Unexpected
By Jeremy Evans

Chapter 1: Actions and Consequences


Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor am
I making any money from this. Please do not
sue me.


	In the halls of one of heavens buildings
two relatively young deities in training were
sneaking into a room. No ordinary room was
this, this room contained a viewing well used
by the higher gods to alter or cross the various
worlds in the multiverse. Sometimes it was
used to help fight a great evil or grant
enlightenment to someone, but more often than
not it was used to meddle needlessly in the
lives of mortals. The two youngsters in question
had just slipped by the last trap and now stood
before the well. The shorter of the two rubbed
his hands together as they approached the well.
The other had a lot more dubious expression on
his face. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" The
first one smiled at his friend reassuringly. "Hey,
everyone else has altered his life in some way!
It can't be that hard." He started to search the
various worlds in pool. "Now which time line
to cross it with". Eventually a small smile
crossed the shorter ones face, "Yes this'll do
nicely." The taller being looked at his buddies'
choice and paled slightly. "Hey, um...isn't that
L-sama's turf?" The other boy merely smiled "
Yup, but don't worry. With all the magical
energy running around she won't see his
entrance into that world." the other did not
look convinced "I don't know..." the shorter
looked up slightly annoyed "Look I've got it
worked out. He'll be there for ten years, and
then the recall spell pulls him back to his
timeline. Now watch." They both gazed into
the pool as the transfer took place.

-----
	Genma Saotome finished strapping fish
sausages to his son. Nodding in satisfaction at
his work, he picked his son up and tossed him
into the pit of starving cats. It was at this point
that time seemed to slow down as Ranma fell.
A black void seemed to open right in front of
the younger Sao tome, swallowing him whole
as he fell through. Genma blinked several
times. Not sure what to make of that. Then a
thought struck him, "Nodoka's going to kill
me."

***

	Ranma shook his head as he lifted
himself off the hard ground. The fall hadn't
been as bad as he thought it would be but
he was still a bit dazed. Realizing he was
still wearing the sausages he quickly set
about removing them as he looked around.
The first thing he noticed was that he was at
the edge of a forest with a large city in sight.
"Papa?" he turned around trying to catch
sight of his father. "Papa, are you there?"
The only response he got was a growl as
the ground began shaking then moving.
Leaping off Ranma noticed that he hadn't
landed on the ground but on some monster.
The creature was huge, bigger than his dad.
It's skin was green and it was fanged. The
creature growled, "Little punk, that Hurt!"
The creature roared and charged.

----

	The younger nodded his head "All
right, he's there and about to be beaten by a
Troll, great plan." The other scowled "Look,
there's Prince Phil. In a few minutes he'll
save Ranma, find out he's alone, and take'em
home. Amelia get's a new brother and Ranma
gets a decent family." The other person folded
his arms across his chest, "Unless someone else
gets to Ranma first." The other boy looked at
his friend in a questioning manner. In answer
he pointed a finger to a figure that had just
entered the scene. The shorter boy looked at
the figure and cringed "Kami-Sama, not HIM!"

----

	The figure in question was himself
wondering why he was here. Originally he
was supposed to be taking care of a problem
elsewhere. But he'd received word from his
master that he was to go here instead. He
wasn't given a reason but then he didn't need
one. An order was an order after all. It was
at this point he heard a roar. Being curious
he quickly moved towards the sounds of combat.
Now it's not easy to surprise this particular
person, but the sight of a young boy holding his
own against a Troll was unusual to say the least.
His surprise grew as he noticed the way the child
moved. It spoke of a skill level he'd never seen
in one so young and considering how long he'd
lived that was saying something. He began to
scan deeper to find out more and was surprised
yet again. The boy was not from this realm. He
did not know how it happened but this child had
been sent through the barriers between worlds
for what purpose he couldn't guess. The last thing
he saw was that the boy was positively swimming
in chaotic energy. Like he was born to it.

