Hi all,

After a brief pause, to get a jump on things.  I'm back in the saddle 
and have finished a few extra chapters of TRIO.  So here's chap 18.  
Enjoy! (And if you want me to send the rest of Endworld: Moon Run 
just tell me.)

				   TRIO:
				BATTLE SCARS

	Usagi entered the darkened room and looked at the still form on the 
bed as she held the plate of food in her hands.  "Hi," she chirped, 
"I've got some yummy dinner for you.  I made it myself... well 
actually I just nuked it but still, I didn't blow anything up this 
time."

	"Leave me alone," the form on the bed replied.

	Usagi sighed and her cheerful smile vanished.  This had been going 
on for the several days since the whole Woe Bringer incident.  She 
looked at the desk by the bed and saw that several other plates that 
she had brought had been eaten so she said, "I'll just leave this 
here with the others and you can eat it when you're hungry."

	"Whatever."

	Usagi put the plate down on the table, cleared away the other dishes 
and as she prepared to leave, she turned back and asked, "Ranma.... 
are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"

	"Yes.  Now leave me alone."

	Usagi sighed again and closed the door behind her, bathing the room 
in darkness once more.  Ranma looked at the food and thought, "Hmmm.  
Might as well."

	He sat up and began to eat.  His motions were slow and withdrawn as 
his thoughts drifted to what had kept him in his room.

	Woe Bringer.  More specifically, when he had been Woe Bringer.  He 
still couldn't believe (or forgive himself for) what he had done.  He 
had nearly killed a lot of people.  He nearly killed Gohan.  He might 
have killed Trunks, as far as any of the Trio knew, the other golden 
warrior was still MIA.  He... he nearly killed himself.  That and one 
other thing was what kept waking him up at night.  The fact that if 
Usagi had used her crystal one second later, it wouldn't have worked 
because he wouldn't have had a body to go back to.

	The other thing was the face.  The face that he had seen in the lake.
  The first time that he had become Woe Bringer and the thought that 
it could happen again.

	Down stairs....

	<Usagi, Ranma> the note read.

	<Went out on patrol.  I'll buy my own dinner.

	Gohan>

	"Out on patrol again?" Usagi thought, "I know what that means."

	She took a glance at the morning paper.  Even though, at the most, 
she usually gave the headlines a quick glance, usually to see if the 
three of them had made the news, and then headed straight for the 
comics, this mornings headline was impossible to ignore.  It read, 
"LOCAL SUPER HERO ON RAMPAGE?"

	The picture below it showed Great Sayaman slugging a criminal right 
on the jaw and according to the artical, said criminal was in the 
hospital and had to have his entire jaw replaced.  Ever since the Woe 
Bringer incident, Gohan had been getting more and more violent with 
the criminals that he ran into.

	The worst incident so far, had been when Usagi had been with him as 
Sailor Moon and they ran into a pair of bank robbers in the middle of 
their job.  She had managed to bonk one of them with her tiara but 
the other one got it worse as Gohan had picked him up and nearly 
threw him through the bank vault.

	She had been shocked at the incredibly irresponsible action of the 
one who she considered the closest thing to a leader the Trio had and 
she was quick in letting him know it.  Gohans only response had been 
to walk out of the bank in a huff and fly away.

	"Am I the only one here," Usagi muttered to herself, "who ISN'T 
getting all grim and gritty?"

	Somewhere in the city....

	"I've heard of this 'car jacking'," Sayaman growled as he held the 
last of the criminals in front of him, "but I've never seen it before.
"

	Then, he bashed the man in the face with an uppercut and added, "But 
punks will be punks!"

	The woman who's car had been in the process of being stolen looked 
at the super hero and said, "Thank you," very quickly before driving 
away at full speed.

	"What's with her?" Sayaman thought, before he turned and looked at 
the havoc he had caused.

	There had been three criminals in all.  Two of them had arms hanging 
in unnatural positions and the third looked like he would need some 
minor reconstructive surgery on his face.  "Got what they deserved," 
Sayaman grumbled under his breath and flew off.

