this was sent to me, for me to post. send all C&C, petitions to continue,
etc. to Genius_20@hotmail.com.

AVENGERS MANSION, NEW YORK CITY...

 "Well, what's the result of the lab tests?"
 "I don't care what that young man says, the tests prove he's Steve's son."
Dr. Pym replied to Parker's query.
 Peter Parker, otherwise known as the original Spider-Man, looked at the
screen, double-checking Henry's results.  Although he wasn't as advanced in
biochemistry as his colleague, Peter did know enough from his own
experiences to confirm the diagnoses, "Well, I owe Logan a few rounds."
 Henry looked over to his fellow scientist, "I can understand why you
thought he was a clone, but everything proves he isn't.  Fingerprints are
different, Musculature is in better condition than Steve's was, and the
genetics show only about half of Steve's DNA.  Besides, that shield is made
of totally unclassifiable and indestructible material."
 Peter nodded, "Then if we can get him suited up in his pop's uniform,
Captain America will live again."

The Return of Captain America?

>From the series, The Bet, initiated by Gregg Sharp, Metroanime@aol.com
http://metroanime.home.mindspring.com/

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga and Video series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun, Tendo
Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, Shampoo, Mousse, Kuno
Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, are copyright 1987, 1999 by Takahashi Rumiko.

Publishing rights:

Japan:  Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong: Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America: Viz Inc.

Also based upon various Marvel Comics Series, such as Captain America,
Spider-man, The Avengers, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and others.

Steve Rogers, Captain America, Spider-man, Ben Riley, Peter Parker, Mary
Jane Watson-Parker, May Parker, Jarvis, Iron Man, Anthony Stark, Reed
Richards, Mr. Fantastic, The Human Torch, Johnny Storm, Sue Storm Richards,
The Invisible Woman, Benjamin J. Grimm, The Thing, Dr. Henry Pym, The Hulk,
Wolverine, Logan, Wanda, The Scarlet Witch, Gee Power, Alex Power, Mass
Master, Jack Power, Energizer, Katie Power, Lightspeed, Julie Power,
Tattletale, Benjamin Franklin Richards, Kymelia, Lord Whitemane, the
SmartShip Friday, Damage Control, The Avengers, X-Men, The Fantastic Four,
and Power Pack are copyright and trademark 1933, 1999 by Marvel Characters
Inc.

Publishing rights:

Japan:  Marvel Inc. Tokyo
North America: Marvel Comics Inc.

CNN is copyright and trademark 1981, 1999 by The Cable News Network and
Turner Broadcasting.

By Ichinohei Hitomi

 "<Well kid,>" Wolverine said as they travelled through the Mansion, "<I
hope ya like luxury, because this place has it all.>"
 Ranma twisted his head back and forth trying to think about everything, and
not quite understanding how they could say that he had a different father.
He was hoping that all of those tests he went through as well as telling
them about Jusenkyou should put them off, at least for a while.  His life
was already getting much too complicated.
 First those fights with that green skinned creature that was looking for
him.  He couldn't understand why this 'Ryouga' could even be looking for
him, although it did sound like that creature who came out from that other
Jusenkyou pool.  Already, the trouble that the creature caused Nerima in the
three instances that it had shown up could be considered a natural disaster.
Fortunately, the city of Tokyo had a lot of fast action teams to repair the
damage.  Although he couldn't figure out why they would be prepared for
virtually rebuilding the city in a few days.
 However, those fights has led all of these strangely dressed, but somehow
familiar, warriors to Tokyo, and they provided enough of a distraction in
that last battle to allow him to pull out his shield from under his jacket.
The battle was much shorter after that, and the creature disappeared once
more.  However, the shield, and how he had been tossing it around attracted
the attentions of both his fellow students and these 'Avengers'.  Having
Akane's eyes widen at the red, white and blue insignia, Nabiki fainting for
some reason, and Kuno, of all people, stuttering apologies was confusing
enough, but being rushed here, along with Nabiki and Akane, and given very
few explanations, was worse.   "<Wolverine-San, I was just getting used to
how much there was at the Dojo.  This place looks as though the Emperor
should be living here.>"
 Wolverine snorted and lit up a cigar, "<I know whatcha' mean kid.  Being
around fancy digs ain't my cup of tea either, but you take what yer given
and like it.  By the way kid, I'd lay off the Jusenkyou talk.  Ain't no one
but me gonna believe that one, and I'd prefer to fight with ya than see you
put somewhere.  Go with the flow for a while, and chill.  These guys ain't
bad, but they don't know Asia like we do.>"
 Coughing to clear his lungs a bit from the harsh smoke, the young man
replied, "<Wolverine-San, I mean no disrespect to you, but I must tell the
truth when people ask me for it.  And my name happens to be Ranma.>"
 Wolverine turned his head to look at Ranma's face.  He had the same
piercing blue eyes, the blond hair and rugged good looks of his old friend.
He also had the same annoying hang-ups that Steve, who had been an
idealistic fool at times, had.  The smell from the kid was similar enough to
Steve for this kid to be his son, especially since Steve had been given an
anti-aging drug which had been part of the original Super-Soldier Serum.  A
drug that was later fed to Nick Fury.
 The kid had no way of knowing that his body was producing the Super-Soldier
formula, or some of the long term effects.  Well, no reason to scare him
with it.  "<Listen, you're still a kid to me, especially since I'm about
eighty at the moment, and not giving information about stuff is still
telling the truth.  Think of it as a vow of silence.>"
 Ranma sighed to himself as he followed Wolverine on his tour of the
facilities.

