Two pairs of hasty feet were pattering across the hills. High above the two hunched figures, the pale moon was shining upon them.

"Is he still after us?" a male voice asked.

"Keep running!" a female voice answered.

Then they heard the dreaded noise... a strange zipping sound that was approaching rapidly.

"He's coming after us!" the female yelled. She was clutching two small bundles to her body. "Here, take the babies and run!"

"No, I'll never leave you to him!"

And then their pursuer appeared, a blue-robed figure that was perched atop a flying broomstick. A wrinkled face was looking at them from underneath a blue hat and through a pair of cracked spectacles.

With a fang-toothed grin, the evil magician looked down at his prey. "I finally found you, disobedient daughter!"

The female turtle with the black shell scowled at him. "You'll never make us stay, father! I love Kenny and we will start our lives anew, away from Bowser's reign."

The Magikoopa looked at her darkly. "You know very well I can't allow that, Kimmy!"

"If you lay just one hand on her, Kamek, I'll..." The rash male with the yellow shell stepped in front of his beloved one.

Kamek smirked. "Out of my way!" He produced a magical wand from his sleeve, aimed it at the rebellious Koopa and cast his spell.

A magical projectile, made of a red triangle, a green circle and a blue square, flew through the air.

"NO!" Kimmy shouted and threw herself in front of her boyfriend. She turned her black shell towards the incoming spell and extended her spines. The projectile hit the hard shell and dissolved.

Kamek frowned. "You earned those spines as a member of the Koopatrol through years of heavy work and dutifulness. Do you really want to throw all of this away, just so you can stay with a rebel?"

"He's not a rebel!" Kimmy Koopa protested. "He is from Koopa Village, and they never were part of Bowser's kingdom."

"The king won't be pleased when he learns that one of his most skilled captains has deserted, my dear..." the Magikoopa mumbled.

"Is it really Bowser who told you to come after me? I think he wouldn't care less about me. It's really you, is it? You always wanted to control my life, father! Well, not anymore!" She hugged her two eggs protectively. "I will protect my future husband and our children for everyone... even you!"

Kamek looked down at his daughter. "Very well..." he muttered. "You asked for it..."

"FIRE FLOWER SQUAD, ATTACK!" a loud voice suddenly yelled. And then, the air was filled with fireballs that got chucked at the elderly magician.

"Ow!" He shouted. "Hey, that burns! Ow, I say!"

Kimmy and Kenny sighed in relief when they saw the small troop of Toad and Koopa warriors appearing behind the hill. "We're saved, Kenny!" Kimmy sighed. "Those are soldiers of the Mushroom Kingdom!"

A regal Toad with a thick, black mustache approached them, accompanied by a green-shelled Koopa with a goatee.

"Our spies already told us of your arrival," the Toad said in a dignified voice. "As soon as we learned that escapees from the Koopa Kingdom were approaching, we sent a squad of our finest soldiers to come to your aid. I am chancellor Toadsworth, and this is Captain Koopa Koot." The Koopa with the goatee saluted.

"Thanks for your help, chancellor," Kimmy said gratefully. "We were hoping to become citizens of Toad Town after realizing that my grandfather didn't approve of our love."

"Kamek is your grandfather?" Koopa Koot frowned. "Well, we can't choose our parents, girl, that's for sure..."

"He's out of range, sir!" one of the Fire Flower-wielding Toads shouted.

"Cease fire!" Koopa Koot commanded. The soldiers obeyed.

When Kamek noticed that the Mushroom troops had stopped firing, he stopped his broom and turned around.

"Hear me, Kimmy! Those children of yours are doomed children! I am cursing them on this very day! The boy shall never find a way by himself! His sister will grow up to be demented and delusional! And one day, I will hunt them down! Mark my words, daughter: I WILL hunt them down! This is the curse that I, Kamek, am putting on them!"

And cackling insanely, he turned around his broom and flew through the night sky.

----

One month later...

"It's a boy! And a girl!"

Kenny stared proudly down at his two children while they were sleeping peacefully in their mother's arms.

Tears of happiness were flowing down Kimmy's turtle face. "Just look at them, Kenny! The boy has your face. And aren't the black spots on his yellow shell the cutest thing?"

Kenny sniffed. "The girl is just as beautiful as her mother. See, she even has your black shell..."

"They will grow up to be strong and healthy Koopas, I'm sure of it!" the midwife, an elderly Toad called Tayce T., said.

Outside of the room, Toadsworth shook his head in worry. He knew that Kamek's curses always came true. The parents would have a hard time raising the children... and then there was the Magikoopa's promise that he would hunt them down one day.

