<<<<<<<<<< PART TWO of TWO
<<<<<<<<<< Continued from previous message
--------------------
Ranma was impressed. She didn't think it was possible for anyone to top
Kasumi's cooking, but Kumiko had already managed it three times out of
four. This morning's breakfast was a good example - Ranma knew from
helping Kasumi shop how difficult it was to get fresh eggs in the city,
and Kumiko had used more eggs in this morning's omelets than Kasumi
could have gotten hold of in an entire month. She didn't skimp on
portions either.
Ranma was glad the girls had agreed to a good long training session
this morning - she was going to have to increase her workouts again if
Kumiko kept feeding her this way.
She also needed to know just where the heck she was supposed to go
later in the day. She reluctantly set her cup of Hao Ya down on the
table.
"Grandma?"
"Yes, Ranma-kun?"
"I really ought t' get to Juuban this afternoon after me and the girls
practice. I ... uh ... really didn't pay much attention when we all got
here, so I don't really know where we are right now."
Aiko chuckled softly. "Yamade-ke is located in Suginami-ku, about
eleven kilometers west and north of Juuban. Is there a specific reason
you need to be in Juuban this afternoon, Ranma-kun? I can always ask
Genjo-kun to drive you there."
Ranma rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah, well ... Eiko is kinda anxious
for me to go meet him in person, and the only way I can get there is to
... umm ... take back his key. One of the junior senshi's got it right now,
and she supposed to be hangin' round in a park after school."
Aiko arched an eyebrow. "Interesting. I gather that you aren't planning
on simply walking up to this junior senshi and asking for the key
back?"
Ranma dropped her eyes as her face heated visibly. "Uhhh ... not really.
Eiko didn't think that'd be a good idea, and it don't really belong to
her anyway. I was kinda hoping to do this without anyone really
noticin'."
Aiko nodded. "Well then ... we will simply have to give you some
assistance, won't we?"
Ranma's eyes shot up. "Whaaaa?"
"Ranma-kun, the girls are all trained kunoichi. This is exactly the
type of situation they can be of assistance, and you're now part of the
family. Which park in Juuban is it?"
"Errrr ..." Ranma quickly glanced around the table.
"Five sets of eyes are better than one," Midori said.
"Spending an afternoon in a park? Real tough," Tsuya added.
"It would be significantly more efficient," Kioko said with a nod.
"And we get to break out some of our neat toys, too," Harukichi
finished.
"Ah man, I can't ask you girls t' do this. It ain't really your
concern, and I dunno how dangerous it's likely to get. I might end up
royally pissin' off some of the senshi and I wouldn't want y'all t'
have to face them alone when I go off to visit Eiko."
"It's not a matter of asking, Ranma-kun," Aiko admonished. "Family
helps family, and you are now a part of ours."
"Ahh ..."
"Don't worry, son. You'll get used to all this eventually. Now, do you
know which park you're going to?"
Ranma sighed. "Um, yeah. It's the one with the big library , err..."
{{Prince Arisugawa Memorial.}}
"Arisugawa, yeah, that's it. Recall being there once a while back."
"That's a nice park, Ranma," Midori said. "With five of us searching it
shouldn't take too long to find your senshi."
"Yeah, and it's only two transfers!"
Ranma gave Tsuya a very puzzled look.
"You know, J-rail?"
"Why would ya bother with that?" Ranma asked, scratching her head.
"Grandma said Juuban was only a dozen kilometers 'way. Even takin' it
easy, that jog's under an hour."
"Ranma, this isn't Nerima," Midori said. "Roof-hopping is bound to
attract quite a bit of attention, and I'm not sure that we could all
keep up with your usual pace anyway."
"O.K., I guess," Ranma replied. "You'll have ta show me the best spot
round here to train hop, though. An overpass's usually the easiest if
you're not used ta roof-hoppin'."
Harukichi started giggling.
"Ranma-kun," Aiko said. "The girls are accustomed to riding *inside*
the train."
"GAAAH. Why'd ya want to do that? It's much safer bein' on th'
outside."
Aiko eyebrow arched once more. "Why is that, son?"
"Well ... it just is. *Trust* me on that, 'k?"
"You should tell everyone about the time you were out with Kasumi,
Oneechan," Harukichi said between giggles. "I was the only one watching
that day; you really nailed the guy."
"Well, what did ya expect? It's bad 'nough when some bozo grabs *my*
boobs or butt thinkin' I'm a girl. I don't hurt them much at all, maybe
just a finger or wrist. But the bonehead who pawed Kasumi really
deserved what he got."
Harukichi practically bounced in her seat. "Yeah! I'll bet he was in a
cast singing soprano for at least six months. You hit him so fast no
one saw what actually happened."
"I shoulda hit him more," Ranma glowered, "but Kasumi was too upset. I
*still* don't get why she didn't say nothin' sooner."
"Not everyone is willing to make a scene in that situation, Ranma-kun."
Aiko replied. "And Miss Tendo apparently values the outward appearance
of propriety over her own comfort."
"Still don't make it right," Ranma grumbled. "Just 'cause the car's too
full is no reason t' go stickin' yer hand up some girl's skirt where it
don't belong. Especially Kasumi's."
"I think we can all agree on that, Ranma-kun," Aiko said. "And no one
here will take it amiss when you find it necessary to ... admonish
someone for overstepping their bounds. Even so, I will have to insist
that you begin to ride inside the transit cars instead of on top or
along side. In spite of your skills, there is still much less chance of
an accidental injury when you are inside the train."
Ranma's eyes dropped to the table again. "I'm really kinda used to
hoofin' it places anyway. Keeps up my trainin'."
Aiko smiled when she realized what the problem was.
"Ranma-kun, I believe it is time to introduce you to Yamada family
economics. Naomi-chan, would you please ask Jun-chan to bring in the
girls' weekly allowance along with a set of passes for Ranma-kun here?"
"Certainly, Yamada-sama," the black-haired maid replied with a bow.
"Payday! YEA!" Tsuya exclaimed, thrusting a fist up in the air. This
elicited a round of laughter from the other three girls.
"Tsuya's *always* broke before the week is up," Midori said.
"Hey, what about Little Miss Bookworm over there?" Tsuya shot back.
"My expenditures are normally allotted to *practical* items," Kioko
pronounced.
"That's why we end up carrying Oneechan's books all the time,"
Harukichi replied with a smirk.
"Girls, girls, girls, behave," Aiko said firmly, "or I'll reconsider my
decision on handing out your allowances a day early."
"Yes, ma'am," the four girls exclaimed in unison, all eyes cast
suddenly down at the table.
Ranma stared at the suddenly frozen tableau for a couple of seconds
before Tsuya started to chuckle.
"Oneechan's buying lunch again," Harukichi sniggered.
The other girls chuckled in unison while they relaxed in their seats.
Aiko had a wry grin on her face, shaking her head at the girls' antics.
Her grin quickly turned into a warm smile. "Ranma-kun, as I was about
to explain - before being so rudely interrupted - the girls get a
weekly allowance for non-essentials when they aren't out on an
assignment. The family covers any transportation and communication
costs along with school supplies and normal daily wear. The allowance
is intended to be used for things like hobbies, extra meals out,
clothes and jewelry beyond your normal wardrobe, and other items or
treats you feel like purchasing at the time. You're reimbursed for
anything normally covered by the family, but everyone's on the honor
system when submitting receipts. Jun-chan is responsible for the weekly
budget. She can tell you what's covered and what isn't, so don't
hesitate to ask if you have any questions."