	A little voice in the back of his head said, "You know, you 
shouldn't take your guilt out on these criminals.  If you're not 
careful, you could end up killing someone."

	Sayaman muttered to himself, "Aww, shut up."

	The voice went silent.

	The next day....

	Usagi was cleaning up again.  The vacuum hummed as it picked up the 
dirt that had worked its way into the floor overnight.  She reached a 
hard to reach area and turned to Troy.  Then she said in her best 
"I'm helpless and a big strong guy like you can help" voice and did 
her biggest hurt puppy dog eyes, "Could you please help me move this 
thing so I can get behind it?  Pretty, pretty please?"

	Troy looked up at her and replied, "Alright, I'll help.  Stop doing 
that though.  It scares the heck out of me."

	Usagi quickly dropped the ultra cute act and as Troy started to move 
the shelf, he groaned and grabbed his ribs.  "Are you okay?" Usagi 
asked in concern.

	"Yeah," Troy replied through gritted teeth, "It's just....

	"Hmmm," Troy aka Trunks thought, "what do I tell her so she doesn't 
get suspicious?  Aha!"

	"... I was trying to move that grandfather clock.  I didn't get too 
good a grip on it though and the darn thing fell on me.  Cracked 
about three ribs.  I'll be fine though."

	In truth, he had been injured in the battle with Woe Bringer quite 
badly.  However, thanks to his Saya-Jin halfling healing factor, he 
had quickly recovered and now only had a few cracked ribs to worry 
about, and those would be healed before the day was out.

	As he finished talking, Susan walked into the room and said, "Are 
you two working or plotting to overthrow me?"

	Troy replied sarcastically as he did a mock bow, "Nay fine madam, 
this store is truly yours."

	The exchange had been more then witty banter.  It was in fact, a 
secret code between the two of them.  The rough translation of what 
Susan aka Setsuna had said was, "I need to talk to you."

	Troys reply translated to, "I'll be with you in a second.  Need to 
do something to keep appearances up."

	Usagi, unknowing of the secret exchange, just stifled a laugh at 
more of the strange actions of her crazy bosses.  After helping with 
the shelf, Troy walked into the back room with Susan and asked 
quietly, "What is it now Setsuna?  The Eclipse Syndicate up to 
something again?"

	"No Trunks," Setsuna replied in a whisper, "I fear it has somethin 
to do with the after shocks of their last attack."

	She held up a newspaper and pointed to the artical with the headline 
of, "LOCAL SUPER HERO ON RAMPAGE?"

	"Aww man!" Trunks exclaimed and lowered his voice again as he said, 
"I knew something like this was going to happen.  We should have made 
sure that Ranma never got turned into Woe Bringer."

	"Like we should have involved ourselves in the battle between the 
Trio and the Inner Four?"

	"Hell yeah.  I still say we were lucky that none of them got hurt."

	"Think about it for a bit.  Remember when I said that we can only 
involve ourselves at certain times or risk a major disruption of the 
Time Stream.  Also, think on this as well, if we had involved 
ourselves in that battle, then Gohan would have never remembered Kame-
Hame-Ha, Sailor Moon would not have remembered Moon Princess Halation 
and Ranma would not..."

	"I get the point.  It's just that, what the hell kind of good can 
come out of being turned into a monster AND, I'd like to add, what 
good can come out of Gohan going on a guilt obsessed rampage?"

	Setsuna raised an eyebrow, "'Guilt obsessed'?  How do you figure his 
actions have to do with that?"

	"Aha.  So you don't know everything."

	"I never said I did."

	"Yeah, but you do know enough to make people nuts when they try to 
talk to you."

	Setsuna grinned slightly, "Be that as it may.  I need you to talk to 
Gohan.  Maybe you can stop him before he goes over the edge."

	"I'll try... but I still say we shouldn't have let Seer do that to 
Ranma."

	"Trust me.  It will turn out for the best."

	"It better."

	That night...

	Usagi entered the room once again with a new plate of food and said, 
"Hi.  Got dinner for you."

	"Leave it and leave," Ranma replied.

