Greetings!
Well, I finally escaped the world of WAFF. (or did I...?)
Anyhow, in an attempt to avoid ANYTHING to do with Ranma 1/2 for the
next little while, I thought I'd post this little ditty. Basically, it's a
Sailor Moon / Yoroiden Troopers x-over. Keep in mind this baby is rough, and
I'd accept any C&C you have (just no flames! I'm still mopping up the foam
from my last toasting! ^_^)
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-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: ronin-summer1.txt
LEGAL DISCLAIMER : None of the characters here belong to me. Sailor
Moon belongs to DIC, and Saban currently owns the Yoroiden in North
America. Don't sue me : I'm a student, and too broke to be worth it.
SAILOR MOON / YOROIDEN SAMURAI TROOPERS X-OVER
RONIN SUMMER
by Morgan Hudson (dataraven_659@hotmail.com)
PART 1 : LIGHT AND DARKNESS
"Are you sure, Ami?" Minako leaned against the doorway. "It's
supposed to be a really kickin' party..."
The black haired girl on the other side of the doorframe
sighed and shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't tonight, Minako. My
computers class starts early tomorrow and I need to study."
"AMIII! Since when did you EVER need to study?" The blond girl
smiled sadly at her friend. "Besides, if you don't come, I'll be all
alone... what if some creep attacked me?"
Ami smiled. "I pity any creep who attacks Sailor V. Why don't
you ask one of the other Senshi?"
"I already did. Makoto's busy cooking, Usagi's on a date with
Mamoru for once, and Rei said she wanted to consult the sacred fire
about some weird vibes she's been getting."
"Weird vibes?" Ami perked up slightly. "Do you suppose it
might be the Negaverse?"
"WHO CARES?" Minako stamped her foot in frustration. "It's the
first day of summer vacation! We should be celebrating!"
"Hmmm... I'll have to consult my computer on the possibility
of another Negaverse incursion..."
Minako was now tapping her foot and glaring. "You're not even
listening to me! I'll just go myself!"
**********
"Tell me of our progress." The speaker was shrouded in
darkness, his eyes glowing a baleful crimson in the chill and clammy
shadows of the cave in which he sat.
"Master..." the small and shrouded figure didn't even bother
turning around. "I sense you are troubled."
"I am troubled by our lack of progress, seer." A snort of fog
jetted out into the air of the cave. "Throw your bones and tell me of
my fates."
The wizened and fragile bones clattered loudly on the damp
stone floor. Legend had it that these bones were from the fingers of
the mighty demon lord Tahlpa himself, and they had never been wrong.
The seer lowered his cowled head. "The bones still speak ill,
my lord and master. Your plans shall lead to our destruction."
"Yes, from those blasted Sailor Senshi, I know. Are there no
other possible outcomes?"
"Only one... the Senshi each near a point of crisis, where
they shall be rendered weak and alone. Should you strike them in this
precise order, during the points of crisis, they will die forevermore."
A picture of Queen Serenity rose from the floor, surrounded by
four women in sailor fuku. One by one, the seer jabbed each with his
walking stick, and they dissapated into fog. "Then," he rasped, "then
shall the Queen be alone and defenseless herself. Then may you strike."
"And the gods?"
"They plot against you, as always, my lord. They do not wish
their favorites to be destroyed."
"I care not what they wish, seer. I am the end of all things,
including the gods themselves. They dare not attack me directly."
**********
Minako Aino was determined to have a good time tonight, Senshi
or no Senshi. Just an average girl, living an average life... but that
meant there was one last thing to take care of...
"Minako! What are you- UMMMMPH!" The white cat struggled in
vain against its owner's steel grip.
"Sorry, Artemis, but this is for your own good... well, for MY
own good, at least." With a quick toss, the cat landed in a Kitty
Carrier bought for this exact purpose, and the wire frame door swung
shut. "I'm going off to a party, just like a normal, non-Moon Kingdom
girl, and that means no transformations, no monsters, and NO TALKING
CATS!" Minako waved and laughed merrily. "Good night, Artemis!"
