Badasses Of the Multiverse: Book 1: The Martial Artist, The Space Cop, The Superhero, The Magical Girl, The Wrestler, And The Fool for Love.

Chapter Five: “Never the same.”

By Paul Cousins.

Copyright Disclaimer: All copyrighted places, characters, items, and events, within the story, are held by their current owners. No profit is being made on this work of fiction.

(_)

Night had fallen over the alien city, on the planet, Oriotera.

It has been an hour since the group had gotten to the bar, that Birdy told them about. Akira's five person group were sitting in a cushioned booth, at a table. Where they were waiting for Birdy and Hanna to show up.

There were not that many people in the bar, but there was enough, various aliens, in the bar, for the room to not feel empty.

Some alien rock music with a catchy tune was playing in the background, with some aliens dancing on the dance floor.

The table that Akira, Ranma, Futaba, Guy, and Natsuru, were sitting at, was a semicircle booth, with cushioned couch that ran along the semicircle of the crescent shaped table. The couch was across the room from the bar, with sets of seats and tables lining the walls. There was also a walk way between the back of the couch, and the wall behind it.

Akira sat on one end, with Natsuru by him, as a guy. Next was Guy. Then Futaba. With Ranma, as a man, seated on the other end of the couch. Of those that could gender bender, at the moment, Ranma and Natsuru were male. With Futaba and Guy still stick a female, due to various reasons, for the time being.

While, when the group first entered the bar, there was a minor issue of allow a child, Guy, to stay in the room. But, the alien bartender relented, when he was informed that they were waiting for a federation office to meet them there, and they were not planning to spend the evening there. Nor, were they going to allow Guy to consume alcohol, nor any mind altering substances.

They had already ordered, and received drinks from the alien dog waitress. Guy, Natsuru, and Futaba were given some sort of fruit tasting soda that they were informed had no alcohol, nor other mind altering drugs. Akira and Ranma each had a bottle of alien beer, that both of them found to be quite tasty.

Their conversation, over the last hour, have been lighthearted, and about the places they had been to that day. The locations included parks, shops, and even the various museums that the group had been too.

Though, their patient in waiting for Birdy and Hanna to arrive, as started to wane.

Natsuru inquired, “Is it just me, or do this place seem like an upscale bar straight out of Star Wars?”

Futaba said, “The thought had occurred to me.”

Akira replied, “I completely agree.”

Ranma commented, “I haven't seen those movies.”

Guy stated, with impatience lacing her voice, “I could care less. I just want Birdy and Hanna to show up, so I can work on being turned back into a boy.”

Ranma said, in a comforting tone of voice, “Don't worry. I have been stuck as a girl, for a few times, in my life. So, relax. It is just going to take us time to figure out how to change you back.

Guy whined, “Easy for you to say.”

Akira commented, “Yea. Ranma is right. There is no point in worrying about something you cannot control.”

Ranma offered, “Besides. Even if Birdy comes up with no solution, I have half a dozen contacts back on Earth, that could help you. All of whom would be more than happy to find a solution to your problem.”

Guy forced herself to calm down, as she replied, “Thank you, Ranma.”

Ranma said, “You're welcome, Guy. Still, I am starting to wonder about Birdy, and Hanna, myself.”

Akira stated, “I don't know why Birdy is late. But, I have a feeling we should not hold our breath waiting for Hanna.”

Ranma said, “No worries. Even without Hanna. I am sure, Birdy will get us back home, eventually.”

Futaba turned to Ranma, as she requested, “That is still no reason for us to just sit here all night. Ranma, do you want to have a dance?”

Ranma smiled at Futaba, as he answered, “Sure. That sounds like fun.”

The two of them slipped off the couch, and they started to make their way to dance floor, to dance together.

After they left the table, Akira looked over at Guy, as thought, 'I think we need to talk to Guy, a little bit more. But, I also think it is best to let the others have their fun.' He asked, “How are you doing there, kiddo?”

Guy took a drink of her soda. She then set her glass down, and turned to Akira. She answered, “About good as can be expected. I just want to be a boy again.”

Natsuru said, in a reassuring tone of voice, “Don't worry. As Ranma just pointed out. We will find a way to change you back as soon as possible. Maybe, that is why Birdy is late.”

Akira just nodded once in agreement with Natsuru.

The young girl smiled at the two men. Guy replied, “Thanks guys.”

Natsuru turned to Akira, as he commented, “You have calmed down some quite a bit since we took you from your dorm room.”

Akira sipped his beer. He then set his glass down. He stated, “Well, after few days with you guys, I realize you were not going to hurt, nor kill, me. And I have found you all to be interesting company to have. So, I calmed down some.”

Natsuru smiled, while taking a drink from his soda. He gently set his glass down, onto the table, as he replied, “I am glad to hear that.”

They then, sat quietly, listening to the music, while they watched Futaba and Ranma begin to dance, on the dance floor

There was were only a few alien couples on the dance floor, and as they began to dance, to the rhythm of the alien rock music, both realized that the other was fairly go a dancing.

Ranma and Futaba danced for around the next ten minutes. They then headed to the bar counter of the bar to talk some, in private. Without the rest of the group hearing them.

When they reach the bar counter, Futaba asked, “So, what did you see while visiting those museums? Anything that it would be best for immature ears not to hear.”

Ranma answered, “No. I pretty much told you all the interesting things at those places. And the few things I learned there. Also, on other matter. I had some time to think, while I was by myself. And I was wondering. Do you want to make a bet over for some cash? Say, five dollars, U.S. cash.”

Futaba inquired, “What is the bet?”

Ranma told her.

Futaba replied, “Sure. I will take that bet. I was beginning to wonder that myself.”

Ranma commented, “One would have to be blind, not to see the clues.”

(_)

Back at the table Akira, Guy, and Natsuru were sitting at, Guy had begin complaining about her life. With Akira and Natsuru letting the younger girl vent, because it would make her feel better.

Guy stated, “Listen, from what you all have told me, even if I get changed back into a boy, it is going to be temporary. And most likely I will be swapping back and forth between genders for the rest of my life.”

Natsuru said, “I totally understand. I have been where you are at. It will get better for you, Just as it did for me and the others. And in few years, you may come to appreciate some of the... Benefits to being a girl, in more private situations, can bring.”

Guy let out a breath. She then responded, “You don't understand. It is not just that. I am just saying if my family learns about this, I will never hear the end of it. While I am not that worried about my parents, whom don't even know I am Shezow. Nor, am I worried about my best friend, who does know about me being Shezow. It is fraternal twin sister, and a crazy computer artificial intelligence, that I am worried about. Those two know I am Shezow. And I am sure that they would both prefer I live a girl as much as possible, in the hopes that it helps me be better at being Shezow.”

Akira stated, “That is like a bad situation.”

Guy said, “It gets worse. Because of my ring and powers, I have to follow an insane number of rules, or bad things will happen to me. Losing my powers, temporally is actually one of the more minor things of those bad things. I have not read all the rules, but I am sure a lot of them would prevent me from having fun while being a girl.”

Akira took pity one Guy. He said, in a sympathetic tone of voice, “Geez. I didn't realize things were that horrible for you.”

Natsuru commented, “And here I thought I had it bad when I received my bracelet.”