	While Usagi understood the value of having time alone to deal with 
internal conflicts, enough was rapidly becoming enough.  "No," she 
said adamantly, "I'm not leaving!  Whether you like it or not, I'm 
staying and you ARE going to talk to me!"

	"Fine.  Waste your night if you want to."

	Usagi was about to say something nasty but took a deep breath and 
calmed down.  Anger would only compound the problem.  So she put the 
plate down on the desk, laid down on the bed next to Ranma, his back 
still to her, and she said, "You have GOT to talk about this sooner 
or later.  You can't keep it locked inside, it'll wind up hurting you 
even more then it already has."

	"What are you TALKING about?!  I haven't been in here THAT long.  I 
just need a little time to get my thoughts in order that's all."

	"FOUR days?"

	"I have a lot to get in order, okay?!"

	"I can help..."

	"Save it!  I don't need your help!  I don't need anyone!"

	"That's not true."

	"How would you know?!  Are you a pshycic now?!"

	"Why did you kiss me?"

	Ranma didn't have an answer for that one and he shuffled slightly.  
Usagi smiled sadly as she said, "Thought so.  You gonna come out and 
talk now?"

	"No."

	Usagi sighed and replied, "I was afraid it would come to this."

	Ranma heard a slight shuffling behind him and then his world 
exploded into stars.

	Usagi dropped the plate she had used to nail Ranma with and she 
cried as she said, "I'm sorry.  I have to do this."

	Meanwhile....

	"ARRRRGH!!!!" Seer ranted as he tossed whatever he could get his 
hands on across the room, "THEY'VE DONE IT TO ME *AGAIN*!!!!  THEY 
RUINED THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAN I HAVE HAD IN *YEARS*!!!!!  IT WAS 
PURE FATE THAT THE STARS WERE IN ALIGNMENT FOR SUCH PERFECT SOUL 
TRANSFER!  NOW IT WILL TAKE *CENTURIES* FOR THEM TO BE IN THE PROPER 
POSITION AGAIN!!!  I'LL..."

	"PIPE DOWN!" Blade Bot said as he teleported into the room Seer 
occupied, "The master doesn't give us a lot of down time and I for 
one plan to make the most of it!  HOWEVER, I won't be able to do so 
until SOMEBODY stops throwing a fit loud enough for the Genetiks 
still in the tubes in the basement to hear!"

	"Oh I'm sorry," Seer replied acidicly, "did I interrupt your train 
of thought?  Isn't it still boarding at the station?!"

	"You know, your crack brained little plan might have worked if you 
had included me in it, but nooooo!  As I remember you putting it, 'A 
rust bucket would only screw it up.'  Seems you did a good job of 
that without any of my Divisions help."

	"I should just turn you into a ash tray and not have to listen to 
your annoying voice anymore."

	Blade Bot walked right up in front of Seer and looked down on him, 
letting his obvious height advantage be known.  "Listen little 
magician," he growled threateningly, "remember that only one of us 
was able to take Sayaman to the limit in his super form... and it 
wasn't you!"

	At that moment Eclipse Lords voice reverberated through the room.  
"ENOUGH," he roared, "I have been searching for you Blade Bot and it 
seems that I found you just in time.  I want a status report on the 
Time/Space Device.  I have been most patient in waiting for it.  I 
hate being patient."

	Seer and Blade Bot quickly stopped their arguing as Blade Bot 
stammered, "O... Of course master.  I just checked with Welder and he 
says that it will be completed within the hour."

	"Good.  Very good," Eclipse Lords voice started to fade out but 
before it did, "Seer...."

	"Yes master?" the shadow being replied.

	"The next time you plan to rant....  DO SO MORE QUIETLY!!!"

	Somewhere in the city....

	Sayaman stood on a rooftop.  He had just severely beaten a cat 
burglar and the sight of the frightened mans face had caused him to 
fly off in shock.  Now he was trying to sort out what was the matter 
with him.  Why was he doing this?  A voice behind him said, "I know 
you're upset but you shouldn't take it out on those who are unable to 
defend themselves."

	Sayaman turned to regard the golden haired, green eyed, sword 
wielding man who had landed behind him on the roof.  "Trunks," 
Sayaman said, "What's the problem now?"

