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Efficacious Bonds (A Ranma x Negima Crossover)

PostPosted: Sun May 25, 2008 8:24 am
by ranmafan1
Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters of Ranma ½ or Negima! Magister Negi Magi, but that’s a given.

Efficacious Bonds

by ranmafan1

Preface

The darkness surrounded him, but he was not afraid of it. The depth of night was comforting and soothing, unlike the hateful day. There was only pain during those times, but no one cared for his suffering. They wanted him to scream, needed to see how much he could handle. And when the evening came, so did his reprieve from the torment. However, a different terror awaited him at that time…for that was when the hunger came. Feeding was yet another test from his sadistic captors; what satisfied the hunger and how much was needed from each level of damage attained during the day.

As much as he wanted to deny the hunger, he could not; his healing greatly increased when it was abated. A refreshed body was also what his tormentors wanted, so they could perform more experiments the next day. His source of nourishment should have disgusted him as well, but it felt too natural, which was ironic given his unnatural circumstances. Now that his hunger was satisfied, he would try and get some precious sleep before the torture began anew in the morning. Another contradiction from how things should be now. It was during these few precious moments before his slumber that he recalled the day everything began.

That one fateful day a little more than three months ago…

...............

Ranma grumbled as she walked into the living room from the backyard of the Tendo household. Her father woke her up in his traditional manner of tossing her outside the window. He also put up a much more fiercer fight than usual, so much so that Ranma could not avoid the splash after knocking her father into pond; hence her current gender.

Privately, Ranma was thinking that Genma was preparing her these days for a Master’s certification test in Anything Goes, but she was not completely certain. That was fine and all, but Ranma was not looking forward to what Happosai had in mind for the test. The old lech could be fickle at times, but it would probably involve lingerie stealing and be more trouble than what it was worth. Fortunately, Happosai was not seen since before they left for China, although that was unfortunate for whomever the ancient pervert was tormenting in their place.

“Here you go, Ranma,” Kasumi stated as she handed Ranma a kettle.

Taking the proffered item, the pigtailed girl poured the hot water over her head, changing back into a guy. “Thanks, Kasumi,” Ranma replied while returning the kettle to the longhaired woman.

At that moment, Akane walked down the stairs and sat at the breakfast table. Ranma knew Akane was feeling a bit depressed lately. It did not have anything to do with the wedding fiasco of a few weeks ago. His reluctant fiancé actually took that pretty much in stride after calming down. She was also surprisingly talkative to Ukyo and Shampoo, who seemed just as confused as he was. No, the source of Akane’s melancholy was…

“Has anyone seen P-Chan?” asked the youngest Tendo daughter.

Ranma reaffirmed with himself that he knew nothing of how women thought, despite turning into one occasionally. The middle Tendo daughter Nabiki rolled her eyes at the question. “Really, Akane. The pig turns up eventually and being constantly asked is getting annoying.” It was then that Genma in panda form waddled into the living room. He took the offered kettle and changed back before sitting at the breakfast table.

“Now, Nabiki, Akane has every right to worry about her pet’s whereabouts,” slightly admonished Kasumi. Nabiki smirked and shrugged her shoulders in response.

Trying to placate his fiancé, Ranma stated, “Yeah, as much as I hate to admit it, Nabiki is right.” The aforementioned girl blew a raspberry at him. “You know the porker will wander back.” Ryoga was spending more time at Akari’s farm than getting lost during his travels. And while Ranma preferred it this way as compared to the lost boy’s pig form being cuddled by Akane, he knew Ryoga would eventually return to the Tendo household.

Akane sighed in response, but relented, “I guess so.” Changing the topic, she added, “So, how are the repairs going?” The teenager was referring to the repair work on the Saotome family home.

It was the Saotome patriarch who answered, “They’ll still take a few more weeks. Nodoka wanted to make some additional changes while we have the opportunity.”

“Hmmm, I suppose you got quite a large insurance check to cover everything,” added Soun, who was not looking away from his paper.