***

 Nabiki had seen the shield, seen what Ranma was able to do with it, and had
seen The Avengers of all people deferring to his commands.  That shield was
easily recognizable to anyone in world as a symbol of freedom, and only one
man in the world used it.  Only one man in the world had a RIGHT to use it.
 Captain America.
 One of the few Americans still respected in Japan.
 And she was engaged to him.
 Nabiki still couldn't believe it even though she was now in Avengers
Mansion.
 *How could I have missed it?  He's strong, agile, great at martial arts, a
natural leader, and very intelligent.  Ranma's always been honourable in a
way that died out a long time ago, like a Samurai out of legend.*  Nabiki
thought to herself as she lay down.  The problem was, he was too young to be
the original Captain America of World War Two, so he had to be the grandson
of that man.  "<Why would you try to hide that from the rest of us with talk
of a curse of some kind?  Didn't you think we could have accepted you for
who you were?>"
 There was still too much that Nabiki didn't know about the situation, but
she was willing to learn.  After all, it was her duty to support him as much
as possible, and that meant doing things for him that he would not have time
to do himself.  Like at home, she would have to handle the finances, the
house, and other little things.  Most of all, she had to get him to accept
himself for who he was, the new Captain America.
 All she had to do now was think of a way to do just that.

***

 Akane was working out in one of the exercise facilities that the Avengers
had for training, doing her usual Kata as well as trying to figure out how
she felt for Nabiki's fiancee.  She had been both slightly annoyed and
pleased that Ranma had come to her defense on that first day of school, not
realizing the trouble he would get into with Kuno's vocal ranting.  It was
obvious that he had been an American from the first time they met, but even
she did not realize who he actually was.  To imagine that her sister was
engaged to the son of Captain America.
 It was no wonder that training trip that Ranma's 'father' had taken him on
lasted so long, and in such unusual places.  If anyone had realized that
Ranma was the son of Captain America, then they could have used him against
his real father.  She could also see how uncle Genma's curse could be used
as a hiding place for himself after he received the shield.  What she
couldn't figure out was why he seemed so reluctant to take up his fathers
mantle.
 Then again, he was only sixteen, so he probably considered himself a bit
too young and inexperienced for the job.  Afraid that he was going to do
something wrong and mess up a reputation that probably meant more to him
than he let on.  She could understand that.  After all, she felt the same
way about the Tendo Musabetsu Kakouto Ryu.
 So, how could she help?
 Ranma was her friend, and had proven it several times, not only with Kuno,
but also with that green skinned creature everyone knew as the Hulk.  No
matter what happened, Ranma tried his best not to hurt him, probably not
realizing how much the damage the Hulk could take.  He had been too far from
civilization too much of the time to realize what went on in the world.  The
young man that she knew was so honourable, that he was trying to calm that
creature and help him in anyway that he could.
 Then again, she also felt some pity for the Hulk.  He seemed so lonely, and
that was probably what made him so angry.  Being different was a burden most
people in Japan did not have to bear, but she did, and so did Ranma, which
was probably why they had a unique view of the situation.  Ranma was a
person who was so obviously gaijin, and she was a female Japanese warrior,
not really much different from the Hulk in terms of being isolated.  Except
he was isolated from all of humanity, not just a few people.
 Switching to power punches, Akane pondered what Ranma did know of his
heritage.  Did he even know that he was Captain America's son?  The American
soldier that had gone missing almost two years previously?  Did he know what
sort of symbol that one person stood for?
 And if not, who would he turn to in order to get answers.  It was obvious
that the Avengers wanted not only to find out about Ranma, and get him to
join, but they hadn't even hinted at who he was in the Quinjet.  Were they
waiting for Ranma to magically accept a mantle he probably didn't even know
about?
 Well, whatever happened, Ranma hadn't let her or her family down yet.  If
he needed help, if he needed answers, Akane would be there to help give it
to him.  It was the least she could do to help one of the most honourable
people she knew.  Besides, with enough training, perhaps she could become an
Avenger herself.

