[Ranma/Batman][FanFic] The Dark Knight (Prologue, Chapter 1)
Fiona Lim
hope this is the correct way to send such fanfics, and that it's all
correct. Comments can be sent to the email (please please please), and
flames will even be read at this stage... Excuse me for any mistake in
either timelines - but ~laughter~ it's a fusion of both stories, so I
can get away with it right? ~nyah nyah~ (ulp, well, maybe not - but till
I find out, I'm sticking my tongue out ~grin~)...
yours sincerely
Fiona Lim
----
The Dark Knight
A "Ranma 1/2" and "Batman" fusion
By Fiona Lim
fanta...@gurlmail.com
Thunder roared overhead, and a burst of rain thundered down, creating a
caphony a herd of elephants would have been proud to claim. If ever a
night
deserved the cliché: 'it was a dark and stormy night', it was this one.
Alexandra Wayne watched the blinds sweep shut over the floor length
windows,
hiding the forked lightning that flashed across the sky. The room seemed
suddenly far smaller now that the view had been hidden, and Alexandra
felt a
strange shiver run down her spine as the faint tendrils of
claustraphobia
clutched at her. *You're being ridiculous, this room is bigger than your
old
apartment!* her inner voice snapped at her, and Alexandra grinned
slightly
at the no-nonesense tone she could hear echoing in her mind. *Nice to
know
that no matter how rich I am, or how many society functions Brian takes
me
to, I'm still going to be as boringly normal as ever.* she thought
before
frowning, *Is there SUCH a word as 'boringly'?*
"What are you smiling at?" a deep voice murmured in her voice and two
arms
suddenly wraped themselves around her.
"How boring I am."
"*You*? Boring? Never!" Alexandra giggled slightly as she spun around to
face her husband.
"I'll have you know, Mr. Rich-and-Powerful-Brian-Wayne that being boring
is
one of my biggest talents!" Alexandra said, mock fiercely, "It was being
boring that made you look at me in the first place?" Alexandra retorted.
"You weren't boring, you were interesting - different." Brian replied
with a
soft smile, "I'd never met anyone like you before."
Alexandra rolled her eyes, "Only somebody extraordinary would ever call
my
old life interesting." She said.
"Mum?!" the cry brought both of their heads up, "MUM!"
"He was always scared of thunderstorms." Alexandra said, pulling away
only
to be stopped.
"He has to learn how to face his fears, Alex." Brian said softly, "We
won't
aways be here to coddle him."
"But he's only SIX, Brian!" Alexandra protested, "There's plenty of time
to
teach him how to be brave. He's just a little boy -" she broke off as
she
stared at him, her black eyes widening slightly, "Did you just say what
I
thought you said?"
Brian sighed, "Sorry - leftovers from what my Dad use to do." He said
ruefully.
"MOM! DAD!"
Alfred smiled slightly as he closed the door leading into young Master
Wayne's room. The sight of Brian and Alexandra Wayne seated on their
young
son's bed had not been one he would forget for a while. *Those who said
that
money begets unhappiness never met the Waynes.* he thought as he walked
quickly to his own room, *Master Brian has certainly grown up to be a
good
man, despite his father, and with parents like Master Brian and Madam
Alexandra, young Bruce looks to follow in his father's footsteps.* for
several seconds, the good man's face was creased in anger as he
remembered
the old master of the house, the deceased Daniel Wayne. *Father use to
say
no good would ever come from any born of the Wayne blood because of HIM.
And
when Genma appeared, we all though he was right. A good thing that
reckless
idiot got himself disinherited. The good Lord only knows what Genma
would
have done with as much money as Wayne Enterprises gives him.* Alfred
thought
shaking his head in disgust, *Father would have been proud to know you,
Master Brian. He lost all faith with the Wayne Family when first Daniel,
then Genma appeared, but you – you he would have served gladly. Might
even
have lived longer, knowing that somebody like you and your wife could
exist.* Alfred smiled into the darkness, *Seeing people like them, it
gives
us all hope that this world isn't so far down the drains that we can't
still
save it.*
Far away, over the descending shriek of wind and rain, the wail of
police
sirens could be heard. Alfred sighed as he glanced out his window to the
city far below the mountain. Faintly, against the night sky, he could
make
out the glow of flames.
****
[cue opening credits]
I have walked many paths
Battling the minions of evil.
Light against darkness,
That age old war
Holds no meaning to me.
For I know that light hides evil
As easily as darkness does.
