Foreword V1.0B:
This is the first revision to this draft foreword and will more than
likely continue to change with each revision to the story itself.
The following is my first attempt at fan-fiction, although not my first
writing project, and is certainly an *extremely* ambitious idea. The concept
began with a discussion between a friend (Iaen) and myself concerning how
amusing it would be to cross BGC and DP. The idea more or less flagged
immediately as, on consideration, I decided I hadn't the patience to try. I'm
really sick of pure sci-fi and although I'll still read it, I've no longer any
inclination to write it myself. However, that got me pondering on whether it
might be possible to cross several Anime universes in a fantasy fanfic as dark,
serious and terrifying (without a trace of gratuitous bloodshed) as I could
possibly conceive. Thus was this thing born.
So far, I intend to include Ranma 1/2, Project A-ko, Mamono Hunter
Yohko, Sailor Moon (both versions), Ah Megami-sama, Bubblegum Crisis, Dirty
Pair and several characters of my own creation (none of whom have much at all
in common with myself and all of whom are the very antithesis of the perfect
Anime interlopers able to save the multiverse), with the very faintest
possibility of Miyu and Dr. Who (using John Pertwee's incarnation) to finish
the picture. However, fair warning now. This will *not* be comic, not in any
sense of the word and certain characters may therefore appear to act with a
little more intelligence than their creators originally intended because of
this, particularly as their situation becomes more desperate. That is not to
say that there won't be the usual comic relief in the appropriate universes
together with moments of respite and happiness, but the story itself will be
*deadly serious* and most definitely *not* for those who don't wish to see
their favourite characters put through a multiverse of slowly gathering
darkness and growing evil. There is only one more condition I've set for this.
Not one of each universe's main characters will make a cameo. If I can't
manage an important role for each and every character, that universe's
participation in this is history.
Well, now that that's out of the way, just eight things.
1) This hasn't a title as yet and I'd be very interested in suggestions.
`Dark Chronicles', `Demon's Playground' and `Tether's End' sound far too
cliched to me (although the first will be used as a working title (since I need
something in the subject line of the posts :) ) and the last two might just
make it as chapter or part titles).
2) These are alternate universes in the sense that some split from their
established time-line in the moment this tale begins (I've not decided for any
of them apart from BGC (after BGC-8) and both SMs (at the end of SM S) as yet
at what point that will be) while others (such as both SM alternatives) are
subtly altered (although their basic history up to this point is identical to
canon). However, don't expect that things need to end pleasantly for all (or
any) of them, nor that the `glitch' this tale creates will iron itself out back
into the original time-lines. It most definitely will not.
3) I'm starting this more or less alone but for additional ideas Iaen
might come up with, however, since the characters (apart (thus far) from four)
are not my own, I would certainly be interested should anyone (but only
established Anime fanfic writers) be tempted to give me a hand with writing the
thing or should anyone at all come up with an idea they think might work.
Naturally you would be given full credit for any help.
4) With regards to SM Anime, I've only seen some of the first series of
the American version (gods but those things can be really *really* dreadful at
times :) ) and, as I intend to use both it and the Japanese original, I've had
to extrapolate the differences (and indeed everything beyond the first series)
from fan-fiction, advice and Hitoshi Doi's *excellent* summaries. Please
correct even the *smallest* fault (although of course that goes for any faults
in any universe or portrayal) unless I've specifically listed it as one of the
mentioned subtle alterations. For SM E.G. the lack of absurdly convoluted
speeches (after some reminders that these are *not* a good idea against most
adversaries) will be the most obvious of these so far, also the fact that each
attack need not be screamed at the top of the lungs :) although speaking them
may still be used to help focus. I had to do this. I really can't see
something truly malevolent standing there waiting for Usagi or Serena to
prattle for 30 seconds (or even Yohko for 10).
5) Are there English E-text summaries or script translations comparable to
HD's for SM, available on the net for any of the other above mentioned Animes,
and if so, where (FTP or WWW)? The ability to refresh my memory or
quick-reference at a moment's notice would be *very* useful while writing this.
6) I'm totally colour-blind. This is both a veritable pain in the neck
and means that I would very much appreciate a detailed description from some
generous soul of what the characters (in all forms where appropriate) and
important places in the above listed Animes look like colour-wise and
especially how they would immediately be identified by distinctive colour
traits in scheme/dress. Despite my visual shortcomings :) I consider such
descriptive detail *very* important and don't want to make a total ass (oy, not
the American interpretation of that thanks) of myself with clothing clashes,
hair and eye colour, identifying characteristics and the like.
7) Remember that this is still very much an initial draft. There are
going to be absolute wallopers of faults in this thing (particularly as my
knowledge of some of these universes is limited by what I can get here) and I
need to know about them. Anything but unmitigated flames will be listened to.
These last will be delivered to a certain revenge-driven ki-blade-wielding
character in this fanfic for consideration and appropriate response. :-)
8) I've set up this account specifically to deal with anything related to
this fanfic (the reason for its name) and gated it to a local ML. Anything you
send to it may be seen by a select few as some ideas and perhaps even some
writing for this become something of a team effort. This means that you might
get responses to critique from more than one person . Ah yes, and regarding
responses; please don't think your comments are being ignored if I (or at least
someone) doesn't answer them immediately. This is currently a UUCP site
(although it will be permanently connected soon) so there could be up to 24
hours' delay between your sending e-mail and it landing here.
Well, that's about all for now. Enjoy (I hope). The next part should
be posted within a week or so, depending of course on the response to this.
Craig (28-06-96)