"Ummm ..." Ranma said with a puzzled expression.
"Now that you're a part of the family, this applies to you as well."
"ME? Aw, you didn't have to go an' do that - I get by just fine."
"Nonsense," Aiko said firmly. "Having a regular allowance is good
training in personal finances, and I insist that each family member
learns how to maintain a regular budget." she paused a moment when Jun
walked into the room.
"Ah, here we are. Thank you, Jun-chan."
"Yamada-sama." Jun bowed, placing the small cloth bag down in front of
the elder Yamada. The green-haired maid quickly traversed around the
table placing an envelope in front of each of the four girls.
"Tsu-chan," Aiko said softly, "if you *really* want those earrings
you're going to have to show a little restraint for once. Your birthday
is a long ways away and I will make a point of making sure no one buys
them for you then as well."
"Obasan ..." Tsuya whined.
"No, young lady - we have discussed this before numerous times. There
isn't a single outfit in your normal wardrobe that can be stretched to
cover the cost out of the family budget, no matter how good they look
on you. If you want them you will have to buy them yourself, and you're
not allowed to borrow the difference from the other girls, either.
Understood?"
"Yes, Obasan," Tsuya replied, staring down at the table.
"Good. Now, let's see what Jun-chan brought in for Ranma-kun here."
Aiko emptied the bag on the table in front of her. She handed Ranma the
largest item from the pile.
"Here's your cell phone, Ranma-kun. Midori-chan can show you the speed
dials if you aren't used to using one, and the other girls will need
your number so they can add you to theirs. The family budget covers the
first two hours each month for outside calls, along with all calls made
to other family members."
"Ahh ..."
Aiko suppressed the grin that threatened to force its way onto her
face. She next placed a small stack of vouchers in front of the
bewildered girl.
"Here are your transit passes and phone card. The Eidan all-line pass
is good for six months and can be used on any Metro subway. The SF
Metro cards are used when you need transfer or Passnet fares like the
Inokashira line nearby. The ioCards are for JR lines, and the Free
Kippu card is a one-day all-Tokyo pass for emergencies - you'll need to
get a new one from Jun-chan every six months. Jun-chan keeps a supply
of SF Metro and ioCards on hand for when you run out of fare, so you
can always keep an extra one in your pocket if you like. The phone card
is for when your phone is out of our coverage area."
Aiko found it increasingly difficult in suppressing that grin while
looking at the expression on her grandson's face. She placed the
remaining envelope in front of the wide-eyed girl.
"And here's your first week's allowance along with your family credit
card. The card is for any sudden family expenses as well as
emergencies. If you really need to use the card for any personal
expense, I expect the charges to be covered out of that week's
allowance unless an *extremely* good reason can be presented to me
personally. Tsuya can tell you first-hand what happens when that
privilege is abused, can't you, Tsu-chan?"
"Yes, Obasan," Tsuya replied with a nod, her face a brilliant scarlet.
Ranma gingerly reached out and picked up the envelope. Her face paled
when she examined the contents.
"Ummm, Grandma?"
"Yes, Ranma-kun?"
"Somebody's made a mistake - there's gotta be several months' worth in
here."
"I wouldn't think so, Ranma-kun. Jun-chan? You did physically count the
amount of Ranma-kun's allowance, did you not?"
"Of course, Yamada-sama. Fifteen one-thousand yen notes, the same as
the other girls."
"There, you see? Jun-chan is very diligent when everyone's allowances
are given out."
Ranma continued to stare at the contents of the envelope in her hands.
"Fifteen thousand yen?"
"Yes, Ranma-kun."
"... per WEEK?" Ranma squeaked.
"Well, yes. I realize that amount is somewhat lower than what many of
the girls' peers receive, but I believe it to be extremely reasonable
considering the family pays for most of the phone usage along with all
transit fares."
Aiko stood up and motioned for everyone to follow. "Now, I believe
everyone here has a date with a new training routine, and we'd best be
at it if Ranma-kun is to keep his afternoon appointment in a timely
manner."
"Hai!" the four girls exclaimed, getting up from the table as one. It
quickly became apparent who had failed to follow suit.
"Ranma?" Midori asked the still-seated girl, who hadn't moved an iota
since her last exclamation.
"I think Obasan just broke Oneechan," Harukichi quipped.
A mild chuckle quickly flashed its way around the table.
"Ranma?" Midori repeated, placing a hand on the girls shoulder to shake
it gently once.
"Yup, she's broken," Tsuya added.
Ranma blinked several times before shakily getting to her feet. Just
what the hell had she gotten involved in *this* time?
--------------------
--- Juuban ---
Mamo-chan looked over at her friend Chibi-Usa-chan with concern. The
pink-haired girl had been really quiet the whole week. It wasn't at all
like her to act this way, yet she kept saying everything was OK.
Lunchtime had become really boring, and today's hadn't been any
different.
"Race you to the pond!" Jiro-chan exclaimed. The young boy stood up on
his bike's pedals and began to pull rapidly away.
Mamo-chan held back and waited for Chibi-Usa-chan to follow. She was
really sad when Jiro-chan sped off on his own.
--------------------
"We coulda just walked," Ranma groused.
"No one in Suginami-ku is used to seeing roof-hoppers, Ranma," Midori
replied. "That would attract entirely too much attention at the moment.
Besides, everyone who lives in Tokyo should know how to use the transit
system."
Ranma looked around at the confusing mass of gates, stairs, escalators,
and overpasses that comprised Shinjuku station. "I don't like this -
I'm startin' t' feel like Ryouga." she grumbled.
"Don't worry, Oneechan, it gets easier really fast." Harukichi said.
"We're taking the Yamanote local to Ebisu, then we can either walk for
about fifteen minutes or dive down to the Hibiya subway and make a
quick hop to Hiro-o."
"We're walkin'. Definitely."
Tsuya groaned.
"What's the matter, Tsuya?" Midori asked. "Still a little sore from
Ranma's training?"
"A *little*?" Tsuya moaned in response. "I didn't know *anyone* could
bounce tennis balls in that many directions at once and still bank them
all at a moving target like that."
"Hey, you guys are lucky," Ranma said with a chuckle. "I was goin' easy
on ya. When Pops ran me through that th' first time, he used rocks.
Tennis balls 'r a lot softer."
"You're kidding, right?" Tsuya asked. "I mean, *no* one could be that
dumb."
"Tsuya, just remember who we're referring to here," Kioko admonished.
"Oh."
Ranma just chuckled and shook her head.
--------------------
--- Nerima ---
Nodoka stared at her reflection, barely recognizing the image that
stared back. Love and honor had driven the kendoka away, now duty
demanded her return once more. Duty. It was all that remained, the only
thing holding off oblivion.
The clan was dead.
It was her duty to see it made official.
She squared her shoulders and fought to locate her center. It was time.
Duty, and a mother's vengeance, would be met this day.
The kendoka resolutely marched out the empty house.
--------------------
--- Juuban ---
"Finally!" Tsuya exclaimed, flopping down on the park bench.
"Hey c'mon - we just got here," Ranma said "That was barely a stretch."
Midori snickered.
