Crossover Crisis Side Story 1 Disclaimer: Kojiro, B-Ranma, Prototype, Trainer, Draco and the cast of Outlaw Star either belong to someone else or is based on someone else's work. Introduction: Ever since I started the Great Crossover Crisis, I have been getting requests to expand on the scenes that were depicted in flashbacks or clips. Therefore, I shall be writing a five-part mini- series of those adventures depicting one or two of my Ranmas during their romp through dimensions. First up is our Cat Fist fighter Kojiro Shinkara from Cat Fist Fury as he goes claw-to-claw with the cast of the Outlaw Star. Note: This story takes place between Chapters 4 and 5 of the Great Crossover Crisis, just after Trainer had joined the group. < >: Thoughts (* *): Computer responses B-Ranma: Fighting Blind (Ranma) P-Ranma: Fist of the Pikachu (Trainer) D-Ranma: Dragon Child (Draco) T-Ranma: Ranmatech (Prototype) Cat Fist Star Part 1 Universe XP-1511TG... Four of the five Ranmas were currently stationed at Blue Heaven as T-Ranma's ship was undergoing repairs and restocking supplies. The technological Ranma was haggling for lower rates with the repair crews while his three counterparts had decided to take in the sights and get something to eat. The cruiser was docked beside a red-colored Grappler Ship. "I've got to admit, I've never seen a ship quite like this one. And I thought the Outlaw Star was special." Swanzo said as he looked over the scans of T-Ranma's cruiser. "I've never seen a sub-ether drive design like this one. The modifications and the modular components of this vessel are way beyond anything I've ever seen or heard of. Heck, this thing could be converted into a Grappler Ship with no problems." He looked up at the nanotech warrior. "For a little extra, I COULD add some components that will allow you to convert your ship into a Grappler-Type." Prototype shook his head. "Nah, we won't be here for very long." "Besides, this thing already has manipulator arms." "Where? I don't see any and the scanner didn't pick up any manipulator arms." "They're right here." T-Ranma snapped his fingers while his bio-computer sent a signal to the ship's systems. Over the years, T-Ranma had modified his ship to adapt to any situation, and after encountering some Kei Pirates and their Grappler Ships, the cruiser had constructed for itself some extra mechanisms and systems to deal with those kinds of enemy craft. Hidden panels opened up and components within began to shift and transform, forming appendages that were composed of liquid metal. Two large grappler arms formed at the bow of the ship and held themselves out at the ready. Swanzo gave a low whistle. "Now that's sweet!" "That's just the tip of the iceberg." T-Ranma said as he sent out another signal. Within the mounts of the main arms, smaller arms extended near the wrists. "Those smaller arms are for fine-detail work and can pick up things as small as a nanochip. They are also equipped with various scanners, mini-laser projectors for fine cutting and welding, and computer-hacking systems that can take control of virtually any other ship's computer by contact alone. You can imagine how useful that can be in a grappler fight." "Man! Those are some very interesting options." "The main arms are also armed with various heavy weaponry and other equipment. Allow me to demonstrate." The technological Ranma gestured to the ship as the main arms began forming weapons at the ends of the hands. First a heavy-particle cannon, followed by a multiple-missile launcher, then a heavy mace, a vibro-axe, a disrupter-wave projector array and many other kinds of weapons and equipment before returning to their standard grappler configuration. Unlike normal Grappler Ships, T-Ranma's did not need to carry weapons and equipment in a separate storage pod, but formed what they needed due to built-in synthesizers and whatever was stored in a subspace pocket. "Now that's what I call a Grappler Ship!" Swanzo exclaimed. "But, we can't arm or supply a Grappler-Type ship in Blue Heaven." "No big deal." T-Ranma then mentally commanded the ship to return to its cruiser configuration. When the arms disappeared into the bow, he turned back to Swanzo. "There, you shouldn't have any trouble outfitting and supplying my ship in its present form. Now about that repair and supply bill..." "Four hundred thousand wong." Swanzo flatly stated. T-Ranma smirked as he mentally commanded his ship's synthesizers to start creating some high-grade Dragonite. This universe's technology was unable to accomplish it, but for Prototype's systems, it was child's play. "Do you take Dragonite?" As