "And how did you get pass the security lock?" "I have my ways, boy," Genko replied, as she sat down her bucket. "We got some training to do before you begin your shift. Meet me in holodeck three in ten minutes." With that, Genko disappeared into thin air. "How did she do that?" "Oh, Commander Riker! Wait up!" "Oh, Miss Kodaki," Riker said. He had reverted himself back to usual state. "How are you doing today?" "Oh, I'm fine. Ambassador Worf wants my brother and I to go over ship protocols this morning with your command staff. Honestly, we don't need a nurse-maid." "I'm sure he just want to be careful." "Or wants brother dear to stop being such a jerk. By the way, what do you think of my workout clothes?" Kodaki was wearing an outfit that left NOTHING to the imagination. "Uh, it looks…fine?" Riker said nervously. "Yes, I just did my morning gymnastic workout routine in one of the holodecks." "Yes…I mean no, I mean-" "Relax, Commander. I already know about you and Counselor Troi being an item." "Whew. Thanks…" "Of course, that's never stopped me before," Kodaki, as she winked. "Uh…" "See you around, Commander." "Yeah…" "Having a nice look, Will?" "Deanna, it's not what you think-" "Oh, stop it," said Troi, as she smiled. "If I haven't got on your case before about your socializing, why start now?" "So you're not jealous?" "Of course I am, silly! It just means that I have to work harder at your affections." With that, Deanna gave Riker a passionate kiss. "Wow…" "Oh, you better get going then. And Genko wanted me to give you this." With that, Troi turned over a cup of cold water. "Ugh." "Have fun." "Now you two are here to help me train Ranma," Genko said, who was dressed in a gi. "Go easy on him." For the day's practice, Genko recreated the Tendo dojo. Later on, she'll change the venue as she sees fit. "Sure thing," said Hana Kuonji, as she fiddled her spatula. "It will be my pleasure, Elder," said Pert, who was polishing her bom-bori. "I'm glad. Now Hana, I know you're upset about this whole 'Ranma' thing-" "Genko, you can drop it. I'm not upset about the 'Ranma' thing. I'm upset because you felt that you couldn't confide in me. And here I thought you were a friend of my clan." "For me," Pert began, "as long as I am in Starfleet, I can avoid marriage with your son. But I will challenge him for my freedom." "I'm glad to hear that." Just then, Riker (now Ranma) walks in. "By time you showed up, boy," Genko yelled. "What took you so long?" "I had a run-in with Kodaki and Deanna. What's the idea of giving Deanna that message for?" "A martial artist is ALWAYS prepared. Anyway, you know Hana ad Pert, right?" "Uh, yes. Aren't you the one I fought in China?" "Yes, I am. Don't think that I will make a mistake in battle the second time." "Hi, I'm Hana." "Oh yeah. You're the new Quarter Master?" "Indeed I am. And, I'm a student of Miss Saotome." "Geez, Pop. To think you became a woman after trying to make me all manly and crap." "Heh. We'll see about that. Hana, you're first." As Hana and Ranma began stretching, Ranma still couldn't believe of the turn of events in his life. First, he was sure if he was he, and second, he "father" was a woman with centuries under his belt. Of course, not matter what, a /girl/ couldn't possibly beat him (though he chided himself a moment later for having such sexist remarks). "I'm ready, Ranma," Hana said, as she got into a fighting stance. "Alright," Ranma replied. "You really ought to take this fight seriously, you know." "Sure, whatever." As soon as the session began, Ranma realized how much he regretted his words. Clearly, Hana was a lot faster than she was letting on, and was using many techniques that incorporated the "Anything Goes" martial arts style into her own weapon-based techniques. Ranma tried to dodge the blows, only to realize they were feints. Either he felt a kick afterwards, or he felt the handle of Hana's battle spatula. Ranma then realized that although he retained his knowledge, his body lacked the necessary conditioning for them. And Hana was hardly breaking a sweat! "Enough," Genko called. "Oh, that was fun!" Hana beamed, as she sat he spatula's "blade" unto the floor. "We should try this again sometime." "Uh, yeah." "I can't believe I lost to this guy," Pert commented. "Well, dear, it may have been because you've fought all day, over-exerted yourself, and had gotten careless." "Yeah, that's it. I guess…" "Well, Ranma my boy, it looks like you have a lot of work to do. If Commander Riker doesn't mind using he free hours for training, that is." "Yeah, he's free," Ranma replied. Being a single entity has allowed him to access Riker's thought processes, and he knew that the First Officer loves a challenge or two. "Also, I was going to have you spar with Pert, but I think that it would be best if we wait." "No, Pop, I can do this!" "Listen to the old man, kid," said a voice. "Well, Hibiki, I see that you decided to stop by," Genko coolly. "You KNOW that I won't allow you to harm Ranma while in his present state." "I have no quarrel with you, Saotome," said Ryouga, as he sized up Ranma. "But I do want to talk to the kid about what he owes me." "Stop calling me kid! And who the heck are you anyway?" "Normally I'd take offense at you forgetting who I am, but, under the circumstances, I'll remind you. Two words: bread feud." "'Bread feud'? Let me see…I know! It was a few months before me and Pop went to China." "Yes, you did…and you ran away before we could have our dual!" "Dual…Ryouga? You're the Hibiki everyone's talking about?" "Yes." "And you're upset that I ran away? But…I waited three days for you to show up!" "And because of your honorless ways, I did not gain the satisfaction of battle. But that's not why I hate you." Ryouga's body shimmered into that of a black piglet. Then, the piglet shifted back into human form. "Ryouga…you didn't-?" "Yes, Jusenkyo. I followed you and your father in hopes to gain satisfaction, but was cursed in the process. Worse, I, like you father, became immortal. AND I HAD TO WATCH MY BELOVED WIFE GROW OLD AND DIE BECAUSE OF YOU!" "I'm sorry…" "You, Akane was always a patient person to those she cared about, once you get to know her," Ryouga said wistfully, as he stared at the surroundings. "Funny how she didn't have the patience to learn proper fighting techniques, or even to learn how to cook right. Sigh. I miss her so much." Then Ryouga turned to face Ranma. "I'm not going to attack you or challenge you now. You are a weakling to me. I have mastered techniques and forms that can make your head spin. And I have centuries worth of experience to back my claims up. When the time is right, we will battle." With that, Ryouga turned to leave. Unfortunately, Ranma, being the hothead that he is, took offense to his remarks, and attacked. "Why you-!" "Ranma, no-!" Genko yelled. Before Ranma could blink, Ryouga had lifted him into the air by his collar. "One thing that I've learned over the years is patience. Please, do the same." And with that, Ryouga casually tossed Ranma away like crumpled paper. Luckily, Pert caught Ranma easily. "Well, it looks like it's my turn to save you." "Yeah…" "Ranma, a lot of things have changed over the years," Genko confided in her son. "You can't simply attack people without accessing the situation first." "Pop, he questioned my honor." "I know, son. And I promise you this: you will be able to defeat Hibiki. That is why Pert and Hana are helping me to train you." "Actually, I wanted to help because you're just gosh darn cute!" "Hana, please," said Pert. Ranma definitely has a lot to think about. Tbc. Next time: Training begins, as both Riker and Ranma assess their own situations. However, a battle may begin soon enough, as "The Red Storm" battles both Ranma and Riker for the affections of Deanna Troi! Meanwhile, Hana has her first run-in with the Kuei-jin Nodoka Saotome…and it isn't pretty! Be here in "A Rose by Any Other Name", the next chapter in "Star Trek: The Return of Ranma Saotome". See you then!