Suddenly, several alien cops, in federation uniforms, entered the bar, from the double-doors. In response, the Akira, Natsuru, and Guy, moved out of the booth, and stood up. Everyone in the room had stopped what they were doing, and turned their attention to the newcomers.

The cops were male, female, or they lacked secondary sexual characteristics, thus making it to hard to tell. The cops ranged in ages and species from human like Alterans, dog people, lizards, and a few frog people. All of them seemed to be wearing some sort of riot gear, over their uniforms. And they were armed with sci-fi pistols.

The one exception was a dark skinned Alteran woman, whom wore similar outfit as Birdy in her federation uniform, with a dark blue cloak, with gold trimming on it. She stood behind the other federation officers.

The dark skinned Alteran woman, in the federation uniform, looked over at Akira, Natsuru, and Guy at the table, then over at Ranma and Futaba at the bar. She stated, “I am Pontiff Nechla Geeze of the Divine Council. We have recently received a report about you... Humans. And you are under arrest for planetary invasion.”

Ranma responded, “Say, what?”

Guy asked, “Lady, are you sure you got the right people?”

Akira thought, 'Just our rotten luck. Someone called the cops, and told lies about us. I doubt it was Birdy. She would just have arrested us. It had to be Hanna. No one else, that knows we are on this planet, would care to do so.'

'I am going to have a word with that woman the first chance I get. Still, someone needs to defuse the situation right now. Before thing get worse. And though I have found out the rest of the group have turned out to be very nice people, they can also literally turn into insane, hyper-violent women, at the drop of a hat. The type of girls woman prefer to shoot first, and not worry about questions later.'

'I am so happy that I have seen the Black Lagoon series all the way through. Because, due to watching the anime, and reading that manga, I have a general idea of how to handle such women.'

'Still, someone has to stop this situation from exploding. And I guess that someone is me.'

Akira stated, in the most diplomatic tone of voice that he could muster, “Hello Poniff Geeze. Federation Officer Birdy Cephon said she took care of getting permission for us to be on this plan. She also said that we were fine, as long as we did not cause any trouble. Which, we have done our best to avoid.”

Nechla commented, in a smug tone of voice, “The paperwork was never filed. So, you all fall under the crime of invading the planet.”

Akira thought, 'I loath bureaucrats. I can still probably talk our way out of trouble.'

Akira responded, “I can assure you that we are not invading your planet. Truth be told, we were kidnapped, brought here, and we are making arrangements to return to our home planet. So please, I am sure we all want to resolve this as peacefully as possible. To that extent, we are suppose to meet with Officer Cephon here. Any minute. And I do not see any problem with all of us just simply waiting for her to show up. So, when she arrives, she can help sort out this mess.”

Nechla laughed, for a few seconds. As she calmed down, she said, “You are putting your faith in Birdy the Berserker. That is a laugh.”

Akira thought, 'I will ask Birdy how she got that nickname, later. I was hoping that dropping Birdy's name would help defuse the situation. I think I just made things worse.'

Nechla stated, “Besides, we already know that you are guilty of harboring, and aiding a Union citizen.”

Akira asked, “What union citizen?”

Nechla pointed out Futaba, with her right hand, as she accused, “Her.” She then dropped her right hand back to her side.

Futaba asked, in a confused tone of voice, “Me?”

Nechla stated, “Yes, you. Your species is one of the major species of the Union. Our enemies.”

Futaba responded, “I was born, and raised on Earth. My people believe we are an evolutionary offshoot of humanity. And given we can have children with normal humans, I am going to have to disagree with you.' She thought, 'Though, if that was the case. It would explain a lot about my people.'

Nechla said, under her breath, “Deviants. To breed with such primitives.”

The humans in the bar took notice of Nechla's insult towards them. But, none of them verbally replied, because they did not want to make the situation worse, for anyone.

Akira thought, 'This line of conversation is only going to start a fight.' He stated, “Okay. She may be related to the your enemies. I honestly get that. Still, maybe we can come to an arrangement. I doubt any of us would object to being deported back to Earth. To elaborate on my previous comment. We were kidnapped from there by some crazy, time traveling chick. And we have just been along for the ride, in the hopes of getting a ship to take us back to Earth.”

Nechla commented, “If there is any deporting to be done, it will be miss green being sent back to the Union, for our political gain. Meanwhile, the rest of you go to a prison planet, for the rest of your lives.”

Ranma immediately took a step close to Futaba, for the green haired woman's protection.

Akira defended his friend, as he said, “Didn't you hear, Futaba? She was born and raised on Earth. She doesn't know a thing about the Union. If you let us go to Earth. We can prove this with birth certificates and school records. Not to mention, testimony from her friends and relatives.”

Nechla commented, “You are one to talk, since you are in legal limbo.”

Akira inquired, “What do you mean?”

Nechla answered, “Before coming in. We did a thorough scan of all of you. We know you are all unarmed.”

Akira thought, 'That is what you think.'

Nechla continued, “And you are the more interesting of everyone here.”

Akira thought, 'While this is not good. I have to know why she thinks I am so interesting.' He asked, “How could I be interesting?”

Nechla stated, “You all have some interesting bio-energy readings. Including, with you having undergone some brain augmentation.”

Akira said, “That was only done to save my life. And the procedure nearly killed me.”

Nechla smirked, as she mentioned, “And it does not end there for you. Scans also show that you are purely human. You have both Alteran and Shimeru genes within you. And that is why you are considered in legal limbo. As such, we are not sure what to do with you.”

Akira thought, 'I need to play this cool. To keep things from getting out of hand.' He responded, with indifference. “That is news to me. But, as this point. I really don't care if I am slightly part alien. I am human enough for myself, and my family.” He mentally added, 'But, it does explain a lot.'

Nechla pointed out, “So, you don't deny it.”

Akira replied, in an annoyed tone of voice, “I haven't even time to confirm it from a neutral third party. As I suggested before. Let us wait for Officer Cephon.”

Nechla flatly demanded, in an even tone of voice, “No. We deal with this now. If you surrender peacefully, we won't kill you, foreigners.”

It was then, when Akira had other things on his mind, that it came on suddenly. At the worst possible moment, with him off guard, he finally sneezed, for the first time in two years, “Achoo!”

Suddenly everyone watched as Akira turned into a woman. With her previous short black hair turning into long blond hair that ran her back to her shoulder blades. And she looked exactly like Hanna, except instead of being in her late-twenties to early thirties, Akira's female form appeared to be in her late-teens to early twenties.

Akira's sudden gender change took everyone by surprise.

Akira looked over at her companions. She could see that not only were they surprised, but they were not happy with her keeping her little secret from them.

(_)

A few seconds later, at the bar counter, after seeing Akira change into a girl, Ranma turned to Futaba, with his hand out. He quietly said, “See, I told you she is one of us. Now, pay up.”

Futaba pulls a U.S. five dollar bill from her, from her pocket, and she gave it to Ranma.

Futaba whispered, “What tipped you off?”

Ranma pocketed the cash, as she quietly responded, “Four things. First, he knows a lot about gender bending. Someone does not look into something like that, in such detail, unless they have something to gain by doing so. Second, was his freak out at meeting Hanna. I have been in similar situations. Third, was the cousin story. I have personally pulled a variation of that, before. Forth, was the refusing to sneeze. No one forces their self not sneeze, at all, without a very good reason.”