the two continued to negotiate, T-Ranma thought back to when they first entered this dimension and wondered how their missing member was doing. It had been an unfortunate turn of events in which they had lost one of their party. ---------- Flashback... "Okay, so where the heck are we now?" Kojiro asked as the ship reappeared in real space. "Hold on a second..." T-Ranma said as he began taking initial sensor sweeps of the area of space they had entered. It was at that time that the sensors began giving off alerts as unidentified blips showed up on the monitors. (*Alert! Alert! Enemy ships detected and closing in on our position in an attack formation! Ship going into red alert status! *) The pirate ships in space had picked up the appearance of T-Ranma's ship while on patrol for prey, just after it had exited the dimensional vortex. Deciding that it was an easy target, the five grappler ships quickly brought out their weapons and sped toward the five Ranmas' position. End of flashback... ---------- T-Ranma sighed as he thought back to what had happened afterwards. Unfortunately, the transporter systems of the ship had taken a hit by some cannon fire during the battle and activated itself. Kojiro had been the one closest to the transporter panel and vanished in a flash of light. T-Ranma's ship took no other damage and easily finished off the five relatively primitive pirate grappler ships. However, the remaining Ranmas found themselves short one member and had no idea as to where their comrade had disappeared to. The transporter had beamed him toward one of the neighboring star systems and fortunately (according to the computer readouts), to one of the inhabited worlds. However, without the correct coordinates, the four remaining Ranmas were forced to search each world one by one. As of now, they had stopped at Blue Heaven to rest and restock supplies. Though through it all, they knew in their hearts that Kojiro was still alive and kicking somewhere. They just had to find him. ---------- Meanwhile, aboard the most technologically advanced ship in the galaxy, (though nowhere near as advanced as T-Ranma's craft), the crew of the Outlaw Star were discussing their plans for earning income. "Come on Gene! We really don't have any choice! We're down to pocket change again!" Jim Hawkings said as he showed Gene Starwind their account balances. The young computer genius of the crew frowned as he pointed to the amount that was in their account. The captain of the Outlaw Star sighed as he drummed his fingers on the conference table. It was a situation in which he was very familiar with. He was still trying to make a name for himself among the ranks of Outlaws, but as always, his luck was against him. He now owed more than two million wong to Fred Luo and the last job he had taken to lessen the debt had turned out badly with very little profit. There were no big bounties to go after and job offers were few and far between for Starwind and Hawkings Enterprises. Behind him, the android and heart of the navigational systems of the Outlaw Star, Melfina, placed a sympathetic hand on Gene's shoulder as she set a cup of hot tea in front of him. Opposite to them was the professional assassin and master swordswoman, (she makes Kuno look like an amateur with a toothpick), Twilight Sazuka. "Don't worry Gene, I'm sure that a job will come up." On a maintenance rail, one of the repair units that comprised of the ship's computer, Gillium II, whizzed by and said, "I certainly hope so. The ship is in need of some repairs and restock of supplies." It was at that moment that Aeisha Clan Clan came into the conference room while waving around a poster. "Hey guys! Look at this! This job is right up our alley! And the payoff is really big too!" "What is it?" Jim asked the Ctarl Ctarl. Aisha placed the poster that she had downloaded from the computer, down on the table and smiled. "Look at this! On Tiberius IV, there's a big bounty for one million wong!" "A million?!" Jim said in disbelief as he grabbed the wanted poster. He then began to read. "It says here that some huge cat beast has been sighted on Tiberius IV and is causing a lot of havoc with the mining company there. The owner of the mining operations is willing to pay one million wong for anyone who can either capture or kill the thing. It also says here that it's been sighted being able to transform into some kind of humanoid." Jim addressed his partner. "Gene, do you think that it might be a metamorph like Aisha?" Gene nodded as he pondered it for a moment. "Could be. We have encountered them before. What do you think Aisha?" "What I think is that this cat beast may be a renegade Ctarl Ctarl. Hee hee! This is my big chance!" Aisha rubbed her palms together eagerly. "What do you mean?" Melfina asked. "Even though I'm not barred from the Ctarl Ctarl Empire any more, I still need to get back in good with my superiors." Aisha replied. "Bringing in a renegade Ctarl Ctarl can help me get back my rank. Of course, having one million wong wouldn't hurt either! Just leave this up to me! I'll bring down that cat beast, no problem!" "Heh. I guess this job would be suited for an animal like you." Gene teased. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING AN ANIMAL?!" Sazuka took a sip of her tea, then shrugged. "Why not? It might prove very interesting." Gene nodded as he turned to Gillium II. "Okay Gillium, set a course for Tiberius IV!" ---------- "So that's where you think Kojiro may be?" B-Ranma asked. "The reports about some huge, long-toothed, black cat roaming about on Tiberius IV does sound like our Felinar friend." T-Ranma replied as he and his other counterparts were heading toward the same system that the Outlaw Star was going to. "It's the best lead that we've got and it is in the general location in which my transporter system had sent him to when it malfunctioned." "Okay guys! Let's go!" Draco said. Prototype nodded as he engaged his ship's main drive and laid in the course. ---------- On Tiberius IV, in a small town outside of the mining facilities... "Kojiro!" A small boy called out as he ran toward the Cat Fist fighter who was currently cutting logs... with his bare hands. The Felinar nodded to the youth as he used his Quick Swipe technique to cut a massive timber into smaller logs with one slash of his ki-powered 'claws.' "Wow!" The boy exclaimed as he saw the huge tree trunk fall apart into several neatly sliced fire logs. "How do you do that?" "Oh, it's all in the wrist." Kojiro replied nonchalantly as he piled up the logs in a stack behind the house he was staying at. It had been a week since he had appeared on this strange world, but the locals of the small town were friendly and the family that had found him gladly gave him a place to stay. Kojiro had been doing some heavy labor to earn his keep, and the peaceful surroundings were a welcomed change from what he had experienced during his travels through dimensions. "Oh by the way, Kojiro, Mom's got lunch ready!" "Thanks, Alex." The other-dimensional Ranma said as he finished up stacking the logs and walked with the six-year-old boy to the front of the house. A few minutes later, Kojiro was wolfing down the delicious meal that Alex's mother had made for them. "Mmmm, now that was great!" The Cat Fist fighter remarked after he had finished off the last of his lunch. "Thank you." Alicia Verinda said as she took the dishes away to be washed. She was a gentle-looking woman with short blonde hair and was about in her mid to late thirties. "It's the least that we can do in return for all that you've done for us, Kojiro. Having you around is like having a dozen hired hands." "Yeah!" Alex piped as he gave Kojiro an idolizing look. "You're really strong and I've never seen anyone do what you can do! Are you sure you're not a Ctarl Ctarl? I've heard that those people are like cats and you cut those logs as if you have claws or something." "No. Like I said before, I know a few techniques in the martial arts that mimics the way a cat cuts with its claws." "Can you teach me how to cut trees with my bare hands and stuff?" Kojiro became a little edgy as he politely turned him down. "Uh, sorry Alex, but the training I had was very hard and I don't think you'd want to try what I went through." "I can handle it!" The little boy said. Kojiro shook his head again. "Sorry squirt, but the Neko Ken is a lot more dangerous than you could ever imagine. It only works for certain kinds of people and if you do it wrong, well... let's just say that you wouldn't like what would happen." "Besides, there's no need for you to learn it, is there?" "Sure there is. If I could do what you can, then those mean men from that mining company wouldn't bother us again! I'd cut them up like you do to those logs and..." "Alex! I won't have you talking like that!" Alicia scolded then bowed apologetically to Kojiro. "Please forgive my son's behavior. I don't want him to get into any trouble with the Galaxy Mining Corporation and..." Kojiro waved it off. "That's okay. Though he does have a point. Have those guys from that company been bothering you again about selling your land rights to them?" Alicia nodded as she continued washing the dishes. "Yes, and this time they've tripled