***

 "Sir, Wolverine is showing Master Ranma around the mansion, and they seem
to be getting on quite well."  Stated Jarvis, the Avengers butler and most
trusted associate as he served coffee to the two scientists.
 Peter snorted, "Well, Logan is the only one here that is fluent in
Japanese, and both of them seem to take martial arts to the extreme, so they
should get along well."
 As Jarvis poured, he asked, "Sirs, do you think that the young Master is
telling the truth about those Chinese pools?  I mean he was rather
convincing, and he doesn't seem like one to lie to anyone."
 Henry shook his head, "I'm not sure about that Jarvis.  From what we have
been able to gather from Wanda, the Pools of Jusenkyou do not work in that
manner.  The people cursed by them change form by application of hot and
cold water.  The tests that we put Ranma through included that as a
possibility.  What I think is more likely is that the super-soldier serum
which was given to Steve during World War Two, was activated by an uncursed
pool.  His body is producing it the same as Steve's did, but in greater
quantity, probably activating his genetic heritage.  If I'm right, it should
taper off to a maintenance level in a few months to two years."
 Jarvis nodded, "Then may I make a suggestion Sirs, that may allow us to
keep the young Master here for a while."
 "Go ahead, Jarvis.  We haven't come up with any convincing arguments as of
yet."  Peter replied.
 "If Master Ranma is into martial arts, perhaps he should be given the
opportunity to train with all of the Avengers as well as reviewing tapes of
his fathers battles.  It may give him incentive to join, and then if he is
asked to do his duty as a martial artist, he may take up his fathers
mantle."
 Henry grinned, "What do you think Peter?  You'd probably be the best one to
train him."
 Peter groaned, wincing at the thought.  He and Mary Jane already had enough
troubles keeping their adopted daughter from doing the 'Spider-girl' bit.
If she found out about Cap's son being trained to take his father's place,
then there wouldn't be any way to keep her from sneaking off.  He already
had enough headaches from her duplicating his web shooters.  "You like
making trouble for me, don't you?"
 "Hey, don't look at me!  You're the one whose family has the saying, 'With
Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.'"
 As Jarvis left the Room, Peter grimaced, "I'm gonna kill Ben for telling
you that."
 Henry chuckled, "What about it Peter?"
 "I'll do it,"  the young scientist said getting up, "Just let me get my
costume and call Ben and my wife."

FANTASTIC FOUR HEADQUARTERS, FOUR FREEDOM PLAZA...

 Mary Jane looked into the bedroom where her oldest daughter was spending
the day, grounded because she couldn't resist being 'Spider-Girl'.  It was
hard enough having Peter and Ben sharing the responsibilities of being
Spider-Man, always worried whether her family would come home safe, but to
also have her daughter risking her life, without being trained, was too
much.  As usual, Anna Parker was looking over tapes of her fathers fights
and training in the Danger Room.
 She shook her head and went back to the living room, knowing in her heart
that Anna was set on being a super-heroine.  The young girl had gained her
powers when Norman Osborne had the Gathering of Five.  Anna had the powers
of flight, super strength, amazing healing abilities, the ability to stick
to surfaces, and a smart mouth which tended to get her in trouble with her
parents.  Moreso with Mary Jane than with Peter.
 The Parkers, and Ben Riley officially worked as scientists in Reed Richards
labs, developing equipment, devices, and other materials for the public to
use.  As far as anyone outside of a select few in the small superhero
community knew, Peter and Ben were hired because Reed was too busy being a
hero and on other projects.  Everyone knew that Fantastic Four Enterprises
was expensive to run, especially with Reed Richards tendency to build
unusual equipment.
 When Captain America and a few other heroes disappeared, Ben, who had taken
over as Spider-Man, decided to join the Avengers full time.  Soon after, he
revealed his identity to Johnny Storm, and together they managed to move his
family to a place where they could be protected.  The decision turned out to
be a good one because they later learned that Norman Osborne had wanted to
kidnap the Parkers baby.  Of course, by that time it became clear that both
Peter and Ben were scientific geniuses.  Reed had hired them almost
immediately.
 In the aftermath of Ben and Peter's battle with Osborne, Ben had broken his
leg.  With Peter enjoying retirement, Spider-Man was going to be out of
action for a few months.  What neither of them knew about at the time was
Anna.
 She had taken it upon herself to become the new Spider-Man, and after a few
adventures, was brought home by Peter.  When he found out about everything,
he talked with Mary Jane and they decided to adopt the young girl.  There
was only one rule that they placed on her.  No more imitating Spider-Man.
 Anna was happy to be adopted by the Parkers and readily agreed to the rule,
despite the fact that she enjoyed helping others.  So she took the standard
teenager shortcut.  While she was prevented from imitating her father and
uncle, there wasn't any rule about her being Spider-Girl.
 Soon, crooks were finding a small girl, dressed like Spider-Man, taking
them down.  It didn't take long for some super-villain to try and go after
her.  Unfortunately, her father, who had been at the Bugle to talk with some
friends, had seen the television broadcast, especially with Jameson
screaming about another spider-person.  Her uncle had also seen it from the
small cafe near the university.  They both rushed to the scene as
Spider-Man.
 People could swear that Jameson had choked when he saw two Spider-Men, and
a Spider-girl battling the new Doctor Octopus.  It didn't take long for
Doctor Octopus to be subdued.  The reporter on the scene had rushed up to
the three of them when the battle was over, just in time to get a television
scoop.