[Skyehawke Archives]
I am the enemy of evil,
My territory
The Shadows.
I am he who walks between,
My domain is the gray area
Where others cannot - will not - tread.
[In conjunction with Fantaghiro Visions]
Tremble, fear me.
Others may walk afraid,
Cringe from the darkness
That seethes beneath all things.
[Proudly Presents]
But I alone shall walk between the two
Destiny does not stand behind me,
Fate knows me not.
Chance proclaims me,
The walker, the defender,
The guardian - the fore-teller.
Beware for I am
My symbol
The Bat.
[Dark Knight]
Chapter One
He swam through the disorienting waves that seperated the waking and
sleeping world, and found himself in a white hospital room.
"You gave us quite a scare, young man." The woman standing above him was
dressed in a white uniform, the clipboard gleaming a cold silver under
the
harsh flourescent tubes.
"Where am I?" he mumbled, trying to sit up only to be pushed back.
"The hospital of course. You took quite a fall –"
The years flashed past his eyes as her words roared in his ears. . .
And he was six years old again, waking up in a large bed that never
seemed
to empty as it did then.
"You gave us quite a scare, Bruce." The person staring down at him was
familiar – in the way only old memories were – and his dazed mind found
a
name to match the familiarity.
"Alfred."
"You took quite a fall, Master Bruce. Gave you Aunt quite a turn, and
your
Uncle had conniptions at the funeral." Alfred went on.
"Mum – Dad?" his vision blured as the memories of what had happened,
became
once more.
"Why they're dead, Ranma!" the forced heartiness of the voice broke
through
the dizziness, and he stared at the man who had entered the room.
Memories reminded him that this was his 'Uncle Genma', the disinherited
son
who had left for Japan.
"My name is Bruce." He whispered softly.
"The doctor said that the young Master was not to be disturbed, sir."
Alfred
said coldly, "I would ask that you please –" Alfred froze as the door of
the
room creaked open and a pale face peaked around the corner hesitantly,
"Madam Nodoka!" he said, his voice warming slightly.
"Is Br-Bruce all right?" the woman asked softly.
"Yes, Madam. The doctor says that the young Master needs rest, but is
out of
danger. He is a fighter, like his father." Alfred said.
"Auntie Nodoka?" he whispered as the woman rushed to his side.
"Oh Bruce! I'm so glad you're all right! You gave all of us such a large
scare when you ran out into that storm!" Nodoka said, hugging him
tightly
before releasing him, almost guiltily, "Genma, weren't we worried?" she
asked.
He saw her downcast eyes, the visible fear that shimmered through her
body,
the slight trembling of her hands, and knew that his Auntie – with her
accented words, her worried eyes and careworn clothes – feared his Uncle
Genma.
"Yes, of COURSE we were!" Genma said, his voice filled with the same
heartiness, "Of course, I've always said that this old house, with all
those
fields and holes floating about the place." Genma shook his head, "Bad
place
to raise a kid – so many. . ." he trailed off, and stared at Alfred
meaningfully, "Possible accidents, just waiting to happen, ne?" he said
with
a gaelic shrug.
"The area was roped off, sir." Alfred said stiffly, "Nobody is allowed
into
that area because of the danger. Master Bruce has never before wandered
that
far –"
"But the danger still exists!" Genma roared, pouncing like a tiger,
"Now, if
Ranma here –"
"My name is Bruce."
" – is in Japan with me and Nodoka, he will be safe. And he will grow up
healthily!" Genma finished ignoring the softly spoken words.
"There is no confirmation from the lawyers yet that you are the
legitimate
guardian, sir." Alfred said, "Master Brian's will –"
"Cannot be found." Genma said smoothly, "Young Ranma, of course, shall
be
the heir. There is no question of it. But as the closest relatives,
Nodoka
and I shall be his guardians." He glanced out the window, but not before
Bruce saw the smirk on his face, "What do you expect, Alfred old boy?
That
they'd let an old man like you take care of a child? An old man without
a
wife? When there are blood relatives ready and willing?" he whirled
around,
and this time his face was a controlled mask of familial love, "Nodoka
and I
can bring Ranma –"
"My name is Bruce."
" – up in a proper family. He will be taught how to protect himself in
the
ancient martial arts school we are part of. What happened to Brian and
Alexandra will NEVER happen to him!" he finished with an outraged roar.
