Lot's of this is really just nitpicking, but I think I have a few good
points to make.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Wong" <dojo@ihug.com.au>
To: "FFML postings" <ffml@fanfic.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2000 12:15 PM
Subject: [FFML] [Fanfic] [Ranma/SM] [Series] Fate of Love prologue
Preamble.
Well here we go, the start of a brand new series all up and ready for
your critical perusal. And yes, it is indeed a crossover. And yes, it
is yet another Ranma/Sailormoon one. However, please be patient and
give it a chance.
Here's my attempt to merge two of the most well-used fanfiction genres.
Fate of Love.
A fanfiction by Jason Wong,
inspired by
Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2,
and
Naoko Takeuchi's Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon.
Prologue.
It seemed that she was destined to be limited to the extremities - either
spar
with an annoying God of Martial Arts who totally redefined the textbook
meaning of 'fastest', or this - 'sparring' with objects that moved not at
all.
"God of Martial Arts?" Unfortunately, only in Ranma's dreams. For the
umpteenth time,
Even by the end of the series, Ranma is still gettin his ass handed to him
by Cologne,
Genma and Tarou. He's just good, DAMN good.
Actually, Akane was forced to admit, at least to herself, that Ranma
hadn't
been that bad in recent times. He still didn't have the gall to properly
train
with her, and her cooking was *still* after all these months a definite
no-no -
Actually by this point, her cooking is...well...edible.
but the insults were toning themselves down considerably.
Ambiently, she considered why the baka was being all so nice and friendly
all of a sudden - relatively speaking of course. A few seconds of mental
backtracking revealed - nothing. No food from Shampoo (ie. no potions),
there's really only one or two instances of this from Shampoo, Kodachi uses
more often.
Kodachi hadn't been seen for the past several weeks (to which she gave
silent thanks to the Kami), and no particularly damaging impacts to the
cranium.
Dark visions, brighter visions. Visions of an unnamed place in an unnamed
time - far too perfect for this time.
I'm sorry, but 'reincarnation from the Silver Millenium' gets older and
older
with every x-over series. Nothing particularly wrong with it as a plot
device,
but its been done to death.
It could have so very easily been otherwise, therefore every extra minute
was to be cherished, every sight of her to be treasured. Ranma could never
go back to the way things were before Saffron, before Phoenix Mountain -
which was just as well - for he had no desire to. What he had now was so
much better.
Thank God. Too many fanfic writers would rather not change Ranma's
personality
after the fight with Saffron. And I wonder, Why not? The drive it takes to
go one
on one with a demi-god is bound to change anyone.
Okay, so maybe he was going a little overboard - all this wishy washy
fairy
fluffy thoughts were certainly a strain on the stomach - but that was the
general sentimentality of it.
How would one describe the relationship of Saotome Ranma with Tendo
Akane? Not lovers, though he loved her dearly. The pigtailed boy smiled
absently - the tomboy would probably have socked him a good one had
she heard him say that. But he loved her nonetheless - he could admit it
to
himself without fear or hesitation now. Funny how near-death horrors could
affect you like that.
Funny :)
Trained for years only in the art of unarmed combat, he wondered if normal
people learnt at some stage in their childhood what 'love' was. He wasn't
sure if what he felt with her was love - but he knew very well what the
feeling without her was.
The martial artist shook his head thoroughly, pigtail swishing like a
tethered
rope. Enough of that, he was determined to preserve the brightly cheery
mood.
A little training wouldn't hurt - maybe he'd be able to coax the tomboy
into
joining in.
*********
But now she could recognise it, and, after recovering from the initial
five
or
so seconds of surprise, Sailor Pluto did something that would have stunned
her fellow Senshi.
She smiled - properly.
If one knew and trusted the Princess Serenity of old (which she did), it
didn't come as a particular surprise that this particular event would
transpire, indeed given her Queen's soft heartedness in these matters it
was
almost expected - Pluto tilted her head wistfully as the flow of
associated
memories from the Millennium returned once more.
I'm not sure if you realize just what a disturbing sentence that was.
You're
implying that Pluto doesn't have full knowledge of the past. Since she
never
reincarnated, that in turn implies a certain amount of senility.