Genma sweatropped in response and hedged, “Yeah, well…”

Topic degenerated into the more mundane and eventually everyone went their way. As usual, Nabiki went ahead of Ranma and Akane. The latter two exited the Tendo home and were walking down the street when they saw a familiar face.

“Oh, hello, Akane, Ranma. How are you today?” asked a woman who was carrying a potted plant.

Bowing slightly to the woman, Akane replied, “Fine, thank you for asking, Miss Hayashi.”

Azami Hayashi was a new neighbor who moved into the area during their ‘vacation’ to China. In her late twenties, the woman was quite attractive with soft features, long brown hair which ended at her knees, as well as piercing green eyes. Currently the beauty was wearing a conservative green dress which had floral patterns on it. She had an easygoing and friendly disposition that everyone liked.

Shortly after finishing her moving, she proposed to the neighborhood a ‘beautification project,’ which was eagerly accepted. The plan was simple and cost-effective. It also had the benefit of somewhat distracting people away from the daily damage caused by the local martial artists.

“What’s that flower, anyway?” inquired Ranma, who took a good look at the pot Azami was holding. “Before you brought it here, I don’t think I ever saw one like it.” The flower in question was a deep shade of blue and had not fully blossomed yet. Azami had been giving them away to the various shops and neighbors as part of the ‘beautification project.’ Everyone was more than happy to accept such an exotic and beautiful gift.

The woman tilted her head to side and answered, “No, I suppose you would not have. Its name roughly translates into Japanese as ‘Lotus on a Midnight Bed’.”

“So when do you think it will bloom?” asked Akane while examining the flower.

Smiling brightly at the two, Azami stated, “Oh, I think it will be quite soon.”

...............

I know, another story beginning, but this idea has also been running through my head. I am going to try to write this story in snippets and see how it helps me with writing. This is a section of the story's prologue. Given what two series are in the crossover, you might have a general idea of the story’s premise.

Below is the plot overview for the beginning of the story…
.
.
.
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The beginning takes place approximately 3 months post-manga Ranma and 5 years before canon Negima.

Ranma and company were kidnapped by an organization for magical experimentation. Guess what Ranma was turned into… Happosai as well as faculty from Mahora and/or the Kansai Magic association are able to rescue some of the captives, including Ranma (Happosai knows a few people from a while back, including a certain blond). Those who were saved train at the academy and have their own adventures, leading them into the Magic World to battle against the organization. The canon Negima plotline then comes into play and is intermingled/altered with the NWC’s own fights.

So, any C&C? Thank you in advance.

-ranmafan1

PostPosted: Mon May 26, 2008 12:03 am
by ranmafan1
Well, here's a bit more. As always, any C&C would be appreciated, including about how the pace and content of the story is developing.

-ranmafan1

...............

That night a full moon was blanketing the Nerima district with its light and midnight was approaching. Most of the people in the area were home at that time. Many of those who did not want to sleep yet were enjoying the night life. And then finally midnight came.

Scattered throughout the district, certain blue flowers started to glow, the petals acting as a nightlight. Then slowly, the flowers started to bloom, releasing a sparkling powder into the air as they opened. The particles began a trek seemingly of their own will throughout and around the buildings the plants were being housed.

The few people outside were so shocked by the flowers glowing that they did not react in time to escape the pollen. When it touched their bodies, the residents began the collapse on the sidewalk and the streets; those who were driving their cars passed out in them. Luckily no one was injured in the altercation. It seemed that just shortly before midnight struck all of the nearby traffic lights stopped the vehicles.

Standing above Furinkan High and overlooking the spectacle was a woman wearing a pure green dress with high slits on the sides. With her arms crossed over her chest, Azami Hayashi observed the slumbering district with a smile. Without looking away, the brown-haired beauty stated, “Assemble.”

Shortly after speaking, a dozen individuals covered with black clothes appeared behind Azami, who then ordered, “Begin securing the specimens. Priority is given to those at the Tendo Dojo, Nekohanten, Ucchan’s, and the Kuno mansion.” Silently, they left the brown-haired woman alone, who almost seemed be smirking. “It’s wonderful when everything goes so well.”