"Oh, and 'Kichi?" Ranma turned to the short redhead. "Did ya really
have t' drive a spike all th' way through that guy's hand? I know he
was a creep, but a busted finger or two woulda made th' same point."
"You're entirely too nice for your own good, Oneechan," Harukichi
huffed.
Kioko shook her head. Now they had *two* of them to contend with.
"Ranma, perhaps you should describe the person we'll be looking for,"
Midori said, trying to forestall another chaotic conversation. "Haru-
chan can distribute the headsets while you brief us."
"On it, Oneechan," Harukichi said, slipping her backpack off her
shoulders.
Ranma looked over her four ... cousins, her *family*. They hadn't asked
for anything in return, not a thing, nor had they questioned her story
even once. They hadn't even argued over who was in charge or better
suited than her to do this thing or that.
... and that just didn't make any sense.
"Man, how'd I get talked into this?"
"Obaasan is very persuasive," Kioko replied. "Besides, unlike your own
experience, this is how a family is *supposed* to act when one of its
family members requires assistance."
Ranma looked at Kioko and blinked.
"Description?" Kioko asked.
"Oh, right. The squirt shouldn't be too hard t' spot. She's third or
forth grade, about four, four and a half tall, red eyes, pink hair, and
the dorkiest lookin' hairdo you ever saw."
Midori's eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh, so *that's* what you were
having hysterics over last night."
"Yup," Ranma nodded without denial. "Her hair's made up in these huge
twin ponytails with carrot-shaped odango on top. Eiko sent me an image
last night - it's th' funniest damn thing."
"This doesn't sound very difficult," Harukichi said. "Headset,
Oneechan," she stated somewhat cryptically, handing Ranma an odd piece
of equipment.
Ranma looked at the thing Harukichi had handed her. It somewhat
resembled a receptionist's phone handset, except it was much smaller.
"Here. You put the headset on like this," Harukichi explained, turning
her right ear to Ranma. "The transmitter goes in a pocket or clips to
your belt, and most of us run the headset wire down inside our blouse
to hide it."
"Jeez, 'Kichi, I 'preciate it," Ranma said, making no move to wear the
headset. "But I don't really need somethin' like that."
"Ranma, you said you wanted to do this quietly," Midori replied. "These
comsets allow us to split up and still talk to each other. They allow
us to cover a lot of ground all at once."
{{Ranma, it would be quite beneficial for you to take advantage of your
cousin's offer. It increases your chance of obtaining the key
significantly.}}
"Ah man. Not you, *too*," Ranma groused. "O.K., O.K., I'll wear the
damned thing."
Midori chuckled. "I take it your distant partner just made a comment or
two."
"Yeah, I'm bein' ganged up on here," Ranma said, failing miserably at
the 'sorely tried' look.
"Let me help you, Oneechan," Harukichi asked.
Ranma exhaled noisily. "Sure, squirt. Knock yerself out."
"Channel nine should be clear in this area," Kioko said.
"Right. Comms to channel nine," Midori instructed. The other girls
quickly made the setting adjustment, with Harukichi switching Ranma's
set before connecting the headset wire to the box.
"Count off! Set one check," Midori said.
"Set two check," Kioko replied.
"Set three check," Tsuya added.
"Set four check," Harukichi finished. "Oneechen, put the boom mike
*here* and say set five check."
Ranma shrugged. "O.K. Set five check. How come I didn't hear nothing?"
"We heard you just fine, so your volume's probably all the way down,"
Harukichi replied. "Put your finger against the center of the earpiece
like this. You'll feel a little disc you can move. Rotate it up like
this to turn the volume up, down to reduce the volume."
Gadgets. Ranma shook her head. She also turned the volume up like her
cousin had just showed her.
"Alright," Midori said. "Once we locate the pink-haired girl, we need
to get your key from her. What does the key look like, Ranma?"
"Eiko?"
{{The minor key is approximately four inches long. It is somewhat
ornate and is normally worn by the junior senshi around her neck,
hanging from a thin cord. She keeps it tucked inside her blouse when
not in use. Ranma, you should warn your cousins that you will be
transported to me the instant you take possession of the key. The key
has been automatically set to invoke an emergency recall protocol.}}
"Oh that's just peachy," Ranma replied. "Eiko says the key's 'bout four
inches long and hidden inside the girl's blouse like a necklace. I'm
also supposed t' warn you I'm liable to poof and go bye-bye the second
I get the key. Some crap about emergency recall or somethin', so don't
be startled if I disappear suddenly."
"Sounds easy enough," Harukichi said. "This should be fun!"
"Ranma, we'll spread out in a standard area coverage pattern," Midori
said. "Since you haven't done this with us before, you can use any
method you like in locating your target - we'll keep you updated
constantly. Everyone, pattern delta to begin with."
Ranma watched as the other girls started walking in different
directions. She smirked once before leaping up into the trees.
--------------------
--- Nerima ---
Nodoka stared at the gates of Tendo-ke and glowered. Fragments of
memories whirled through the kendoka's mind - all the lies, the
deceptions, 'they've gone on a training trip', 'Mr. Panda' playing in
the koi pond with 'Ranko', her son-turned-daughter. The desperate
loneliness and pain etched deep inside those haunting crystalline blue
eyes every time their gazes met.
Her eyes. *His* eyes. Why had she never noticed that before?
Shame washed across her, shaking the hard-fought grip on her center.
She had tried *so* hard to turn Ranko into a proper young lady. Tried
so hard ... and helped destroy his soul in the process. Her own actions
had trapped them both in roles neither could play, and it was now too
late to set it right. Entirely too late.
It was fortunate that duty demanded her end. Nothing less could even
begin to atone for her own crimes.
Nodoka blinked back tears as she fought to center herself once more.
She would do her son no good if she entered battle with a divided
heart. His soul cried out for justice, and she must see it through to
the bitter end. Her own fate was given, but the others ... THEY were
completely without honor. THEY would not atone to his soul. THEY ...
... would be punished. It was time.
The kendoka slipped silently through the gate, her birth family's art
returning at her need. She ignored the front door - that would only
give warning she could not allow. An irregular gravel path wandered
around the left side of the house to the koi pond. Her first few steps
made a dreadful sound until her kunoichi balance reasserted itself. She
glided across the remaining path with only the whisper of her hakama
giving proof of her presence.
--------------------
Genma sat on the outer walkway of the family room and stared out to the
koi pond. It had been almost a month since Ranma had been stupid enough
to get locked in his girl form. A month since he had gone chasing after
that Chinese prince. A month without someone to train, prod, cajole,
and push to greater and ever greater heights. A month of complete and
utter boredom.
He glanced over to his friend sitting next to him and shook his head.
Tendo was hidden behind the morning paper, eyes glued to whatever
idiotic article that had caught his attention this time. What a waste.
At least he still practiced Anything Goes Shogi.
"GENMA!"
Genma jumped to his feet faster than his bulk would belie. He turned to
face the source of the shout just in time to pluck a small metal object
out of the air, an object which had been aimed directly at his head. He
barely registered the fact that the object was *not* a weapon when he
saw the source of the thrown object and almost fell over in shock.
A vision of absolute beauty stood not more than ten feet away. A vision
which brought back memories of past days filled with joy and happiness,
a vision he had not seen since he had courted and married the auburn-
haired beauty, a vision he thought he had lost forever.
A vision which was glaring balefully at him, a vision which ...
