Okay, this isn't done, but I thought I might as well post it.
C&C PUBLIC and (private) welcomed.
Thanks to pre-readers: Mike Koos, Chad Walker, Fire, Louis-Philippe Giroux,
Bryan Neef, and Andrew Norris.
******************************
Events were unfolding far from those who slept through the night in
Japan. One hundred fifty thousand million kilometers away, it was always
twilight. The sun's distant glow provided only limited illumination for
a small planet and its moon. Here, Sol's tiniest child traveled her
lonely arc far from the system's great mother. This year she was eighth
in line, taking her position before Neptune. Usually, Pluto was ninth.
There was another companion in orbit around the tiny planet, though few
were gifted with the ability to see it. A perfect garnet crystal
hundreds of meters in height traveled around the worldlet in opposition
to Charon, Pluto's moon. Circling the crystal once in a lazy helix was a
structure that took its name from its dance partner, Castle Charon.
Within the halls of the castle, a deathly silence reigned in the stead
of its princess. The main room, dominated by a gigantic, darkened, view
screen was empty. Down a corridor and a flight of stairs, a flickering,
cold, black fire guarded the doorway to a small room. Inside a woman
sat, head buried in her hands... waiting... hoping... knowing... they
would come.
Her attire immediately identified her as one of the Sailor Senshi. She
appeared older that the rest, perhaps twenty. That would be at least a
millennium short of her true age, however. The principal color of her
Sailor fuku was black... skirt, boots, and trim on her gloves. The
ribbons and bows were so dark a crimson they could be mistaken as black.
Long dark green hair flowed down her back and around her as she sat in
meditation; carefully guarding a link that she hoped would be a
lifeline. The apparently young woman was connected to one of those who
had escaped the notice of her opponent. After all, Lady Azurite knew of
nine Senshi in both past and present, so the Neo Senshi were her
weakness. Sailor Pluto would do all she could to protect them, even from
her prison within her own castle. Her guidance would be subtle, but she
hoped... no, knew it would be enough.
***
Ranma 1/2 Honor and Love
(Yet Another) Ranma/Sailor Moon Crossover
Episode 05: Weep not for Pluto
By Kevin D. Hammel
Ranma 1/2 is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Publication Rights are held
by Viz in The US and Shogakukan in Japan. Sailor Moon is property of
Naoko Takeuchi. Publication rights held by Kodansha Ltd. in Japan and
Mixx Entertainment in the US. My purpose is to honor these creators and
their works. No infringement intended.
***
Back on earth, in a tiny apartment in Kyoto, Kuonji Ukyou was dreaming.
He was in a forest clearing, a city built from stone glistening in the
distance. With a sound of laughter, a young man emerged from behind a
tree. Dressed in a simple, but elaborately decorated toga, he gave Ukyou
an outlandish bow then stood straight, a ridiculous smile on his face.
"Welcome, Kuonji Ukyou." His eyes danced as he thought for a moment
then, from thin air, produced an elaborately decorated cup that he
offered to the young man. "For you, consider it my first gift."
Ukyou took the elaborately decorated chalice and looked into it, trying
to determine if he should partake, then decided not to. Ukyou gave a
stiff bow of appreciation to his host. "Sorry, I'm not thirsty!"
"Ah, a wary one! Caution will serve you well among your enemies." With a
gesture, the cup was gone. He looked thoughtful for a moment, then
continued. "Pardon me, 'sir'," He said with a suppressed laugh, giving
Ukyou a conspiratorial wink before he continued, "Where are my manners?
I'm Ganymede, cup bearer to Zeus... Let's visit my world, shall we? It's
big and I love to share!" He reached out with a hand, which Ukyou
tentatively grabbed. In a flash, they were in another place, a palace
overlooking a great gray-brown world. In the distance, the giant planet
Jupiter dominated the scene from on high.
"So, Ukyou, what do ya think? Pretty wonderful, isn't it?" He asked, an
eyebrow cocked and an impish smile on his face.
"Yeah, but what the heck does it have to do with me, hon?" Ukyou
questioned, hovering between animosity and curiosity.