A few months earlier...

 Both Spider-Men webbed up the unfortunate woman who had chosen to go after
a member of their family.  While Doctor Octopus was hoping to capture the
girl in order to get to Spider-man, the quick appearance of two Spider-Men
had shattered her plans.  She had started to battle to escape, but Peters
temper was still high, and he caught her, ripped apart the mechanical
tentacles, and punched her hard in the face.  She wouldn't be getting up for
some time.
 After the package was complete, both men went over to the young girl who
was fidgeting a little.  Peter hugged her tight.  "Are you OK honey?  She
didn't hurt you did she?"
 "No dad, she didn't hurt me.  As if a third rate villain could do that."
Anna said, her hands crossed in front of her chest.
 Ben heard a gasp and turned to see the CNN reporter and cameraman close by.
She had heard the statement of Spider-Girl.  Great, now he had to cover this
up as best he could.  Then again, he could also get in a few shots at
Jameson.  "Can I help you while my brother and his daughter have a talk?"
 The reporter nodded to him and he took her aside.
 "Do you know how seriously you could have been hurt young lady?  We do
happen to have a rule about you imitating me or your uncle."  Peter said.
 "Dad, I'm not imitating you!  I'm Spider-Girl, and I have powers of my own.
I have to help people whenever I can!"  Said the enraged girl, "I have a
responsibility to make sure that people are not hurt or killed, even if I'm
injured."
 Peter put a hand over his face, "Your mom's going to ground you until
you're twenty, you know that.  Then she's going to kill me.  Oh boy is she
ever going to kill me."
 "Mom's not that bad.  She lets you go out being a super-hero.  I'm sure
she'll understand."
 Peter looked at his daughter, "She won't understand very well.  Dammit,
I've never been this scared in my life!  I don't want you hurt, and here you
are, risking your life.  What do you think your mother is feeling at this
moment?"
 Anna started to make a small circle with her feet, "Well, I guess that I
could use some training."
 "Young lady, you will need a _lot_ of training."

 "Spider-man.  Since there are two of you, and you're brothers, what can you
tell me about your family?"  Debra Chartrand, the reporter said.
 Ben grinned, "Well, despite what Jameson may say, my family is here to
protect people.  We have been given powers, and have to use them to protect
the innocent and prevent injustice.  My brother was the original Spider-Man,
and I took up the mantle myself a little while later.  My niece is just
starting her training now."
 The reporter then asked, "Do you have any children of your own?"
 Ben voice become quiet, "I'm not married.  The woman I loved died some time
ago."
 The reporter grimaced slightly, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring back any bad
memories."
 Spider-Man responded, "It's all right.  If I do get married, I plan on
having children, hopefully a bit better behaved than Spider-Girl."
 She looked over to the young girl speaking to her father, "I take it she
was being disobedient in coming out here after a villain?"
 "I would guess that she's going to be grounded for a long time."
 Debra then asked a question, "Two Spider-men, now a Spider-girl, and there
are some reports that the new Spider-Woman has a child of her own who is
also known as Spider-Girl at times.  Is there any family relationship
between you and the Spider-Women?  I mean, all of you with spider-powers has
to be more than coincidence."
 Spider-Man laughed, a mean spirited idea coming to him.  "I don't think
we're related, but it might be possible.  It depends on how far back you go.
There is an entire planet of spider-people, and a colony was established on
Earth several centuries ago."
 She blinked.  A colony of Spider-people?  "You mean that there are more of
you on Earth?"
 Spider-Man continued, "Well, we sometimes go back to the home city here on
Earth.  It's nice to be somewhere people don't fear you because you protect
them."
 Debra said, "I know that you and your brother aren't really liked by a lot
of the public, but you are pretty mysterious."
 Spider-Man started to walk towards his brother, "So was Captain America."

Present day...