their offer. It's very tempting, but this land has belonged to my family for generations and it happens to be one of the few areas on Tiberius IV fertile enough to farm, along with the surrounding forests. Most of the planet has already been exhausted of its natural resources due to all the Dragonite mines. Galaxy says that a supply of Dragonite is in a huge vein beneath us, but if they mine that out, then this entire area will be destroyed. Once that Dragonite is all tapped out, then Tiberius IV will become a wasteland. Personally I don't care about the Dragonite, since the farm gives us more than enough to survive on. The town needs us as well as the few farms that are still out there." "I see." Alicia nodded. "Galaxy has been trying to buy the other farms as well, but so far, we've all managed to hold out against them. The town needs the farmers for food and to keep the remaining areas alive and well. If the mining corporation strip mines the area, then our town will die once the Dragonite is all tapped out. It's been rumored that the corporation has been trying some strong-arm methods to get the other farmers to sell their lands. But lately, they have been backing off, due to some attacks made by some strange animal." "Animal?" Kojiro asked, though he knew exactly what she was talking about. "According to what witnesses claim, some huge cat has been attacking the facilities at their main headquarters and the company has been too busy trying to track it down to put any pressure on the farmers. I don't know what this is all about, but I am grateful to whatever it is that is keeping those men away from us." "It's a Ctarl Ctarl, I just know it!" Alex said. "A Ctarl Ctarl?" Kojiro asked. Alicia shrugged. "Some of the witnesses say that they saw this giant cat transform into some kind of humanoid person, though no one is totally sure, since the sightings only occur at night." ---------- Kojiro sighed as he finished stocking supplies and the inventory list in the storage building. Ever since he had come to live with Alex and Alicia, he had been secretly been going out at night in his tiger form to run through the forests. Every now and then, he had to go out as a tiger. It was during one of those runs that he had come across some men that were from the mining company, who were secretly planning to force Alex's family into selling their property by blowing up the storage areas. After giving them the scare of their lives and running them off, the Cat Fist fighter soon found himself as self-appointed guardian of the land as it seemed that the Galaxy Mining Company was determined to get a hold of the remaining areas. The goons that the corporation had hired were supposed to sabotage the area and get the other land owners to sell out. However, Kojiro had been waging a private war against the company; secretly attacking facilities and thwarted their attempts to force Alex's family and all the other farmers from their homes. It was the least he could do to repay Alex and his mother for taking him in. However, the CEOs of the company had decided that enough was enough and hired outsiders to take care of their feline adversary. Outsiders who had come in on the Outlaw Star. ---------- "So it's a deal then. We get rid of this wild animal that has been attacking you, and you pay us one million wong in cash." Gene said as he and his crew stood in the main office. The head executive nodded. "Yes, this creature is a menace to our operation here on Tiberius IV. Its attacks have my men so scared that they won't even come to work until it's gone. We're way behind schedule and we need to mine out that Dragonite as soon as possible! Tiberius IV has some of the best high-grade Dragonite we've ever come across and we can't just stop now." He then glanced over to where Aisha was standing and said, "You there! You're a Ctarl Ctarl, right?" Aisha nodded as she stepped forward with pride. "That's right! I'm Aisha Clan Clan of the Ctarl Ctarl Empire!" "Well then, this job should be right up your alley. There have been rumors that this giant cat transforms into a humanoid, so it might be a Ctarl Ctarl, maybe a renegade." "Heh, leave everything to me!" Aisha said confidently. "If it is a Ctarl Ctarl, then he just met his match!" Aisha made a muscle gesture by holding up her arm and flexing her bicep. "And if it's just a giant cat, then it won't stand a chance against a proud warrior of the Ctarl Ctarl Empire" "Whatever." Gene said as he led his group to the door. "Be sure to have that money ready when the job is done, okay?" After Gene and his group left, one of the executive's aides came up to