	"You are."

	"Huh?"

	"You're getting out of hand and if you keep going at the rate you 
are, it won't be long before you kill somebody.  I've seen you like 
this before Gohan.  You feel guilty about something and you're taking 
it out on the closest things around.  For now at least, criminals 
seem to do the job... but soon, you might start lashing out at your 
friends without even realizing it."

	Sayaman went wide eyed and replied in a shocked tone of voice, "WHAT?
!  I would NEVER hurt my friends!"

	"Intentionally?  Never.  Unintentionally?  With the way you're going 
it's a possibility."

	"Forget this!  I'm out of here."

	Sayaman started to leave but Trunks stopped him with, "You once told 
me, 'Even though feeling guilt and rage is normal, you shouldn't let 
it dictate your actions.  It's better to tell your problems to 
someone who will listen then to take it out on someone who wouldn't 
understand.'"

	Sayaman stopped, turned and said, "I don't remember saying that."

	"You wouldn't.  The point however, is that I'll be the one who will 
listen to you."

	Sayaman thought about it.  He didn't know why but that feeling of 
complete trust he felt for Trunks came rushing forward and he sat 
down on the roof.  He removed his sunglasses and dropped any pretense 
that he was anything besides Son Gohan.  Trunks smiled and sat down 
across from him.  "I guess," Gohan began, "it started with the Magico 
incident."

	"What do you mean?"

	"Well... it was just... here, let me put it this way, I'm the 
strongest, physically, member of the Trio, right?"

	"Right."

	"And almost no one the Eclipse Syndicate sends can match me in power 
and over whelming force, right?"

	"Uh huh."

	"There's the problem, I agree with that.  I'm so powerful that I act 
like an idiot!"

	"Now hold on a minute!  You are one of the two brightest people I 
know!"

	"Intelligence doesn't mean I don't act stupid or careless.  The 
first time I really did so was when Magico snatched Usagis broach.  
Both times, I was so certain that I could over power him, that I let 
him trick me fifty ways to the next century.  It was worse after the 
first time then it was the second time."

	"Why's that?"

	"Well, the second time, you were there to bail me out... but the 
first time... the first time... I had to face Usagi with the fact 
that I had failed to get her broach back... and... and..."

	Suddenly, Gohan stood and walked over to a chimney and started to 
punch it.  Of course, it shattered on the first blow but Gohan kept 
hitting it lower and lower, breaking more and more of it.  "Whoa, 
whoa," Trunks exclaimed as he lept to his feet, "What is it?"

	"It's just..." Gohan growled in frustration while his back was still 
to Trunks, "the look in her eyes when she told me how frightened she 
was.  It would have broken anyones heart."

	Gohan took a deep breath and continued, "The next incident was with 
Ryoga.  I was so eager to help Ranma that I never even thought for a 
moment that he could have been someone who hated him and I let myself 
be tricked again.

	"Then of course, came Woe Bringer..."

	"How can you blame yourself for that?  You couldn't have had any way 
of knowing and you can't hold yourself responsible for not stopping 
it from happening."

	"It's not that!  It's just... I needed you to point out that it had 
happened.  The three of us have become real good friends, I thought I 
would have been able to recognize them no matter what happened to 
them.  I was wrong.  I almost blasted Ranma and if you hadn't shown 
up..."

	Suddenly, Gohans shoulders dropped and started to shake in strange 
up and down motions.  Trunks looked closer and was shocked to see a 
slow trickle of tears falling from his friend and mentors face.  The 
only time in his life that Trunks had seen Gohan cry before was when 
Androids 17 and 18 had killed Piccolo, Klillin and the other members 
of the Z Team.  So now, he did the same thing he had done then, he 
went to his friend and let him cry on his shoulder.  As Gohan did so, 
Trunks thought, "Damn it Setsuna, you had BETTER be right... or else.
"

	Back at the house....

	Ranma-chan sat up as her world came back into focus as the strong 
slap of the water splashed into her face.  It took her a moment to 
realize that she WAS a she.  Meaning the water hitting her had been 
cold.  Suddenly, Usagi came into her vision and she threw her arms 
around Ranma-chan as she wailed, "I'm sorry Ranma.  I shouldn't have 
hit you.  I'm sorry.  I really thought I hurt you.  
I'msorryI'msorryI'msorry."