 There was some good that came out of that incident.  Jameson had become
incensed at the possibility of even more spider-people, and continued to
rant even louder.  Unfortunately, he was running into Ted Turner's CNN and
Debra Ann Chartrand, now running a super-hero talk show feature on that
channel.  The first thing that she had done was to lambaste Jameson, telling
everyone that when Spider-Man was a performer, Jameson was quiet, but as
soon as Spider-Man started to save peoples lives, be a hero, Jameson wanted
him off the street.  She started to ask the question, 'What is J. Jonah
Jameson hiding?'
 It had become a battle of wills, and it had to have Ted Turner's approval
since the show was still on the air.
 But for Mary Jane Watson-Parker, it had created more problems.  All the
show did was encourage her daughter, and she did not want Anna off playing
�Spider-Girl� and endangering her life.  She was a strong believer in having
a normal childhood.  Something that she, Peter, and Ben did not have.
 The phone rang, and before she could get it, Anna shouted, �I�ve got it!�
 Mary Jane sighed.  She was going to have to get Anna her own phone,
especially sine she tended to hog it to talk with her friends, something of
a new experience for her.  As a mother, she had forgotten how much a
teenager could talk.
 Anna came out from her room, "It's dad, and he wants to talk with you and
uncle Ben.  He's put it on the secure line."
 "Anna, get back to your room this instant.  You're still grounded."
 Anna pouted, all she wanted to do was live up to her dad's reputation, and
her mother didn't understand that.  How could parents be so uptight about
the family business?  *Mom, why can't you be a little more understanding?
All I want to do is help people.*
 Mary Jane picked up the phone, while buzzing the intercom for Ben's lab.
"Hey there, tiger, what's up?"
 "MJ, something�s come up here.  We've found Cap's son, and he needs to be
trained, so I was thinking of killing two birds with one stone."
 Mary Jane started to rub her forehead when Ben buzzed.  "What's up sis?"
 "Peter's on the line, I'm going to patch you through."
 A few seconds later, Ben asked, "What's up Bro?"
 "Ben, how would you like to start training a new up and coming hero?"
 Ben paused, "It depends, who's the new guy?"
 Peter sighed, "Captain America's son.  He was in Japan and we're hoping
that by training him we could get him to join the team."
 Mary Jane broke in, "If you're going to train him, then why did you want to
talk with me?"
 Peter voice became nervous, "Well, I was hoping that Anna could train as
well, and.."
 "NO, DEFINATELY NOT!!"
 "MJ, listen to reason.  Anna's not going to like that we're training a new
Captain America, and she's going to go out there untrained and get hurt.  If
we train her at the same time, then at least she'll have a chance of coming
home.  Besides, this way she'll have to listen to us and understand that she
can't go out into the field unless we say so."
 Ben remained silent.  There was no way he was going to get involved in one
of these arguments.  His niece was a nice girl, enthusiastic about becoming
a hero, and Mary Jane was the driving force behind her being a 'normal'
teenager.  If the two Parker women ever agreed on anything to do with her
being a hero, it would be a first.
 "No Peter.  I'm not going to let you do this.  It's bad enough that she
constantly disobeys us and has 'Spider-Girl' outfits hidden all over the
place.  I'm not about to let you take away her chance at a normal life."
Mary Jane practically spat out.  "How long do you think it would take for
her to 'go solo' to prove she's good enough?"
 "That's just it kiddo, we _know_ she'll do it sooner or later.  Sooner, if
we leave her by herself.  What I was thinking was that we train her, Ranma,
that's Cap's son, the Power kids from the Kymelian embassy, and young
Franklin.  If she actually sees how much more she has to learn, maybe she
won't take so many risks."
 Mary Jane sighed.  She was going to lose this argument and they all knew
it.  "OK.  She can have the training.  BUT only if you or Ben are there and
that she doesn't take any risks that are unnecessary."
 "ALL RIGHT MOM!!"  Anna's voice suddenly broke in.
 Mary Jane stood still, and then said, "ANNA PARKER, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON
THIS LINE!"
 "Uh...I...Oh boy..."
 Mrs. Parker hung up and went to her daughters room.
 "Pete?"
 "Yeah, Ben." came a resigned voice.
 "Spider-girl and I will be there as soon as we can."
 They both hung up to the sound of Mary Jane Watson-Parker scolding her
daughter once again and threatening to extend her grounding until she was
thirty.

THE KYMELIAN EMBASSY, EMBASSY ROW, NEW YORK...