Oh, CRAP!
"Hehehe, Nodoka dear. What a pleasant surprise."
"Explain yourself, Genma. Where is my son," the kendoka hissed.
Genma started to sweat. This was *not* good, not good at all. He
plastered a smile over his face and looked anywhere except at those
burning crimson eyes. "The boy's gone on a training trip, dear. He
should be back in a ..."
Genma finally recognized the object he had caught. His eyes widened in
shock before the rage hit. He was holding the broken tsuba of his
family's sword.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS, WIFE?"
"I am not your wife. You are not my husband. I have no husband."
Genma's fiery rage battled the frigid wall of the kendoka's will.
Battled, and lost.
"My HUSBAND would not have turned my son into a daughter."
Genma's rage vanished as the kendoka took a slow deliberate step
forwards.
"My HUSBAND would not have sold my son into slavery to feed his fat
belly."
More steps.
"My HUSBAND would not have hidden from me and forced my son and
daughter to lie to his own mother."
Closer. The vision now filled with danger and promises of pain.
"My HUSBAND would not have engaged my son and daughter to a violent
maniac from an honorless family of eta."
Several gasps were heard from inside the house. Closer, ever closer.
"Most of all, Genma, my HUSBAND would not have abandoned MY DAUGHTER in
her time of most desperate need and forced her to battle unspeakable
odds in the mountains alone. My HUSBAND would not have LEFT her to DIE
BY HERSELF."
*Snick* *Snick*
Genma was frozen to the spot in shock. He watched with dread as she
raised her katana and pointed it directly at him.
"No, Genma, my HUSBAND would have done none of those things. I have no
husband. My husband is dead to me."
Genma turned white. She did *not* say that. He did NOT hear that. He
looked around frantically at the faces surrounding him, everyone Tendo
in various stages of shock. A whisper of air was his only warning.
He dodged an uppercut slice that would have decapitated him had he been
a 'normal' martial artist and jumped out of the way of the following
reversal. The kendoka became a living whirlwind of flashing blades, a
whirlwind that tracked the stocky martial artist relentlessly around
the courtyard. To Genma her attacks were painfully slow, but the only
way to stop the dance of steel was to incapacitate her, and he just
didn't KNOW enough to risk that. Besides, he never *could* hit her -
time to employ his school's Final Technique.
Nodoka screamed in frustration as the object of her ire literally
vanished at the top of a leap over the outer fence.
"The clan is *dead*, Genma. DO YOU HEAR ME?"
The kendoka collapsed to her knees and screamed to the heavens.
"THE CLAN IS DEAD!"
--------------------
--- Juuban ---
"Check one," Ranma heard from Midori's voice. "Southern playground
clear, no contact."
"Check three," from Tsuya. "Nature ponds clear, no contact."
"Check two," from Kioko. "East plaza clear, no contact. I will search
the library interior, and have visual contact on five. That's you,
Ranma."
"Check four," Harukichi said with a giggle. "Riding trails no contact.
Not clear, check still in progress."
"I'm gonna hop to the top of th' Library and look about a bit."
"One acknowledge. Have fun, Ranma."
--------------------
--- Nerima ---
The kendoka sat slumped on the grass next to the koi pond for an
indeterminable time, an unnatural stillness surrounding her until she
could forcibly gather herself together once more. Duty - it came back
to duty now that nothing else was left of her existence. She was naught
more than a shade, a ghost of wasted possibilities lost to foolishness,
bright futures torn asunder through reckless pride and misplaced honor.
Dust, all ashes and dust. Past time to return.
She briefly struggled to her feet, muscles stiff from their
unaccustomed exertion. She honestly hadn't expected to personally exact
full measure on her erstwhile husband, but the attempt had to be made.
And it mattered little that she was unable to do so - the published
notices would see to that for the foreseeable future. Now if only her
mother would accede to her final duty.
"Auntie Saotome?"
Nodoka's eyes tracked the source of the interruption to the eldest
Tendo girl. She quickly noted the other's positions before adjusting
her grip on her blades, catching the youngest Tendo's dazed fascination
with the daisho's gleaming edges. She leveled seething eyes at the
miscreants before her.
"You knew," the kendoka hissed.
Kasumi recoiled from the venom in that short pronouncement.
"You knew," the kendoka reiterated. "You knew Ranko was my son, my
daughter."
Kasumi nodded weakly, a songbird caught in the gaze of a serpent.
"You knew and you hid him from me anyway. You *knew* - and perpetrated
a lie, a lie that ended in her *death*."
"Hey, it wasn't *us* who was hiding him from you and ..."
"How many times, Nabiki Tendo? How many times have I asked, only to be
told they were on a training trip? How many times did I ask and be told
they were gone - while I was standing next to my own son?"
"Daddy?" Nabiki drawled. "You're the one who told us what to say, after
all."
"I see." Nodoka raised her blades. "What would Hitomi have said of
this, Soun Tendo? Will you defend your actions with blood, or has her
spirit truly left these grounds?"
"But ... I ... It was ..."
"Oh Daddy, *really*," Nabiki admonished. "Mrs. Saotome, what proof do
you have that Ranma is dead anyway?"
"You question my word without defending your own? Your mother weeps,
Nabiki Tendo."
*Snick* *Snick*
"But if proof is what you seek ..." Nodoka reached behind to her back and
extracted a small package. "I have no further use of this," she
exclaimed, throwing it at the middle Tendo girl - who squawked in
surprise when the video cassette bounced off her shoulder to land with
a thump on the tatami.
The kunoichi brushed past the shell-shocked family and padded silently
out the entrance hallway. The four Tendos looked wide-eyed at each
other until a loud 'KIAA!' sounded from outside. When they rushed to
the outside gate the only proof of the kunoichi's passing was the
bottom half of the severed dojo sign laying in the street.
--------------------
A pair of old and weary eyes watched as the scene played itself out at
Tendo-ke. The situation had definitely gotten worse, and if what Nodoka
had said *was* true ... then there was virtually no chance of finally
resolving the whole blasted entanglement.
Happosai sighed, feeling all of his years pressing down upon him. He
would just have to talk to his daughter again.
... no matter how much that would cost him.
--------------------
--- Juuban ---
"Check four bingo. I repeat, check four bingo. Item in hand. I have
visual on five, will rendezvous soonest."
"Good work, four. Ranma, Haru-chan has you in sight and she has the key
with her. Stay where you are and she'll bring it right to you."
"Ah geez, 'Kichi. I was supposed to do that."
Harukichi giggled. "No problem, Oneechan, it's one of my specialties.
She never even noticed. I know which tree you're up in, so you can hop
down any time. Two minutes, max."
"Thanks, girls. It woulda taken me a lot longer myself - this park's
bigger than I thought. You should pro'bly head right home; Eiko didn't
say how long I'd be gone."
"Agreed, Ranma," Midori replied. "All rendezvous at start; we'll exit
as soon as four finishes delivery."
"Check two roger."
"Check three roger."
"Check four roger."
--------------------
Luna ran as fast as she could. She didn't have time to stop and warn
Chibi-Usa that her Time Key had been stolen; the redhead was running
entirely too fast and she couldn't risk losing sight of her. Luna was
fortunate the girl was sticking to the main path for now - she didn't
think she could keep up if the redhead moved that quickly through the
brush.