“As I said, before. As I was walking through the museums here, I got to thinking about it, and all the clues fitted into place. With sneezing be the trigger for the change. The only reason I did not confront Akira sooner, was that I wanted to see how long Akira could keep up with this charade. And to make a quick buck.”

Futaba softly stated, “You are incorrigible.”

Ranma grinned, as he whispered, “Thank you.”

(_)

Nechla took Akira's transformation, in the middle of their conversation as insult, to her authority, and to the Federation. She yelled, “Kill them all!”

(_)

Natsuru swiftly grabbed Akira, and dragged her the back of the booth they had been sitting in.

On the floor between the back of the booth, and the wall, Akira laid on her back, while Natsuru was still on top of her.

They were facing each other, with their noses centimeters from each other.

Natsuru inquired, with a tone of feeling betrayed, lacing his voice, “Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell me?”

Akira replied, in the same voice as Hanna's voice, “Fight now. Talk later.”

Natsuru sternly responded, “And we will talk about this later.” He then changed into a women. But, she kept her normal clothes on.

Natsuru then stood up, and she started using her hands to throw fire balls at the feet of the cops nearest to them. She did this to force them back, without harming them. While, making the cops think twice about attacking them.

(_)

Meanwhile, Ranma use his bracers to swiftly deflect all shots coming toward him and Futaba.

Futaba asked, “How can you do that?”

Ranma kept facing the cops, as he continued to deflect their shots. He said, “I was told these bracers were magically indestructible. I guess we are about to find out. I got the idea from reading an American comic about an amazon that could do the same thing like this. And I decided I could do it better. And the bracers also allow me to temporally lock my body in girl form, with just thinking about doing so. This allows me to can take a hot water bath as a woman. Unfortunately, the bracers won't lock me in my boy form.”

Futaba replied, “That figures.”

Ranma casually said, “Yea, I know.” Ranma then fired a blast of ki at the cops. With the energy black knocking a handful of them onto their backs.

(_)

As the shooting started, Guy swiftly used her magical ring to turn into Shezow. She noticed that the magic of her ring made size adjustments to her taller body, as a girl. So her costume still fitted her perfectly. The ring also gave her the same feminine style of black hair, as before her gender change.

Guy saw that Nechla was about to join in on the battle.

Guy thought, 'Since the woman is wearing basically the same type of uniform as Birdy. I willing to guess she is just as dangerous as her. I need to take her out of the picture, before she takes us down.'

Before Nechla realized what was happening, Guy used her superspeed and superstrength to charge at her and knock her through the ceiling, into the night sky, and into LAPO, low alien planet orbit.

Guy looked at her fist, as she mentally realized, 'Wow. I am twice as fast and strong as I was before. As a girl, I must be in more sync with my ring's powers.'

The space cops by her, saw what she did. One of the officers charged her. The alien man, in riot gear, quickly pushed Guy into a nearby wall, with Guy's back hitting the wall.

The impact on the wall, forced a water pipe to burst, from within the wall, soaking all of them.

Guy mentally screamed, 'Oh no! My hair! I lose my powers when my hair gets wet!'

It was then she saw on the cops throw a punch at her face.

She instinctively caught the cop's fist with ease. She then punched him, in the gut, with the blow sending the alien man across the room.

Guy squealed, with glee, “Cool! I no longer have the hair weakness!”

She cracked her knuckles, as her lips curled into a wicked grin. She said, “Now, let's have some fun.” She then charged at the cops still standing.

(_)

Meanwhile, Akira was huddled behind the couch. He had already changed back to a guy. And he was quietly seething at the situation that his life has become.

Meanwhile, Natsuru was standing beside where Akira was huddle. With Natsuru's concern completely on the battle.

Akira muttered, with anger in his tone of voice, “I am so tired of everyone walking all over me.”

Suddenly, one of his companions must tossed two of the space cops over the chairs beside him.

Natsuru paid to two cops no mind.

On the other hand, Akira looked at both the cops. He saw that they were both knocked out. Though, each of them had their raygun holstered in a side holster, on the right side of their waists.

Akira sat up, and crawled over to the cops. He then carefully pulled up their rayguns. As he held the guns, by their grips, with one in each hand, he was careful to not touch the triggers, as he pointed the barrels of the weapons away from everyone.

Akira continued to look at the weapons, when out of the corner of his eye, he notice an alien dog women was cowering nearby him. She was on the opposite side of him, in relation to Natsuru.

Akira turned to the dog women, as he calmly said, “Miss. I could use your help.”

Akira then saw the woman look over at him. Akira held up the pistols, as he asked, “Is there a stun setting for these weapons?”

The woman quickly used her right hand to point out where the sittings switch on the rayguns. She commented, in a fearful tone of voice, “They are already both set on stun.”

The dog woman then went back to hiding.

Akira looked back at the pistols in his hand, as he thought, 'Nechla ordered the cops to kill us. But, maybe these cops here are not so crazy about taking orders from that bitch.'

Akira turned to the dog woman, as he politely said, “Thank you.” He thought, 'Now, to find out what is going on.

Suddenly, from Akira's vantage point, which his back to the booth, he saw a swat team of space cops coming in from a nearby back exit, to his right side. The cops were trying to flank his group.

Akira immediately jumped up, while dual wielding the space pistols. And he shot every one of the cops coming through that door. With all the cops collapsing into unconscious.

Akira then turned around. And, in a matter of a few seconds, he quickly took out the rest of the cops his companions were fighting.

With all the cops on the ground, unconscious, everyone, including Akira's group, looked back Akira. Most of them had shocked expressions on their faces.

Guy stated, with astonishment in her tone of voice, “The loser can kick butt.”

Akira walked around the booth, and towards them, with Natsuru following close behind him.

Ranma complimented, “I may not care for using weapons. But, even I will say that is some skilled shooting. Like a gunslinger, from out of an old western movie.”

After Akira and Natsuru cleared the booth, Akira spun both pistols by their trigger guards.

Futaba inquired, “Where did you learn to shot like that?”

When he reached Ranma, Futaba, and Guy, he skillfully stopped the spinning pistols in his hands with ease. He then walked passed them, while looking towards the front doors.

Akira did not care what current gender his companions were, as he directly stated, without looking back at them, “Atlanta. Now, ladies. It is time to leave.”

They realized that while they were up at his secret, but he was pissed off at something. So, they just followed behind him.

One of the officers at the front, was still barely conscious. The cop lifted his head, and turned his head slightly to face them. He said, “We will sent for more reinforcements. You will not get away.” He then dropped his head, as he passed out.

Akira lips curled into a wicked grin, as he responded, “Good. Because I really feel like shooting some more people.”

(_)

At that moment, Birdy and Tsutomu were at the Federation Headquarters, in the records section.

After getting the bad news from Doctor Dohlay, on their balanced fusion, Birdy and Tsutomu has spent much of afternoon, walking down the streets, where Birdy and her friends used to play as children. As they got to know each other better, than they already were. They also mentally talked about their plans, their options, and what they wanted to do with the time they had left, before they would mentally lose themselves to each other.

Though, they had promised to help there friends, so they eventually returned to Federation Headquarters, and starting looking for information in the records department.

Birdy was in charge of their body, at the moment, as they looked through the records, by using floating viewing screens. They both paged through records on the windows, while running search engines, to see if they could get any information hits on what they were looking for.