 Alex Power, the assistant Kymelian ambassador to Earth was in his office,
bored out of his skull.  When his grandfather, Lord Whitemane, approached
him and talked him into accepting this position, he had thought that he was
moving up in the world.  Unfortunately, he was learning that politics was
not really something that he was truly interested in.  He much preferred
being both a scientist and a super hero to spending the day talking to
various people from several groups and governments who wanted to get a hold
of the vast technologies that the Kymelian people had.
 He also hated all the paperwork it generated, even though everything was
almost automatically transcribed and recorded into the computers.
 Still, the job was an important one.  New Kymelia was known to the galaxy
as home to intergalactic peacemakers.  Kymelia was always looking for
solutions to preventing wars, both locally, and in the Galactic sense, and
his family held the unique position of being citizens of two planets.  The
Council of Kymelia had unanimously decided that Alex should use that to
start bringing peace to Earth.
 What he didn't know was that he was also being trained to eventually take
his place as head of the Kymelian people sometime in the future as the
Whitemane family were the only ones allowed to know the 'total annihilation
formula'.  Being one of Whitey's 'children', he was unknowingly the heir to
that vast empire, and Kymelia saw great potential in the young power
children.  Already, they were heroes of several worlds, including the Snark
Empire, New Kymelia, and Earth.
 At this point, although they could not reverse the process of 'hiding' the
fact of their powers from their parents, grandfather Whitemane had come up
with an elegant solution.  In a public ceremony, the power children were
'granted' the abilities of their Kymelian heritage and gained abilities that
were common among the Kymelian people.  Because of that, both of the Powers
had come to accept that their children now had 'super powers' granted to
them because of their upholding what was right.
 All Kymelia had agreed never to inform the parents of the truth.  Not only
was it a matter of honour for the Kymelian people for causing the
unfortunate mind blocks, they owed the Power family more than could ever be
expressed in mere words.  They owed their lives to these four children known
as Power Pack.
 The intercom buzzed and his secretary, a young Kymelian woman who tended to
pamper him too much, said, "Sir, there is a call for you from the Avengers.
Shall I patch it through?"
 "Yes, Thanks Miss Th'lel."
 His phone then buzzed and he picked it up.  "Assistant Ambassador Power.
How may I help you?"
 "Hey kid.  How're things going?"  Said the gravely voice on the other end
of the phone.
 Gee grinned, "About the usual, Wolverine.  Bored.  What's up, anything I or
Power Pack can help you with?"
 "Naw, nothing much.  I was just wondering if you and your sibs would like
to come out to the mansion and train for a little while, get those muscles
of yours moving and prevent you from getting fat."  Logan's voice grinned in
reply.
 Gee Power laughed, "Sure, I'd love to.  I'll see if I can get the others
right away, especially since Katie, Franklin, and Friday have gone to the
beach with Mr. and Mrs. Richards.  It may take a little while."
 Logan answered with a laugh of his own, "Meet us at the mansion in an hour
Alex.  And tell Katie that I've got some of her favourite cookies."
 "OK, I'll do that."  Hanging up the phone, Alex went to the outer office,
"Miss Th'lel, I'll be heading over to Avengers mansion this afternoon.  Is
there anything that I need to take care of before I leave?"
 His secretary immediately replied, "Yes sir.  The representatives from
Damage Control will be here in about ten minutes to discuss what they can do
for us if any of our buildings are damaged, as well as the possibility of a
technology trade or transfer."
 Alex frowned, "You know, it's not a bad idea, but I have no idea what
technologies that they have which our people could use.  What do you
suggest?"
 Cynthia Th'lel frowned prettily, "I don't see what they have that would be
useful to us either, but you're right.  'Trading' some technology would be a
good idea.  I would suggest that there would be documents to prevent the
technologies from leaving that company without our permission.  This world
is still experimenting with Molecular Electronics, isn't it?"
 "I don't think many people outside of the Fantastic Four have the ability
to manufacture molecular components."  the Assistant Ambassador said,
"Earth's technology is not very advanced overall.  Look, we both know that
I'm not really cut out for a lot of this job, so would you please join me in
this meeting?"
 Cynthia blinked, not believing what Alex Power just said.  He was a hero, a
person who saved the lives of people on many planets, in fact stopped the
destruction of at least two worlds.  He was a member of the Whitemane
family, the most respected family on Kymelia, and one known to go to any
lengths to help others.  And he was saying that he wasn't qualified for the
government?  *No way.  I know that you can do the job very well.  Anyone who
is as much a hero as you are can do anything.*
 She nodded her ascent, and a smiling Alex led her back into his office to
await the arrival of the Damage Control people.  As they went in, she
noticed once again how handsome and super cute he was.  If it needed to be
said, Cynthia was in love with Alex, and since they were the same age, she
was determined to become his girlfriend.