"MINAKO! COME BACK HERE AND UNLOCK THIS..."
**********
The bones clattered again. The seer peered at the markings
upon them. "One reaches her time even now, my lord and master... but
a consort of the Moon Kingdom is dangerously nearby..."
"We shall be subtle, then." The Lord of Darkness turned to
a specially marked section of the floor. A pentagram glowed blue, and
a man-sized, porcupine-like creature rose from the depths of the
Earth.
"Go, my pet. Destroy Sailor Venus."
**********
The sun was just beginning to set, and someone was starting a
bonfire in the park clearing when Minako showed up. She was dressed to
impress, in a short skirt and high heels which showed off her legs.
Several men were gawking openly, and she giggled to herself. It was
always nice, even flattering, to get that kind of attention at times.
A few feet away, someone else was arriving, just as if to
prove how much the universe loves irony. Unlike Minako, he was not
happy at all, and in fact was being physically dragged into the
clearing by two other men.
"I really shouldn't be here, guys." Seiji Date tried to slip
out of his friends' grips, but they held him even tighter. "Really!
There's no need for this!"
"It's summer, Sage!" the shorter of the two boys laughed and
ruffled his captive's shaggy blond hair. "You need to relax!"
"Why, Tomeo?" Seiji was almost whining.
"Because you're the captain of our kendo team, and we just
won the championships! Now we're going to set you down, and you're
going to enjoy yourself, got it?"
**********
A few hours later, the ten people in the clearing had become
several dozen, and the latest hit by Prozzak was thumping through the
air. Bodies gyrated, punch poured, and a good time was being had by
damn near everybody. Seiji glanced around to make sure nobody was
watching him and covertly snuck one hand inside his jacket. Time to
make this party a little more enjoyable for Seiji Date...
**********
A predator slunk through the crowd. He had seen his target
from afar, laughing and dancing. And drinking, which was most
important of all. He reached into his jacket and drew out the bottle.
She was talking to someone else, and had no idea how close he was
getting.
A quick tip of his hand, and the pills dropped into her
glass, melting quickly in the syrupy punch. Unnoticed, the predator
slipped back into the swirling crowd. All he had to do now was wait...
She had such lovely blond hair...
**********
Minako blinked as she lifted the cup to her lips. What was
that sound? It was hauntingly familiar, drifting through the air and
nearly drowned out by the stereo.
"Alan?" Minako muttered, and walked off into the bushes.
It was not Alan, but a man she had never seen before, perched
cross-legged on a rock and playing a very familiar tune on a bamboo
flute. He was about her height and age, with shoulder length blond
hair that covered one eye. The other eye was closed, and he was
swaying slightly in time with the music he played.
"That's a beautiful tune." Seiji started slightly, and then
recovered. The woman had somehow snuck up on him. He blushed as he
realised how intensely beautiful she was.
"Uhm... thank you..."
"My name's Minako Aino."
"Seiji Date. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Minako
Aino." Seiji lowered his flute and returned it to his jacket pocket.
"I'm sorry I drew you from the party, Minako. I felt the need to
center myself after these past few hours."
"Don't worry, Seiji. It was... beautiful." Minako paused
uncomfortably. "Do you... want to dance?"
"Sure. Why not?" Seiji grinned boyishly and hopped off of the
rock. As they re-entered the clearing, the music changed and Seji took
Minako in his arms.
Sitting here wasted and wounded at this old piano...
Trying hard to capture the moment, this morning I don't know...
With a magnum of vodka still lodged in my head,
And some blond gave me nightmares,
I think that she's still in my bed...
As I dream about movies they won't make of me when I'm dead...
"I wonder what he's singing about?" Minako asked. The gaijin
song was nice and slow, though, and was good for dancing to.
"I think I know," answered Seiji as he squeezed her a little.
I want to lay you down... on a bed of roses...