"We can't assure their safety, not even within the walls of the castle," he murmured. "And what about Princess Peach? When Kamek attacks, she will be in danger too. And she is just a baby... how can I protect her?"

He made a decision. "There is only one way," he sighed. "But how to tell them the bad news?"

----

"NO!" Kimmy shouted and hugged her little daughter to herself. "You can't ask this of me!"

"Dear, please think about it!" her husband pleaded. "Toadsworth has a point: We have to think of our children's safety. We have to hide them someplace where it's safe... someplace where he would never find them."

"B-but they're just babies..." Kimmy Koopa sniffed and hugged the female baby. "How will they grow up, without parents?"

"We can put them in the care of foster families," Toadsworth spoke up. "Parents that will love them, no matter what will happen."

Kimmy sniffed. "At least let me make some goodbye presents for them..."

----

A few days later, the two Koopas and Toadsworth were standing in the middle of an underground chamber, surrounded by pipes. In the middle of the room, a big, purple pipe was placed.

"Are you sure this thing will work?" Kenny asked while he carried his son.

"This is a very ancient warp pipe, and it hasn't been used in ages," Toadsworth said. "But I think it will work. It is one of the very few gateways that leads to a planet where they will be safe... a planet called Earth."

"But isn't that where only humans are living?" Kimmy sniffed. "How will they be accepted if they are outcasts? The only member of their races over there?"

"That won't be a problem," Toadsworth said. "Yesterday, I visited the wise magician Merlon... and he enchanted these two items you made, Kimmy!" He showed them a spotted bandana and a black rose.

"What will the spells do to them?" Kenny asked. He was a bit afraid.

"They will turn them into humans, so they can grow up amongst their own kind. When they are old enough to learn the truth, you can see them again."

Kimmy sobbed as she took the black rose from the Toad and placed them on her daughter's sleeping form. "Always keep in mind, sweet Koko," she sniffled. "Always keep this rose close to you and it will keep you safe!"

Kenny tied the bandana around his son's head. "Always wear this, Ryo!" he said. "And one day, you might find your way back home..."

The two children started to glow in a brilliant light. The parents handed them over to the two Toads that had the job to bring them to Earth.

"Please make sure they will get fine parents," Kenny said while his wife continued to cry.

"We will," the Toads nodded. "The country we will be taking them to is known for its customs of honor. I will try to take your daughter to a wealthy family so she will be cared for."

"And I will make sure the boy will have loving parents that will teach him about honor and honesty," the other Toad promised.

And while the two still glowing children slowly transformed into humans, the two Toads jumped into the Warp Pipe, which transported them to the planet known as Earth... to the country known as Japan.

----

Juuban, Tokyo, Japan...

Kodachi Kuno rose from her slumber. She had a magnificent dream. She had dreamt that her Ranma-sama had saved her from a terrifying, flying turtle... it was silly, true, but she liked the idea.

"Maybe this will be the day that my beloved will forget about that red-haired hussy and the violent thug Akane Tendo and realize that I am the only one for him! OHOHOHOHOHOHOH!"

She climbed out of bed and walked over to the black rose that was standing on her nightstand. She took a deep sniff. "Dear rose, make my wishes come true..." she murmured.

----

Outside of Juuban...

Actually, outside of Tokyo...

Heck, make that near the border of Japan...

"Where the hell am I now?" Ryoga Hibiki wondered as he looked around. He didn't think there were harbors like this in Juuban...

He grimaced. Damn, how was he supposed to show Akane this great stuffed turtle he had won? He knew she would like it...

But just as he was approaching the Tendo Dojo, he ran into his rival Ranma, and he made him run after him by taunting the bandana-clad boy.

Ryoga snarled, showing off his fangs. "Damn you, Ranma! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

He tugged at the bandana he was wearing... the very first bandana he ever had. As far as he could remember, he never took it off. He only washed it when he was taking a shower himself.

"If I didn't have this bandana..." he murmured. "I wouldn't even find my way back home..." That was something he was convinced of.

He sighed and started walking. The sooner he tried finding the right way, the sooner would he be able to see Akane again.

When his tummy started to grumble, he decided it was time for lunch.

"Maybe just a few roasted mushrooms..." he mumbled.

----

"OHOHOHOHOHOHOH!"

Kodachi Kuno, the Black Rose, bounded over the rooftops as usual, clad only in her skin-tight leotard, laughing maniacally and leaving a trail of black rose petals behind.

When she landed next to the gate of St. Hebereke's school for girls, the students that were just coming through gave her respectful bows. They might not all like the demented Kuno... but they were not crazy enough to show it to her.