	At this moment the boy managed to weave
in and out of the punches and swings the Troll was
throwing and getting in several good strikes.
Unfortunately a troll could heal such damage with
ease. The figure could tell that for all the boys'
skill he would lose. Coming to a decision he
approached the two combatants. "Excuse me."
The troll whirled on the man at the sound of his
voice club raised high. The man smiled as the troll
was engulfed in a column of light and disappeared.
The man then turned to the young boy. "Are you all
right?" The young boy nodded "Mister, how'd you
do that?" The figures smile widened "Magic." The
child looked skeptical "So what is your name kid."
Ranma straightened up "I am Ranma Saotome of
the Saotome school of anything goes martial arts!"
The figure chuckled at the delivery before
continuing "Where are your parents?"
The boy deflated somewhat "I don't know, Papa
threw me into a pit of cats and I ended up here."
Ranma looked up at him hopefully "Do you know
where he is?" The figure smiled widened "No but
if you come with me I'll try to help you. I must
tell you it may be impossible to find him but I
promise to try." The young boy looked thoughtful
for a moment "I'll even show you the art." The
young boy looked at the figure then where the
Troll had stood and back "Okay." The figure smiled
as he led the boy away. "Say mister, I didn't get
your name?" The figure looked at him still smiling
"Its Xellos Metallium pleased to meet you."

----
	The shorter boy was babbling about how
this shouldn't be as the taller shook his head. "You
do realize you just screwed up royally and will most
likely be punished." His friend continued on as if not
hearing him "This can't be! Xellos wasn't supposed to
be anywhere near there, I checked!! It's almost as if..."
"As if someone told him to go there." a new voice
stated. The sound of a soft female voice froze both
boys as the color drained from their faces. Slowly
they turned around to face the Lord of Nightmares,
L-Sama. "Umm er..." they began "We...we were
just...um." The master of all dark lords merely smiled
nastily at the two youths, nearly causing them to pee
in their pants. She chuckled "Leave now." They both
looked at each other then her "Huh." She raised an
eyebrow "Must I repeat myself." In the blink of an
eye both boys were gone. L-Sama strode over to
look into the pool. All ready Xelloss was endearing
himself to the young boy. She smirked; those boys
had just given her access to one of the most chaotic
mortals in the multiverse. This could prove useful as
well as entertaining. A chair appeared behind her as
she sat down to watch the fun.

---

A few Years later

	Two women were racing through a forest.
The one in the lead was wearing a red t-shirt, black
slacks with a red hood and cape. Her partner was
wearing a purple jumpsuit and appeared to be
hovering slightly off the ground. Both looked to be
in their late teens. The first woman turned to her
partner, "Luna, how much farther to the temple?".
Luna consulted a map before facing her partner,
"Another 5 minutes and we should be there,
Gully. If I'm right the gate doesn't close for
another 20 minutes". Gully smirked as she faced
forward, "Plenty of time."

	The two women continued on until an
explosion followed by a scream split the silence.
Both slowed up, as the sounds of some great beast
crashing through the foliage grew louder. Gully
quickly un-sheathed her sword as her partner
readied a fireball. A small figure popped out of
the bushes ahead landing hard on the ground.
Gully looked to her friend then to what appeared
to be a small boy. The young boy made it to his
feet but seemed to have trouble walking. It was
at this point a Drake crashed through the trees
ahead. The large creature scanned the area, its
gaze finally alighting on the young boy. A deep
growl reverberated from its throat, and then it
charged the poor boy who became frozen with
fear.

	Gully leapt forward, bringing her sword
to bear. The Drake twisted slightly as the blade
bit into its neck causing a small amount of blood
to gush forth. The young woman landed behind
the creature and backed away. The Drake turned
its now enraged gaze on the young warrior. This
was a mistake since it gave the spell caster an
easy target.

"Source of all souls which dwell in eternal and
infinite. Everlasting flame of blue, let the power
hidden in my soul be called forth from the
Infinite...RA-TILT!"

	The blue beam slammed into the monster
engulfing it in a blue flame. The Drake screamed
in agony as its soul was torn to shreds. Then it
collapsed to the ground. Gully kicked the thing's
remains a few times. Once satisfied it was dead
she joined her partner who was already tending
to the boys wounds.