While they did this, they continued their mental conversation.

Tsutomu mentally stated, “To be honest. I loved the time we spent today just talking, and making plans.”

Birdy mentally replied, “No argument there, love.”

Tsutomu mentally said, 'Unfortunately, we lost track of time, and speaking to much of the afternoon getting to know each other more, and emotionally bonding. And forgot our promise to Natsuru and Guy.'

Birdy mentally answered, 'Very true. That is why were are here now, and not at the bar. I hope they don't mind us being later'

Tsutomu mentally pointed out, 'With the information we already found. I think they will be thanking us.'

Birdy mentally responded, 'I agree. Also, I looked forward to some of more interesting plans.'

Tsutomu mentally said, 'Yes. We will do that later. After we see if we can find more information, on what we are looking into.'

Birdy continue scrolling through the information, on the screens, as she mentally commented, 'And we are getting a lot of information.'

Birdy had already found all the information she wanted on Kampfers. And she was currently searching for information on Guy's magic ring.

Birdy mentally said, 'Tsutomu?'

Tsutomu mentally asked, 'Yes, love?'

Birdy mentally responded, 'When we finish this case, I am leaving the Federation police force. And we are moving back to Earth, permanently. With the mind fusion, my career as a Federation Officer is done. Doctor Dohlay said so, himself. And I really don't want to go back to being an idol singer. I really don't know what I want to do.'

Tsutomu mentally replied, 'That makes two of us.'

Birdy sadly thought, 'But, the one thing I want to do is to visit your family. We need to tell them about us. And I will apologize to them, for dragging you into this. And maybe. Maybe they will forgive me for what I have done to their son.'

Tsutomu mentally comforted her, 'I am sure they will. I have already forgive you, a long time ago.'

Just then, their communicator beeped.

It was an open broadcast, to all Federation Officers, using encrypted Federation channels. The person, on the other end stated of the line, stated, “Calling all Federation Officers in the near the spire. Converge on downtown. We have five aliens on a rampage.”

Birdy mentally asked, 'You don't think?'

Tsutomu mentally commented, 'Who else could it possibly be?'

They immediately rushed out of the records section, in the hopes of stopping a tragedy from happening.

(_)

In the down section of the city, the battle had spilled onto the streets, as more and more officers were called in.

Akira took cover between to parked hover cars, as he fired with pinpoint accuracy, at the police. He had already knocked out dozens of the cops with his shots.

Akira mentally reflected, 'I hope this stun works for while. We don't want them getting up to soon. And I hope what ever ammo these things use doesn't run out.'

Akira then took stock of the battlefield.

Ranma took point, as he charge at the alien cops, to take them on a point blank range. He used his agility, speed, and strength to great advantage. He also fire several ki blast, and create tornadoes that sent dozens of cops, at a time, into the air, and away from the battlefield.

Akira thought, 'So, those are the tornadoes reported in those tournament fights. Yet, the cops just keep multiplying. And some of the alien animal cops have already tried to use their apparent superspeed, heightened reflexes, and strength against Ranma. Only they found out, to their surprise, that they are slower and weaker than Ranma is.'

Akira looked over at Guy, in her Shezow costume, as he thought, 'Guy. I mean Shezow, is alternating roles depending on what we need. She is using her superspeed and superstrength, when Ranma needs it. Yet, she falls back, when the heat gets too much, and she uses her energy gun to knock out the cops.'

Akira then looked over Natsuru, whom was beside him. She was facing the opposite direction from him, as she dealt with the cops that were continually trying to flank them.

Akira thought, 'Natsuru is providing cover fire to our flank, with her fireballs. And she is doing a remarkable job of it.'

Akira saw Futaba by Natsuru, as he mentally added, 'And Futaba is stick by the two of us, behind cover, to provide hand to hand combat, for any of the alien cops that get to close to us.'

(_)

Meanwhile, Futaba was by Natsuru.

Natsuru whispered to Futaba, “Damn. Akira is a skilled shooter. We should have gotten that man a pair of pistols when we first met him.”

Futaba nodded once, as she quietly replied, “No arguments from me.”

(_)

Suddenly, from the corner of his eyes, above him, Akira noticed someone coming almost straight down on top of him.

The person landed a few feet between him, and Natsuru, and Futaba.

Akira swiftly pointed his pistols at the person. But, a second later, he saw it was Hanna in her steel-blue armor and visor helmet.

Hanna's long blond hair had been tucked into the blue helmet.

Akira lowered his weapons, as he mentally wondered, 'How does she put that much hair in such a small space? I will figure it out later. And it is best I don't tip her off, that I am only to her.'

Hanna turned to Akira, as she asked, “Miss me?”

Akira inquired, “What are you doing here?”

Hanna replied, “You are needed elsewhere.”

Akira gave her a stern look.

Hanna commented, “Hey. I am a time traveler. I know these things.”

Natsuru heard the whole conversation. She continued to look around her, as she stated, “If she thinks it is important, than go with her. If need be, I can provide cover, in both directions, without you.”

Akira shrugged, as he conceded, “Alright. But, be careful, Natsuru, and Futaba.”

Natsuru smiled, as she replied, “I will.” She then went back to throw fireballs at the cops.

Futaba commented, “You too.”

Hanna used her right hand to pointed in a direction that lead to a nearby alleyway. She said, “We can get around these Federation dogs, this way.” She then dropped her right hand, as she quickly ran into the alleyway.

Akira swiftly followed her out of the battlefield.

(_)

Ten minutes later, Hanna had lead Akira down a walkway, as they entered an empty, though will lit, outdoor park.

Akira looked around, as he thought, 'This park is much like the one we went to, by the bay, this morning. And with the lamp lights around us, the area is illuminated enough to see into the distance. There is no one else here. So, I guess whatever Hanna has planned. She wants to do it in private. Fortunately, I still have my pistols on me.'

Hanna then stopped walking, with Akira stopping right behind her.

Hanna turned around to face Akira. She then stated, “Now, we are alone. And we can chat some.”

Akira thought, 'So, you just wanted to talk in private. Figures. I on the other hand, want some payback.'

Akira tightened his grips on his pistols, as he thought, 'These pistols are still on stun. I will knock her out. Disarm her. Tie her up. And then get some answers.'

Akira then took aim at Hanna, with his pistols, as he accused, “Hanna, we know you did it!” He then fired at Hanna.

Hanna jumped back, away from Akira. While in the air, she pulled both her rayguns, from their side holsters. And she then took aim, and she fired once with each pistol. She then landed about ten feet from Akira.

Each shot hit one of Akira's hands, forcing him to drop his guns to the ground.

Akira hands stung, but were otherwise okay,

Hanna kept her pistols trained on Akira, as she quickly walked over, and kicked Akira's guns away from him. She then backing away from Akira.

Hanna commented, in a casual tone of voice, “Nice try. And don't worry about your hands. they will be fine, in a little while. But, please don't try that again, or I would have to really hurt you. You lack the training, and skills, to take me down.”

Akira conceded, “No argument there. Well, we might as well both admit what we already know. That I am in a, Luke, I am future you, as a woman, situation.”

Hanna giggled a little. She then replied, “You do not know the half of it.”

Hanna holstered her left pistol, while keeping her right pistol trained on him. Next, she used her left hand to remove her blue helmet.