him. "Sir? Do we really have to pay out one million wong to a bunch of bounty hunters to get rid of that big cat?" "It's no big deal. Compared to what we'll get from that high-grade Dragonite that we mine out of those areas, one million wong is nothing but chump change! Why the vein beneath the Verinda property alone is worth a thousand times that amount! Once that giant tiger is out of the way, then we'll be able to force the Verindas and those other farmers to sell out and then there will be no one to stop us!" "But sir...?" The CEO waved it off. "In any case, we've got a couple of other aces in case those bounty hunters fail." He snapped his fingers and a figure suddenly appeared in front of them. She was a woman whose face was half-obscured by a hood. ---------- "So where do we start Gene?" Jim asked as the group headed toward the area where the giant 'tiger' had been sighted. Gene Starwind nodded as he replied. "Well, first of all, we need some information about this giant cat, and the locals here have reported to have seen this monster." He then stopped the rental car as it pulled up in front of the Verinda residence. "Many of the sightings have occurred here in this area, so here's where we'll start." As the group got out of the car and headed toward the front door, Sazuka paused as her eyes caught a glimpse of a very well-built young man toting a heavy piece of equipment over his shoulder. "Sazuka? Is something the matter?" Melfina asked. "No. Nothing is wrong." Sazuka said slowly as she watched Kojiro's movements. "It's that person over there. He moves... too well to be just a hired hand." She turned back to her companion after seeing him disappear into the barn. "What do you mean too well?" "In my line of work, one is able to tell if a person is a fighter or possesses exceptional skills, and that young man over there is extremely skilled. His movements are sure and precise, like a large predator's. Also, didn't you notice what he was carrying? That industrial water purifier must weigh at least two hundred kilos!" "Well, I guess that means that he's very strong and must work out a lot." "No Melfina. He didn't have the correct build for a weight-lifter and he toted that piece of equipment as if he were carrying a feather pillow. His walked as easily as he would have without any burden. I would say that young man is either not human, or is trained in the martial arts." "You can tell all that? Just by looking at him?" Melfina asked. Sazuka nodded. "This may prove to be very interesting indeed." ---------- Kojiro placed down the water purifier and glanced back out to where those strangers had passed by him. He had gotten a strange feeling from all of them, but he got the strongest sensation from that woman in the kimono. He could tell that she was far from ordinary and moved quite gracefully. He also managed to catch a glimpse of wood within her sleeves and guessed that she may be skilled with a bokken. However, unlike Kuno, he sensed that this woman would give him a far greater challenge. He would have to keep an eye out for her and that strange-looking girl with large, catlike ears and whiskers. For some reason, he felt a kind of kinship toward her. ---------- "Wow! You're a Ctarl Ctarl, aren't you?" Alex said excitedly as he and Aisha talked behind the house. Inside, Gene and his group were questioning his mother on the whereabouts of the monster tiger. "That's right." Aisha said with pride as she sat down on a pile of logs. "I'm here to bring down that monster cat that's been attacking the mining company. I believe that he might be a Ctarl Ctarl like me." "Really? That's what I think too. I've never met a Ctarl Ctarl before, but I've read all about them! Is it true that you're stronger than human beings?" 'That's right. Here, watch this!" The young Ctarl Ctarl smirked as she picked up a huge log with one hand and hefted it over her head with one hand. "Cool!" Alex said as he clapped his hands. "You're almost as strong as Kojiro is!" Aisha smiled at the compliment, then frowned a bit. "Almost? Not to be insulting, but no human could ever be as powerful as a Ctarl Ctarl!" "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that." Both turned their heads and saw Kojiro causally leaning against the back of the house. His arms were crossed over his chest as he smiled at the girl who was holding up a timber log that weighed several hundred pounds. "Who are you?" Aisha asked as she tossed the huge timber away. "Kojiro Shinkara." The Neko Ken fighter said as he stood up. "I'm one of the hired hands on this farm." "One of the hired hands?" Alex said incredulously. "You're