Ryoga was walking along the streets, his usual backpack and umbrella strapped to his back, his trademark bandana around his head.
But of course, he had clearly changed... His body was covered with white, fluffy fur, his fanged mouth had turned into a pig-like snout and from his backside, a long, flexible tail was growing.
Since he had changed in a half-Mankey, Ryoga had seen many things on his travels. Mostly people trying to adapt to their new situations. As many of those people had a hard time getting used to their new abilities and instincts, he decided to help them out multiple times. As Ryoga was somehow used to unusual things and had been a powerful fighter even before the change, he was able to help some of those people. He even taught some of them some basic battle moves.
He had realized one thing: As all humans are now part Pokémon, everyone has gained some new battle abilities to a greater or lesser extent... And he was convinced that therefore, earth would turn into a much more dangerous place to live, because of two main reasons:
One: Humans are curious by nature. He guessed that most of those who have learned to actually use their abilities would do so, even if it was just to satisfy their curiosity.
Two: Those new instincts made the people behave more like their Pokémon counterparts... Which meant, they would develop rivalries against other Pokémon types that were only natural for their species.
Ryoga knew what it was like to be trapped inside a strange new form for a long time, so he felt pity for all those humans.
After some time, he finally managed to come to Nerima once more. Although it was not intentionally... he was trying to get to Osaka, to visit his relatives.
When he stood on the bridge leading over the canal in Nerima, he looked around in confusion. Somehow... this place seemed familiar.
He walked towards two girls who were sitting at the edge of the water. "Excuse me... can you show me the fastest way to Osaka, please?"
The red-furred fox-girl turned her head around and smirked. "Well, well... if it isn't Ryoga! Has been some time since you came here."
Ryoga blinked. "Ranma? Is that you?"
"You got it!" the Vulpix grinned. "And I believe you know this young lady as well..." And she gestured to the Dratini that was sitting next to her.
Ryoga scratched his head. She looked kinda familiar, but... Those new Pokémon traits really made it difficult to identify a person if you don't know what that person has been turned into.
"Um, Akane?"
The girl grinned and shook her head. "Nope!"
"Ukyo?"
"Guess again!"
"Now I know: Konatsu!"
The dragon-girl giggled. "No, silly! It's me, Ryuko! Don't tell me you don't recognize your favorite little cousin!"
Ryoga stared. "Ryuko? But, how... I thought... Ranma, what are you doing in Osaka?"
Ranma snickered. "Guess again, Ryoga... This is Nerima!"
"Huh?" Now the lost boy was even more confused. "What are you doing in Nerima, Ryuko?"
"I'm staying with Ranma and the Tendos," she explained. "I've been trying to find you... Someone told me you would show up here pretty often."
"Well, I have been trying to get here for a while now..." the Mankey grumbled. "But then I thought I could also visit you and your parents in Osaka..."
"I think that's when you managed to finally get here, right?" Ranma asked. Ryoga nodded. His vulpine rival chuckled. "Thought so."
"Sooo, Ranma..." Ryoga sneered. "I see you're in your female form again... What was it this time? The old ladle lady?"
"Naw... lawn sprinklers!"
"Ah, I see..."
"You seem to know about Ranma's curse, huh?" Ryuko asked. Ryoga laughed nervously. "Well, you could say that..."
"Well, after all, he got his own curse shortly after..."
"Ranma!" Ryoga glared at her. "You... you promised on your honor not to tell anyone!"
"Hey, I just promised not to tell Akane... And besides, I think Ryuko deserves to know... she's part of your family after all."
"You're cursed as well?" Ryuko grinned. "Do you also turn into a girl?"
Ryoga sighed. "No, I used to turn into... a small black piglet."
Ryuko giggled. "Well, then your new Pokémon form is actually quite fitting, don't you agree?"
"Yeah," Ranma chuckled. "The pig-boy becomes a pig-monkey!"
"Very funny..." the eternally lost Mankey grumbled.
Just then, a big rock fell into the water, thrown by some playful Sandshrew kids standing on the bridge. The impact caused a big splash, and the water drenched the three of them completely.
"Sorry about that," one of the Sandshrew-boys shouted.
Ranma shook the water out of her fur. "See, it's as I told you..." he said to Ryuko. "Sometimes, it's just not worth changing back... I just know I'll be hit by some water sooner or later."
Ryuko didn't respond. She looked down at the sulking, bandana-clad Mankey that was sitting on the ground, next to a big backpack and an umbrella.
She scooped up her transformed cousin and gave him a big hug. "Ooooh, you're sooo adorable, Ryoga!"
The small Pokémon just snorted.
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(Posted Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:18)
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