Suddenly a tree root grew behind Azami, catching an outstretched arm which was a few centimeters away from her. “Still,” Azami continued, “there is always the possibility of having a snag in any given plan. Wouldn’t you agree, Ranma?”

PostPosted: Mon May 26, 2008 1:49 am
by J. St.C. Patrick
An interesting start. What you've got works as a prologue, I would like to see a longer first chapter.


Guess what Ranma was turned into…

A vampire? Sex fiend, Vegetarian? Republican? (only the first guess was serious :wink: )


In your second additon I notice this:

When it touched their bodies, the residents began the collapse on the sidewalk and the streets; those who were driving their cars passed out in them. Luckily no one was injured in the altercation. It seemed that just shortly before midnight struck all of the nearby traffic lights stopped the vehicles.


This seems a bit awkward. Altercation isn't the right word here as it suggests an argument or a fight, and carries the hint that someone was hurt(whether physically or verbally)

Perhaps:

Luckily no one was run over, nor were there any crashes.

The question for the last sentence is did no one's foot slip off the brake and on to the gas or just off the brake? ( if the latter they might not have major impact but they'd still hit something. And given that in Japan as elsewhere not all intersections are controlled by traffic lights a few accidents should be expected.



So despite being turned in to a whatever, does Ranma retain his curse?

PostPosted: Mon May 26, 2008 2:25 am
by ranmafan1
J. St.C. Patrick -

A vampire? Sex fiend, Vegetarian? Republican? (only the first guess was serious Wink )

It is pretty obvious, isn't it :)

This seems a bit awkward. Altercation isn't the right word here as it suggests an argument or a fight, and carries the hint that someone was hurt(whether physically or verbally)

Perhaps:

Luckily no one was run over, nor were there any crashes.

Sounds good. I'll change it to reflect that there were no major crashes.

So despite being turned in to a whatever, does Ranma retain his curse?

I'm surprised I was not asked this question earlier. Yes, Ranma will retain his curse. The fact is that the organization can perform the same experiments on his male and female forms :( .

Thanks for the C&C!

-ranmafan1

PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2008 6:42 am
by ranmafan1
And here is some more :D .

-ranmafan1

...............

“Who the hell are you?” heatedly asked Ranma, whose hand was still caught within the root. In the middle of the night, his danger sense went off and he woke up to see sparkling powder floating through the air. He tried to wake his father up (by kicking him repeatedly) but that failed. A quick investigation of the other Tendo Dojo residents resulted in the same. The pigtailed fighter even tried to call by phone those he knew, but there was no dial tone.

Ranma then changed out of his night clothes and headed outside to inspect the situation. After circling the area, he discovered that the pollen was scattered everywhere…except Furinkan High, which was where he immediately ran. Although he had promised to seal the Umisenken, these whole circumstances seemed too dangerous for rash actions. Additionally, although he was not sleeping like the others from the pollen, his whole body was feeling much more sluggish than usual. With that thought in mind, it seemed like a good idea to use every advantage he could.

So after concealing his presence, Ranma searched the grounds and building until he got to the roof. He was quite surprised that the apparent instigator of this incident was the new neighbor. Ranma was shocked again when he went silently approached her in the Umisenken, only to get caught by a root which popped out of the ground. Hence, their current situation.

The smiling woman turned around and calmly stated, “Have you forgotten my name already, Ranma?.” Cocking her head to the side, she noted, “I must say, though, that witnessing you father’s sealed technique firsthand is fascinating.” Smiling wider at the pigtailed boy’s surprised expression, Azami added, “And the pollen did not put you to sleep. Now why is that.”

She tapped one finger against her cheek in a contemplative manner. “A tolerance accumulated through exposure does not work with this plant. And you would not have had any access to the antidote.” After another moment of thought, Azami snapped her finger and declared, “Ah, I see. Your body’s metabolism was magically altered when you ate the ‘noodle of pride’. This version of the plant was optimized for use with normal. I suppose I should take that into account with later versions of the flower.”