the ONLY hired hand we've got! But since you're so strong, we don't have to hire anyone else. You're strongest guy that I know!" "Or so he tells me." Aisha said with nonchalance as looked him over. "Alex here says that you're pretty strong." "Oh, I work out a lot." Kojiro shrugged as he walked over to where Aisha had put down the log, dug his fingers into the wood, picked up the log and tossed it into the air. He then leapt up after it and hovered in the air with the log. He then made several quick swipes at it with his arms and legs. His movements were so fast that to the naked eye, they only appeared as blurring flashes. He then landed back down on the ground. The timber in the air exploded into three dozen, perfectly cut fire logs, which landed in neat pile beside the ones he had sliced earlier. Aisha stared in a amazement as Kojiro shrugged. "And I also practice some martial arts." "Indeed." All three looked back to the house to see Sazuka standing at the rear door and applauding lightly. Kojiro nodded at her. Sazuka then approached the group while keeping her gaze on Kojiro. "That was very impressive. As I suspected, you are quite skilled, though I don't recognize your fighting style." The Cat Fist fighter became a bit edgy, but managed to not let it show as he replied to her comment. "Well, let's just say that I use a fighting style that's... not too well known." He then gestured to the wooden sword that she carried in her robes. "And I can tell that you're quite handy with that wooden sword of yours." Sazuka was a bit startled but then gave Kojiro a slight smile as she took out her weapon. "Very good. You are familiar...?" "I've... come across a practitioner of Kendo, though his skills are nowhere near to what I suspect you're capable of." Kojiro's eyes narrowed as he could feel the hidden power and skill within Sazuka. Kuno's pitiful skills were as nothing compared to this woman's. It was at that time that the rest of Gene's group came out to the back yard. Gene waved to the two females. "Come on, you two! We've got a job to do!" Sazuka gave Kojiro a slight bow as she and Aisha followed him to their parked car, leaving Kojiro to wonder about them. ---------- "Ah, he may know a few things, but I could still take him out, no problem!" Aisha remarked as the group rode down the road back to mining facility. "I wouldn't be so sure about that, Aisha." Sazuka said quietly. "What? Are you saying that he could actually beat me?!" The feline female said with indignation. "No mere human could defeat a proud warrior of the Ctarl Ctarl Empire!" "Human he may be, but I suspect that he is far from ordinary. Also, it takes more than brute strength and ferocity to win a battle." "It's worked for me so far. Besides, he's not someone I should be worried about anyway, Suze." "I told you before, don't call me that!" As the two girls continued to bicker, Gene and his partners Jim and Melfina continued to plan. "So what do we do now, Gene?" Jim asked. "Well, since that monster tiger has been attacking the Galaxy Corporation's facilities, it makes sense to wait for it to appear there and set a trap for it." "So we're going to stand guard at Galaxy?" Melfina asked. "You got it." Gene said. "You and Gillium will keep surveillance of the area while the rest of us will patrol the complex." ---------- That night... Gene and his group began patrolling the inner and outer perimeter of the complex as the Outlaw Star kept its sensors active while parked out on the landing bay. They each took a an area of the complex, which would be a likely place where they would encounter the beast. For a long while, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. Then, sometime after midnight, Melfina and Gillium detected the presence of an intruder. ---------- "Gene! Everyone! The sensors have just picked up an intruder that just breached the outer perimeter and is heading toward sector 5!" Melfina said as she was immersed in the control module of the Outlaw Star. ---------- Aisha was the one closest to where the disturbance was as she rushed toward sector 5. She grinned a feral smile as she readied herself for combat. Tiberius IV had a natural moon, which was in its last quarter phase, thereby increasing her beast power substantially. She had also eaten a full meal before going on patrol so she had plenty of calories to burn. She rounded a corner and then heard an explosion. She looked up and saw that a storage facility had been destroyed, as well as some very important power conduits, causing several lighting fixtures to go out, plunging the local area into darkness. However, Aisha wasn't