A/N - Thanks to the reviewers, because of you I decided to keep going with this story as well as A Lost Heart. If anyone is curious I am going to try and keep Nabiki as IC as I can while still allowing her to have fun while out of Nerima. I realize this is a long shot and I could possibly take her completely OOC without realizing it.

For those that play City of Heroes, I’m trying to refrain from using anyone’s character. That said you should know how hard it is to come up with a completely original character in a game like CoH, so please, if you play and I peg your character by accident (meaning not only name but powers as well) lemme know and if you want it taken out or not. For the most part I’ll be using friends and my own characters as I have their blessing (with enthusiasm, who knew people loved reading how other’s depict how their character should act).

Disclaimer in Chapter 1 still applies.

Chapter 2

Enrollment

Lights blinked, gears whirred, and machines beeped. Ranma had never in her entire life been surrounded by so much technology. Nabiki had never even dreamed about how much money this must’ve cost. Together, they looked like children in a candy store. Positron smirked slightly, with most of the machines having been built by his own hands it was flattering to see such appreciation.

The terminal in front of him beeped several times and buzzed, Positron rubbed his chin in thought before pressing a series of buttons on a panel which made the petri dish that sat on the panel above the terminal vanish. Turning to the pair he cleared his throat.

“Well. I have... news.” He noticed the slightly defeated look on Ranma’s face.

“Nothing right?” Ranma turned away from both Positron and Nabiki and started to walk out of the room. The only thing that stopped her from continuing was Nabiki’s hand on her shoulder.

“He said he had ‘news.’ Not bad news, not good news, just... news. Maybe we should hear him out huh?” Nabiki flashed the red head a small smile, one that she hadn’t seen before. Maybe it was true that she was going to be enjoying herself this trip.

Ranma had to wonder just how many more surprises from Nabiki she would be getting. She could almost imagine the “Ice Queen” frolicking amongst a field of flowers but banished that thought, it was almost scary. Ranma turned her head back to Positron and nodded for him to continue.

“Well, you know that the curse in nature is magical. The good news is that science in itself is magical; of course that’s really taking it to the extreme but still the same principal. It turns out that your curse changes your DNA structure at the chromosomal level, specifically the chromosome designating sex.”

Positron moved to the panel he was just at and pressed another button, a holographic view screen popped up with an animated diagram showing a sequence of what he was talking about. “However, analysis shows that the change is no longer aquatic based. Therefore we need not only a sample of the spring in which you fell but also the object that, for a lack of better wording, locked you in this changed state. Also a better understanding of this curse would be helpful so I had the sample taken from you sent to Azuria in Atlas Park. She’s one of the best there is in magic’s of all forms.”

Ranma looked hopeful again, “So there might be a way to reverse or even cure me?”

“I never said that. Though there is always hope. I’ll send a message to our Asian faction to see if they can’t get a sample of the water and this locking ladle you mentioned. There’s also something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

Nabiki smirked, it was always like this. First the offer to help, then the terms of the agreement. “So what’s the price?” Her Ice Queen persona firmly in place could do wonders for any business arrangement, even getting herself more then was originally bargained for. And she supposed that even super heroes were only human, or once were at any rate.

“Huh,” Positron looked just a little confused, that is until he realized she was asking how much money all this was going to cost. “Oh nothing like that. It’s just... well you see, there’s this arch-villain named Lord Recluse. He rules over what’s now known as the “Rogue Isles” and we think he’s planning something. Statesman’s sent out hero after hero to try and find out what he’s up to but so far the only lead we have is Dr. Aeon, the Rogue Isles resident evil genius. We think he’s cooking something up to help Recluse take over Paragon City and wipe out all the heroes.

“That’s not to mention the fact that the Rikti are back in full force as well. And with most of the other heroes either not powerful enough to even stand a chance against Recluse and his forces, or helping out in what’s known as Recluses Victory, we’re left a little short handed. We’ve heard about your exploits Ranma, and we’d like your help as well.

“We could train you in more advanced techniques as well as Ms. Tendo also. With your skills I’m sure it wouldn’t take long at all before States deems it ok to send you into the Rogue Isles. If you don’t want to I’ll understand...”

“I’ll do it!”

Nabiki giggled, “Always up for any challenge eh Saotome?”

Positron caught her attention, “And what about you Ms. Tendo?”

“Huh? I’m no fighter.” Nabiki shook her head slowly, “I’d only get in Ranma’s way. Besides, I don’t have any powers.”

Positron shrugged, “There’s plenty of heroes out there who are what we consider to be of a natural origin, meaning that they rely on their own inner strength. There’s also science to help you and technology. We have a simulator I could run you through if you want.”

Nabiki shook her head, “No, like I said, I’d only get in Ranma’s way.”

“Suit yourself.” Positron turned his attention back to Ranma, “You’ll need to register at the city hall in Atlas Park. Follow me.” He moved over to a circular pad laying on the floor which had three columns supporting a very large cylinder about 15 feet above there heads. In the center of the pad was a terminal which showed a map of Atlas Park, “You’ll be teleported here. You’ll want to follow in a south east direction to here.” Positron traced an imaginary line following several roads and back ally’s to what looked like a very large white square in the center of Atlas Park.

“Once there you can register as a super hero. I would say register under Natural Scrapper, Martial Arts, and Super Reflexes.”

