Ranma 1/2 : Redemption Prelude
Created by Long Ngo
Started June 11, 1998 

      Sitting in what use to be the dinning area of the Tendou Training Hall, was the present Master of the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu and sole practioner, Saotome Ranma. In his hands he held a very special mirror. His only chance at saving those he loved. Unfortunately the legendary Naban Mirror was cracked.

      The darkness of depression started to surrounded Ranma again. Everywhere he went, the images of the dead haunted him. Nerima, which had become his home was now, in all sense, a ghost town. No one wanted to move here. The once joyous and exciting District of Tokyo was now almost completely abandoned. The credit for this feat lies with the deceased former Master of the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu, Happosai.

      He slowly cried as his vision passed across various pictures of friends and family members. He remembered all the adventures and good times he was able to spend with those he loved. His gaze lingered the longest on his departed wife, Saotome Kasumi. She was always there for him. As a mother, a sister and finally a lover and a wife. Losing her was the hardest. He lost everything he had aquired in his 26 years on Earth because a certain old man played with powers that were beyond his understanding and control. It may just have been fate or just the desperate will of a man half dead, but a single tear drop landed upon the cracked object in his hand and he was suddenly engulfed in a blinding flash.

* * * * *

      "I'm heading back to China, Oyaji!" Ranma heard himself shout before a veil of darkness decended upon him. *Am I dead?* he thought. Opening his eyes and giving them time to adjust to their new environment, Ranma found himself being carried by a huge panda over its shoulder. *Am I dreaming? Only one way to find out.* Lifting his right hand, Ranma pinched himself. Feeling a lingering pain, *I'm not dreaming.* Ranma finally noticed that it was raining. A distant memory started to surface, *This can't be!* "Hey Oyaji! Where are you taking me?"

      "Did I hit you too hard, boy? I'm taking you to see an old friend of mine. I engaged you to one of his daughters, remember?" the panda held up a sign. Waiting for an outburst or at least a struggle from his son and finding neither, *Did I hit the boy too hard?* Setting Ranma down, Genma looked at his son and discovered a small on his face.

      *Somehow the Naban Mirror worked. I'm in the past. I've got a second chance to save everyone.* "What are you waiting for, lets go Tousan." Following Ranma, Genma never saw the determination in his son's eyes. *I will not lose you again, Kasumi!*

      Shocked was not the word Genma would have used to describe his reaction. *Did Ranma just called me, Tousan? Maybe I did hit him to hard.* Increasing his speed, he was again surprised when Ranma stopped in front of the gates to the Tendou Training Hall. *How did he know where to go? Have to ask him later.*

* * * * *

      "That must be them now," Nabiki said, getting up and heading towards the door. Moments later, Soun, Kasumi and Akane saw her running towards them was a look of fright on her face. Following her was a panda and a stranger with red hair in a pigtail. Looking at Soun, "Are these friends of yours, Tousan?" Nabiki asked. Seeing him shake his head left and right frantically, "It just happens that a panda comes walking into our home."

      At this moment, the stranger walked forward, "I'm Saotome Ranma, sorry about this."

To be continued