	"He has a twisted ankle. It needs to be
healed." Her friend nodded "Fine, fine, just be
quick about." Luna ignored her friend as she set
to work. Once the spell was under way she took
a good look at the boy. He appeared to be about
ten. He was wearing black pants and a red shirt of
a kind she'd never seen before. His eyes were deep
blue and his hair was pulled back into a pigtail. "So
little boy, what's your name?" The kid fidgeted for
a minute "Ranma." he finally said. She smiled
warmly "Well Ranma, what are you doing out in
this dangerous forest all by yourself." Ranma hung
his head. "Some friends dared me to after my brother
warned us about this place." Luna shook her head
"That wasn't very bright." She stood up offering her
hand to Ranma. "Come on we'll take you home."
Her partner looked at her in shock "What are doing!
We can't stop for some kid!" Luna sighed "We can't
leave him here and we can't take him into the temple
with us. We'll just have to take him home." Gully
rubbed her forehead "Luna, this temple has enough
treasure to allow us both to retire. Plus it has text on
spells that have been lost to the ages, and in twenty
minutes the gate to it closes for another hundred
years! We can't miss this opportunity!!" Luna stared
at her friend "Do you want to leave him here?"
Gully looked at the small boy for a moment. Finally
she threw her hands up in the air. "Fine will take him
to the village. Maybe if we run we can get there and
back in time." The two women took off back the way
they'd come.

	About 10 minutes later they spotted a purple
haired man holding a staff with a red orb in it racing
towards them calling Ranma's name. Ranma perked
up when he saw him "Big brother!" he cried. The
young man stopped in front of them as he saw Ranma.
"Oh thank you both for finding him!" He took Ranma's
hand from Luna and bowed "I can't thank you enough!!"
Luna was about to say something when Gully
interrupted "That's okay, but we really must be going."
Gully grabbed her friend's arm and dragged her back
towards the temple A-ko style.

	Ranma blinked the dust from their departure
out of his eyes and looked up at his 'big-brother'.
"Xelloss why'd you ask me to do that? I mean why
did we have to stop them from reaching the temple."
Xelloss looked at the young boy and smiled while
bring his finger to his lips "Sora Wa Himitsu Desu!"
Ranma sprouted a frown on his face "Can you at least
tell me why we do this to people?" Xelloss kept
smiling but shook his head in the negative. Ranma
sighed as Xelloss put a hand on his shoulder "There
is a good reason and when you're older I'll tell you
more, I promise." Ranma looked up into the older
man's smiling face and couldn't help but smile also.
"Say Ranma, how bought we go for some ice cream.
My treat?" The pig-tailed boy's face brightened
significantly "Sure! Let's go!" The two faded from
sight.
------

5 years later.

	The caverns began to collapse as Ranma
grabbed the manuscript. Vaulting over fallen rocks
and dodging debris Ranma worked his way out. It
was then he heard a call for help. Backtracking a bit
he found Sarah with her leg pinned under a boulder.
Acting quickly Ranma gathered his Ki and smashed
the rock, freeing the girl. Grabbing her up and holding
her to him, he made for the exit. He managed to leap
through just as the roof came down. Everyone else was
already out side. Jiro the young priest rushed over and
began to heal the girl as Ranma layed her on the
ground. Ranma briefly wondered if her red face was
caused by her injury. After she checked out the rest
of their little group closed in. "Well?" Seth asked.
Ranma handed him a book and he quickly flipped
through it. After a few minutes he became enraged
and tossed the book on the ground "Is this a JOKE!!"
Everyone looked at him as he stomped off. Jiro
picked up the book, after turning a few pages he
started to chuckle.

Later at a restaurant

	The small party of five wore downcast looks,
all except for Ranma who was to busy stuffing his
face to care. After a moment Sarah spoke up, "So
the ultimate technique it spoke of wasn't magic,
sword or martial arts, but...cooking. We spent six
months taking on all kinds of monsters for a friggin
COOK BOOK!!" she waved her hands angrily at the
text sitting on the table. Ranma took a moment from
his eating to place his hand on her shoulder; oddly he
noted that her temperature rose somewhat. "Hey, at
least it wasn't an ultimate sowing technique."
Everyone gave him a funny look. Sarah giggled,
"I guess it could've been worse." She took a deep
breath and looked at everyone. "So now what?"
Ranma placed some money on the table and stood
"Now I have to be going." a collective "What!"
escaped from the lips of those present. Ranma
smiled sheepishly "Hey, the only reason I came
along was to find an ultimate martial arts technique
in that book. Since the it doesn't have one, I might
as well be on my way." Sarah looked downcast,
"Are you sure you can't stay?" Ranma nodded
"Yeah my families probably a bit worried by now.
I'd best get back soon." Sarah smiled tightly at
him "Take care then." Ranma smiled back "You
to. Take care of yourselves everyone." And
amidst a chorus of goodbyes Ranma left the
restaurant. When the building was finally out
of sight Ranma smiled and faded from view.