For tonight... I sleep... on a bed of nails...
I want to be... just as close as...
The holy ghost is...
And lay you down... on a bed of roses.
**********
Minako smiled as she looked up at Seiji. "Thank you for the
dance, good sir."
"No," smiled Seiji, "thank YOU..." Suddenly, he felt a
familiar twitching sensation from the crystal around his neck. The
Korin? How could this girl be affecting his Yoroi?
** Wisdom... **
He shook his head. Must have been a misfire. There was no way
that Minako could be a yauja. Just the same, he decided to keep an eye
on her.
**********
Minako couldn't stop smiling as she sipped her punch. The rest
of the girls didn't know what they were missing. That Seiji had been
one kawaii guy, and he was still giving her funny looks out of his one
exposed eye. She wondered if the other eye was as nice as the one she
had seen...
Her cup was empty. She must have been thirstier than she
thought. Shrugging, she reached for another cup.
**********
"Where is our soldier, seer?"
The cloaked figure nodded imperceptibly. "The time is not yet
right, my lord and master. Her time of crisis is not yet upon her,
though it grows closer by the second."
"And the consort?"
"He remains dangerously close, my lord and master. It would
seem the gods are INDIRECTLY attempting to interfere with your plans."
"Let them try, seer. Let them try."
**********
Minako staggered a little. Her vision was getting a little
fuzzy for some reason, and the whole park seemed to be spinning. She
turned to the man she was dancing with.
"I'm sorry... I think I need some fresh air..."
The man nodded. "Of course. Come on, I'll find you someplace
to lie down for a second..." Carefully, he wrapped one arm around her
shoulders for support as they walked away from the crowd. By now,
Minako's head was spinning, and she couldn't seem to keep her balance.
***********
Seiji watched as Tomeo escorted Minako out of the clearing.
How very odd, he thought, she didn't seem nearly as drunk when I was
dancing with her earlier... on impulse, he decided to follow after
them.
He was quite disappointed to see Tomeo grabbing her behind the
bushes. The man had already hiked up her skirt, and opened up her
blouse. Her head lolled back and forth, and her eyes were shut.
"Taking advantage of a defenseless woman, Tomeo?" Seiji
walked forward and lifted his 'friend' by the neck. "That isn't very
courteous of you."
"Sage... buddy! I was just having a little - ERK! - fun!"
"It doesn't look like SHE'S having much fun, Tomeo." Seiji
could already feel the handle of his sword in his hand as he pressed
the cool metal against the side of the other man's face. "And you are
NOT... my friend. Not if you do things like this."
Tomeo was rapidly turning white. "You... you aren't going to
kill me, are you, Sage?"
"Maybe I should..." Seiji sighed and sheathed his blade, "but
I won't. Get out of my sight, before I change my mind."
The other man ran, and Seiji leaned down over Minako. Nothing
had happened, thank Kami. He hiked her skirt back down and hastily
rebuttoned her blouse, which is hard to do with one's eyes closed. He
had to get her to a hospital, or something.
Then he would come back and beat the crap out of 'good old'
Tomeo. With that thought, he gently lifted her in his arms and slung
her over his shoulder.
**********
From the bushes, a pair of slitted eyes watched. The Senshi
was incapacitated. Her escort was just an ordinary school child. It
would be an easy kill.
**********
Across town, a small white cat broke out of his cage and
bolted out of the window.
**********
Seiji never even saw what hit him. Coughing blood, he doubled
over and dropped his feminine cargo. The girl bounced once or twice
before rolling to a stop by a nearby tree. He fell to his knees and
clutched his stomach, gagging and wheezing.
The assailant landed on all fours, like a cat, and
prepared to strike again. The spines that covered its entire, humanoid
body rustled in anticipation of the kill to come. A long, barbed
tongue licked the red blood off of its claws.
"An easssssy kill," it hissed, "almosssst too easssy." Slowly
raising onto its hind legs, tail thrashing as it tried to maintain its
balance, the monster turned to the blond girl. It would fall on her,
it decided, and then feast on her flesh.