Ranma was stunned by the sheer level of information the woman before him apparently knew. “H-how can you know all of that!?!”

Azami shrugged indifferently, but answered simply, “We have our sources.” Before Ranma could say anything, she added, “And it was not Nabiki.”

The pigtailed teenager frowned as he considered his next step. The woman apparently knew a great deal about him, including his special techniques. She also seemed to have some tricks up her sleeve as well. Somehow Azami was able to detect him through the Umisenken. Also, from he had seen so far, she had an unusual control over plants which was probably different from how Pink and Link fought. So for the moment, Ranma was content with the stalemate while he tried to think of his next move. More importantly, he also wanted to prolong the time until the effects of the pollen started to wear off…

“I’m sorry, Ranma, but I really do need for you to sleep now. My Mistress would be most displeased if I were to let you escape,” apologized Azami, who was smiling sweetly at him again.

…But it seemed like the woman was not going to give Ranma the time he needed. The martial artist quickly used his ki-enhanced strength the tear the surprisingly strong root away from his hand. When he subsequently tried to attack Azami, she was already launched into the air by a root which appeared under her feet. She then gracefully flipped midair and landed on the ventilation duct which towered above Ranma. After tossing back her long hair, Azami declared, “Normally, I do not like direct confrontation if I can avoid it.”

Suddenly, Ranma’s danger sense went into overdrive. The pigtailed fighter quickly turned away from woman…and saw a grey-furred fist flying towards his head. And then the pain began. Punches were coming at him from all directions at speed rivaling, maybe even exceeding Amaguriken speeds. And each one had strength behind it far exceeding Ryoga’s. With his body as sluggish and non-responsive as it was, Ranma could not put up any fight against the onslaught. Finally, the beatings stopped, and the teenager wordlessly fell to the ground.

Barely hanging onto consciousness, Ranma was still was able to vaguely hear the next conversation. “It took you a while to do your job, Garrick. You should have smelled his presence the moment he stepped into the protected circle.”

An unfamiliar voice growled out, “I don’t answer to you, Plant Witch.”

“No, you do not,” admitted Azami, “But your master ordered for you to take care of any outside interference in the plan.” Her tone had a hint of smugness in the last part.

The other voice, which apparently belonged to someone named Garrick, snorted in response, “Blame that on your useless flowers then. The boy should have been asleep with the rest of them.”

“Yes, that was unexpected,” conceded the woman, “And I shall talk to our mutual acquaintance about that oversight when the time comes. Now…” There was some shuffle of cloth and Ranma felt that Azami was looming over him. Blearily opening his eyes, he was able to focus on her face. The beautiful woman then opened her palm, where red sparkles were starting to form. After putting it close to her mouth, Azami stated, “Now, Ranma, be a good boy and go to sleep.” She then blew the contents on her hand at teenager, who immediately began to pass out.

The last thing he heard was Azami saying, “And when you wake up, you’ll feel like a new…person.” The last thing he saw was that the older woman’s smile was no longer sweet and beautiful, but sinister and deadly.

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 7:28 am
by Climhazard
It is pretty obvious, isn't it

One question... Ranma just your typical generic vampire or True Ancestor like Evangeline?

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:32 am
by ranmafan1
Climhazard -

One question... Ranma just your typical generic vampire or True Ancestor like Evangeline?

Ranma will start out as a regular vampire, although he will have a somewhat higher regeneration ability. When he gets to Mahora and starts training under Evangeline, he'll eventually develop Shinso abilities later in the story.

But...

Here's a hint. The organization is performing magical experimentations :twisted: .

-ranmafan1

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 11:18 am
by al103
ranmafan1 wrote:Ranma will start out as a regular vampire, although he will have a somewhat higher regeneration ability.


Die without week (or less) of blooddrinking, uncontrolled hunger, burns on the sun and so on, and so on. You really hate Ranma...

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 12:00 pm
by ranmafan1
al103 -

Die without week (or less) of blooddrinking, uncontrolled hunger, burns on the sun and so on, and so on. You really hate Ranma...