While her blond hair fell down her back, to her shoulder blades, she tucked her helmet under the left side of her torso, with her left arm.

Akira stared at Hanna's very familiar face. With they both knew so well.

A few seconds later, Akira thought, 'I might as well get this ball rolling.' He requested, “Care to tell me why you are doing all this?”

Hanna stated, “This is all about revenge. Plain and simple.”

Akira asked, “And where do I fit into this revenge plan?”

Hanna said, “I planned to frame you. Though, I now realize that is not going to work. Though, ever since the convention fight, I had to keep altering my plans to keep up with my achieving goals.”

Akira pointed out, “From what I read on the internet, that is the way these gambits work. Still, aren't you worried that if something happens to me, you would cease to exist?”

Hanna stated, “I have found that time travel does not work that way. We are on an offshoot of my timeline. So, if something does happen to you. I will be pretty much fine.”

Akira said, “Screw you.” Though, in the heat of the moment, Akira failed to understand the implications of his statement.

Hanna stated, “I do not believe in screwing myself. As tempting as it is.”

Akira groaned, as he realized what he had said. He conceded, “Okay. I admit that was bad wording on my part. Speaking of which. I cannot believe you would screw over, me, your past self, so horribly.”

Hanna commented, in a sad tone of voice, “I have learned that I can live with doing a lot of things.”

Akira said, “Still, your whole plan hinged on me not letting anyone know about our little trick too early. Such as back in your ship. It would have been interesting if I sneezed in front the others, during any part of that voyage.”

Hanna stated, “I wasn't too worried. I had contingency plans, for that very situation. Beside, I know us well enough that when we make promises, we keep them.”

Akira inquired, “And the others? You were clearly the one that contacted Pontiff Geeze.”

Hanna stated, “Yes. I was the one that called the federation police on you. I needed a distraction, and those guys. Or, should I say gals? Have a long history of getting people's attention. And the federation dogs are so focused on you guys, that they did not even notice me hacking into their computers to turn off their security system. With me then teleporting all that wonderful technology and weapons they keep under lock and key, to my space freighter. Right now, my freighter is already in orbit waiting for me to board it. And its cargo hulls are literally with loot that I have just taken.”

Akira commented, “You are acting like a James Bond villain.”

Hanna let out a laugh. She then said, with a bit of wildness in her tone of voice, “Come on. Admit it. We always wanted to play out a fantasy as a James Bond villain. So, I decided, while getting my revenge, that I would do just that. With a bit of science fiction thrown in for the hell of it.”

Akira admitted, “That is true. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out where you came up with the alias, Hanna Solas. That name is clearly a play on the name, Han Solo.”

Hanna commented, “Of course. I remember that time that Yurika say that she was a fan of a man named Harrison. And the next day, we mistakenly thought it was a good idea to dress like Han Solo, from Star Wars. That was very embarrassing experience for both us. After we did that. Except for school. It took weeks for us to work up the nerve show our male face to our friends.”

Akira winced his face, for a few seconds, as he remembered that event. He replied, “Along with the costume, we should have not brought that Millennium Falcon toy with us, to the Rock Stock Cafe.”

Hanna agreed, “No. We shouldn't have.”

Akira said, “Still, I mentally blocked that incident out of my mind. Until you just reminded me of it.”

Hanna coyly responded, “I did too. Until I faced worse.”

Akira pointed out, “Well, so far all I know is that you stole a bunch of stuff from the Federation, as part of your revenge. You didn't even say what your revenge is about. Nor, who it is again. You need to elaborate some.”

Hanna responded, “Oh hell, why not? I know better than to tell anyone of my plans. But, at this point in my life, I just don't care. And I really do feel that I need to gloat to someone about this. So, why not my past self?”

“They say that living well is the best revenge. And that is what I am aiming for, while destroying those whom harmed me. Namely the governments of the Earth. They hurt us badly in the future. So, I am going to sale this Federation technology and weapons to the governments of the Earth. With them paying in valuable materials from Earth, which I will turn around and sell off to alien businesses. In the process I will become a very wealthy woman. I then will retire comfortably on a nice alien world. Meanwhile, the Earth's nations will eventually blow each other up with the weapons and technology I sold to them.”

Akira commented, “Simple. And workable. And your space freighter is big enough, and fast enough, to pull off that kind of heist. Though, from a time travel standpoint, they technically haven't hurt us, just yet.”

Hanna pointed out, “But, they would, if given the opportunity. And that is justification enough for me.”

Akira asked, “What about the rest of the Earth's population?”

Hanna answered, with scorn in her tone of voice, “Considering none of the Earth's population lifted a finger to try to stop what that bureaucrats did to us. They can burn, as well.”

Akira inquired, with worry in his voice, “But, what about our family?”

Hanna admitted, “I haven't decided yet. Maybe I will take them with me. Though, I do hope Natsuru is not too harmed, nor killed, due this mess.”

Akira pointed out, “If something does happen to him, or the others, it will be your fault.”

Hanna responded, “You really do not have a clue to how important Natsuru is to the both of us. Well, since we both know we are basically the same person, I will tell you how important Natsuru is to us. Until the fight at the convention, we lead virtually identical lives. So, I ask you. Where do you see yourself in twenty years? I already know the answer. And the answer would probably surprise you.”

Akira stated, in an honest manner, “I see myself doing a nine to five job, in a position somewhere in the electronics industry. Maybe, if I am really lucky, I will get married to a nice woman, and have a family.”

Hanna explained, “Here is what would have really happened. I met Natsuru the same way you did. At the hotel restaurant. During the first night of the convention. But, for my timeline, there was no robotic battle. I was the one who staged that little farce.”

“Anyway, Natsuru did move to Atlantic, to attend Georgia Tech, where he would have studied programing and software. We had so much in common with each other, besides the gender shifting, that we became good friends. The best of friends. Natsuru even decided to use an alias as a girl. And she started dating us while she was female. Natsuru can really flirt with style, when he or she wants to do so. I would not be surprised if Natsuru has not already started flirting with you.”

Akira began, “He hasn't been flirting with....” Then, Akira remembered all the times Natsuru took his side. Natsuru comforting him with kind words. The gentle teasing. Natsuru dealing a few cared from the bottom of the deck, during the time they played poker with Futaba and Ranma. And how Akira won that hand.

Akira blurted out, “Oh lord. He has been flirting with me.”

Hanna just laughed for a few seconds. As she calmed down, she had a smile on her face. She stated, “Trust me. Go with it. You will not find a better person for yourself in the galaxy. I know. I have already looked. Anyway, at the time, we did not even know Natsuru and the woman we were dating were the same person.”

“When I think about it now, it was kind of obvious the two of them were the same person. The hair, the face, and the bracelet were dead giveaways. And unlike what Yurika did to us. I wasn't too upset when I found out they were both the same person. Given some of the stuff we pulled in the past, I found the entire situation rather karmic for us. And to be honest, Yurika throwing us out of her life was the best thing to ever happen to us. It forced us to take a good hard look at our life. And for us to finally grow up.”

Akira admitted, “Yea. You got that right.”

Hanna giggled for a few seconds. She went onto say, “And here is the kicker. Natsuru, as a woman, was the one to initiate the romance with us. Natsuru was interested in us. Not the other way around. And at the time, it wasn't like we had a lot of options. Any friendly port in the storm, as it were.”