"Well, how about this?" With a gesture, the okonomiyaki-seller's outfit
underwent metamorphosis. A white bodysuit with a blue skirt and collar
replaced her purple tunic and leggings. A big green bow adorned her
chest, and long white gloves trimmed in blue were on each arm. On her
feet was a pair of shoes in the same blue shade as the rest.
Suddenly, a mirror materialized in front of the surprised girl, so she
could see everything. On her head was a gold tiara, and her hair was
decorated with a white bow as always. She frowned for a moment...
Something was missing... She almost jumped as a battle spatula
materialized in her hands, glowing for a moment. Ukyou turned from the
mirror to look at Ganymede. "What kind of stunt are you tryin' to pull,
jackass?" She asked, anger growing. "I'm not even a girl anymore, so why
would I dress up like this?"
Ganymede nodded knowingly. "Well, what if I was to tell you that when
you're like this, no one can recognize you?"
"Neat trick!" A bit of thought, and Ukyou realized it *was* a neat
trick. She fought a smile.
"Think about it for a moment, Ukyou. As far as your family, honor, and
the law are concerned, you're a boy. If you accept a role as my Senshi,
you can fight as a beautiful female warrior... be the *girl* you never
had or have a chance to be. And wait 'til you see some of the new
fighting techniques being Sailor Ganymede, *my* Senshi, could add to
your mastery of martial arts okonomiyaki!"
"Okay, punk! Put your power where your mouth is..." She tried to stare
down the young man.
"You'll have to make me!" Ganymede taunted the girl.
Suddenly, words and motions came to Ukyou. She swung her spatula in a
wide arc, then pointed it at Ganymede. "Ice Storm!" She hollered during
the last part of the motion, sending out a swarm of sharp ice shards at
the moon-spirit.
A blinding fog of icy crystals hid him from sight. The ice-curtain
lifted revealing Ganymede clapping his hands slowly as he nodded his
head. "See, Ukyou, and just think, that's only the beginning."
"So how do I get this power, Mr. High and Mighty?" Ukyou taunted back.
"You'll need to find Sailor Jupiter, Ukyou."
Ukyou looked almost excited. "You mean the one who's a Sailor Senshi?"
Ganymede stopped nodding to point at the youth. "Bingo! You get the
prize... A Henshin pen from Sailor Jupiter, you'll need that to
transform into Sailor Ganymede."
With a thought, Ukyou dismissed her battle spatula and folded her arms
across her chest. "Where's Sailor Jupiter?"
"In Tokyo... don't you read the papers?" Ganymede asked with a smirk.
"Actually, no." Ukyou responded with a slightly apologetic expression,
with arms drawn in and both palms raised. "But I have heard on the news
that the Sailor Senshi are based in Juuban."
Ganymede nodded once. "Good! Consider moving there, I know you have your
reasons."
"The Saotome home is in Juuban..." A look that promised pain came across
her face. "Maybe I can have my revenge *and* become a Sailor Senshi. I
can show that boy and his jerk of a father the power of *real* woman!"
Ganymede puckered up as if he had just eaten a lemon whole. "Uhhh...
right. Just listen to what Ranma's gotta say before you kill him,
please?"
Anger flared on Ukyou's face. "Why would I do that? Saotome Genma
destroyed my life! He must pay, and his son with him!" A bit of thought
mixed with anger on her face for a moment; then the Senshi candidate
narrowed her eyes in accusation. "What do you care about Ranma anyway?"
"Sorry, that's for me to know... and you *will* find out. If you chose
to become a Sailor Senshi, you must follow your heart, Ukyou... It won't
steer you wrong. Just don't forget to listen to what it tells you."
"That's what I'm doing..." A dead serious Ukyou replied. "My heart was
broken ten years ago, it tells me is to avenge myself."
The Moon Spirit swallowed, then slapped a quick smile on... hoping his
potential protege didn't notice. It was definitely time to change the
subject, and cement the deal. The youth clapped his hands together
loudly, then stretched out an arm toward the girl he was convinced would
be his Senshi. "So, may I be the first to greet the new Sailor
Ganymede?"
Ukyou tentatively took the his hand and... <What do girls do anyway?>
made an attempt at a curtsey as she shook it. "Yeah, it looks like you
can, sugar."
Ganymede faded from view. "Thanks, Ukyou. I knew you had it in you..."
Ukyou continued to sleep soundly.
***
(END)