For Akane
A Ranma 1/2 - Sailor Moon Crossover
by: SoulSurvivor
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and Sailor Moon ar property of their respective authors and any other given authority by said authors... Namely, NOT ME!
Ranma felt a tear run down his cheek as he held her, his throat still sore from screaming her name. Akane... He never had a chance to tell her how he felt, and now it was to late. He could feel his world collapsing around him as something deep inside withered and died.
'Please... Please don't be dead.'
*She's not... Yet.*
He jerked up, looking for the voice, before realizing that it was in his head. "Wha..."
*Do you want her back?*
"Yes." he whispered, "Yes I do."
There was a flash of light, then he found himself in a darkened room, facing a woman on a throne. When she spoke, it was with the voice he had heard before.
"Do you realize what you did? Saffron had enough power to give _me_ a challenge, and you, a mere human, tore him apart and survived."
As she spoke, she rose and approached him.
"Even with his transformation interrupted, he had the power of a demi-god at his fingertips, and you defeated him... Hell, you killed him! That should not have been possible."
She waved her hand at a wall and it faded to reveal Akane's face, from the angle, he realized that he was looking at her through his own eyes. He felt his heart tighten in his chest as she continued.
"I can give you the power to heal her you know, to bring her back from death's door. I can give you this, but it comes with a price."
At this, he tore his gaze from Akane's face and looked the stranger in the eyes, his voice choked with sorrow, he spoke for the first time.
"What... What do you want?"
She held his gaze for a moment, eyeing him appraisingly before she spoke.
All of those who serve me have the same fault. They are coerced by spells to do my bidding, and regardless of how powerfull the enchantment, there is always a part of them that fights back. The stronger the will of the subject, the more powerfull the enchantment needed to bind them. The more powerfull the binding, and the less effective they become in carrying out my will."
She chuckled for a moment before continuing.
"You, on the other hand, have a will stronger than all of my generals combined. The binding spell that would hold you would more than likely turn you into an automaton, thus rendering you utterly useless. However, you come ready made with your own chains, chains stronger than any spell I could weave, chains you wear of your own free will."
As she spoke, she came even closer, stopping only when they were face to face, her eyes boring directly into his.
"My bargain is simple Ranma Saotome. You swear your fealty to me, Queen Beryl of the Negaverse, on your honor as a martial artist, in return I will give you the power to bring Akane back from Death's door."
She stepped back and returned to her throne before giving her final shot.
"If you choose to not accept my offer, I will simply leave you as I found you, minus the memory of this encounter, and let nature take its course. You killed a god to protect her, Saotome. Will you deal with a devil to save her life?"
Ranma turned once again to face the image of Akane's face. The more he considered Beryl's offer, the clearer his choice became. She was evil, that much was obvious, and serving her would be a mistake. But that was meaningless when compared to the hell that life without Akane would be. Turning to meet Beryl's gaze, his face became an emotionless mask as he gave his answer.
"Yes."
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Tbc
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Folks, C&C is most appreciated!
I would like this story to continue, but I know little to nothing about Sailor Moon. If anybody would like to pick this up, they are more than welcome to. If not, then further chapters will have to be delayed untill I can do some research on the subject.
SoulSurvivor