concerned. Along with enhanced hearing, she also possessed extraordinary night vision and a good sense of smell. She could find her prey, no matter how dark it was. The Ctarl Ctarl decided to transform partly as she neared the area of the disturbance. Her body became even more muscular and slight fangs appeared, as well as a tail. Her fingers elongated and became more pointed as she readied her claws. It was at that moment that she caught some movement in the pitch black darkness and prepared to pounce. ---------- Kojiro nodded as he observed his handiwork. A few slashes and an entire storage area was reduced to a flaming wreckage, destroying all the precious Dragonite within. A well-placed Tiger Bolt and a power substation was rendered inoperative. The mining company's schedule was set back at least a month for repairs, and therefore would have to leave Alex's family and the other farmers alone for a while. Kojiro figured that if he continued with his guerilla raids, the Galaxy Corporation would eventually have to pull out. Just as the power substation went up, Kojiro's sixth sense went off as his enhanced hearing and sense of smell picked up something... someone attacking him. "RAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!" A shape leapt at him like a large jungle cat as Kojiro caught a glimpse of some kind of beast woman leaping toward him with claws extended and fangs bared. Then his Neko Ken powers took over as he used that split-second to retaliate. Kojiro ducked under Aisha as she leapt toward him, and then sent a fist into her gut . WHOMP! ---------- Aisha Clan Clan gasped as she felt something hard slam into her belly with the force of a speeding truck. She dropped to the floor while clutching her stomach. She then looked up and saw that the intruder was not the monster cat she had been hoping for, but a human... who happened to smell familiar. Then, the fires of the exploding storage area lit the area and her eyes widened as she saw who it was. "YOU?!" Aisha exclaimed as she staggered to her feet. He was the one who had been attacking the Galaxy Corporation? She growled as she tensed up and faced off against Kojiro. "So you're the one who's been keeping them from mining the Dragonite?" Kojiro said nothing as he went into a battle stance. He mentally chided himself for not transforming into his tiger or hybrid form sooner, as he was now recognized. However, those concerns would have to be put on the back burner as Aisha smiled smugly at him. "Well, you're not exactly what I was expecting, but I'm still going to have to turn you in. A million wong is a million wong after all." "Don't count that money until after you've earned it!" The Neko Ken fighter said as he tensed up and just kept his own tiger's rage from welling to the surface. Aisha gave off a short laugh at her opponent's defiance. "Heh. Sazuka said that you were someone special, but that still doesn't make you a match for a proud warrior of the Ctarl Ctarl. No mere human could stand up to the power of my race and I'm only partially transformed. Even in this form, my beast power is more than enough to tear you to shreds. So why don't you make it easy on yourself and surrender?" "Bring it on!" "As you wish." Aisha then leapt forward and slashed at Kojiro with inhuman speed, but the Neko Ken fighter surprised her with his own agility. He ducked out of the way and then swerved to avoid a follow-up kick. Then he hopped back to get more fighting room, then delivered a hard sidekick. Aisha dodged the blow but was surprised to see the foot leave a deep indentation in the steel wall behind her. "Hmmm, not bad for a human. You're pretty quick too." "I'm just getting started." Kojiro growled. "Heh, well it ends now!" Aisha then sent a fist hurtling toward Kojiro's face, but the blow was suddenly stopped by an open hand, which then gripped her fist in a tight vise. She then sent her other fist at his face, but that too was intercepted by his other hand. Kojiro gritted his teeth as he increased pressure on Aisha's hands. The Ctarl Ctarl girl was strong, really strong! It felt like he was fighting Brittany Diggers and Felicia all over again! He applied more pressure and began forcing her back. Aisha was shocked to find herself being forced back by a human and began calling on more of her beast power to overcome him. Her fangs became more pronounced and her hair started waving in the air. She then began to think about something else. Maybe this person wasn't a Terran, but actually an android or even... a Ctarl Ctarl. The Neko Ken fighter knew that in her present form, Aisha had the advantage of raw