Magical experimentation is not a pretty thing. Some of the others who were kidnapped will be going through similar levels (in some cases worse) when compared to Ranma.

-ranmafan1

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 12:40 pm
by al103
ranmafan1 wrote:Magical experimentation is not a pretty thing. Some of the others who were kidnapped will be going through similar levels (in some cases worse) when compared to Ranma.


The problem is - the "normal" vampire IS normal vampire - just a crasy bloodsucking monster. It's much easier to shot him than to help him. And normal vampire is clear treat to unsuspecting humans. With ranma's base body and skill that treat is enormous. How you will stop Ranma from feeding on humans and magicworlders/demonhunters/etc from killing him on first sight? Make them research on powerinfused humans at least (like sportgirls in the Eva's arc) and not on "normal" vampires. Or make him "true ancestor" - they are not uber at all at start really, Eva's words proves that.

PS. And i don't see why powerup anyway? Given 5 years... They are already much more than normal. Not on Ku level martial arts, but on Ki-magic level martial arts (dimension ki-pockets and so on). And succesful experementation would be powerup.

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 2:02 pm
by Frog
Evangeline said in Ch.109 that despite being a True Ancestor (kanji meaning "High Daylight Walker" according to Wikipedia) it took her several decades of magic practice to overcome the regular vampire weaknesses. To quote an excerpt "the first few decades of living without power were the hardest... because vampire weaknesses were present". Now, Akamatsu has never really expanded on the term, but other sources have also used it, so there's a bit of baggage tied to the title "True Ancestor". The usual meaning being that a True Ancestor is an original vampire and not one begotten by a sire. This is Eva's case, who was turned by magic. She's a True Ancestor not because of her abilities, but because of the means through which she became a vampire. Against her will, and by magic. True Ancestor status granted her no other benefits other than a nifty name; once she was turned she hungered for blood (the panel of her transformation has blood dribbling out of her mouth, on her hands, and a presumably dead victim) and was vulnerable to all the usual vampire weaknesses.

Now, we come to Ranma. If he's turned by "magical experimentation" and not by a sire that would immediately make him a True Ancestor. However, he would still be a victim to the hunger and possess all the regular weaknesses. Sunlight would leave nothing but a pile of ashes. Unless, of course, you assume "several decades" pass and he grows a natural resistance. The other option would be that the magical experimentation on the artificial creation of vampires has come a loooooong way since Evangeline was turned 500+ years ago. It's pretty easy to assume that if this "organization" is looking to make a vampire Ranma that they'd have some means of controlling him either by siring him or using his weaknesses as a bargaining chip. Alternatively, you could assume that the magical experimentation grants him a natural resistance (not immunity) to sunlight, garlic, silver, and holy symbols.

Hm, I think I've degenerated into rambling.

Well, it's an interesting premise, having all the martial artists being kidnapped and turned into guinea pigs. I wouldn't mind having another Ranma/Negima cross-over to read besides Magic Within. The idea is very raw so far so there's not much room to comment on the "organizations" motivations or origins and not enough scope to see how it'd mesh with Negima without some sort of leveling in the playing field. As was pointed out by al103, 3 months post manga and 5 years pre-Negima gives the Ranma crew a pretty massive headstart on the power-level chart... especially if they've all undergone magical experimentation and enhancement.

Finally, why the Ranma crew? They're all pretty pig-headed and no slouches when it comes to self-defense. The organization could do better with more docile test-subjects, don't you think? Unless, of course, there's some particular plot point that points to why it has to be this particular group of violent, cursed, pig-headed martial artists.

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 2:49 pm
by al103
Frog wrote:True Ancestor status granted her no other benefits other than a nifty name; once she was turned she hungered for blood (the panel of her transformation has blood dribbling out of her mouth, on her hands, and a presumably dead victim) and was vulnerable to all the usual vampire weaknesses.


IMHO true ancestor can suppres hunger from the start with little experience (though in need of blood before full power). It was clearly stated that while Eva is coldblood killer the only not selfdefense kill was right after transformation. Even if selfdefense can be very unclear in her case.