Kodachi ignored the lowly subjects around her and looked at her wristwatch. "4:47," she muttered to herself. "3 seconds better than my last record... not bad! But, I will never be too slow to catch up with my darling Ranma!" She grinned dreamily.

In a dark corner nearby, she changed into her school uniform... meaning, she simply slipped it over her leotard. She ALWAYS wore her leotard underneath. You never know when you had to enter a battle.

Just when the bell was ringing, she went to enter the front gate... and stood still when someone addressed her: "Excuse me, miss, but can you show me the quickest way to Nerima?"

Kodachi turned around in annoyance. "This IS Nerima, peasant!" she grumbled. "Or do you not recognize the glory that is St. Hebereke, the school that I am attending, Kodachi Kuno, the Black Rose?"

"Kodachi?" Ryoga said in surprise. He thought she looked familiar. He looked around. "Well, this COULD be Nerima..."

"Of course it is!" Kodachi huffed. "And now do not waste any more of my precious time!"

"Um, could you maybe point me to the direction of the Tendo Dojo?" Ryoga asked.

Kodachi groaned. If she wasn't so late, she would teach that ignorant brute some manners. Although, the teachers probably wouldn't dare reproving her for being late..."

"Listen, Hibiki!" she snapped and turned around. "Why should I be interested in whatever you or the low-life Tendos are going to..." She stopped in mid-sentence when she looked at his face... and his bandana.

Ryoga blinked. "Do I have something on my face?"

Kodachi shook her head in confusion. She knew that she had already seen Ryoga Hibiki before, but somehow... she had the feeling that today was the actual day she was really seeing him for the first time. Somehow, something about him seemed... familiar. Like something she had almost forgotten from a time long, long ago...

"Kodachi?" Ryoga asked. "Are you okay?"

Kodachi shook her head. "What a stupid question!" she said. "I was just wondering, um... Is that the same bandana you are always wearing?"

It was a dumb excuse to change the subject, but as long as he didn't notice how foolishly she had stared at him...

"Oh, that?" Ryoga asked and touched his bandana. "Yeah, that's the same one! I never take it off, you know? It's a present from my parents... it helps me to find my way back home. Well, at least every two months..."

For some reason, Kodachi felt compassion with the eternally lost boy. She could not explain it, she had never held any feeling other than contempt towards the vulgar, common crowd. But now...

"I... have something similar back home," she finally said in a quiet voice. "It is a black rose... the first specimen I used to grow my special black roses. I think I got it from my mother, before she died. I think... it might be as special to me as your bandana is."

"Really?" Ryoga asked in awe. "Wow, I never thought there was someone else who felt this way. Does it help you in some way too?"

"Every time I... I have trouble with my life, I took a smell of that rose... and I have the feeling as if all my troubles are being swept away..."

They looked at each other for a while, then Ryoga scratched the back of his head bashfully. "Um, okay... it was good to see that I'm not the only one with something like that, but, uh... I'm still kinda looking for the Tendo Dojo. Can you show me the way?"

Inexplicably, Kodachi felt angry again when she heard the last name of the hated girl her brother was so obsessed with.

She huffed. "You think Akane Tendo is more interesting than my tales? Fine, peasant! See if I care again about your silly little stories! And if you would excuse me, I have a class to attend."

And she turned around and let Ryoga stand alone in front of the gate.

He grimaced. "Stuck-up girl..." he grumbled. "I don't know why I was telling her all of this... I better go and find Akane's house."

But he had to admit, he had felt something familiar when he looked into her eyes. As if he had seen a similar pair before in his life.

He shook his head. "What's wrong with me?" he muttered. Then he looked around. "And where the heck am I now? DAMN!"

----

Meanwhile, in the middle of the bridge leading over Nerima channel...

In a secluded place by the shore, a huge purple pipe suddenly came out of the ground, emitting a strange sound. And then, five figures came popping out of the pipe and landed softly on the green grass that surrounded it.

When the pipe once again vanished in the ground, the blonde girl looked down with worry. "Are you sure we will find this place again?"

"Don't worry about-a this, princess!" a stout man with a bushy, black mustache said. "See this small pipe image in the sand? I'll just have-a to do a nice butt stomp here, and it will appear again."

"Well, that's good to know," the diminutive boy with the oversized cap mumbled. "I don't want to be stuck in this strange world."

"Don't worry, Toad!" his princess said with a smile. "We'll just help find Kimmy and Kenny find their children." She frowned. "I still can't believe Toadsworth never mentioned this to me before. Even if the castle was in danger at that time, he didn't have to force you to give your babies away..."