Ranma nodded and before she could say anything, Positron mashed a button on the panel sending them on their way. “I’m sure you’ll be much more help to Ranma then you think Nabiki Tendo, you’ve already got power over the mind.” He smiled before heading back to Steel Canyon to resume his post.

Atlas Park, City Hall, 1:55pm

An aged woman stared across the desk at a red head and a brunette who were currently discussing the name the red head would take while fighting crime. The red head who, if she remember correctly, called herself Ran something-or-other. It was days like this she wished they were still allowed to drink and smoke at work.

Ranma for her part didn’t want, nor felt she needed, to go by any name other then the one given her at birth. Nabiki however, was relentless even though they’d gone through 10 names already. Nabiki had a sudden stroke of what she considered genius, turning to the lady and startling her out of her reminiscing of good old days she asked, “What about Wild Flower?”

Ranma paled, “What are you talking about? That’s not funny Nabiki.”

Nabiki smiled and pointed down at Ranma’s chest, “You’re female Ranma.”

Not one to let an opportunity slip by, the registrar quickly typed in the name and gave a relieved sigh, “Not taken.” Finally now maybe I can go take a small break.

Ranma sighed and slumped down in her chair, “I’d rather go by my real name.”

Nabiki nodded to the woman who typed all the information into the computer. A card popped out of a slot and a smaller device dropped into a tray of the same machine. Handing the card and device over to Ranma she explained each one, “This card is your Security ID, it allows you to access certain areas according to your security level. As you do more and more for the city your security level will go up allowing you access to more areas. This device is multi-purpose and goes into your ear. It actively scans your brain activity and the immediate are. If you’re knocked unconscious and there’s no healer around you will be transported to the nearest hospital. It also works as a beacon to help your team find you.

“If you head over to D.A.T.A. the boys there can set you up with an all purpose communicator. It will allow you to communicate with other heroes over long distances and even many in one area.” She pulled a book out of a drawer and handed it to Ranma, “These are a list of guidelines all heroes must follow, break any of them and you risk expulsion from the ranks of super heroes no matter where you go. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s break time.”

Ranma and Nabiki made their way out the front door only to be greeted by the back side of someone huge and dressed all in red.

Ranma shuddered, “Oi, do you have to stand in the doorway like that. Weirdo.”

This someone huge turned his head and smiled before turning completely around and bending at the waist to come eye to eye with Ranma. “Huh, something wrong with my rear?” Baka chuckled deeply. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten me.”

Ranma paled (seemed like she would be doing that a lot in this city) and shook her head, “No, and after that sight I don’t think I’ll be forgetting you for a while. Think it might be due to the nightmares.”

Baka smirk before laughing and patting her on the back, which admittedly felt more like a battering ram with the size difference. “I like you, uh... what’s your name again?”

Nabiki spoke up this time, mainly because it seemed Ranma had the wind knocked out of her, “She goes by Wild Flower. And I’m Nabiki Tendo.”

Baka smiled fully, “Well my names Bakalakadaka, though most people just call me Baka. Something to do with my name being so long. Or something like that anyway. Say, you guys are new arncha?”

Nabiki nodded and spoke as she moved Ranma over to a wall to sit down and catch her breath, “Yeah. More like I’m here to enjoy the sights and Ran... er, Wild Flower joined up to help fight someone named Recluse.”

“Heh.”

Nabiki turned and gave Baka a questioning look.

Baka mostly ignored the look and knelt down next to Ranma, “So you’re Ranma eh? I’m not exactly as dumb as I act. Ranma Saotome right? The girl who doesn’t need protecting, takes care of herself every single day. Don’t look so shocked, Crystal’s right that I’m not as slow witted as I make myself out to be. It just makes it easier being that I’m a tank... literally. I run into a group of baddies, keep their attention focused on me, let my team beat on them while they’re beating on me and keep chuggin’ to the next group. No thoughts needed for a job like that. Not to mention the both of ya caught Uiri’s eye back in steel.”

Nabiki shook her head, “So how much for you and Crystal to keep her name a secret?”

A new voice joined the trio, “A million influence.”

Nabiki whirled around, “A mill... what?”

Baka was the one to shake his head this time.

Artica Crystal laughed, “Influence is the heroes cash. How about instead,” she knelt down in front of Ranma and put a finger under the red heads chin, “you join our super group and we call it even?” Artica smiled warmly as Ranma nodded, still not quite sure what she was getting herself into.

“Good, now that that’s settled, Xavier should be returning any minute and I expect him to give me the full details of what happened or so help him I’ll knock him off a higher building.”

Nabiki, Ranma, and Baka all watched as Artica stormed off towards the blue cylindrical portal with a mixture of a slight amount of fear and pity for the one called Xavier.

Ok, so it doesn’t seem like a whole lot happened in this chapter but a lot of it will come into play later on in the story. As always I love the reviews and critiques and before anyone mentions it I’m sorry this chapter seems so short but that was a very good place to end.

As I said before I use my friends, my gf’s, and my own characters (known as toons) from City of Heroes. This comment goes back to a PvP duel my gf and myself had in a free for all PvP zone known as Siren’s Call. My toon named Xavier Rennfield was frozen by my gf’s toon Artica Crystal and then knocked off the platform which just so happened to be one of the tallest buildings in Siren’s Call. It took more then half my health away and was very funny to watch, I only wish I had recorded it.