**

 "<Well kid, you ready to meet the other youngsters?>"  Wolverine asked
Ranma as they went towards the combat simulation room.
 Ranma nodded, "<I am, although I'm not really pleased with the reasons that
they want to keep me here.  I'm not this 'Captain America', and neither am I
his son.  They could have just said that they wanted me to join.>"
 Wolverine started to laugh, amazed at the naivet� of the young man next to
him.  He had been right in telling Ranma the real reason that the Avengers
wanted to offer him some training.  The kid deserved to know what he was in
for and why, unlike those scientist up in Canada who had made him into a
living weapon.  Even Mac had not known his true background, and he had his
doubts about how much control Mac and the others in Alpha Flight really had.
Finding out that Mac's dream, department 'H', was really being run by
unscrupulous people had put a definite crimp in how he felt for his country.
"<Ranma, these people are nervous and pining a lot of hope on the
possibility that you'll join up.  They need a symbol of some kind, something
to make them want to fight better, and a person with moral courage that is
far above the ordinary.  They think it's you kid.>"
 Ranma goggled at Wolverine, not believing what he was hearing.  "<I'm just
an ordinary guy.  Yeah, I'm honourable, and I do happen to fight very well,
but they're asking for someone I'm not.  Besides, they want me to put on the
uniform of a country that still doesn't treat my people well.>"
 Logan looked at Ranma, "<Kid, use the uniform, and use it to change how the
country acts towards others.  Steve, the guy who wore the uniform, always
fought for everyone�s freedom and rights.  From fighting the Nazi's, to
helping build homes, that's what he was about.  I doubt that he would have
ever been willing to fight Japan if he knew how things were over there.
Kid, Steve was so honourable that even in Japan they considered him a true
hero.  He used the uniform to promote freedom and understanding, and to
prevent injustice and racism.  One person can make a difference if they are
willing to take the chance.>"
 Ranma looked back and saw the seriousness of what Logan was taking about.
"<I'll think about it.  I ain't promising nuthing, but I'll think about
it.>"
 They came up to door, and Wolverine said, "Remember to speak English in
here.  Think ya know enough of the language?"
 Ranma answered, "Enough to get by, I seem to be able to pick it up easily."
 Logan pressed his access code and they went in.  Around the room were
people in various types of costumes and uniforms.  Two men in red, black,
and blue suits with a spider on the chest and a young girl in a similar
costume were the most prominent.  It was the others that suprized him.  The
youngest one there couldn't have been older than six or seven.  There
uniforms were similar, all one piece, black side stripes, 'space boots' and
jackets with small symbols that matched the larger symbols on their chest.
 "Ranma, I'd like you to meet everyone.  First the members of Power Pack.
Alex Power or Gee, Assistant Ambassador of Kymelia, Julie Power or
Lightspeed, Jack Power or Mass Master, Katie Power or Energizer, and
Franklin Richards otherwise known as Tattletale."  Logan began to introduce
everyone, "Over there, are the two Spider-Men.  You can tell the difference
between them by the colour of the spider on the chest.  The one with the
black spider is the original spider-man, the one with the blue emblem is his
brother.  The girl in front of them is Spider-Girl, the first one's
daughter."
 "How do you do everyone, I'm pleased to meet all of you."  Ranma said while
bowing.
 The first Spider-man walked up to Ranma, "Ready for a little training
exercise?"
 Ranma grinned, "Let's go for it."
 Spider-man turned towards the youngsters.  "OK, everyone here has there own
individual styles based largely upon your powers and what you've learned in
the past.  Since Ranma does not have any powers, he will be the baseline for
the rest of us.  To start, my brother, Wolverine, and I going to spar with
each of you, and we're going to see how well you do.  From there, we will
begin to develop styles and techniques that would be best suited to each of
you.  I hope you're prepared for a long session, because this is going to
take a few hours.  First up, Gee Power, you're with my brother, Spider-Girl,
you're with Wolverine, and Ranma, you're with me."

***

 Spider-man cornered Ranma outside of the Simulation room, "You're pretty
good Ranma, I had trouble following half of those moves, and you were able
to bring me down in a short period of time.  What style of combat do you
use?"
 Ranma chuckled, "I use the Saotome Musabetsu Kakouto Ryu.  It's a style
that tends to incorporate everything that I learn, much like your own
style."
 Spider-man chuckled himself.  "What I know about fighting, I learned the
hard way.  A lot of it is natural instinct for me, not something I really
trained in.  I've gotten better over the years, but I'm not up to your level
of fighting."
 Ranma grinned, "Not a lot of people are.  At least among those without your
abilities.  I think I'm gonna have to add a whole new system to what I
already know to compensate."
 *He's already better than a hell of a lot of people and he thinks he needs
to add a new system to compensate for people with powers?*  Peter raised an
eyebrow under his mask, "I think we can help with that, if you're willing to
let us."
 Ranma nodded, "I'll think about it.  Let me just go to my room to shower
and I'll meet you later."
 Spider-man nodded and let him go.
 When Ranma got back to his room, he found a visitor waiting for him.
 "<Hi Nabiki, Are you enjoying yourself?>"  Ranma asked, thinking himself an
idiot for forgetting about her with everything that was happening.  "<We can
always leave for home anytime you want.>"
 Nabiki looked at Ranma's face, taking a long look at his eyes, his
features, and the strength that lay hidden beneath it.  Despite all that he
had gone through, he was still so innocent.  "<Ranma, I think it's time the
two of us discuss what�s going on, and why they had you come here.>"
 The young man wiped the blond hair out of his eyes, "<I know Nabiki.  They
want me to become someone named Captain America.  A person I've never even
heard about until today.  They want me to become a symbol of a country I
don't belong to, and from what I read in the papers at home, a country that
treats ours as if we're less than them.  I don't think I could do that.>"
 Nabiki nodded, slowly stroking the face of her fiancee, "<Perhaps the
Americans need a symbol more than you think.  Our country has had symbols
for a long time.  The divinity of the Emperor, the way of Bushido, the
strength of the Samurai, and an understanding of determination.  It didn't
matter who was right or wrong, who won or lost a battle, what mattered was
that they followed their codes to the end, bringing honour to themselves and
their family.  Captain America is such a person for the Americans.  His
ideals are close to what our people have wanted for centuries, despite what
fools like Kuno would say.  He was more than a hero, more than a symbol.  By
example, he was able to change how people thought about others.  First
against the Nazi's, then in the sixties and seventies by going against
racism.  You can carry out that tradition, bring honour to the name, and
demonstrate that everyone should be treated with respect, no matter what
country they have come from, or who they were before.>"
 She led him to the table where a book she had removed from the library was
sitting.  "<This book shows what he did, what he stood for.  He first
appeared in World War Two, a person with a different uniform than any of the
other commissioned soldiers, and whose identity was top secret during and
after the war.  At first, most of his missions were in America, stopping,
and hopefully capturing, saboteurs.  Later, after America officially entered
the war, he was sent in with the regular troops, using that shield like you
did the other day, protecting them, being on the front lines, and battling
the Nazi's that the regular troops couldn't handle.  During one mission, he
was thought to have died, but he reappeared not long after still fighting
and still leading the troops.>"
 She continued to flip pages, going through the history of Captain America.
"<There were several times when the Captain would disappear, would vanish,
and people would assume that he had retired.  The thing was, he never
retired, and kept coming back again and again.  He fought for freedom, saved
the entire planet, and he did so because it was what was right.>"
 As Nabiki came towards the end of the book, she pointed out one passage.
"<Ranma, the American government confirmed that the Captain America who
disappeared two years ago was the same Captain America from World War Two.
The same person, who fought for freedom for over fifty years.  You are being
asked to take up an honourable role, an honourable position.  If he wasn't
your father, it wouldn�t matter.  To them, the people here, you are a symbol
of hope, a symbol of what's right.  A symbol of the strength of conviction.
Captain America provides the same symbol to the Americans as the Samurai
provide to us.  He fought for everyone, no matter what country they were in,
no matter who they were.  Would you do differently?>"
 Nabiki moved away from the desk where Ranma was now looking at the cover of
the book which held a picture of the shield he now carried.  Getting a box
that she had asked Jarvis for earlier, she opened the lid and placed it on
the bed, and then placed Ranma's shield next to it.  "<Ranma, please think
about what I said.  No matter what you may personally think, everyone sees
you as a symbol, not only of America, but of what may be right in the world.
This box contains Captain America's uniform, you already own the shield.
You must do what your heart tells you to do.>"
 Nabiki said as she left the room, "<I'll be waiting with Akane and perhaps
a few others in the parlour.>"
 Ranma just looked at the book, at the shield, and the uniform on the bed
for a long time, lost in thought.