The cat's legs ached as she chased after the short redhead. Luna
suppressed a moan when the girl broke away from the riding path and
began running uphill through the open woods. Fortunately the redhead
didn't go very far - she stopped suddenly at the base of a particularly
tall tree. The moon cat dashed as quietly as she could to a small bush
a short distance from the girl's tree. She was crawling into position
when she heard a soft thump nearby.
"Here you are, Oneechan."
Luna suppressed a hiss once she got into position. Another girl had met
up with the redhead, this one with black hair tied back in a pigtail
and eyes as blue as the Princess's. The redhead was holding the key out
to the new girl - she must be the leader.
"Just a sec, 'Kichi - lemme get this blasted headset off. I don't
really wanna cart it along t' the Gate."
Luna watched as the taller girl removed something from her before
pulling a long wire out from inside her baggy shirt. That - and a small
box from her pocket - was set down on the ground before the pigtailed
girl reached for the key.
"Good luck!" the redhead told the other girl, who nodded once and
smiled before taking possession of the key.
Luna's mouth dropped to the ground when the pigtailed girl and the key
simply vanished the instant the girl touched it. The red-headed girl
didn't seem surprised.
"Check four. Delivery complete, five is in route. Repeat: delivery
complete, five in route."
The redhead picked up the pigtailed girl's discarded equipment and put
it in her backpack with a minimum of effort.
"Rendezvous at start, check four roger."
Luna gaped as the redhead vanished right before her eyes. She carefully
extracted herself from her hiding spot and looked around. There was no
sign of either girl.
--------------------
--- Elsewhere ---
Sailor Pluto groaned as she staggered to her feet once more. Her
repeated attempts of reestablishing control of the Gates had
accomplished absolutely nothing, and each time she tried the protective
measures and defenses built into the Gates hammered her flat with
almost unbearable agony.
The continual failures were wearing her down as well; she required more
and more time between each attempt to recover even a small part of her
strength. Unfortunately, there was little else she could do except to
keep trying - without control of the gates she could neither
communicate nor leave the space-time warp the Gates currently occupied.
The bright flash of a temporal warp-flux interrupted her painful
routine. Sailor Pluto's heart raced when she located the position of
the transit - it was directly in front of the Gates! That ruled out any
friendly assistance; Small Lady or the other Sailor Senshi would have
appeared at the opposite end of the warp bubble. There could only be
one meaning of such a transit, and in spite of her current situation
Sailor Pluto's duty was clear.
--------------------
Ranma fought back the touch of vertigo induced by the emergency recall
transit. Once her vision cleared she found herself standing in front of
an elaborate double-door. The odd part was that the door and frame
wasn't attached to any structure - instead it was mounted in a free-
standing monument, almost like it was a ceremonial gate of some sort.
Even odder was the eerie mist and fog that surrounded the monument and
obscured *everything* past a dozen feet.
Wait a minute ... GATE?
{{Hello, Ranma.}}
"That you, Eiko?"
{{Yes it is. Now you can see why the use of a gender pronoun when
referring to myself would be ... inappropriate.}}
Ranma shook her head. A door - she was talking to a door. Could her
life *really* get any stranger?
Eiko chuckled. {{You should not concern yourself over that, Ranma. I
can assure you ... I am far from the strangest thing you will encounter
as Guardian. }}
Ranma pinked at the reminder that Eiko shared her surface thoughts.
{{I would suggest that you be on the watch for my former Guardian. You
must retrieve the primary Key from her before we can complete the
process of giving you full Guardianship status. Unfortunately, she is
unlikely to hand the key over willingly.}}
"That's just peachy," Ranma sighed.
"STOP!"
A commanding voice rang out from the mist. "Any and all who break the
taboo, and attempt to approach the doorway of space-time, shall be
eliminated!"
Ranma cocked an eyebrow - that was almost as bad as one of Kuno's corny
speeches. "So I take it this is ..."
{{Correct. My former Guardian, Sailor Pluto.}}
Sailor Pluto strode into view from the mists. She raised the Garnet Rod
high in preparation to strike.
"PREPARE TO DIE!"
"Oh, great - another Ryouga."
Ranma's evaluation of her opponent took but an instant. Pluto was a
good fifteen centimeters taller than she was but couldn't weigh more
than a couple of kilos over Ranma's own weight. Pluto's long deep-
viridian hair and garnet eyes, combined with her relatively slender
build, made her look more like a fashion model than a warrior. The long
metal staff Pluto wielded was about as tall as she was which would give
her a considerable advantage in reach. Her movements were fluid but
imprecise, indicative of someone who had previous training but no
recent practice. Her outfit, however, was an indecent parody of a
school fuku and Ranma had to suppress a sudden fit of giggles at the
sight it presented.
Sailor Pluto swung straight down, intent on staving in the back-haired
girl's skull. Her strike was quick, accurate, and to Ranma pathetically
slow. Pluto blinked when her target blurred and suddenly appeared two
feet to the side. Her eyes narrowed dangerously - this was no ordinary
girl. Pluto shifted her grip on the Garnet Rod to that of an English
quarterstaff and lashed out using combinations not seen for centuries.
Ranma wasn't surprised when the pace of the attacks increased
dramatically. Pluto's unbalanced grip and attack style was unusual,
reminding Ranma of an odd mix of Okinawan rokushakubo and Korean jang
bong techniques. Ranma's respect for her opponent rose as Pluto
continued to increase the speed of her attacks. The fuku-clad woman had
to have some serious strength in order to fling the metal staff around
so quickly.
A full minute of dodging went by before Ranma decided Pluto could
easily do without the staff. She waited several seconds until the
proper opening presented itself and struck Pluto's upper arm with a
quick pair of knife edge chops. She barely dodged the cross-sweep
counter-attack when her disarming move accomplished absolutely nothing.
Her hands ached the same way they did after using the Amaguriken on
Ryouga.
"Damn , she's as hard as P-chan."
{{I did mention previously that the Guardian's uniform provided partial
protection against both magical and physical attacks.}}
Ranma was so shocked she stopped dead in her tracks. Sailor Pluto fell
flat on her butt, having already overextended on a two-handed back
thrust.
"Eiiiiii...Kooooo..." Ranma growled, bounding over in a single leap to
stand directly in front of the Gates.
She suddenly pointed at the prone senshi. "Are you tellin' me that I
gotta wear *THAT*? You gotta be *kiddin'* me - d'ya know how
EMBARASSIN' that's gonna be? That skirt ain't long enough to flag a
taxi, and I'll be givin' the local perverts nosebleeds every time I do
a wheel kick!"
Sailor Pluto stood up and stared at the petite black-haired girl she'd
just been fighting. The girl was yelling at the *Gates*? {{What in
Hades ...}}
"... and what about that 'no ribbons and lace' bit, huh? Sure looks like
frilly crap to me! How's anyone s'posed to take me seriously in a get-
up like *that*?"
"Um, excuse me?" Pluto really didn't mind the brief respite; she had
almost become exhausted just trying to hit the frighteningly elusive
girl. A senshi could recover a *lot* of energy in a very short period
of time.
{{Ranma, the uniform was designed to maximize the attractiveness of the
Guardian. Its form adjusts automatically to appeal to the Guardian's
race's ideals of beauty. In addition, I have no control over the
uniform's transformation magic - and there aren't any ribbons or lace
in the uniform's current configuration.}}
"NO RIBBONS? Just what do you call that mess right over her boobs,
then?"