“And after I found out the truth about Natsuru's gender bending, I showed him our little secret. That little bit of information took our relationship to a whole new level. I lost my virginity to her as a man. And he then took my virginity as a woman. And in doing so, we had become intimate lovers. To the point we both felt that we completed each other. After that, we eventually did it in almost every way imaginable.”

“You are really missing out on a lot, on both ends of that issue.”

Akira deadpanned, “Don't remind me.”

Hanna's smiled, as she responded, “Still, given this Natsuru is already flirting with you. I would guess that he would be open to a relationship with you. And she is going to live as long as we are, while being just as healthy and youthful. That is if you both survive the rest of the night.”

Akira thought, 'What did she mean by that last part of her comment? I will ask later. Considering she is on a roll.'

Hanna continued, “As my Natsuru got his degree in software. I furthered my eduction in electronics. Though, let us be honest, our interest in the field came from the fact that a virtual reality pod was what originally triggered our dormant genes, that made us swap genders in the first place.”

Akira thought, 'She is right about that.'

Hanna went on to say, “When Natsuru got his degree, we moved back to Japan. Both of us got good paying jobs in our fields of study. As the years went by, our relationship continued to grow. During this time, we did realize our female sides aged much more slowly than our male sides. Unfortunately, we could not get legally married, since both of us were both born as male, with that being a matter of public record. Along with this, our female sides had no real paper trail, nor identity.”

“Though, we did think about getting married in outside of the county. But, we soon realized that would raise too many questions. Still, we didn't mind. We already had a very loving relationship. Though, we had no kids. But, that was due to us thinking we had more time.”

“Things were going great for us. We lived together. As far as our neighbors knew, there was just two couples living in our home. Not one couple that could change their genders. And when we went out, our genders depended on the situation. So, we would get the most out of the event in question.”

“When we went on a date, sometimes I was the girl and Natsuru was the guy. Or, Natsuru was the girl, and I was the guy. When we went to a bar to watch a sporting event, we both went a men. But, when we went to a hot springs resort, or a spa, we both went as girls. So, we could be together, during the whole experience.”

“Everything was looking so bright for us, until one day, when we were together, I accidentally sneezed in public, in front of a hundred witnesses, with cellphone video cameras.”

“Soon after, the government kidnapped us, and separated us. As I pointed out. Natsuru looks so similar as a man and woman in the face, and hair. Along with that blue bracelet. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the girl I was in public as a guy, and the guy I was in public as a girl, was the same person. All that work in college, and the private sector was for nothing. And I still lost Natsuru, along with our freedom.”

Akira soberly asked, “Which government kidnapped the both of you?”

Hanna answered, “By then, on Earth, it was hard to tell which government ended, and which government began. So, it was just the government. Soon after, they found out about our genetic code. Our Alteran and Shimeru heritage. At the time, unlike you, right now, I had no real knowledge that aliens even existed. Save for what little Natsuru knew behind the origins of the Kampfers. It was at that time that I learned from that government that with some technologically trickery, as a girl, I could be made to fool the bio-security sweeps that both the Union and the Federation used. When it came to the Union, their sensors were fooled into thinking I was a Shimeru. And when it came to the Federation, their sensors were fooled that I was a Alteran.”

“Alterans populated most of the Federation. Shimeru populated most of the Union. This made me the perfect candidate to be a spy. And for me to infiltrate both the two major players in this region of the galaxy.”

“As such, I was used to kill key members from both sides. And since both of those nations had gender swapping technology, or abilities, my gender bending could easy be explained away, on those rare occasions I turned back into a guy for a few moments, by accident. Especially, when pretending to be Shimeru, where they expect me to change gender when excited.”

“Another reason they didn't just leave us both to be experimented on was Natsuru fire and other superpowers a girl. And our skills with firearms. They turned us both into intergalactic spies and assassins for Earth. They also used Natsuru as leverage for my loyalty, and vise versa.”

“They forced us to experience horrific training. Along with making us do things that haunt me. And I am sure Natsuru. If he was still alive. To this very day. Lord, the things they made us do. There are no single laws currently on Earth that could adequately explain the level of crimes we were forced to commit against the galaxy, in the name of Earth's government.”

“And the worst part was they forced us to work alone, not together. Because they knew that if we had the chance, we would run. Which I eventually did, by time traveling back here, to get my revenge.”

Akira mentally reflect, 'This situation is worse than I thought. I need to this situation very delicately.' He carefully asked, “If you care so much for Natsuru, then why are you putting this Natsuru in so much danger?”

Hanna stated, with envy, “Because he is not my Natsuru! He is your Natsuru! And every time I look at him, or her, it hurts me, because of all the memories I remember of my Natsuru. Both the good, and the bad... You know, our powers sometimes really suck.”

Akira admitted, “No arguments there.”

Hanna commented, “But, you don't know by how much. As you know we are not completely human. Due to the way the original trigger was for us, we imprinted that image of the girl, in the video game as our female form. I still not sure how that works. But, when our dormant genes were activated, there was genetic conflict between both our Alteran and Shimeru genes. It gave us some other interesting abilities. First, unlike the Shimeru whom change gender when arousal, or emotional stressed. Our Alteran genes caused a conflict where by our trigger became the short stress release of a sneeze. Instead, of a longer stress event, like the Shimeru clan have to deal with.”

“Also, as I told you. And I am sure you long since realized. Our female side ages slowly than our male side. Much more slowly. But, that is not the whole truth. Unlike Shimeru, whom each age at an equal rate in both their forms, we don't. This is due to our Alteran genes. Alterans age much more slowly than humans. The Shimeru genes messed up the Alteran longevity genes to where only our female side gets the longevity advantages. While our male side does not. This was why when we first changed, our female side was so much more younger, and underdeveloped, than our male side.”

“It took years for our female side to catch up to adulthood. Though, we both know our female side has reached that maturity for you, by now. Also, this is why nattou caused you to temporally develop into your adult female form when you were a teenager. That food, for lack of a better word, has chemicals that played havoc with our alien genetic code. This is why went we eat nattou, our female side releases pheromones that drive men wild. It triggers the pheromone release from the Shimeru side of our family. Fortunately, I had that checked out, and I was informed that nattou does not cause any damage to our genetic code.”

“Still, to give you an idea of how slow our female for ages. Believe it, or not, I will be celebrating my eighty-first birthday in less than two months. And I can still safely have children.”

Akira took a much hard looked at Hanna, as he thought, 'So, looks to be less than a decade older than my female side. And to think I might live some much longer than everyone else I know, kind of scares me.'

'I never wanted to be immortal. Nor close to it. I just wanted to find someone who I could love, whom could love me, with us having a family, and eventually grow old old together. But, what about my male side?'

Akira inquired, “I admit. You look fairly young. But, I figure by now, your male side must be ancient.”

Hanna smiled, as she said, “Thank you. But, I wouldn't know. I found out the hard way that there is no loophole. That you can only break those three laws for so long, until they bite back hard. It seems our powers also have built in survival instinct. When I was mid-sixties, one day I found I could no longer change into a male, no matter how much I sneezed. I figured that my body was protecting me. In that if I changed male, due the physical age of my male form, I would likely immediately die from a health related problem. And nothing I tried would change me back. Since then, I have lived permanently as a woman.”

