Okay, let me make this clear already so that we can get on with the story. The bulk of this fic takes place after the end of the Ranma ½ timeline, and 21 years after the Negima timeline. Also, for simplicity's sake, Negi had started out his teaching career at age fifteen, which means that he's the same age as the (former) girls of class 3A.

Also, if you want to know; this story was inspired by two other Ranma crossover stories that I read: 'Calm's sorrow', by Graysonpaladin, and 'Harry Potter and the Wild Stallion', by Eric Thorsen. I suggest you give them both a good read, but only after you've read this. If you read them now, you might just end up figuring out how this story will work.

Since I want to be a lawyer one day, I should probably say this: I don't own Mahou Sensei Negima or Ranma ½, this entire story was made simply for the heck of it and because the plot's been tearing at my head for the longest time.

Prologue: Finally time

The sound of a ringing phone blared throughout the halls as a woman walked over to answer. She was in her late thirties, but still kept the appearance of someone half her age; the traditional kimono she wore only managed to increase the effect. She picked up the phone, placing the receiver under her purple hair (1).

"Moshi moshi (2), Saotome residence, Saotome Nodoka speaking," she greeted calmly.

"Honya-chan, it's been a while hasn't it?" It didn't take long for her to remember that voice. "It's me, your 'sister-in-law', Haruna" the voice on the line said with clear sarcasm.

"Oh, Paru. My, it really has been a while, how've you been?"
"Haha… oh you know, still the same and single. It really annoys me, to be honest."
"Well… maybe you'd have better luck if you weren't always so scary."

The humour in her tone was as clear as daylight, as was the smirk on her usually calm face. A face that soon turned solemn.

"So… I guess it's finally that time huh?" Nodoka asked, a mixture of seriousness, anxiety and hope in her voice.

"You got it; it's already been a full seventeen years next week, but the gates have finally re-opened. I already went and called Iincho; she's arranging a private flight for us to England." Haruna replied cheerfully, drawing a relieved sigh from her friend.

"I see. Well… I guess it's about time I set things right. It would do my son a lot of good to finally know the truth… after what that no good cousin of yours put him through." Nodoka walked towards a nearby cabinet as she spoke, pulling out a card from the inside.

Haruna laughed nervously over the phone at the mention of her cousin. "Uhh… yeah, I guess that's true. But hey, he was the only one stupid enough to think that Ranma actually was his son, we didn't have a choice." She knew it wouldn't be a good enough excuse, but it was all she had.

Nodoka simply let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm just glad I didn't actually need to have sex with that scum. Your art golems really did come in helpful for that," she said, twirling the card in her hand.

"Hahahahahaha… well, I try my best," she replied, "what really surprised me was that he didn't even notice that you were already two months pregnant the next day."

She continued on laughing; Nodoka joining in after a while, though in a much softer way. "I suppose I should be getting ready then? When do we leave for Wales then?"

"Iincho said that we should be at the airport by 9 PM tomorrow. If you're planning on bringing Ranma, then it would probably be a good idea to get him by morning."

"Hmm, yes… I suppose going for a visit tomorrow would be good." Pinching the card in her hand, Nodoka whispered a word she hadn't said in all of seventeen years.

"Adeat."

And with that one word, a bright glow resonated off of her card as it disappeared; a dark pink book taking its place. "Search the thoughts of the one I call: Saotome Ranma."

At her command, the once empty book slowly started to fill itself with writing. A rather childish picture of her son –grumbling as he walked through a dimly lit street from the looks of it, drew itself on top of the page.

Darn that un-cute tomboy. Always hitting me with that damn mallet of hers. I didn't even do anything wrong, but would she believe me, noooooo. I've tried so hard to work things out between us, but ever since that stupid disaster of a wedding, things have only gotten worse.

Sure, she still hit me, even before that, but now it's like she's just looking for reasons to get mad at me. I mean seriously; I was the one taking a bath, then Akane just comes in, calls me a pervert, and then launch me into the air. And now, thanks to Air Akane, I end up in the middle of Juban.

Hmm… now, if I remember right, this street is close to where mom lives. *sigh* Maybe she'll let me stay for the night. I really don't want to have to walk all the way home. Even if I ran, I'd probably get there late. Hn, and if I did, I'd probably only get hit with that mallet anyways.

Nodoka didn't know what to feel after she was done reading. On one hand, her son was probably going to come to her door, which meant that it would be easier to take her him with her. On the other hand, he was going there only because he was malleted there by Akane, something that she had seen happening a lot of times whenever she visited.

"That's the last straw. I've been turning a blind eye to this for too long. It's about time to take down this act. I'm not going to let that spoiled little brat abuse my like this anymore." She thought angrily.

Turning back to the phone in her hand, she remembered that her friend was still on the line. "Hey Paru, you still there?" she asked.

"Uh-huh, something come up? You were really quiet for a while there." A little bit of worry was clearly present as she answered.

"Well… I guess you could say… there's been a slight change in my plans. Do you think that you and Yue can spare a trip to Juban tomorrow? I may need both of your help."

"Oh, you want to call up the Biblio trio(3) for a meeting? This must be serious," Haruna said in a half serious, half joking tone. "Well, I'm taking a break from work right now, so it shouldn't be a problem for me. As for Yue, well… I think it better if you asked her. The two of you always were closer…… in more ways than one (4)." She added the last part with a teasing voice.

Nodoka's face flushed with anger as an unfitting scowl replaced her usual calm demeanour.

"Oh!... just call her up will you! I have something else I need to take care of." And with that, slammed the phone back to its place, just as a knock came from her door.

A serene smile once more found it's place on her face as she left to open it for her son. "Seem like things are starting to change… and in the best way possible too."

----X----

And there you have it, the prologue for my new story. It may not be much, but then again, it's just the beginning, the chapters will be longer after this. I'll try to update, ASAP. Meanwhile, see if any of you can guess what's going to happen. Make sure to give a review of your guess… or comment… or constructive criticism… or just so you can comment for that matter. Remember, many authors write faster with more reviews.

(1)- Just so you all know, Nodoka (Ranma's mother) was shown in the anime with purple hair. Tyrian purple to be exact (you never know what kind of things you'll learn if one of your friends is an art student).

(2)- This is how Japanese people say hello over the phone.

(3)-Biblio pretty much translates to books. It's a Latin word and quite frankly I think it fits better for a group of three mages.

(4)- For all the sick perverted minds out there, NO, it's not what you may think. Nodoka and Yue are not in that kind of a relationship

Till next time, again, Review please.