"We shall have to wait and see what the lawyers say then, sir." Alfred
said,
his voice a careful, unemotional tone, "Now, I really must insist,
Madam,
Sir, that you take your leave. The doctors did mention that Bruce should
have as much undisturbed rest as possible." He said.
"Oh." Nodoka said softly, then smiled blindingly down at Bruce, "Sleep
well,
darling." She added.
"Yes, we won't ever let this happen to you again, Ranma." Genma added
magnimously.
Bruce glared at his uncle, "My name is Bruce."
"Horrible name, that." Genma said, "Always prefered Ranma. Far more
traditiona. Something to live up to." He said approvingly as he walked
out.
Bruce stared as the door closed.
"Alfred?"
"Yes, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked, pulling the coverlet and smoothing
it.
"I remember –" Bruce paused, "I remember – a bat." He whispered.
"Pardon?"
"A bat, Alfred. A large bat. It was flying towards me – in the cave." He
whispered.
He blinked, ten years flying past him once more and stared up at the
doctor.
"You should be all right in several more days." She said with a slight
smile, "Your father says it is extremely urgent that you be ready to
leave
soon." She added, blushing slightly, "Something about meeting your
Mother
for their third honeymoon." She said before walking out of the room.
Ranma closed his eyes, recognizing one of Genma's oldest excuses. He
didn't
even bother telling the doctor that Genma wasn't his father. He had
stopped
doing that almost five years ago, when Genma had convinced the lawyers
that
he would develop far better with two adopted parents instead of merely
an
aunt and uncle.
*It's amazing what people will do for the right amount of money.* Ranma
thought cynically as he turned over and stared at the small window this
hospital room offered. He could see the branches of a tree between the
cracks in the blinds. A bird was singing brightly somewhere, and the
screams
of babies told him that he was probably right above the nursery.
*I wonder why I remembered that day.* he thought, *Maybe because I
haven't
heard from Alfred in so long.*
It had been ten years since his parents had died, and his Uncle Genma
and
Auntie Nodoka had been granted full custody till he turned fifteen, when
-
due to the strange circumstances of his parents' will – he would be
given
the choice of returning to America and Gotham City or staying in Japan
with
his aunt and uncle till he turned twenty one. *It's been almost a full
year
now. Pops won't be able to keep me here much longer. Not even with every
single credit from those gold card the lawyers send him for my 'up
keep'.*
Ranma laughed softly under his breath, *Which, from all evidence, he
won't
be able to use anyway. Pops always wants to leave a place quickly for
his
'third honeymoon' when he's maxed out the latest card. And I won't be
'receiving' another fifty thousand in the account till next month.*
"Ah! Son, you're looking better!" the loud voice could probably have
been
heard all the way to Bukit Lapan, Malaysia – the 'town' of the last
sensei
Genma had dumped Ranma with to learn the so called 'martial arts school
technique' that had helped him receive the guardianship all those years
ago.
"What do you want, Pops?" Ranma asked tiredly as he struggled to an
upright
position; he winced as several ribs and bruises protested.
"We need to get outta here, Ranma." Genma hissed as he closed the door,
"The
account's empty, and there's the hotel to pay. People are starting to
look
for our blood."
"Not me, Pops. I didn't stay in the hotel. You did." Ranma said easily.
"It's your name on those credit slips, *BRUCE*." Genma hissed, "And your
Aunt's name as a guarantee."
"You bastard." Ranma whispered.
"Wimp." Genma said, "You can argue and yell, but you're a wimp, Ranma.
No
matter how much I teach you, you're a total wimp." He fell into a chair,
and
Ranma realized – disgustedly – that his 'father' was drunk, "Just like
your
good-for-nothing Father, that brother of mine. Worthless. Half man. Your
idea of getting out of trouble is buying the person off with money." His
words came out slurred.
Ranma's eyes narrowed, *A chance – if I can just get him angry and
stupid
enough.* he thought, "That's your way, Genma." He said softly, "You
haven't
fought a single person since you were a teenager and stealing food off
children."
The blow caught him unawares, and sent him sliding off the bed, nursing
his
jaw, "You pay respect to me, Ranma!" Genma yelled angrily, "I'm your
Father!
Legal – you call me 'Pops' not that good for nothing brother! You should
have been MY son! Brian was a wimp – couldn't have had a boy –
shouldn't.
Suppose to be me –"
*Thank god. The last thing we need in this world is Genma-genes floating
around.* Ranma thought disgustedly.
"I challenge you, Genma. I say I'm not your son. Will never be, and that
you're a wimp, not me. Not my Father."