Sailor Pluto blinked. "Excuse me?"
{{That is a bow, Ranma, not ribbons.}}
Ranma snorted. "Like there's really any difference. And what about the
jewelry? ... an' those BOOTS! How the HECK am I supposed to fight
Musabetsu Kakutou Ryuu in HIGH HEELS, huh?"
"EXCUSE ME!"
"WHAT?" Ranma shouted back, turning her attention away from Eiko. "Oh,
so NOW you want to talk?"
Sailor Pluto bit back a retort. She had no doubt as to the eventual
outcome of her defense of the Gates, so it wouldn't hurt to converse a
little to gain information. The girl might even drop her guard enough
to shorten the whole process significantly.
"Who or what exactly *are* you, and why were you yelling at the Gates?
It's just a thing."
Ranma glared at the senshi. "I'm Ranma Saotome of the Musabetsu Kakutou
Saotome Ryuu. What I'm *supposed* to be is your replacement. And the
reason I'm yellin' at Eiko is 'cause the damn door's a sneaky pompous
bastard who's startin' to remind me an awful lot of Nabiki."
{{Replacement?}} Sailor Pluto's eyes widened in shock. "NO!"
"Oh yes he does," Ranma shot back. "The uniform's 'more sophisticated',
he said. Sophisticated - yeah, *right*. That get-up makes you look like
a hentai schoolgirl, and I'll just bet there's some kinda naked whirly
light show that goes along with it, too."
"Only I can guard the Gates of Time," Pluto said, eye hardening. "Only
I."
"Huh?" Ranma shook her head. "Lady, I hate to tell you this but you
already blew that gig."
Sailor Pluto started edging around the Ranma girl. She couldn't risk
harming the Gates, but if she could get the girl far enough away from
them she could end this with a single blow. She'd have to stall just a
little longer.
"Nonsense. I am the Guardian - I always have been and I always will
be."
"Not accordin' to Eiko here," Ranma smirked.
"Why do you insist on talking as if the Gates were alive?" Pluto
continued to edge around the girl. "The Gates are just a thing, nothing
more. This I know; I have been its Guardian for longer than you could
possibly imagine."
"That's not what *he* says. Hey, Eiko. How long did you say P-chan over
there had been on the job?"
{{Two thousand, three hundred and seventy four years, one hundred and
eight days, fourteen...}}
"Yeah, yeah, don't need the hours and stuff. Two thousand, three
hundred and seventy four years is what he says."
Sailor Pluto stopped a moment to stare at the girl. {{How could she
possibly know that?}}
Ranma sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Look, lady, this whole
thing wasn't exactly my idea in the first place. I wouldn't even *be*
here if Herb hadn't dropped a mountain on top my head after locking my
curse. 'Cause of Eiko's help, I gave my word that I'd be his new
Guardian, an' this was *before* I found out the Kaisufuu had been
destroyed an' that bein' Guardian could unlock my curse."
{{This girl is insane.}} Sailor Pluto also noted the girl had stepped
away from the Gates just enough during her little rant.
"Dead Scream."
Ranma ran full speed the instant the violet bands of energy began
swirling around the staff. It had been painfully obvious what Pluto had
been trying to do, even if Ranma didn't know exactly *how* Pluto was
going to attack next.
The senshi grabbed the Garnet Rod in both hands, completed the final
twirl, aimed, and fired. The violet ball of energy shot harmlessly out
into the mists just as a blinding white glow erupted behind her.
"KACHU TENSHIN AMAGURIKEN!"
Pluto's world exploded in pain; a pair of gigantic wrecking balls
hammered her lower back at unbelievable speeds. She was fighting to
retain consciousness before she had time to react and barely had
strength left to wave the staff behind her with one hand. She fell to
her knees when the blows stopped as suddenly as they had started.
Ranma landed with a thud about twelve feet away from Sailor Pluto. That
pathetically weak back sweep had proved to be anything but - it had
brushed her forearm block aside as if it hadn't existed and plowed into
her side with a blow worthy of Ryouga. She struggled to her feet,
suppressing a scream of pain when she discovered she couldn't put any
pressure on her left arm. It had just been broken. Again. And her ribs
hurt like heck. Again.
"Damn it all, I just finished *healin'* that arm!"
Ranma glared at her opponent who was trying to stand up by climbing up
her own staff. That staff was dangerous with a capital 'D', but it also
seemed to be the entire center of Pluto's abilities. Ranma knew how
tiring a ki fight could be, but with Eiko's supply behind her all Ranma
really had to worry about would be maintaining control. She flooded her
body with ki.
Sailor Pluto was barely able to stand up - she was near total
exhaustion and her entire lower back felt as if it had been dipped in
liquid fire. Leaning on her staff, she turned towards the direction of
the angry shout. She located Ranma just as the girl's body erupted in
blinding white streamers of energy.
"MOUKO TAKABISHA!"
Pluto's own exhaustion saved her. When she tried leaping sideways she
fell back down on her butt instead; her legs having given out
completely. She felt the intense heat of her opponent's attack as it
raced past her head.
Ranma stared at her hand in amazement. That hadn't been her normal ball
of confidence ki. Instead, a huge bar of quasi-solid lightning *far*
more powerful than anything she'd ever thrown before had emerged, and
her arm buzzed unpleasantly from channeling that amount of power. She'd
better dampen down her next shot - she didn't want to actually kill
anyone.
"Mouko Takabisha!"
A much smaller cylinder of ki slammed into the prone senshi, flinging
her back a dozen feet to land in an unconscious heap.
"'Bout damned time," Ranma growled. She walked over to Pluto, wary of
any further ploys. A quick but *careful* check assured her that the
former Guardian really was out cold. Ranma looked down at the senshi
and back over to the Gates.
"Guess I'm gonna have to put her somewhere I can keep an eye on her."
Ranma grabbed the back of Sailor Pluto's collar and dragged her over
closer to the Gates. She retrieved the Garnet Rod, surprised at how
little the deceptive staff seemed to weigh.
"OK, Eiko. Now where do I find this key you've been talkin' about?"
{{You're currently holding it, Ranma.}}
"This thing?" Ranma held the Garnet Rod out and gave it a closer look.
Now that her attention was brought to the fact, it *did* sort of look
like a big fancy key.
{{Yes, 'that thing' is the primary Key. Ranma, it's time to begin.
Please come over and stand directly in front of me.}}
"Geez, give me a sec, huh?"
{{Do not concern yourself over your current injuries. They will not
interfere with the Ceremony and will quickly disappear once you have
attained full Guardianship.}}
Ranma sighed and walked over to stand in front of the Gates.
{{Because my former Guardian is uncooperative, you will have to perform
the Ceremony by yourself. Please repeat the following words out loud.}}
"Ah, man ... You mean I gotta start makin' corny speeches now?"
{{Ranma, I apologize if the process upsets your sensibilities, but the
only way a new Guardian can be inducted is if an external stimulus is
applied. I cannot speak the words myself - you must be the one to do
so. This is the way I was designed.}}
"Yeah, yeah, I get the message. So what's up first?"
{{Repeat after me: Gate of Eternity, obey your Guardian's command.
Release the lock on Command Core access.}}
"Gate of Eternity, obey your Guardian's command. Release the lock on
command core access."