In a rare moment of theatrics which she would *never* have performed in
front of the others - not even Serenity herself, the Time Senshi stretched
arms high, pulling out the invisible cricks in her back, and accompanying
it
with a contented sigh. After all, she had an image to preserve.
Finally a tweak from the past where she didn't have to fuss over, or warn
the Senshi, or anything. Nope, she could just sit back and let the show
carry itself out.
In fact - it would be good to intermingle with the old slob again. Setsuna
awaited patiently as more long buried recollections were restored - yes he
would be good for their world of daemons and droids.
She had to admit she was fond of the boy - one of the few with the almost
miraculous talent to crack a genuine grin on her normally stoical
features.
Of course, he didn't have to know that.
Gee, I wonder who she's talking about? :)
**********
**********
Standing rigidly at attention Senschenal Tarian, second company, third
Once, just once, I'd like to see one of these 'flashback characters' given a
normal name, like Sam. Just for the sake of variety. How the heck do you
pronounce that anyway? I understand you're trying to keep to a certain
feel,
but even the bulk of fantasy lit and manga has only a few of theese tongue
twisters.
legion of the Imperial guard, turned at the rhythmic clacking of
purposeful
steps that echoed down the mostly deserted corridor. He was curiously
surprised to discover that the author of the intrusive noise was a woman,
and more critically, his ruling princess.
At that last realisation, Tarian reflexively jerked into an even tauter
stance,
snapping his halberd in salute. So enthralled by the very presence of the
Senshi princess herself, he never even paused to consider why one of her
esteemed rank would be frequenting his area of guardianship, not to
mention that she was doing so unaccompanied by servants nor personal
bodyguard.
Though if his somewhat dazed mind had conceptualised that quirk, he might
have further recalled that she of all people had little need for
protection
in
her own palace.
Why does she need one at all? She's a bodygaurd herself.
to top it off, she had caught Endymion, *her* Endymion gallivanting off
with
another lady. And he had the gall to select her own best friend
to....to....gallivant with!
technically, if you're going by manga continuity, he's Beryl's :)
Well, that wasn't exactly true - after all to most others (the gentlemen
himself included), Endymion was not exactly her very own beau. Well, in a
technical sense they weren't actually 'going out' of sorts, or going
anywhere
for that matter. But still., it was the *principle* of the matter - after
all, he
wasn't blind - he should have seen where all their friendly talking, quiet
walks, dances......where it was all going to.
*Or maybe*, a quiet voice mentioned cheekily to her, *maybe you're just
sore that guzzling, gluttony, klutzy Miss magical Moon ensnared a
friendly love before you*. In due course, that particular partition of her
mind was cordoned of and promptly annihilated.
Equoris. Just a name, nothing more. The name attached to an insignificant
courier for an insignificant member of the minor nobility in a gallingly
insignificant partition of this very grand city.
Sigh. Where's my Gaellic ( it is Gaellic, right?) pronouciation guide...
His was a continuance of a proud heritage of couriers, Equoris bore
messages for his master just as his father before him had, and his
father's
father - oh my, how........insignificant.
Her mother (and everyone else for that matter) were always up in arms by
their princess's love of blunt speech and unadulterated truth. It had all
begun
years back when at the age of six, the young Senshi to be had found
herself
knee deep in an argument with an erstwhile playmate - and loudly declared
to all within a fifty metre radius that the Princess of the Moon Kingdom
ate
so much that by the time she grew up she'd be too fat to fit in her sailor
uniform. The said Moon Princess had run off wailing, later bursting in on
Wait a minute, the princess of the Moon Kingdom didn't have a sailor
uniform.
Sailor Moon was nothing but Luna flawed memories.
Queen Serenity's court and throwing herself into her mother's lap, begging
for somebody, anybody to, "zap the evil meanie Martian girl".
Well, here at least Sailor Mars could be herself with impunity. It was a
great burden removed from her psyche - and one she might have presently
appreciated more had it not been for the fact that she was currently
heading
face first towards the pavement.
"Huh?"
*********
Acting on reflex, Equoris pivoted about to catch the irritating nitwit
that
had
bashed into his shoulder. A millisecond's worth of hindsight told him that
it
that it would have been better to just let the guy drop - a punishment per
se.
However since he had already taken the effort to catch the twerp - it
would
be poor form to stop now.