"Challenge me?" Genma's eyes deepened into something that seemed to
resemble
cunning, but which Ranma recognized from long experience as merely
greed.
"If I win, you stay with me till you're twenty one. No talking to those
lawyers about returning to Gotham. And you sign the chit saying you want
more money for the monthly account." He siad.
"And if I win, I go back. And I take Auntie Nodoka with me."
"That's your Mum, not your Auntie!" Genma snarled.
"Is it a deal, Genma?" Ranma demanded.
Genma paused, then nodded, "Right now. Outside." He said.
*Bastard.* Ranma thought, *I should have known that was how his mind
would
think. Kick an opponent while he's down on the ground and half
unconscious.*
"Well, getting scared now, coward?" Genma taunted, brave in the
knowledge
that it was Ranma in the hospital bed, not him.
"Right now." Ranma affirmed, pulling himself to his feet, "I'll meet you
there in ten minutes, old man. I can spare a couple of seconds beating
you
up before I get on with my life."
Genma nodded, and surprisingly, left without another word. Leaving Ranma
with the problem of how he would even be able to walk without stumbling
onto
his nose.
*Damn it.* Ranma panted as he closed his eyes, *Concentrate Ranma.
Remember
what Sensei Hino taught you.* he imagined the flame in his mind, burning
brightly – and the whirling diamond that represented his will power. *I
can
do this. 'Pain – pain is relative. It can be ignored.'* the words of
Sensei
Hino came back to him as he breathed in and out steadily. *'For a price.
But
if you are willing to pay the price, you will reap the rewards.'*
*I am willing to pay the price.* Ranma said to himself firmly as he felt
the
rush of energy that blocked out the pain in his ribs, *For my and Mum's
freedom, I'd do anything.*
Genma stood there, his chest glistening in the strong afternoon sun. He
looked half shocked when he caught sight of Ranma standing at the
hospital's
doorway.
"Thought you'd chicken out." He muttered, "Good to see some of my blood
ended up in you after all, boy."
"It's something I'm working to destroy." Ranma replied as he slipped the
wrist bracers into place on his wrists.
Genma merely grunted and fell into a text-book correct 'ready' position,
his
wrapped hands rock steady.
"Ready." Ranma said, bowing.
He barely missed the flying kick Genma had aimed at his head.
"This is what the school of anything goes is about, boy!" Genma snarled
as
he landed lightly on his feet, "Something you were always too weak to
learn
properly!"
"From you it was a school of backstabbing!" Ranma retorted as he began
his
own assault.
For the years Genma had spent indulging – with the money meant as
Ranma's
allowance – in anything that caught his fancy, he was surprisingly fit.
Ranma felt the tiredness slow him down and gritted his teeth.
*I can do this.*
The blow that finally broke through his defenses, only glanced his
chest,
but a trail of blood followed its path. Ranma stared down, then at the
grinning Genma and his eyes narrowed.
"Glass specks." He snarled. *The cheating, lying, backstabing BASTARD!*
"Anything goes. If you had been worthy of learning, you might have
become a
better fighter. You might even have won." Genma smirked.
*'Never listen to your opponent's taunts. He wants to frighten, and his
words are weapons that give him time to find a break in your defense.
Find
his weakness, then attack while he wastes air.'*
There was a way, though with Genma's glass covered fists, it was a way
frought with pain. *I am willing to take the pain.* Ranma gritted his
teeth
as he concentrated and began his attack.
Genma's one weakness was that he knew only offensive. His defenses –
even
using the so called 'anything goes' style he had praised so highly but
never
seemed to teach – used the attacks of the opponent and turned it around.
He
could not defend if the attack was what Sensei Ten had called the 'last
hope
attempt'. *'If you are willing to suffer, then this attack will win you
the
fight. But the price had better be DAMN GOOD before you use it!'*
Ranma knew he was fast, though not fast enough to attack without Genma
realizing, and beginning to defend himself. He felt the glass biting
into
his body, but he ignored it as he hurled everything he had into the
series
of attacks.
And the outcome – one that seemed pre-ordained somehow – lay in the dust
before him. Ranma stared at the man who had destroyed his wife and had
tried
to crush him as well – all in the name of greed. And then he walked
away,
pausing only to take the man's wallet and remove the gold cards and his
passport. *It's over. I'm going back to Gotham, and I'm taking Mum. YOU
can
suffer for all I care.*
----