Wolf pack Island

	Zelas took a long drag from her cigarette
as she sat in her chair. Her boys were currently
out on mission and her home was fairly quite,
peaceful in other words boring. She put out the
remainder of her cigarette. Pulled a forth a new
one and lit it. It was at this moment the door
opened and Ranma entered. Zelas cocked her
head to the side "Well?" Ranma smiled and pulled
a book from his shirt and handed it to her,
"The real Book of Ultimate techniques". Zelas
took the book and idly thumbed through it as
Ranma continued. "It has a lot on casting ancient
spells like 'Venom', 'Stryper', 'Megadeath' and
even 'Halloween'. Plus information on a safer
way to caste the Giga Slave. It also contains
Powerful martial arts techniques. A truly
impressive collection." Zelas merely nodded at
Ranma's words. "Do you want me to burn it?"
Zelas eyes never left the book as she smiled.
She then motioned for Ranma to take a seat.

	After a few more minutes of flipping
through the book she closed it and handed it to
him. He took it from her a confused look on his
face. "I want you to learn all the spells and
techniques in that book." Her voice was quite
and even but left no room for questions. Ranma
swallowed "Yes mama." She sat back and took
a drag from her cigarette. "Xelloss learned them
fairly fast, so it shouldn't take you much longer
than him to learn." She refrained from smiling
as that glint came into his eyes. Ever since he
was little he'd insisted on learning everything
Xelloss knew. That had caused the boy quite a
few headaches as The Trickster Priest liked to
dangle new spells enticingly in front of him
and never tech him how to do it. Instead the boy
learned it on his own and was all the better for
it. She continued on "Now I don't want you to
ever use the Giga  Slave but try to figure out how
to do Laguna Blade from that information and if
possible improve upon it." Ranma nodded but
then seemed to remember something. She leaned
forward "What is it?" Ranma fidgeted then
sighed, "I want some time to take care of some
things on my world." She looked at him
quizzically "Why, I thought you saw what
would've happened it you'd stayed?" he smiled
thinly "I know but something's need to be done
to insure certain people do not get away with what
they have done." She sat back in her chair and
gazed at him for a long time. Finally she sighed,
"All right, six months then I need you back here."
Ranma smiled at her "Thanks a lot!" he gave her
a hug. Zelas rolled her eyes and seriously
considered waping him upside the head but decided
to let it go, this time.

	He pulled away and sat arose from her
"So where's Xelloss?" Zelas got more comfortable
in her seat "On mission."She cocked her head to
the side "Seems he's about done." she commented
without emotion. Ranma wondered what she was
talking about then he felt it. A force of unimaginable
power had just entered the world. Zelas watched
Ranma with an amused smile. She'd forgotten he'd
never had any contact with this being before. After
it was over he spoke softly "T-that was.." Zelas
nodded "Our boss, the Lord of Nightmares,
L-sama." Ranma swallowd hard as he tried to
regain his composure "But who channeled...?"
Zelas brought her finger up to her lips "Sora
Wa..." Ranma waved her off "Right, right, my
fault for asking." He stared out the window for
a minute before smiling and turning around
"Inverse, Lina Inverse its gotta be her!" Zelas
just looked at him. He continued on "She
successfully cast the Giga Slave and created
Laguna Blade. Only someone with a firm
understanding like hers could channel L-sama.".
Zelas smiled "Very good Ranma. I can't say
any more on the subject but you are right."
She stood and stretched a bit. "Remember,
I'll expect you back in six months no later."
He nodded as she left. As the door closed he
was left to wonder about the woman who'd
managed to channel L-sama.

****

Earth Jusenkyo

	Genma Saotome was overjoyed to say
the least. In an amazing turn of fortune his son
had returned from the dead. He was grateful; as
he didn't know how much longer he could lie
convincingly to Nodoka. The note he'd received
from his child had tickets and a map to Jusenkyo
where they would meet for the first time in ten years.
"Oh happy day! My son returns to me and the schools
will be joined!!" Genma was about to do a little jig
when a voice caught his attention "Pop?" The fat
martial artist turned to see a well filled out young
man in a red Chinese shirt, black pants and pig tail
sitting on a blanket near a bunch of springs. What
truly caught his attention was the large spread of
food layed out before him..