"It's all right, Princess Peach," a gentle voice behind her spoke up. "We learned to forgive him... and at least we'll be seeing our kids again!"

The princess (who was dressed in a simple, pink sundress without any adornments, even sans her crown) looked at the two parents. "Are you feeling fine? Are there any side-effects of Merlon's magic?"

"I'm fine..." Kimmy Koopa muttered while she tried to regain her balance. "But being so tall is so weird... did he have to turn us into humans?"

"Well, not-a too many humans are used to see talking turtles that are walking on-a two legs... no offense!"

"None taken!" Kenny grinned. "But I think we should get used to call ourselves by the human names Merlon gave us. "For everyone else, we just look like these 'Japanese' people that are living here. So we should have Japanese names as well... Right, 'Kimiko'?"

He looked at his wife. Gone was the black Koopa shell with the retractable spikes, instead she was wearing an elegant kimono. Her new, raven-black hair was falling down her backside. "Sure, 'Kensuke', but are you really sure that the people around here are wearing something like this?"

"I informed myself," Peach spoke up. "This so-called kimono is a traditional garment of the Japanese people."

Kenny aka 'Kensuke' looked down at his own pants and shirt. "Well, at least my clothes look pretty normal..." He raised a hand to touch his blonde hair. "But it's kinda strange that my head is all fuzzy..."

"We had-a no choice about it," the plumber hero of the Mushroom Kingdom shrugged. "The humans would-a freak out if they saw they in your true form... it's-a the same reason why we had to put Yoshi in an eggshell... sorry 'bout that, old buddy!"

A damped "Yoshi!" came out of the backpack on the plumber's back as a response.

"Why did we have to bring the dinosaur after all?" Toad frowned. "Kimmy... I mean, Kimiko and Kensuke might be humans now, and I can at least hide my mushroom cap with this big cap, but aren't you taking a risk by taking Yoshi's egg with you?"

"He said he always wanted to see the world I have been living in for at-a least once," Mario explained. "When he looks at-a you with those teary eyes... you can't-a say no!"

"But... but what about the palace?" Toad stuttered, trying to find yet another excuse to get back home. "Isn't it risky to leave like this? What if Bowser attacks while we're away?"

"Oh, I'm pretty sure Luigi and Toadsworth will have everything under control," the princess smiled.

----

"Luigi! Look out behind you!"

"WHAAAAAAAH!" the green-clothed plumber shouted as he waved the front end of the Poltergust 3000 around. "Mamma mia, where IS that stupid ghost?"

"Tee hee hee!" the Boo snickered as he appeared out of nowhere. "We're not stupid, silly plumber... we are just SNEAKY!"

"I've got you now!" Luigi shouted as he started sucking the spherical ghost into his vacuum cleaner.

"EEEEEEK!" the Boo screamed. "Lemme go, lemme go! I just followed my orders, I swear!"

Toadsworth was cowering in a corner of the room and whimpered. "Why, oh why did the Boos choose this day to haunt the castle, why?"

While Luigi and Toadsworth were busy with the Boos on the upper floor, a slightly bigger Boo came floating through the thick walls of the basement. His face was slightly scarier than that of an average Boo, and he also was wearing a crown on his head.

"Nyyeeheeheeheeheeh!" King Boo snickered. "Now let's see if I can find this Warp Pipe Kamek told me about... he promised to pay us Boos handsomely for finding it."

Which meant he was paying King Boo, and his ghostly subjects would get nothing, but that was beside the point.

King Boo cackled gleefully when he finally found the Pipe Room. "Excellent!" he grinned. "I should probably report to Kamek right away... buuut I'm just too tempted. Who knows where this pipe leads to? I just have to find out!"

And with mad laughter, the royal ghost vanished inside the purple pipe.

----

Meanwhile, Peach, Mario and Toad were walking around town, together with the ex-turtle parents. Toad's giant cap was getting a few irritated glances, but all in all, they didn't attract too much attention.

Toad looked at the map and scratched his head. "Well, according to this map that Merlon gave us, the house that my uncle Russ T. brought your daughter to is in that direction... and the new home of your son is in the other direction."

"I suggest we split up, so we don't scare them with too many people at once," Kensuke said.

Kimiko smiled. "Good idea, dear! I'll go introduce myself to our daughter, while you can pay our son a visit."

"I'll go with you, Kimiko!" Peach said. "Toad, please come with us. Mario, you should go with Kensuke. If trouble arises, you always have Yoshi to help you out."

"Okeydokey, Peachy!" Mario grinned and gave her the thumbs-up.