*CLACK*
Ranma spun about at the sound. Looking down, she saw a slotted hole
that had appeared in the ground. The hole was rimmed by a band of
flashing crimson light.
{{Insert the key into the access lock. Turn it exactly a half turn
counterclockwise.}}
--------------------
Sailor Pluto eyes cracked opened. Her every nerve ending was on fire -
she could barely see the swirling mist of the warp bubble. The roaring
in her ears subsided quickly as her brain began to process sensory
inputs once more. She could hardly move a muscle - her energies were so
low it took a tremendous effort just to turn her head when a loud noise
sounded to her left.
Pluto blearily stared at the black-haired girl who held the Key. Ranma.
Yes, that was her name. She was ... *holding* the Key. She shouldn't even
be able to lift it; only the Guardian could ...
No. NOOOO! She *couldn't* have been telling the truth, she COULDN'T!
The Gates couldn't have chosen her - the Gates weren't sentient! It was
a tool, nothing more, a *tool*.
Pluto forced herself to calm down. She was wasting much-needed energy,
and there was no way this Ranma girl could bypass the numerous
safeguards built into the Gate ... safeguards designed for this very
contingency.
"Hey, Eiko - this thing won't go down all the way."
"Oh, OK. Halfway, push, then a quarter back."
Command Core - Ranma was trying to access the Command Core!
Pluto watched helplessly as the lock's strobing lights changed from red
to yellow to green. A crimson globe surrounded the girl and the Gates.
Command Core access - that was impossible! There was no one beside
herself who knew how to unlock that function, no one but her ...
... and the information stored inside the Gates themselves.
"I, Ranma Saotome, do solemnly swear ..."
No. NO! It *couldn't* be. Not THOSE words.
"... that I will defend the Gate of Eternity against all enemies in all
times ..."
The Gates ... the Gates had ... *chosen* this girl? But ... but the girl
wasn't of Serenity's court. She wouldn't ...
"... and discharge the duties of Guardian to the utmost of my abilities;
..."
The Gates *had* chosen another ... and she tried to speak.
"... that I accept this obligation freely and without reservation; ..."
"Please ... please give it back ... Crystal Tokyo ..."
Her pleas went unheard.
"... and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office I am
about to enter ..."
No. Please. This was wrong. If *she* wasn't the Guardian, she couldn't
insure that Crystal Tokyo would ever come into being. And this person ...
No ...
"... until I am no longer willing nor capable of performing such duties."
Sailor Pluto had almost made it to her feet. She collapsed when the
crimson globe turned brilliant white and that small final remnant of
her link to the Gates was severed.
"No ..." Pluto whispered.
For the first time in over a millennium, tears tracked down the cheeks
of the oldest senshi.
--------------------
{{... and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office I am
about to enter ...}}
"... and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office I am
about to enter ..."
{{... until I am no longer willing nor capable of performing such
duties.}}
"... until I am no longer willing nor capable of performing such duties."
{{Thank you, Ranma. There are only two remaining steps left to perform.
The final imprinting requires a finer parameter preset adjustment than
I have been able to perform from a distance. Once this scan is
completed the final step will be to imprint your gestalt into my
central command core. Please place your hand on the Key's Garnet Orb
and state the command 'Diagnostic Scan' out loud. I will warn you the
process *will* be slightly painful for a short period, but I guarantee
it will do no lasting damage.}}
Ranma looked warily at the Key, its Orb flashing in tandem with the
green keyhole strobes. Well, she'd come this far ...
She extended a hand.
"Diagnostic Scan."
The swirling globe of crimson light surrounding her and the Gates
turned a brilliant and opaque white.
Ranma winced when a dagger of pure force thrust deep inside her neural
pathways. Eiko skillfully directed the mental probe to the blocked off
section of Ranma's psyche, the part which housed the unknown spiritual
contamination. The probe was far from being the gentlest construct Eiko
could have used - it instantly demolished the fragile controls Ranma
had built up over the years.
The NekoKen boiled out in a savage psychic whirlwind of claws and fangs
and primal fears.
Eiko frantically tried to contain the damage to Ranma's psyche while it
finished analyzing the contamination's spiritual components. Partial
results invoked an immediate Alpha Override - there was now a direct
extra-dimensional conduit into the command core.
An emergency stasis field snapped into place around the Gates. The
surrounding globe of white light quickly faded to a smoky grey.
--------------------
--- Temple of Layiru ---
The priest in the Gemroom could be excused. He wouldn't be, of course,
but it was a mistake any of them would have made. Their servants were
*always* punished - immediately - when any of them failed to serve
their masters properly, and this priest's servant had actually been
clumsy enough to spill his master's drink all over the priest's robes.
The servant was killed immediately. This was as it should be - servants
were expendable, after all.
It's what Ri'kahk, 2nd Order High Priest of the Red did afterwards that
would cause him so much trouble in the near future. He left the Gemroom
just long enough to return to his quarters and change his outer robes.
It wouldn't do for one of his stature to be seen in soiled garments,
and the Gemroom duty was mostly ceremonial - it wasn't as if anything
would actually *happen* which would require his attention, right?
It was entirely his fault, then, that he missed seeing one of the blue
gemstones set in an intricate mosaic flare briefly to life. It was also
his fault that by the time he returned to his post, the gem had dimmed
to a dull glow - a glow hidden by the Gemroom's ambient light.
The lighting in the Gemroon had been set higher than regulations
allowed due to Ri'kahk's own vanity. He would soon discover the error
of his ways - quite painfully.
--------------------
--- Juuban ---
The artifact woke up quite abruptly, reactivating after having been in
Emergency Core Override for well over a millennium. A quick scan
revealed his Guardian to be similarly disabled. He immediately
manifested himself next to his sleeping Guardian and erected a level
two defensive shield around her. A swirling globe of black mist
surrounded them both.
The artifact had no knowledge of why it had been shut down for such a
lengthy period of time, and his Guardian was currently incapable of
providing the missing data. The artifact transmitted a tight beamed
priority query to the Gate of Eternity requesting status update and
full data briefing. He wasn't totally surprised when his request was
rejected with a Service Unavailable error. The automatic follow-up scan
revealed the Gate of Eternity had surrounded itself with an internal
emergency stasis field.
With no data briefing available, the artifact would have to rely solely
on local resources. He performed a detail scan of his Guardian to
further investigate the reason for her current state. He immediately
upgraded his defensive shield to full class one status. The globe of
black mist swirling around them hardened into an impenetrable shell of
liquid force-metal.
His personality matrix permitted him to swear. He did so. Profusely.
The newly awakened artifact was extremely perturbed. He had an immense
amount of work to accomplish before he could restore his Guardian to
her proper form and health, and without the Gate's active assistance a
good portion of this task was beyond his current knowledge and
capabilities. Once he had performed all the tasks that could be done
without assistance, he would simply have to wait until the Gate had
resolved its current difficulties - how ever long that might take. And
without a full update, he couldn't outline contingency plans to insure
he and his Guardian could never be forced offline in a similar manner
at some future date, nor could he plan a fitting punishment to properly
... chastise ... those who had previously placed them in this state.
It was most ... frustrating. It was also the only path of action
available to him at this time.
After taking a moment to set up an auto response routine which would
notify him the instant the Gate returned online, the Glaive of Space
set about to repair what it could of the immense amount of damage that
had been wreaked upon its now-infantile Guardian.