	Holding his hunger in check Genma grabbed
the man into a bear hug "Son! Its so good to see you
after all these years!!" Ranma staggered a bit under
the man's sobs but managed to calm him down.
"Please pop sit down and eat. We have much to talk
about." Never being one to refuse a free meal Genma
dug in. After couple of minutes he noticed Ranma
hadn't eaten anything. He shrugged, figuring more
for him and went back to work on the food. Once
satisfied he looked to his son. "So boy where've you
been for the last 10 years? Training I hope." Ranma
smiled "You could say that. I also found out what
you've been up to for the last ten years." Genma
yawned before answering, not liking the tone of
Ranma's voice "What do you mean."
Ranma's smile turned nasty "I found out about the
multiple engagements for one thing." Genma suddenly
felt very tired and dizzy. "But its okay pop, I found a
way to deal with the mess you made." Ranma's voice
was ice cold. Genma attempted to stand but fell back
on his rear "Wh-what did you...?" Ranma smiled without
warmth "Oh just some sleep potion in the food. Enough
to knock you out for quite a while I suspect." Genma's
vision swam and he fell backwards. "More than enough
time to see justice served." Darkness covered Genma's
vision.

Nerima Tendo Dojo

	Soun griped the letter tightly as tears streamed
down his face.

Dear Soun

	By the time you read this I will be gone. I am
sorry that I won't be able to help you with the
engagement but I do ask you go do all in your power
to see our two schools joined. By now you should've
meet my son. He's taking this pretty hard and may do
some unusual things to cope. I ask you to help him
work through this tough time in his life. I wish you
the best and charge you and you alone with ensuring
the future of anything goes. I wish you well old friend.

Your Friend
Genma Saotome

Soun wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at
the boy in front of him. "You can meet my
daughters later as for now you can have one of
the guest rooms. I'll take you there." Ranma
bowed "Thank you sir." The pig-tailed warrior
followed the older man to his room.

Later that evening

	Genma awoke with a pounding headache.
After a few moments he noticed he felt different.
He became confused when he looked at himself
and saw much younger hands. That's when he
looked into a mirror on the wall and screamed.
Staring back at him was the face of Ranma. A
quick scan confirmed it was Ranma's body.
"You know, you really ought to thank me."
Genma whirled to see his son leaning against
the wall smirking. "I mean, I've given you back
your youth, sorta." Genma growled,  "What is
the meaning of this? What have you done to me!"?
Ranma's smirk grew "I dunked you in a newly
created spring 'spring of Nearly drowned Ranma'.
Then with a little magic I overwrote your base form
with that from spring of drowned girl." Ranma
quickly cast a water spell. Genma looked in the
mirror, fingered the results of the transformation,
and screamed again. Ranma laughed, "By the way
Soun thinks your dead and that you are me. You've
all ready been engaged to his youngest, Akane."
Ranma chuckled "She's a tad violent so I suggest
not upsetting her or you will feel her wrath."
Everything Ranma said put Genma into a state of
shock, completely unable to move or say anything.
Ranma continued on "Also, I put a spell on you.
It will make sure you act honorably or you'll
receive some...negative reinforcement." Ranma
smiled nastily, "Your honor bound to marry a
Tendo so I wouldn't try to go about breaking it.
Oh wait!" he began with mock surprise "You also
have to marry Ukyo Kuonji! Jeepers! How are you
going to maintain honor if your supposed to marry
them both! What a dilemma" The full effect of
what Ranma had done was starting to become
apparent to the formally fat martial artist. He barely
managed to croke out "What about Nodoka."
Ranma feigned sadness. "A letter from her son
will reach her. It will inform her of her husbands
death and information on how to find her son."
Ranma became thoughtful "I wonder if your female
side will affect her decision on if your manly or not."
A small eep escaped Genma's lips. "Ah well good
luck pop. You're gonna need it." At his words a
swirling blue portal opened and he began to step
through. Genma tried on last gambit "I raised
you..." Ranma whirled around and backhanded
him across the room Genma cowered under the
young man's gaze. "You didn't raise me and if you
had it would've been only to fill your fat belly. Be
glad I'm going easy on you!" and with that he
stepped through the portal, which disappeared
behind him. Genma fell to the floor sobbing.






Author notes: Well, I believe that is enough for
now. Next chapter will be the real beginning to
the story. For now it will mostly take place in the
universe of the Slayers, but don't expect it to stay
that way. Ranma will at least want to check up on
his father every now and again and who knows
what could happen while he's there Now I am sure
some of you want to know why Ranma is willing
working for the Mazoku and if he himself is one or
not. My answer: Sora Wa Himitsu Desu!