"Who... who sent you?"
"EH?" The creature looked back over its shoulder. "How is it
possssssible that you live?"
Seiji smiled grimly and moved his arm to reveal the shredded
shirt he wore... and the plating underneath. "Heh. Weren't expecting
armour, were you?"
**********
Artemis raced along fences and over rooftops, moving so
quickly, he seemed to be little more than a blur of white. His breath
was coming in pants, but he could tell that Minako was in some kind of
danger. There was no time to summon the other Senshi : he would have
to save her himself.
**********
There was an explosion of green energy, with the young man
as its centerpoint, glowing brighter than magnesium. The youma
turned away and covered its eyes, hissing in pain.
In attacking its opponent, the youma had made a critical error.
In Japan in particular, especially when dealing with perfectly average
looking school children, it was important to remember :
Sometimes the toes you step on are connected to the boot that
kicks your ass.
The smoke cleared, and a frightening figure emerged. His body
was swathed in emerald samurai armour, and a fierce steel mask covered
his face. The long and jagged blade in his hand was over six feet
long, and its bearer looked like he knew how to use it.
"A Yoroiden!" shrieked the youma.
"Exactly," growled the warrior as he stepped forward. "Your
masters never told you who you were after, did they? Know then : I am
Seiji Date, Ronin of the Halo, Yoroiden of the Korin, and master of the
Thunderbolt Cut!"
"Prepare," he added as an afterthought, "to die."
**********
Artemis slid to a halt as he saw the scene unfolding before
him. A youma of come unknown kind was facing off against...
"A Yoroiden..." he murmered. "So the legends are true..."
**********
Seiji lifted his blade and gazed warily at the monster before
him. Some kind of yauja, probably, although he had never seen its like
serving the Dynasty before.
"Who sent you?" he asked again, "Saber Strike? Tahlpa? Anubis?"
It was important he know, to warn the others.
"I am called Thornzz, Yoroiden of the Korin." The creature's
spines continued to flutter as it crouched down into a fighting
stance. "And I shall be... your DEATH!"
At that, a hail of quills flew from the monster's body and
launched themselves towards Seiji. Rolling, he dodged the first few,
which exploded behind him as they hit the ground. This was going to
be tricky, he decided.
**********
Minako tried to lift her head. Something was wrong... she
needed to transform! Desperately, she scrabbled for her wand. Where
was her wand? She couldn't find her wand!
"Minako... CATCH!" Artemis burst out of the underbrush and
flew towards her, carrying a very familiar wand in his mouth. The
silly ditz had left it at home : he would have to remember to
reprimand her for that later.
Minako threw herself forward, and the wand landed gently in
her hand. Ewww, cat drool... she grimaced and lifted the wand to the
sky.
"VENUS... STAR... POWER!!!"
Seiji winced as a quill slashed open his face. Reaching up, he
grabbed the barb and pulled it free, a ribbon of blood splurting from
his cheek as he threw it aside. Whoever or whatever this Thornzz was,
he was pretty tough. He was no Dark Warlord, but he was still tough.
*Fortunately...* Seiji grinned, *I'm much tougher...*
Sailor Venus leapt forward and landed beside him. "Hi!" she
said cheerily, "I saw you were having some trouble here. Need help?"
"NO." Seiji dug his sword into the soft ground and vaulted
feet first into the thorny devil. Thornzz grunted and fell down.
"VENUS... LOVE... ME... CHAIN !!!" Minako hurled her
glittering ribbon of stars around the foe, who hissed as the light
touched his skin.
"Don't like light, eh?" Seiji smiled as a bolt of lightning
arced and flared around his sword blade. "Well, you're going to hate
this! THUNDER... " He drew back the sword, trailing electricity,
"BOLT..." the energy collected along the edge of the sword, sizzling
and crackling as he held the blade like a baseball bat, "CUT!"
