Ryoga Hibiki (AST)

## Personality

Unlike his canon counterpart who projected his insecurities onto Ranma, this version’s past association with Kasumi has done wonders for him in many ways. No longer does he experience enormous bouts of depression, instead Ryoga has been taught how to find the good parts of his life. His anger too has been trimmed back to a manageable level. Even his lack of direction is modestly lessened, although this is simply a matter of sticking around Shirokuro more, who does not let him get lost. However, one thing that still remains is his shyness.

## History

A few years prior to the events of the series Ryoga meet Kasumi while she was on her way to school noticing that he was lost and recognizing the junior high school he gave as one near her own she had offered to take him there and he thankfully accepted. They had talked the whole way there, and for once Ryoga actually found his tongue worked properly. After his initial uneasiness, Kasumi's natural calm seemed to pass into him, and by the end of the short trip he was freely conversing with her, something he thought he'd never manage to do with a girl, especially one like Kasumi.

From that day on they traveled together to school, and Ryoga had his best attendance record ever. Kasumi also suggested that Ryoga get himself a dog, a sort of path-finding dog. The logic was, if a dog can substitute for a blind man's lack of vision, perhaps it could also substitute for his lack of direction. Ryoga, who despite the benefits of his harsh life never did like it was more than willing to give the idea a try and soon had adopted Shirokuro.

He also generated a distinct positive outlook for a brief period of his life, and all because of Kasumi. So often his life was full of nothing but the negative, but Kasumi pulled him out of that rut. He got back into his martial arts, improved his grades, and even managed a feeling of intense joy to enter his life. He was greatly saddened when she told him she had to leave for China, so saddened in fact he missed their final planned meeting. He intentionally got himself lost so that he didn’t have to face her that one last time, least he reveal the feelings he had for her. He regretted it afterwards, hoping dearly Kasumi did not hold any ill feelings over his absence. When he was transferred to Furinkan and learned that he would be in Kasumi’s class he hoped to at least get back together with her again, as it was before.

Ryoga ended up being attacked by Kotori Shoushin when he accidentally bumped into her. Despite his protest of his innocence she continued to use within reach to attack the poor unfortunate boy as she accused him of molesting her. By the time she attacked him with a nearby table Kasumi had arrived to save him. Ryoga woke up in the nursing office with Kasumi arriving shortly afterwards. Ryoga was ready to leave but Kasumi insisted he rest. Sensing Ryoga's compliance, unwilling though it might be, Kasumi dabed his head with a wet cloth. Ryoga unaware of the curse asked about her true form, Kasumi told him that she had some pressing concerns to tend to. As he was assuring Ryoga that Kasumi wasn’t angry that he missed their last meeting, Ryoga finally noticed hot nice and intimate he was treating him. Thinking that Kasumi was coming on to him Ryoga made up an excuse and ran away.

Having been separated from Shirokuro Ryoga naturally ended up lost and as he was concentrated on finding something that would give him a bearing on his destination. Kasumi-kun ended up crashing into him. Not having time to explain as he was still in the middle of a fight with Ukyo Kasumi just scoped Ryoga up into his arms to get him out of harms way. Ryoga watched as the two fought to a stalemate before Ranma arrived to put a stop to things. Ryoga asked Kitsune what the fight was about though she really didn’t now. Ryoga made a joke about the fact that she didn’t suspect aliens were involved and quickly regretted it when she started asking if his sense of direction was some secret alien genetic experiment. She even gave him a list of acquaintances that could run tests on him.

Ryoga found himself lost in the mountains when he came across Kaneda who had been taking there by Mr. Hiro. Realizing what happened Kaneda offered to lead him back to Nerima. It was here that Ryoga decided to nip things in the bud and told Kaneda that he wasn’t interested in men. As Kaneda was trying to figure out what was going on Frost arrived and attacked him.

Ryoga watched in confusion as Kaneda was sent flying backwards, and was even more confused when Frost called Kaneda, Kasumi. Frost danced in triumph as Hinako and Akane arrived. He finally came out of his shock and helped Akane take Kaneda away while Hinako stayed and fought Frost. As they ran trying to carry the still delirious Kaneda's dead weight, Akane was forced to try and explain the curse to a confused Ryoga. While skeptic Ryoga did notice the similarities between Kasumi and Kaneda when Frost caught up to them. With no hope of escaping Ryoga released Kaneda into Akane's hands then rushed Frost. Sadly he proved to be no match for the mage.

Kasumi met up with Ryoga during lunch the next day. After apologizing for not telling him sooner she went into full detail about the curse, her marriage to Shampoo as well as her engagement to Ranma. Unfortunately before she could go into her thoughts about the engagement they were interrupted by Mousse, who came with news on how Kasumi could restore Shampoo’s status.