Akira gulped. He replied, with concern in his voice, “So, I will eventually become permanently female.”

Hanna responded, “Don't worry too much about it. You got at least four decades till that happens. Also, it is better than being dead. Physically, as a woman, I am in great health, right now. I likely will live for a long time from now. If you take really good care of yourself, you might extend the lock by a few years.”

Hanna continued, as her tone of voice turned sad, “Still, on a more sour note, you now have a good idea of how decades of hell the Earth's government put us through. Though, be aware that if you get pregnant as a girl, you girl form will lock for the duration of the pregnancy until you give birth to the child you carry. Sneezing will not change this.”

Akira's jaw dropped at the realization that the only way Hanna could know that was from first hand experience. A few seconds later, Akira forced himself to mentally calm down.

Hanna noticed Akira's reaction. She coldly stated, “Yea. And my Earthly masters didn't even let me keep my baby. Once I had given birth to him. That is one of the reasons I am here for revenge. And if you are wondering. My Natsuru was the father. On night, a while back. Right after I was permanently locked as a woman. We ended up together again. And we had a night of pleasure, with me as a woman, and then lost each other again. Three weeks later, I found out I was pregnant.”

Akira suddenly felt pity for her future self, as he stated, “I feel so sorry for you.”

Hanna said, “Don't be. This is my revenge. Though, the same cannot be said for us having a period. While you can still swap genders. It is just as we both thought. Every time you become change back and forth, when you return to being female, the change resets our monthly cycle to right after we would have normally had a period end. We would have to be a girl for at least three weeks straight, till we would have had to worry about that. I, being locked as a girl, no longer have that luxury. Still, monthly periods are not that bad. Annoying. Yes. But, not horrifically bad.”

Akira complimented her, “Thanks for confirming a few things for me.”

Hanna responded, “You're welcome. On a side note. There is something you need to know that happened around right now, in my timeline, back home, with your family. Something, I wished I had known sooner. I seem recall the date to be in about two weeks in the future. When our adult sister, Kaori, will be struck by lightning. She will receive no serious injuries, but the electrical shock triggers the change between genders. Just like us. Only with her, it is without the risk of brain damage, due to changing, that we had to get fixed. This is because there was no imprinting, and she just changes into a slightly younger, male version of herself.”

“I know this, because, in my timeline we later got her a medical check up to make sure of she had no brain damage. Though, as far as I know the government never found about her gender ability, and she has so far lived a good life.”

Akira was shocked to learned this. He demanded, “Why didn't you warn her while we were still on Earth?!”

Hanna answered, in a sober tone of voice, “Because I care about our sister. And the change will extend her lifespan, just as it has done with us. Anyway, within two days after starting to change, she immediately moved back in with our parents. And while our parents learned that she is swapping genders. None of them knew why.”

“On a side note. I never realized mama and papa could get that religious.”

“Unfortunately, I didn't learn about this until a week later. I rushed back home, on the quickest flight back to Japan. When I got home, I learned that she didn't realize that sneezing was the trigger. And she only changed in her sleep when she sneezed. Because I didn't get there sooner, Kaori suffered some mental grief over the matter. Until I explained things to her. Then, I showed her and my parents that the same thing happened to me. To be honest, our parents, and our sister, took the news quite well. And they still love us, no matter what our gender currently is.”

“Now, if you are able to get off of this planet, and back to Earth. Which, given you are still breathing, is a possibility. And if my math is correct. If you were leave right now, factoring time dilation on a federation ship, you should get home within a less than a week after her first change. I would take care of it, but I have business to take care of.”

“And have I admit, her male form is as hot. In a handsome man kind of way.”

Akira was stunned at what Hanna just said. He stated, “She is our sister!”

Hanna lips curled into a mischievous grin, as she commented, “That still doesn't change the truth.”

Akira said, “As informative as our conversation is. I am still going to have to stop you.”

Hanna challenged Akira, as she replied, “As they say. Come and get me.”

Akira then watched as Hanna was teleported away to her spaceship.

Akira thought, 'There is no doubt that she has already set her ship on course for Earth.'

Akira then noticed some federation cops coming his way.

Akira mentally reflected, 'I better surrender, and hope that Birdy can sort this mess out. So, we can stop Hanna in time, and help my sister.'

As the police approach Akira, Akira laid on the ground, spread eagle with his limbs.

When the cops arrived, they handcuffed him, with his hands behind his back. They then had him stand up. After which, they lead him back towards where the fighting had last taken place.

Akira also noticed the cops reclaim the to raygun pistols, from the ground, that he had taken with him.

Ten minutes later, as he got closer to where the fighting had taken place, he saw that the battle was over.

Akira then noticed Birdy was there. And behind Birdy was a black tunnel.

Akira also did not see any of his other friends present. He thought, 'Birdy must have already sorted out this mess. With the others already gone, to wherever she wanted them to go.'

Akira then saw Birdy turned towards him.

Akira watched as Birdy walked up to him and the officers escorting him. When she reached them, she ordered, “Uncuff him. I am taking him into my custody.”

The cops did not question Birdy's orders, as they uncuffed Akira.

When Akira was no longer bound, Birdy look at him. She said, “Akira. Walk with me.” She then turned and started walking away from everyone else.

Akira joined Birdy, with him walking beside Birdy, to her right side.

As they got several feet from the rest of the officers, Birdy whispered, “I got here as quickly as possible. I was able to get everyone to stop fighting. The others on my new ship. Just walk through that mini-wormhole, and you will instantly be on board the ship.”

Akira quietly responded, “Thanks Birdy. But, we are in big trouble. Hanna told me her plans. If you do not already know, she has stolen federation technology and weapons. This whole fight was staged by her, so she could do so. And I know what she plans to do with them.”

Birdy whispered, “Okay. You can tell the others, and us, all about. And right afterward, you can explain why you turn into a woman that looks like Hanna.”

Akira gulped, as he and Birdy stepped through the mini-wormhole, and into Birdy's new ship.

A few seconds later, tunnel closed behind them.

To Be Continued.

(_)

Author's Notes:

Gacha. Oh, that pun I had been waiting to state since the beginning of chapter one of this story.

For those readers that do not know. Akira is the main character in the manga series, Gacha Gacha Secret.

The Gacha Gacha Secret manga series is not that well known. Allowing me to play Akira as the, everyman point of view, at the beginning of the story. Until I revealed that he/she was a gender bender as well.

On that point, the Gacha Gacha Secret manga is very good, and fairly long. It is fifty-five chapters long. So, it is a good read. And except for a little nudity, the Gacha Gacha Secret manga is a very clean manga series. The series is lighthearted comedy about a group of teenagers, with some gender bending thrown in for some interesting fun.

Basically, the main character, Hatsushiba Akira gains the ability to change genders. Unlike other characters in his situation, Akira never tries to find a cure to his gender abilities. And he uses his girl form to get to know the teenage girl he is interested in, Yurika.

If you are a fan of gender bending fiction, you need check out this manga. If you look online, you can find english translations of the entire manga.

On the discussion between Hanna and Akira, on Akira dressing up as Han Solo, and having the Millennium Falcon toy. That actually happened at the end of chapter sixteen of the Gacha Gacha Secret Manga.