--------------------
The artifact was ... confused. She had emerged suddenly from Standby but
was unable to determine the cause of the current emergency. A full scan
revealed no discernable threat and her Guardian was on active duty. All
six of her Guardian's protectors were accounted for and also on active
duty; four were in her Guardian's immediate presence and the last two
were in the same general vicinity. The only item of note was that her
Guardian and all of her protectors were in an unpowered state
It appeared that her Guardian was not the cause of her full activation
as in times previous. A quick inquiry returned a highly unexpected
result - the Gate of Eternity was currently offline behind a Type M
stasis field.
Stasis field?
If that was the case, then the bindings ...
Oh ... dear ...
A *very* delicate scan confirmed the artifact's unpleasant deduction -
the Glaive of Space was fully operational and protecting his Guardian
behind a class one shield. The situation was now *well* outside her
current set of operational directives.
Further directives were urgently required. A few defensive precautions
would also be quite prudent.
--------------------
Usagi looked at the stack of schoolbooks in front of her and sighed.
Mama was being *very* strict today and hadn't given her the chance to
take any time to relax after half-day. No, Usagi did *not* like being
grounded at all. The presence of the other senshi helped, but Usagi
wished she could be over at Rei's temple for their usual study group
instead of being stuck here at home. Mama had made sure that none of
her regular 'distractions' were present, and there was no place around
the living room table to hide anything from Mama's eagle eyes.
It just wasn't fair.
It wasn't *her* fault that defeating Pharaoh 90 had forced her to miss
so many days at school. It wasn't *her* fault that those absences were
unexcused. And it *certainly* wasn't her fault that she missed most of
the practice exams because she was too busy fighting daemons at the
time.
What was she supposed to do? Walk up to her homeroom teacher and say:
'Oh, excuse me - I need to skip several days of school so I can go save
the world.' Right.
Usagi sighed. Wait a minute - that smell! That wonderful, *heavenly*
smell!
"I want to thank you girls for helping Usagi with her schoolwork,"
Ikuko Tsukino said from the kitchen doorway. "You've all been working
so diligently, I thought you could use a short break. I baked fresh
lemon pie for you today." Ikuko stepped into the living room carrying
two platters of lemon meringue pie.
"YES!" Usagi jumped to her feet and started bouncing up and down.
"Mama's lemon pie! It's the best lemon pie in the entire world!"
{{Moon Crisis Make Up.}}
"Lemon pie! Lemon ... WHAAAAAAAA ..."
Usagi's brooch opened suddenly on its own and an explosion of rainbow
lights burst forth to surround her. She felt her clothes vanish just
before her body began the involuntary series of poses required by the
henshin sequence. Arms akimbo, Usagi rotated several times until she
suddenly stopped; torso and arms braced against an invisible wind,
odangoed ponytails flying. Red ribbons of light erupted from the
crystal to wrap around her torso, and then the twirling started once
more. Fuku, bows, multi-colored skirt, red boots, choker, jewelry, and
finally the tiara made their rapid appearance - all surrounded by
flashing stars and lights. A final twirl, the pose backlit by a rainbow
crescent moon, and the henshin was complete. Although it *always*
seemed longer, the entire sequence took less than two seconds from
beginning to end.
Sailor Moon blinked in confusion - that had *not* been her normal
henshin sequence. She dropped the pose as soon as she could move on her
own again and looked down, only to see blue and yellow trim on the
*white* skirt of the fuku. She could also feel the extra jewelry clips
in her hair.
She had just transformed to Super form ... without the Grail!
"Princess."
Sailor Moon's eyes snapped up ... and she almost fell over in shock. A
familiar two foot high image was floating in the air directly in front
of her.
"Queen Serenity?"
"Princess, I'm sorry to interrupt, but a possible crisis has arisen
that requires your immediate attention."
"CRISIS?" This question was shouted in unison by five *very* startled
senshi.
"Yes, a possible crisis. Although I am unable to detect any current
threat, the Gate of Eternity has gone off-line behind a stasis field
for some unknown reason. More troubling is that - as a result - the
Glaive of Space has become fully operational and is now shielding its
Guardian behind a powerful defensive shield. I have taken the
precaution of upgrading your transformation sequence to the next power
level, but are there any further measures you wish to employ at the
present time?"
Sailor Moon stared vacantly at the image floating in front of her.
"Princess, I repeat: are there any further measures you wish to employ
at the present time? I am currently operating well outside my
directives at the moment."
"Usagi, that doesn't sound like the Queen Serenity we met before," Ami
called out from behind the Mercury Computer.
"You are correct, Protector Mercury. I am the Crystal of Life, the
artifact my Guardian possesses. Queen Serenity was my previous Guardian
and has communicated to all of you at various times through directives
given to me for various contingencies. Unfortunately, the current
situation is entirely outside anything my directives have covered to
date."
"Uhh ... uh ..."
"Hey, meatball head!" Rei barked. "Snap out of it!"
"It might be wise to have the Crystal give us a list of recommended
options first," Ami said, fingers rapidly typing, "as well as giving us
some idea as to the nature of this potential crisis."
"Princess, do you wish for me to implement this directive?"
"Uhh ... mmm ... yeah!"
"Thank you, Princess. I would first recommend that your four current
protectors be upgraded to their next power level. Second, you should
contact your other two protectors and have them monitor the Glaive of
Space's activities, which is in their approximate location. I have no
record of any additional power levels available for your two remote
protectors, and it is likely you may lose them once the Glaive has
finished repairing the damage to its own Guardian.
"Third, I would recommend that once the Glaive does resume activity,
you and all of your protectors remain in a fully powered state until
communications can be re-established between the three of us. I can
always erect a class one defensive shield around you, Princess, but it
is likely that the Glaive will be able to overcome this if it is so
inclined.
"Unfortunately I can not give any time estimates on when the Glaive
will resume activity, as I doubt he can repair all of his Guardian's
damage without assistance from the Gate of Eternity, and the Gate is
completely off-line for unknown reasons. Do you wish for me to begin a
full background briefing of the current situation?"
"How long would this briefing take?" Makoto asked.
"Approximately seven hours, fifty seven minutes, and forty two seconds,
Protector Jupiter."
"Eight hours?" Minako exclaimed.
"Approximately correct, Protector Venus. Do you wish for me to
commence, Princess?"
"Ahh, hehehe, not right now?"
"Can I access this information from my computer?"
"Not at the present time, Protector Mercury. Direct access is only
available via the Gate of Eternity, which is currently off-line and
unavailable."
"USAGI! USAGI! You've got to come immediately! A couple of girls stole
Chibi-Usa's Time Key and used it to access the Gates of Time. You've
got to ..."
Luna screeched to a stop as all eyes in the room turned to stare at
her. The moon cat suddenly registered what was going on in the room.
She knew something had to be *seriously* wrong if Sailor Moon was in ...
what the ... *Super* form and talking to Queen Serenity in front of the
other senshi and ...
Oh, dear ...
Luna looked up into the smoldering brown eyes of Ikuko Tsukino and
winced.
"Umm, meow?"
=============================================================
END CHAPTER FIVE
============================================================
Mark Shurtleff
email: gaijin@sfcmd.com
irc alias: Gaijin -or- togashi_gaijin
fanfiction homepage: http://www.sfcmd.com/fanfic
============================================================
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