I'm not too sure where this one can go so I'm sorta looking for ideas of
how to expand on it. To give you a little background on this, a couple of
months ago, someone mentioned in passing on FFML the idea that the four
generals of the Dark Kingdom weren't really thousands of years old, but had
instead died along with everyone else, been reincarnated, and then
corrupted once again by Beryl when they reawoke in the present. For some
reason this stuck in my head and then resurfaced when I read Sean Murphy's
"Moon Queen Magic". So my question is:

	What about the families of the reincarnated generals?

*****

	Usagi was relaxing on the floor in front of the TV, Luna curled up next to
her sleeping. She had gotten her homework done early for once and was
reaping her reward, the bowl of popcorn she was currently demolishing being
part of it. Her favorite show was about to come on as soon as the news
finished, and she didn't want to miss any of it.

	"For today's final story, we are going to take another look at the strange
disappearances that occured at Tokyo University a little over a month ago,
tonight." The newscaster's drone barely reached Usagi's ears, so wrapped up
was she in her popcorn and anticipation of her show. Why couldn't the news
get over with by now?

	"Barely a month ago, four students mysteriously disappeared from the
campus of Tokyo University. Ichino Jaka-san, Nino Neboku-san, Sanno
Zosui-san, and Shino Kukin-san were described by friends and family as
being inseperable friends. When they vanished without a trace from
Shino-san's apartment one day, that network of friends and families reeled
at the loss." Watching at home, Usagi shuddered faintly in horror at the
idea of suddenly disappearing one day. She was glad nothing like that had
ever happened to her, she didn't think she could bear it if one of her
family were to vanish.

	"While friends and family still wait hopefully for the four boys to turn
up safely somewhere, police investigators say there is little chance of
anything new happening in the case anytime soon. If anyone has any
information regarding this case, please contact the Tokyo Police." As the
story wrapped up, pictures of the four young men flashed up onto the
screen. Usagi jerked in seeming recognition for a moment as she stared at
the not-quite-familiar faces, startling Luna awake from her perch on
Usagi's lap. Deciding after a moment of thought that she must be confused,
Usagi's attention went back to her popcorn, before she was distracted by
Luna's hissing.

	Standing in front of the TV, glaring at the screen, the little black cat
seemed to have nothing but hatred for the four photos displayed. "Luna,
stop that!" Usagi commanded her pet. With a final growl and a sniff of
disdain, Luna turned and walked back toward Usagi, recommandeering her
place on the girl's lap. Seeking to mollify her outraged pet, Usagi began
softly stroking the cat's fur, ignoring the outraged glance Luna threw at
her. "Silly cat, it's just some pictures on TV, they can't hurt you." Once
again, Usagi thanked the kami that that sort of awful thing never happened
to her. After all, she was just an ordinary girl.

	Staring blankly from the TV screen, the pictures of four young men shown
steadily. One with short, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, another with
long brown hair that seemed to wave in a breeze even in the still picture,
the third blonde like the first, though with long hair and a more
effiminate look about him, and finally a dark-skinned youth with long hair
as white as snow, all four missing without a trace.

	They would never be found.

*****

	Ug, hmm... well that's all I can get out of it. If anyone either has any
suggestions or wants to use the idea themselves, feel free. 

Scott Pollert

ARGH! It's that late!? *grumble* Great, three and a half hours of sleep
before work!

----------

Scott Pollert [pollerts@hsonline.net]