There are other jokes I will mention in this story, dealing with what happened in the Gacha Gacha Secret manga. And they are good jokes.

On Hanna's plan for revenge. It combines what is considered the best revenge. Living well. With the revenge of destroying her enemies. I think that plan is plain enough. And her reasons are very well stated.

Just as Akira is genre savvy. So, is Hanna. Though, Hanna is mentally broken, and she is on the verge of going insane. Though, she is not yet completely insane. Though, Hanna knows this. But, she just does not care. All she cares about is revenge.

Considering the matter of a relationship between Akira and Natsuru. The more I wrote out the plot, the more it seemed how naturally a relationship between Akira and Natsuru would flow. They are both close to the same ages. They have similar backgrounds. And they can change gender.

Those two go together so well, that I could not help but couple those two together, in a romantic subplot, which only enhances this story as a whole.

With that being said, that does not mean there will not be rocky moments in their relationship. Such as Natsuru upset with him/her opening up to Akira, about her abilities. But, Akira keeping his/her gender abilities secret.

On the issue of Hanna and her relationship with her Natsuru. It would make sense that they because go in the genders that they would get the most fun out of, for the given situation.

Now, onto Akira's gender bending abilities. For a while, I wracked by brain trying to figure a way to explain them in the story. Akira did not just have a straight gender bend, of him changing into a female version of himself, at the same age. Instead, Akira changed into a younger girl that looked nothing like him. The girl form was imprinted on his mind, from what the avatar in the Gacha Gacha video game, which malfunctioned, and caused him to start trying between male and female.

Even, I will admit that a malfunction like that is flimsy excuse for the gender bending. Then, I realized something.

It is canon, in the Futaba-Kun Change manga, that the Shimeru clan has had children with humans. With these descendant having latent gender bending abilities, which can be triggered with a blood transfusion, or gene therapy. Misaki proved that, in the Futaba-Kun manga seres.

Also, the Birdy Decode series has show that some Alterans have had children with humans. And while normal Alterans do not have superpowers. They basically are on pair with normals. Except that they have extreme longevity.

It would only be logical, that if both these series existed in the same world, that some humans would be descended from both Alteran and Shimeru bloodlines. With their alien genes being dormant.

After I realized that, all the pieces fell into place for Akira's gender changing ability.

I could explain it all as being that electricity was the what first triggered Akira's Alteran and Shimeru genes.

His Alteran and Shimeru genes came into conflict with each other. This is why Akira changed into a young female form, than his male form. His Shimeru genes conflicted with his Alteran genes, causing the Alteran longevity to only effect his female form.

And the Alteran genes conflicted with the Shimeru genes, changing the gender trigger, from than by stress, or sexual arousal, to sneezing. With sneezing being a quick stress release, while the Shimeru clan require a long stress release, including arousal, to change gender.

Also, this genetic conflict, is what causes nattou to make Akira's female form release pheromones. And when Akira was a teenager, the nattou also temporally turned his underdeveloped female form, into a buxom, sexually mature woman. Which is presently what Akira looks like in his female form.

For those wondering. Nattou is basically fermented soybeans.

Akira did use nattou a couple of times in the Gacha Gacha Secret manga. In chapters, twenty-four, twenty-five, and forty-two. And in forty-two, Akira does something very foolish, that ended up embarrassing her, while she was using the effect of nattou on her female form.

Let's just say there is a reason women don't wear bikinis that are to small for them. Though, that will be elaborated on, in next chapter of this story.

On the issue of Akira and monthly period. To make things simple. And to explain why monthly periods were never an issue for Akira, in the Gacha Gacha Secret manga, just figured that changing back and forth caused Akira's female form's monthly cycle to reset, to where she would state female for at least weeks, before she would even have to worry about having a period in her female form.

Now, there is some canon in the Gacha Gacha Secret manga that it was electricity that gave Akira his gender bending abilities. In the first chapter, Akira is shocked by the Gacha Gacha video game.

In chapter forty-nine, Akira tells a tragic love story to Yurika, supposedly about a member of the Akira's family during Edo period in Japan.

Though, Akira clearly doesn't tell Yurika what that chapter showed, or she would have figured out Akira's looked gender bending secret. Which she did not. At least at that point.

The story shows a man that is hit by lightning and the man gains the same gender abilities as Akira. Though, he does not change, until he first sneezes, while awake. While, this is not canon in the Gacha Gacha manga itself. It is clear that the author of the Gacha Garcha manga had the idea that it was the electricity, from the malfunction of the Gacha Gacha video game, that triggered Akira's original gender changing abilities, and the video game itself. Though, the situation did cause an imprinting of Akira's female form to be different than it should have been.

An interesting point to this. While the electricity turned on Akira's gender bending abilities. The electricity did not trigger the gender bending itself. It wasn't until the next morning, when Akira woke up, that he found himself turned into a girl. With him sneezing, during his sleep, that caused the gender bending itself.

So, electricity turns on the genes, but sneezing it was causing the gender bending. So, even if one has those genes turned on, they may not realize that are a gender bender, until the next time they sneeze.

This opens up so many possibilities, for several fun scenes to play with.

On the brain issue. Late in the Gacha Gacha series, it came out that Akira changing back and forth was cuasing brain damage. Akira did a prodecutre that fixed the problem, and it was supose to cure him of his gender abilities, which he wasn't crazy about doing. But, it was Though, as expected, there was a complication, that almost killed him. And even though the brain problem was fixed, he could still change back and forth

Now, for simplicity sake, and due to the fact I am not a sadist, I am just going to explain the brain damage problem as being part of Akira's imprinting issue. And that those other gender benders, such as Akira's sister, Kaori, whom have their genes triggered, without imprinting, will not have any brain damage issues when changing genders. And instead, they will just turn into their younger, gender counterparts, to their original physical birth gender.

And with Akira's gender bending abilities being hereditary. With the dormant genes passed down from parent to child. This opens the door for other characters, such as Kaori, and others, to be latent gender benders. Which, as a writer, gives me a lot more options for stories.

On the issue of Hanna locking as female. It just makes sense. That if her male form became so old, that changing into it would kill her, that she would lock in her female form. And someone with the same abilities, that was original female, and changes to a male, like Kaori. When her female form become to old, she would lock in her younger male form.

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Now, onto the bar fight scene.

First, I also had the sense from Nechla Geeze, in the Birdy Decode series, that she was an superpowered bureaucrat, whom enjoys harming others. During the trial scene, in episode five of Birdy Decode, when Birdy was called as a witness, Nechla was very cruel to both Birdy, and Tsutomu.

And the only times Nechla has been civil with others were when she was dealing with a political official, a law officer, such as Birdy, or a close friend to an official, such as Tsutomu.

Other than that, she is extremely mercilessly, and arrogant. And she has shown to kill anyone that gets in her way. As long as that person is not political connected. For added sadism, Nechla's preferred method of killing people is to throw several large needles at her victims, which her victims are then impaled by.

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When it comes to Akira's dual wielding gunslinger skills. That is completely justified in that he has spent years practicing at dual wielding weapons, during his time in Atlanta, Georgia.

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And during the Birdy Decode series, Birdy and Tsutomu learned about a number of skeletons in the Federation government's closet. That would have just enough political pull to stop the battle, to get their friends off the hook, and get them off world.

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, as much as I did writing it.

Until next time. Have a nice day.