power as compared to his enhanced human form. He considered shifting to his hybrid form, but time was short and he had to escape while he could. He had no time for a prolonged battle. Fortunately, Aisha's fighting style relied mostly on brute power and ferocity, so she was unprepared when she applied more force and was put off balance as Kojiro suddenly put her into a Judo throw. She slammed hard into the opposite wall, making a large dent into it. She shook head to clear it, but at that time Kojiro turned to escape. Aisha then pounced at him to try and bring him down, but the Cat Fist martial artist dodged the charge and then turned to slam a knee to her face. He followed through with several fast punches to her gut, then brought his head down on hers. Every attack was thrown with enough force to shatter concrete. Aisha was dazed from the fast delivery of blows and though her reflexes were superhuman, she lacked the overall skills to effectively defend against Kojiro's fast and brutal attacks. She had been trained in basic hand-to-hand combat in the Ctarl Ctarl academy, but her fighting style consisted of wrestling maneuvers, which used her beast strength to her advantage. However, Kojiro was a master of the Neko Ken, a martial art that was created by Sekhmet and Bastet. He had also been trained in the Anything Goes, which allowed him to adapt to any situation. Finally, after facing off against the former kohlinjar of the Felinar, the former son of Genma Saotome had reached a level of power in which few could match. Despite all of her powers and abilities, Aisha Clan Clan was a novice compared to Kojiro. She lacked both the experience and training. Aisha was seeing stars as she was backhanded back toward the wall. Her vision was swimming as she saw her opponent glowing with a blue aura. He then cupped his hands before him. "RAGING TIGER BOLT!" "What the...?!" Aisha was slammed back as the ki projectile exploded against her chest. She was sent flying back and crashed into another wall. She then slumped down as her line of sight began to dim. Just before she blacked out, she caught a glimpse of her opponent as he suddenly changed shape into that of a huge, black, saber-toothed cat and bounded away. "He's... a Ctarl... Ctarl." Aisha then slumped into unconsciousness. ---------- "Gene! Look over there!" Jim said as he pointed toward a rooftop. The others had converged on an area that was close to where Aisha had run toward when the alarm sounded. They all gasped at the sight of Kojiro's tiger form as it let off a roar. "Whoa! It's even bigger than Aisha's transformed state!" Jim gasped as he and the others watched the beast gracefully leap down from its perch and began to dash away. However, the crew of the Outlaw Star could not pursue it as they realized that they had to go look for their comrade and help put out the fire. ---------- Later... "Owie!" Aisha winced as Melfina wrapped a medicated bandage on her forehead. The rest of the group were gathered around her bed in the Outlaw Star. "So that guy you saw at the Verinda farm was really a Ctarl Ctarl?" Jim asked. "He had to be! No human could ever hurt me like that!" Aisha said with anger. "When I see him again I'm going to... ow, ow, ow!" Melfina shook her head as she gently pushed Aisha back onto the bed. "Now, now. You must rest and let your body heal up." "I'll be fine! Just give me a while and I'll be as good as new! And when I get out of bed, I'm going to make that guy pay! He cheated by using some kind of Tao spell on me!" "Tao spell?" Sazuka asked with interest. "He blasted me with some kind of energy from his hands! It must have been a Tao spell 'cause it really stung!" Aisha winced again as another stinging ache was felt in her chest. "Regular weapons don't have much effect on an immortal Ctarl Ctarl, but you guys know that Casters and Tao spells can hurt us pretty badly! "I don't know..." Sazuka said slowly. "He... didn't strike me as knowing any Tao magic." "Well whatever or whoever he is, he's our man and if we expect to collect that million wong, then we have to bring him down." Gene said. ---------- Meanwhile, in orbit around Tiberius IV... "So this is where you think Kojiro is?" B-Ranma asked. T-Ranma nodded. "Yeah, this is the only planet that the transporter could have sent him to. Well, we'd better prepare to make a landing. Who knows what we'll encounter down there." End of part one. To be concluded in part two. Author's notes Well, what do you think of the first part of the first chapter of the side stories of the Great Crossover Crisis? Give me some more suggestions and ideas for future episodes.