Ryoga immediately called Mousse out for trying to trick Kasumi into marrying him and nearly started a fight only to be stopped by Kasumi who wanted to hear what Mousse had to say. Needing to come to terms with what Mousse told her, she agreed to talk to Mousse later after she talked with Cologne. While Ryoga didn’t trust Mousse the revelation that Kasumi was susceptible to the kiss of marriage intrigued him.

Ryoga ignored his lunch as he wondered both what could have been and what could be with Kasumi. He was brought out of his musing by Kodachi and Kimiko crashing into him as they fought. As he was regaining his senses he noticed the approach of Miss Hinako. Not wanting to let the girls get zapped, but unable to help both, he shielded Kodachi who was closest to him. A few seconds later, what had been Kimiko crumbled to the ground while Ryoga merely felt weak, his own battle aura not nearly as hot as Kimiko's, which kept Miss Hinako from initiating a full drain.

Kodachi grateful that she had been rescued named him the love of her life, after determining that he wasn’t engaged, didn’t have a girlfriend, and was actually a man. It wasn’t until she started hugging him that Ryoga fully grasped the situation he had just landed himself in. Unfortunately he was too weak at the moment to do much about it.

It took a week for Ryoga to build up the courage to confess his feeling to Kasumi. He caught her as she was walking home; unfortunately all he could get out was that he’d marry her, before panicking and adding on that it was to help out with the mess she was in. Kasumi believing he was trying to help declined his offer and she didn’t want to burden her friend. Ryoga tried to go further, but lost his nerve. After dropping her off at San Cheng-Haung he admonished himself for being such a wimp.

After Principle Kuno returned he implemented a rule that the boys would get buzz cuts and girls would get bowl cuts. While stating that it wouldn’t be if they found a coconut he hit within the school. He then kidnapped Shampoo to blackmail Kasumi into helping him. Kasumi destroyed the schools power relay to buy herself some time. The resulting blackout ended with them flailing wildly in a pile of bodies desperately trying to free themselves. They eventually were with the arrival of Happosai who ended up being smashed through the door by Kotori. Their annoyance was amplified when the girls realized that he had stolen their panties.

Not wanting to walk around with no underwear and unwilling to give the boys their locker combination the girls convinced the boys to switch clothing with them so that they go to the gym and pick up some spare clothes. As they made their way to the gym they tried to figure out why Kasumi had betrayed them. None of the observers were brave enough to do more than let off stifled giggles. Ryoga called Kodachi out for calling him her beloved when she told him to think of the skirt as a kilt. This caused Ranma to glare at the oblivious Ryoga for disrespecting her, but did nothing more. When they arrived the boys decided to change into their gym clothes as well.

Realizing that running around was getting them nowhere they decided to think up a plan. Ryoga suggested that they found find Kasumi and find out what was wrong. A returning Ukyo called them out for so casually dismissing what she just did. Furious she decided to go and find Kasumi and deal with her herself. Kuno was about to follow her but was stopped by Ranma. They finally noticed that Shampoo wasn’t their when the girls finished changing. Saki would realize that the principle must be blackmailing Kasumi.

They split up into teams of three to go and search for Shampoo. Ranma, Kuno, and Ryoga found Kasumi searching in the bushes. Telling her they had figured out what was going on. They set about helping her search when Minako ran up saying that they had found her in the gym. They found their path blocked by a crazed Hinako. Kasumi would successfully outmaneuver Ms. Hinako and take away the Fighting Fish tank she was using to maintain her power, and once she used up the remaining energy she switched sides and joined Kasumi. With everyone now working together, they confronted Kocho, but he continued to hold Shampoo hostage with a remote. However, Kasumi managed to trick him, and knock the remote from his hands, leaving him to be dealt with by the others while he rescued Shampoo. Once they finished beating him to a bloody pulp the found Kasumi and Shampoo making out. She blushed upon being reminded that they were there.

In order to prevent further beatings Principle Kuno agreed to recall all his new rules, have Kasumi clear all new school rules, as well as no more blackmailing the teachers. When upset they wouldn’t get their revenge the students conceded. Cologne had summoned all of Kasumi’s suitors together to talk and anticipating that Ryoga would get lost placed an enchantment on him so that he could be summoned at a moments notice. She quickly relieved his fears by telling that the enchantment was broken once the spell was cast.

Cologne gave a strategic information omission on Mousse's condition to explain why he was no longer a contender for Kasumi's hand in marriage, before explaining how she had no preference for any of them men. Kasumi had already agreed to marry Shampoo so anything else was icing on the cake. She was there to warn them that Kasumi would not stand for Shampoo being forced into any further marriages, which included using Ukyo as a loophole.

With that out of the way she reminded them that Shampoo was also part of the deal as well as Kasumi herself said, this was Shampoo’s choice. Kuno took this the best having already accepted this and having the matter spelled out for him was not in the least surprising. Ranma was much the same, although obviously still not sure how to approach his current relationships. Ryoga took it a little harder, having not yet accepted that Kasumi wished to be with Shampoo. Herb was focusing on the fact that his entire plan of action with Kasumi has been effectively rendered useless.