	It took Ranma-chan a few seconds to piece together Usagi's rant.  
"Hey, wait a sec," she thought, "Usagi HIT me???  That's not like her 
at all."

	Aloud she said, "Ummm... Why did you do it?"

	Usagi looked up and wiped away her tears as she thought, "Okay, I've 
already decided to go through with this.  I can't stop now!"

	Aloud she said, "You need to stop sulking and face the real world.  
Do you know that your job has called asking how much longer you're 
going to be out for?  I won't keep covering for you any more."

	That got a start from Ranma-chan.  "She..." Ranma-chan thought, 
"she's been covering for me?"

	"Also," Usagi continued, "I swear, before the night is out, you ARE 
going to talk to me about what's troubling you!  First however, 
there's something important you have to do!"

	"What's that?"

	"To be blunt... you STINK!  You haven't had a shower ever since you 
started sulking.  You are going to take one right now!"

	It was then that Ranma-chan noticed that the two of them were 
sitting on the bathroom floor, the shower head letting out a stream 
of cold water.  "Usagi must have dragged me here after she blind 
sided me," she thought angrily, "The NERVE of her!"

	Aloud she said, "No!  I'll take one when I'M ready!"

	"You are GOING to take one NOW!  You'll feel a lot better when 
you're clean.  I'll make sure you take one even if I have to throw 
you in there myself!"

	"I'd like to see you try!"

	Without a word Usagi just grabbed Ranma-chan in a hammer lock and 
started to drag her to the shower stall.  Ranma-chan hadn't realized 
just how much she had deteriorated until she tried to struggle out of 
Usagis grip and her arms and legs cramped from the most strenuous 
effort they had been used for in almost a week.  "ARRGH!!" Ranma-chan 
roared as Usagi tripped over a crack on the floor and the two of them 
fell into the stall.

	The cold water rushed over the two clothed individuals but both of 
them were too busy to notice their dressed condition.  Ranma-chan, 
intent on escaping and Usagi intent on holding her still as she 
reached for some soap to scrub Ranma-chans face with.  Finally Ranma-
chan erupted, "LET GO OF ME YOU... YOU... BITCH!!!"

	Usagi's grip suddenly went slack and Ranma-chan slid to the other 
side of the stall.  She turned, a look of furry on her features.  A 
look that faded as she saw the look Usagi had on hers.  It was one of 
a person on the verge of a collapse.  She heard Usagi whisper, "So 
that's how you feel about me.  I... I understand.  I... I'm sorry."

	Usagi turned away from her and Ranma-chan felt the emotional walls 
that she had put up suddenly crumble.  She crawled over to Usagi and 
said as she herself felt the tears welling in her eyes, "There's 
nothing for you to apologize for."

	Usagi slowly turned to face Ranma-chan and the red head continued, 
"I'm the one who should be apologizing.  You've been so kind to me 
and I... I..."

	Ranma-chan broke down and cried.  Usagi looked at her friend and 
wrapped her arms around her, cooing softly, "It's okay.  Let it out.  
Let it all out."

	Through the material of Usagis shirt, Ranma-chan sobbed, "It's just 
that... I keep seeing Woe Bringers face.  MY face.  I can't forget 
what I did and I'm so scared that it could happen again!  But..."

	"But what?"

	"What if next time it isn't me that gets turned into the monster?  
What if it's Gohan?  Or what if it's you?"

	Usagi smiled softly as she replied, "If the same thing that happened 
to you happened to me, I know you would be able to stop me."

	"How?"

	Usagi leaned closer to her friends ear and said something she would 
never have said if she hadn't meant it, "I love you."

	Ranma-chan looked up with eyes filled with surprise and a slight 
glimmer of hope.  Usagi's smile became larger and she nodded.

	They kissed then.  They didn't care if they were both girls at the 
time.  They didn't care that they were sitting in the shower, fully 
clothed and soaking wet.  All that mattered was that they show how 
they felt for each other and a meeting of lips seemed to be the best 
way.