PS. And it's not clear that it was hunger after transformation - it's possible that she killed one who transformed her at that time, that she killed that person out of hate she said herself.

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 3:40 pm
by Climhazard
True Ancestor status granted her no other benefits other than a nifty name;

Well... Shinso almost allways portrayed as a strongest vampire even posible. Their potential comprared to a generic vampire much more greater.

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 3:54 pm
by al103
Climhazard wrote:Well... Shinso almost allways portrayed as a strongest vampire even posible. Their potential comprared to a generic vampire much more greater.


It was clearly stated that Negima shinso gain most of special abilities over time and long time really. On other side exept for Eva and may be one or two other all Negima shinso at start are proficient dark mages which even with normal vampire limitations is very powerful boost for them...

PostPosted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:46 pm
by Frog
IMHO true ancestor can suppres hunger from the start with little experience (though in need of blood before full power).


No evidence of this, in the context of Negima.

It was clearly stated that while Eva is coldblood killer the only not selfdefense kill was right after transformation. Even if selfdefense can be very unclear in her case.


She killed the man who turned her, killed him with hate in her heart, that much we agree on, however: how did she know what she had become, right upon waking up? What spurred her into hate, right from the beginning? This leads me to:

PS. And it's not clear that it was hunger after transformation - it's possible that she killed one who transformed her at that time, that she killed that person out of hate she said herself.


1. Eva alone in a white background:
"At that time, I was still a genuine human being... until my tenth birthday. "

2. Eva, in her nightclothes, blood dripping from her mouth, staring at her hands. She's in a room, made of stone, with what is either a pool of blood in front of her or her shadow. Lets assume it's blood, since certain vampire myths have them as being unable to cast shadows. A human hand lies, palm down, in front of her:
"When I woke up on my tenth birthday, I was already in this body."

3. Eva alone, walking away in white background:
"I cursed God, and after getting my revenge against the man who made my body like this, I left the castle."

Whether she killed or not the man in panel 2, the information implied by these three panels is enough to point towards her attacking others unconsciously with the need to feed.

1 -> Normal
2 -> Blood in her mouth (implies the hunger), wakes up in a pool of blood (generally accepted that vampires do not cast shadows) with one person (more?) off-panel, on the floor.
3 -> She kills the one who turned her and runs away.

Well... Shinso almost allways portrayed as a strongest vampire even posible. Their potential comprared to a generic vampire much more greater.


No evidence of this, in the context of Negima. So far, the title "True Ancestor" in Negima is nothing more than a circumstance of birth. Think of it as being born in a certain nationality or being born by C-section rather than vaginal delivery. The person is still a person. Just one can boast of having his or her mother cut up while the other can't. If were talking about True Ancestors in the context of, say, Tsukihime, then that would be another story altogether.

It was clearly stated that Negima shinso gain most of special abilities over time and long time really. On other side exept for Eva and may be one or two other all Negima shinso at start are proficient dark mages which even with normal vampire limitations is very powerful boost for them...


Not necessarily. Really, Akamatsu hasn't given any information about being Shinso vs normal vampires other than saying "Evangeline is Shinso".

I suppose that means, really, that Shinso could mean whatever you want it to mean and it'd be mostly plausible since Akamatsu has never bothered expanding upon the term.

Take anything I said with a grain of salt, I suppose. Upon re-reading and re-reading the chapter it seems like the only definition of Shinso comes from translator notes and not from Akamatsu. So anything tied to the term Shinso is really just fan speculation. The only thing clear is the fact that Eva is a True Ancestor, whatever that's supposed to mean in Negima, and that she used to have vampire weaknesses for several decades before she gained "power". Whether "power" is the maturation of a True Ancestor or a Vampire or her own magical abilities, is left up to the reader to decide.

Alternatively, you could assume that Evangline was a normal vampire and that she gained the title of True Ancestor once she overcame her natural weaknesses... but, then again, this is all just speculation since Akamatsu has never bothered bloody defining what a shinso is supposed to be.