Equoris was wrong on at least one thought. Using his right hand, he gently
halted the person's descent, palm flat against the guy's posterior to keep
him from buckling. As his other closed on the assailant's shoulder, he
realised something - they were remarkably slender for a guy.
In fact........
Gently tilting the voluminous cloak hood back, the courier searched for
the
face hidden within.
**********
Reflexively, Arianne closed her eyes and braced herself for the cold
stone's
hard embrace. Only to find that time seemed to have paused for a moment.
Mystified she continue to hang in space, staring quizzically at the sky
laid
out like a map before her eyes, the rest of her form defying the commonest
laws of Physics. Through her shock, the girl wondered innately if this was
some natural yet undiscovered Senshi ability.
Thus, it took her several seconds longer to detect the warm pressure
pulling
at the shoulders. Blinking, Arianne looked about for the source of
support,
and found herself........herself........looking into a pair of the bluest
eyes she
had ever seen.
**********
*A Girl!* Well duh of course it was a girl - a...a *remarkably* pretty one
at
that. Equoris was sure he was supposed to be doing something - but for the
life of him he could think of anything better.
So the pair continued to stare transfixed at each other - that is until
Arianne's whirling mind finally re-established control. Then she realised
she
was being cradled in a most awkward position - and to make matters
worse one of his hands was groping.....her.......
Equoris stiffened as the unnamed girl's features appeared to blur for a
moment - before settling into a most decisive frown. *Uh oh.* He knew that
look very well. *Better batten down the hatches.*
"Get your filthy hands off me this minute!" She hotly demanded,
embarrassment and anger flaring her cheeks red.
A surly smirk crossed the pervert's visage at the order.
*Uh ohhh.* Now *that* was an expression she knew very well.
With no further aplomb, Equoris followed her 'request' to the word.
Yanking his hands clear, he let gravity take over once more.
"Aaahhhhh......" But barely an instant later, she was captured again in
his
pseudo-embrace.
"Now do you really want me to let go again?" Equoris gifted her with the
mischievous grin that had drawn more than one amorous stare back in his
village. "The ground *is* rather dirty, and we wouldn't want it to mar the
beauty of such a pretty girl as yourself."
Arianne could only sputter in righteous feminine indignation, lying nearly
horizontal with limbs akimbo, and humiliated that she was for the moment
at
this peasant's mercy.
Fortunately for her temperance, the annoying pervert boy deftly cradled
her
into a standing position. As quickly as humanly possible she shook herself
free of his grasp, her cloak hood folding back as she did so.
Equoris's jaw dropped noticeably as a cloud of luscious raven hair tumbled
free from its confines, cascading freely down well past her slender waist.
The silver clasp that had held her ponytail fell to the stones unnoticed.
"And what are you staring at?"
The boy continued unheeding, several thoughts running through his brain.
'Common folk' didn't wear their hair that long - it was simply too much
trouble to maintain and clean.
And this girl's hair was *very* clean - almost glowing in the dim haze of
the
lamplight. Mystified, he was almost unhearing of his own whispered
question. "Who are you?"
"Like I would tell a lecher like you - thank you but I will just be on my
way." Arianne was practically snarling in humiliation, face still flushed
red
from being made so free with.
The open hostility abruptly broke the spell of her almost ethereal
appearance. Tearing his face away from her angry (but admittedly very
nice) visage, Equoris swept his hands in an exaggerated flourish. "Fie it
to
me, oh my Royal Highness forgive me for my impertinence." A
devastatingly smooth bow completed the ensemble.
And for a single horrible instant, Arianne feared that her disguise field
had
somehow failed - which could only mean one of two things, both totally
unacceptable. Either her skills had dimmed to a point where such a simple
magic was randomly fluctuating, or there was a very powerful mage
disguised as a perverted teenage boy before her.
It was only at that last consideration that she realised belatedly that
although
the bow was perfect for one of her station, he was facing the opposite
direction. In fact if she didn't know better she could have sworn he was
waving his.........
Equoris was fairly shaking with suppressed laughter as he wiggled his
buttocks suggestively.
"Why you!......" the princess of Mars drew her righteous foot back to
deliver a very righteous kick on a certain deserving derriere.