After seeing their reactions Cologne turned to speak to each individually. She explained to Kuno that he wasn’t acting any different then Mousse, Herb meanwhile had been nothing but dismissive to Shampoo. As for Ranma and Ryoga she advised them make up there minds about weather they are going to get involved in this or not. Finally Cologne stated that she would not stand idly by if any of them do anything to impede Shampoo’s happiness.

Ryoga naturally lent his aid when Kasumi and Shampoo were kidnapped and taken to the La Bac. He was part of the group that would search the upper floors while the others would search the lower levels in order to find and destroy the power source for the buildings anti magic field. The group ended up being divided by a trap and attacked by Shadow and Shadow Lady.  Ranma, Sakura, Herb and Ryoga did there best to defend themselves from Shadow’s invisible attacks. Luckily Izou was there and while he was instantly knocked out he did manage to make Shadow visible. Sadly with Sakura already injured, it had largely fallen to the three boys to take the clone down, but without their full strength, Shadow was more than a match for even the combined efforts.

Sadly Ryoga’s his skills just weren't up to the task, and he ended up being knocked out by Shadow while Ranma and Herb were in the midst of recovering from a rather bad exchange. After Shadow was defeated the injured Sakura was left to watch over the unconscious Ryoga and Izou as she waited for the others.

The complex situation that Kasumi was in was to much for Ryoga and he told her such when she asked to talk to him after school. As she had been planning on breaking up with him Kasumi assured Ryoga that she understood. Ryoga once more hung his head and nodded slowly telling her that he’d always be there if she needed him. With that out of the way the two talked like the old friends they were, Kasumi asked about how things with Kodachi were doing. He asked her what she wanted to talk about, but she told him it was no longer important.

It was pretty quiet while Frost was gone with nothing much of interest happening. What excitement there was was dealt with easily enough. Tatewaki took Kasumi, Shampoo, Ranma, Herb, Kodachi, Ryoga, Akane, Ranko, Mousse, Lemon, Nabiki and Tsubasa on a boat trip and were lost at sea when a storm hit. They ended up shipwrecked on a remote island, and after making shelter they started to make repairs only to discover that the ships radio equipment got knocked out in the storm. As they were trying to figure out what to do the girls started disappearing.

First Kodachi, then Lemon and Nabiki, and then Akane getting the sense that something else was on the island, but unable to trace what it was, they ended up setting a trap. Kasumi volunteered to be bait, and it wasn't long before the kidnappers made themselves known. Prince Toma and his chief retainers Sarutoru, Torristan, and Wonton, using various illusionary magics to hide themselves. Seeing that they already had several of their number, Kasumi suggested simply letting them take them and follow. The plan nearly went awry as they proved capable of flight, but fortunately the next morning Togenkyo Island had appeared and they made their way over.

It seems the former ruler of their island, Toma's father, recently passed away in an untimely fashion. He requires a bride to ascend fully to the throne so they were rushing a bridal ceremony. It is an old tradition where they were kidnapping a bunch of girls from all the neighboring islands to be candidates for his bride. Much to their surprised however when they tracked the girls down they found them treated as queens. Which is why the other islands usually willingly have their younger maids cooperate as it is a very pampered atmosphere.

They were actually enjoying themselves Toma had them compete to be his bride in strange contests which are designed to amuse him. Kasumi and Shampoo were exempt since they were already married. He ends up choosing Akane Tendo, because she reprimands him about his treatment of the girls. After this his men take their own picks of the other women. Sarutoru takes Kodachi and tries to woo her until Ryoga busts in. As Ryoga endured Sarutoru’s shadow illusion he distracted him long enough for Kodachi to knock him out.

After dealing with the retainers and checking to ensure all the other girls were safe they began looking for Akane who was taken by Prince Toma. Herb got to her and Toma first, and they had it out. While Toma believed that they were fighting for Akane’s affection Herb simply wanted his gourd of mystic water as he wished to test if it would cure his curse. Ranko and Mousse both arrived shortly after Herb and Toma was forced to stand down as his illusions were useless on two of them and while he was a formidable fighter, he was no match for all 3 of them at once. Akane stepped in to cool things off, and after that they all came to a bit of an understanding. They were allowed to stay on the island until they ventured close enough to Japan to be taken ashore.

They were eventually rescued by Frost and Tofu who took them home after Ranko defeated Tomo for Akane’s affection.

## Abilities

Ryoga’s skill level is far below his canon counterpart. As a result of being more willing to rely on Shirokuro’s aid Ryoga no longer has to fend for himself in the wilds of Japan, beyond the occasional problem. So although still generally a far above average martial artist, he is a fair bit out of his league with the extremely above average types. His determination provides an adequate substitute to his counterparts’ durability as it allowed him to at least last 30 seconds alone with Shadow, but he’s still far below the original.