***

 Everyone was waiting in the parlour for Ranma's decision.  Each anxious,
and lost in their own thoughts.  The gathered Avengers were hoping for Ranma
to join, but unsure about what this young man would bring, Akane was
indecisive, wanting Ranma to chose what was correct, but not to endanger
Nabiki.
 Spider-Girl was hoping that Ranma would accept, especially since he was an
amazing fighter.  If only for a few seconds, he seemed to duplicate her
ability of being able to stick onto a surface.  How much more could she
learn from him?  *You better join, I've never seen anyone impress dad like
that.*
 Alex was thinking to himself about who this young man was, and what secrets
might be contained within his body.  He was a superbly trained fighter,
someone who would be an equal match for a champion team from Kymelia, and
yet he had no powers of his own.  All of his abilities were in the field of
Martial Arts, and the only ones who were really able to keep up with him
were both Spider-Men and Wolverine.
 Thor was hoping that this boy would live up to his fathers legend, and Iron
Man was wondering over how to keep things quiet since protecting the boy's
family would have to be made a priority.
 Of all of them, Nabiki was the most nervous, and yet, in her heart, she was
hoping that Ranma WOULD accept the mantle of the late Captain America.  She
had not lied about any of it.  America did need a symbol.  Ranma was
probably the only one who could fill that symbol, and more.  He could be a
symbol for the entire world.  It was too important for her to be selfish.
Besides, with the salary that being one of the Avengers gave, as well as the
travel perks, her fiancee would be an idiot to give all that up.  And
perhaps she could concentrate on being an ordinary person for a change.  One
that did not have to scam every cent she could in order for her family to
survive.
 At that point the door from the corridor opened and the figure that stood
there spoke in accented English, "Ladies and Gentlemen..."


NOTE:  Although Captain America appeared during the World War Two, and is
the 'oldest' hero according to Marvel Comic history, the oldest name, which
appeared in 1933, is The Human Torch.  During that same year, several other
hero/villains were introduced, including Toro, and Prince Namor, the
Sub-Mariner.  American 'golden age' comics were replete with such people,
especially since all of the early heroes were based upon 'pulp fiction'
novels.  No one was really ever a hero, or a villain, each having a touch of
both in them.  An example is The Bat-man, who, people could say, was based
upon a series of pulp fiction novels called 'The Bat'.  In them, The Bat's
origin is almost identical to the origin of Bat-man, even to using virtually
the same words.  Although today, most people think Bat-man came first, the
copyright on 'The Bat' is dated about three months earlier.

By the way;

Toro, and Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner are copyright and trademark 1933,
1999 Marvel Characters Inc.

The Bat-Man is copyright 1936, 1999 by DC Comics, and Time-Warner
Entertainment.

The Bat is copyright 1936, 1999 by an unknown individual and company.  If I
find the modern copyright notice, I update this.  Someone bought the rights
a few years ago in anticipation of doing a new series, but nothing has come
out of it yet.

Hitomi

Ichinohei Hitomi
"The beginnings of wisdom is the ability to always ask questions."