The fighter trainee sensed more than saw the incoming high velocity shoe,
jerking his body well out of harm's way. His cheerful playful smile never
once leaving his face, Equoris seemed to melt his way to the indignant
girl's
side. "A little too slow, your ultimate Majesty - the pretty princess
needs
a
little more oomph to dispense her royal justice." And before she could
form
a stinging retort, he so very gently took her hand into his, and with
ideal
decorum brushed his lips to her knuckles. "It has been my greatest
pleasure
to bask in your greatness and unsurpassed beauty, your Highness." And
with that he turned and leapt away.
It had all happened so swiftly, Arianne could have blinked from the moment
he had sidled up to her to the instant of his departure. Shocked (once
more), she stood frozen for precious seconds. *He kissed my hand. He...he
KISSED my hand!!*
Swirling around her eyes chased after the impertinent degenerate - but she
was aeons to late. The girl stood, stiffly frustrated, delicate palms
currently
clutched into most unladylike fists.
"That......that......ooooh." The princess ground her teeth in rage.
"Lecher,
swine, playboy, idiot, pervert........I should have Flame Snipered his
arrogant bottom."
*Although it 'was' a nice butt.* "QUIET!" She yelled instinctively, before
realising to whom that parting thought belonged to. Of course that
particular
idea was short lived thereafter.
There were several curious glances from the market residents of Mars's
capital city, at the strange girl muttering to herself as she stormed her
way
back to the palace.
Ten minutes of 'outdoor freedom' and the night was already thoroughly
ruined.
*********
Equoris stumbled clumsily as his requirement to breathe warred
persistently
with the ever-present need to laugh. Gods he hadn't had so much fun in
ages - it was enough to make him forget about the rejection.
Oh Damn. Well it was *almost* enough to take his mind of it anyway.
Even so, the boy was grinning again in due course. That girl had played
right into his hands (literally in a sense). The fact that she was
startlingly
attractive, and an obvious snob used to getting her own way only made the
dressing down he'd given her sooo much more enjoyable.
Hesitating for a moment, the teenager sidled out of the pedestrian
thoroughfare to glance down at the trinket he had pocketed during the
confrontation. A tiny silver hair clasp - and sterling if he knew his
weights.
Not particularly significant value wise - but it was the embossed symbol
of
an arrow extending from a circle's edge that drew his close attention.
The symbol of the Royal House of Mars. *So she was a palace girl eh?
Most curious.*
"Back so early Equoris?"
That brought his attention to present surroundings, and the realisation
that
he was already at home. "Yeah, I decided to cut the walk short. I think
I'll
be heading off to bed now. Squire Orian wants me up early tomorrow to
deliver this week's tallies." He shrugged nonchalantly, adding, "Well,
goodnight then."
His dash up the stairs was delayed by her next comment. "You seem
unusually cheerful tonight."
He smiled, half to himself. "Yeah........it was a good walk."
Leanor was left perplexed at that last statement. Children these days
could
be so temperamental."
********
"Where have you been princess? I have been worried sick! And where are
your personal guards, or your servants, how did..........." Diamon, first
adviser to the fledgling Senshi realised that he was addressing the mere
air
space formerly occupied by his Princess.
*********
"Daughter, you can stop right there." Despite her severely huffed state,
Arianne could never disregard that tone of voice. Turning hesitantly, she
valiantly reigned in her seething temper.
"Yes what is it mother?"
"What ails you?" The former ruler of Mars's genial smile hid a multitude
of
overtones, a court-bred mind well prepared to subtly test the authenticity
of
whatever her daughter chose to answer with.
"I was - 'talking' with a boy." Her fair brow knitted in recollection.
Assuming this to mean a resident male of the palace, the stately woman
replied mildly, "Should I be having your mystery friend beaten for
insolence
or dressed for a wedding? From your tone it is a little difficult to
tell."
Arianne blanched visibly at the consideration of the latter. *Ewwww.*
"Disregard that question my dear - I can already see the answer." She
mused on how best to approach this. "Is he a servant or one of the
nobility?"
The Sailor Senshi was on the verge of correcting the assumption, before
she remembered the imprudence of revealing her unescorted forays.
Thinking quickly she half-mumbled, "I'm not really sure who he was.
But....but definitely of higher birth." No sense in getting some innocent
member of the palace staff hunted down for a severe reprimand.