	They broke the embrace and Ranma-chan said softly, "Could you give 
me a bit?  I think I'm gonna take that shower now... and I'm gonna 
use hot water."

	Usagi blushed slightly and got to her feet.  She grabbed a towel 
before exiting the bathroom.  She walked down the stairs and sat on 
the living room couch, placing the towel around her as she picked up 
the remote and flicked on the television.  A movie was showing.  Some 
kind of Science Fiction Action movie called "Independence Day".  It 
wasn't that bad.  A bit thin on plot perhaps, but still fun to watch.


	A knock on the door brought Usagi out of her "Joel Segal" mode and 
she went to look in the peep hole.  She was surprised to find Gohan 
standing outside, waiting to be let in.  Usually, he came and left 
through the window.  She quickly opened the door and said, "Hi.  Come 
on in."

	Gohan took one look at Usagis soaked condition and asked, "Do I even 
want to know?"

	Usagi chuckled and replied, "Not really."

	"Didn't think so."

	"How are you doing?"

	"Better.  I had a talk with Trunks.  Turns out he's a good friend of 
mine."

	Gohans stomach growled and he grimaced as he said, "Sorry.  I guess 
I accidently skipped dinner."

	"Fortunately for you, I bought some cookies today that you might 
like.  Come on."

	Usagi led Gohan into the kitchen, got a box from out of the 
refrigerator and handed it to Gohan.  Half of it was already eaten.  
"Sorry," Usagi said by way of explanation, "I kind of got hungry and 
had some on the way home with them."

	Gohan got a plate out and poured out what remained of the sweets 
onto it.  As he started to eat, Usagi asked, "Want to talk?"

	Gohan swallowed and replied, "I think I'm past the age where I'm 
given a cookie and spill my guts."

	Usagi giggled and replied, "Don't knock it until you try it."

	Gohan did end up spilling his guts.  He said everything that he had 
said to Trunks to Usagi but this time, the need to cry passed without 
it happening.  When he was done he said, "I'm okay now though.  I 
don't think you need to worry about me getting out of hand anymore.  
I'll save my more violent moves for the Eclipse Syndicate."

	"Now THAT'S the happy go lucky and yet strangely determined leader 
we know and tolerate."

	Gohan smiled for the first time in days and it felt good.  He said 
goodnight to Usagi and headed off for bed.  Usagi went upstairs and 
passed by Ranma as he walked out of the bathroom in a grey bathrobe 
that Usagi had left for him.  As they were about to enter their rooms,
 Usagi turned back to Ranma and said, "Shouldn't you change your 
sheets?"

	Ranma stopped and opened the nearby linen closet.  He took a spare 
set of sheets out and looked up at Usagi.  He said, "Thanks.  For 
everything.  I want you to know..." his voice trailed off and what he 
said next was mumbled.

	Usagi walked over to him and asked, "What?"

	When she was close enough, Ranma placed his arms around her waist 
and pulled her close as he whispered in her ear, "I love you too."

	They kissed again.  Briefer then when they had been in the shower 
but with the same passion.  They separated and they both turned a 
slight red from the emotions running through them.  Ranma smiled 
softly and wished Usagi goodnight as he entered his room.  When she 
was alone, a thought finally came to Usagi.  "I did it," she thought, 
"I got him to smile again."

	An inner voice that was, for some strange reason, accompanied by the 
mental image of a talking cat said, "There may be hope for you yet."

	Usagi did a mental back flip as she entered her room and flopped on 
her bed.  Sleep following shortly after.

END OF EPISODE

NEXT: Ranma makes a startling announcement to Usagi and Gohan that 
leaves our heros reeling.  Also, halfway around the world, two new 
visitors are preparing to arrive in New York.  However, their arrival 
couldn't have come at a worst time as the Eclipse Syndicate unleashes 
the awesome power of the Time/Space Device.  Who are these visitors?  
What power does the Time/Space Device hold?

Find out in: TRIO: WHISPERS OF THE PAST! Part 1: THE TRIO IS NOW A 
DUO!