He swung, and the demon screamed in horror as it collapsed
into a smoking pile of ash.
"Heh-heh! Dusted!" Sailor Venus walked over and wiped her
forehead. Transforming had helped, but she still felt a little woozy...
"Dusted? I like the sound of that!" Seiji looked over at the
girl in the sailor fuku, just as she collapsed. Catching her, he
pressed his armoured fingers against her forehead. A crescent moon
gleamed, and the kanji on his own forehead glowed in response.
** Wisdom... **
He opened her mind, and entered. It wasn't a pleasant
sensation, but it was necessary for him to use his healing powers upon
her. Now he saw she was not drunk, but drugged, and he set about
flushing her system of the intoxicant.
The Moon Kingdom? Seiji blinked inwardly as he saw a beautiful
and regal lady... Queen Serenity, he knew... using the last of her
strength to send her daughter somewhere safe, somewhere untouched by
evil...
Minako blinked. Grandfather had sent him to the basement again,
even though he hadn't been at fault! Still, he reflected, this was
better than to allow his opponent to be dishonored for cheating in
their match... something in the corner glowed green... he / they
reached out and grabbed the crystal : KORIN...
Cail laughed from the top of the waterfall as Jun swung on the
end of his chain. She was in the water! She couldn't breathe! And Shuu
was still trapped in the rock! Minako took a deep breath and lifted
her sword. There was only one chance...
Sailor Moon screamed as she and the other Senshi were forced
to their knees. The bubble around them was made of pure black energy :
Seiji closed his eyes and tried to settle his stomach. It all relied
on him now. "VENUS CRESCENT BEAM!" he cried, and pointed...
"THUNDER BOLT CUT!" Minako screamed, and soared through the
air towards Cail...
Queen Beryl had managed to seperate the entire team. Seiji
grit his teeth and prepared to face the final obstacle. "GO!" he yelled
at Sailor Moon... at Usagi... "this is my fight!"
Lord Tahlpa had managed to seperate the entire team. Minako
stopped as she ran up the stairs and turned to Ryo. "GO!" she yelled
at him, "this is my fight!" Gripping her sword, she ran back down the
stairs towards certain death...
**********
Seiji jerked back his fingers and stared at Minako in shock.
Sometime during their... whatever that had been, both of them had
reverted back to their civilian clothes.
Minako looked up at him. "Your parents used to dress you as
a girl?" she asked in confusion.
"Your cat talks?" he asked her in equal confusion.
"I do," answered the cat, "and I have a few questions for you,
Yoroiden of the Halo."
"They can wait," mumbled Seiji, "I need to go somewhere and
clear my head."
"Don't forget your flute." Minako said, smiling.
"Yeah, well... say 'hi' to Makoto for me." And Seiji was gone,
still trying to sort out what had happened to him.
**********
"Tell me, seer. What do you see?"
The seer hunched over his bones once again. "The world is in
flux. A time of great crisis comes for all... "
"I already know that. Tell me more."
"The Sailor Senshi are still in peril. They shall fight... and
they shall cry... they shall fail, and they shall die. But there will
be others."
"Others? What others?"
The seer gestured, and once again the image of Queen Serenity
and her Senshi appeared on the floor of the cave. One by one, each of
the Senshi fell... and was caught by a shadowy figure.
"Water's depth, and speed of light
Strength of rock shall join the fight.
Heaven's vengeance, and virtue's flame,
Shall battle in Usagi's name.
Virtue, Justice, Truth and Chi,
Wisdom : known as Courtesy.
Some will fight, and some will swoon,
But they shall kill you... for the Moon."
The seer seemed to shudder as he fell out of his trance. His
master watched, and felt a vague flutter of what might be fear.
"Never," the shadow cried, "shall I be beaten by such... such
POSEURS! They shall come, but they shall DIE!" His words echoed off of
the walls, chasing themselves around the cave :
"DIE!"
"DIE!!"
"DIE!!!"
To Be Continued