"So then, what is it our palace friend of 'higher birth' said to distress
you
so?"
Mildly irked at the decidedly condescending tone her mother was currently
employing, she surged boldly into the explanation - determined to disperse
the air of triviality that the matriarch seemed determined to emulate.
Well, at least she *started* strong.
"Well, first off he claimed the desire to avoid marring my
beaut........err."
She fumbled for a moment, searching for another example. "Hah! He called
me 'your Royal Highness'....." at her mother's curiously raised eyebrows,
she realised that probably didn't sound as damnable as it had in her mind.
"No don't look at me like that Mother - it wasn't *what* he said. it was
how....."
"And how did our insolent higher birthed palace member call you 'your
Royal Highness'?" The stately lady knew it was decidedly evil (and
certainly not befitting of a representative of love or justice), but she
did
so
love to tease her fiery daughter.
"His tone.....his tone was like," here she did her best imitation of a
sneer.
"your *Royal* Highness." The Mars Princess had to admit to herself that
wasn't quite fair - his tone had been perfunctory and suitably smooth,
just
in
the context of her dress and their environment - well.......
And she wasn't about to disclose the exact details of either of the last
two.
In the meantime, her mother had adopted a wide eyed appearance of
enlightenment. "I see now my daughter - now then was there anything else
of untoward nature?"
Arianne paused to consider the other elements of their exchange,
recognising that mentioning 'pretty princess' or 'ultimate majesty' would
be
entirely detrimental to her explanation. On the other hand, stating that
he
had......had shaken his 'ahem' behind at her would most likely result in a
greater furore than she cared to experience.
*Nice butt though.* Gritting her teeth she quashed that.
"Daughter, I'm awaiting an answer if you would be so kind."
"Ahh.....," she stumbled uncomfortably, ill-used to being at a loss for
words.
"He said more - but.....but it was of a similar nature, and tone,
and....and...." She ended abruptly. *Gods what a lame reply.* Five minutes
with that irritating twit, and he was already starting to intrude into her
life a
great deal more than she cared to enjoy.
Again was that gratingly patronising smile. "Now then, as the future
representative of this entire planet - I'd feel it within your means to
ignore
such petty occurrences. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes mother." She muttered reluctantly. "If it pleases you may I go now?"
"Of course - Arianne, think no more of it. A Sailor Senshi has
considerations of much greater import to occupy her mind." Without
another word she dismissed the fledgling warrior, watching as the girl
stalked off towards her own suite of rooms.
For several minutes, there was complete silence in the anteroom, now
empty save for the mother of the Sailor princess. Settling back into the
softly comfortable chair, she mused on the contained ball of fiery temper
most people would refer to as her daughter.
Headstrong, bold, and a little foolish at times - just like she had been
at
her
age. It seemed to be a Royal Mars genetic trait that all its Senshi were a
little - blunt? Ah well, she'd mellow with experience and responsibility.
Well - at least they could all hope.
*********
Pushing open the ornate silver etched door leading to her chambers,
Arianne whirled in with all the imperiousness and dignity of.....well a
princess - a performance rather tainted when she flopped bodily onto the
quilt covered bed.
Despite all her teasing, mother was right on one account - she, the Sailor
Senshi of Mars was taking this very petty grievance well over the top of
the
bounds of normal disapproval - even for her.
How in hell could some stupid peasant bother her so?
Snarling in annoyance, the girl banished the bothersome thoughts - she was
due in five minutes with the astrology tutor.
*********
*********
*********
Author's Notes.
Therein begins the start of another series - this Prologue serves to set
the
scene of my story more than anything else. As you may have noticed, there
are actually two storylines running here at the same time. I'll be
experimenting further with this to see if it works.
Fate of Love won't be as long as Way of the Ninjitsu - but still pretty
extensive. Hope all you readers out there look upon it with favour.
As always, questions, queries and anything else can be emailed to
dojo@ihug.com.au
Although, this is only the Prologue so there's no need to send 'opinions'
on
what you predict is going to happen next. No need to jump to conclusions
just yet.
In case you found this page elsewhere, take a look at my webpage at:
http://members.xoom.com/dojohouse/
And now I must be off to finish Chapter 7 of my other story, to which
everyone is waiting impatiently for.
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