Opening the two gigantic iron doors that lead to the throne room of what used to be the center of the Silver Millennium, now rebuilt and being used as their own base of operations, a woman with long hair and eyes that shown red with hatred, approached the figure that was presently sitting on the throne. "Sire, our scout met with some complications on Terra Prime. It seems like there are still a few survivors form the Silver Millennium. They call themselves the Sailor Senshi." she reported while kneeling in his presence.
"Their power levels?" he asked.
Knowing that lying to the man in front of her would mean her death, "It would seem that they are as powerful as I am yet combined they still do not equal you."
"As it should be. Go and eliminate these so-called warriors of love and justice for me."
She was about to ask how he knew what they called themselves but thought better of it. Standing up and bowing to her master, she left the throne room, never insulting him by turning her back to him.
*Ambyra had better not jeopardize her scouting mission because of her desire for revenge,* the man thought darkly.
-----
Creator of Kings and Lord Talon
Proudly present
A Crossover of the Biggest Stars
of
the Anime Fanfiction world!
Ranma 1/2
and
Sailor Moon
in
"EYES OF A STRANGER"
Chapter Four
-----
The characters of Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon was created by Naoko Taeuchi while the characters of Ranma 1/2 Universe was the sole creation of Rumiko Takahashi. They are licenced to other companies. All materials save the environment and situations are being used without prior authorization. This is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended for material gains. If there has been an error in copyright, please email me. I wish not to be sued for expressing my interest in these series.
-----
Two teenagers were walking down the shopping district of Tokyo, late in the afternoon. One had long turquoise hair while her companion's blond hair was cut short making it seem to those unfamilar with her that she was a man, when in fact she was not.
"I can't believe how easy that tournament was," Haruka said, holding a three-foot trophy in one hand. "Hopefully, the next one will have some better competition. I mean, I barely worked up a sweat." she complained.
"That's the third tournament in a row you've won. I'm impressed but what caused you to all of a sudden start becoming interested in entering tournaments? It's not like you need the challenge." Michiru asked.
"I'm not sure but ..." Haruka stopped as she suddenly saw Setsuna walking around with a look of sorrow on her face. "Michiru, what do you think caused our beloved and illustrious leader to become so depressed?"
"I'm not sure, why not ask her."
"I think I'll do just that," she said and began to purposefully walk towards her friend.
Setsuna was disturbed. One of the few people that had earned themselves her respect outside of the Senshi and Queen Serenity during the Silver Millennium, she had sent him to his death. Now, over a thousand years later, like the rest of Princess Serenity's court, he was also reborn. While she was outside of the time stream guarding the Time Gate, she had felt the exact moment when he came back into the world but forced herself not to go look for him. Part of the reason why was so that she wouldn't be reminded of what she did to him so long ago. Now he was in Juuban and for once since entering the time stream, Setsuna wanted to know how this twist of fate would turn out. Would he blame her for what happened? What would happen if he decided to go against Neo Queen Serenity since he was never truly loyal to any royal house? It was too confusing as to the number of possibilities that could occur now. She could only hope and help where she could.
It was understandable then why suddenly Haruka lost her patience in her attempts to get Setsuna's attention and screamed, "HEY, SETSUNA!"
Setsuna looked up, startled at the sudden outburst before calmly replying, "Yes?"
"Yes? YES? I've been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes! What's with you? Is there another threat?" Haruka asked, concerned and eagered at the same time.
"Hopefully not!" Setsuna mumbled before laying eyes on the the trophy that Haruka was carrying. "Gone into competition, Haruka? I thought racing was enough of a challenge for you." Setsuna stated.
"Just trying to stay in shape. We didn't do so well in our last encounter with a major threat and thought now would be a good time to sharpen my skills. I'm kind of disappointed though. The last few competitions really haven't been all that competitive. It just seems as though all the people I've beaten just weren't good enough, lacked any noticable skills or don't have the heart of a warrior. If I don't find some real competition soon, my skills are going to dull!" she complained.
Coming up on the two, "Is she bragging about how she has won three tournaments in a row?" Michiru asked.
*Maybe there was a way to solve two problems at once,* Setsuna thought. Smiling at her friend, "Haruka, there's going to be a tournament in a month at the local sports arena. Enter it!" she told her.
Haruka blinked. *Did Setsuna, Sailor Pluto and Keeper of the Time Gate, just give a straight answer?* she thought to herself before hesitantly replying, "Sure thing, Setsuna."
Setsuna only nodded, as she walked away. Inwardly she smiled at having solved Haruka's problem as well as one of her own. *Life is good sometimes,* she thought while walking away from two very confused young ladies.
-----
Ranma left the school grounds mildly depressed. Since he had started his nightly patrols of Juuban, he had decreased the crime rate significantly. Already he had beaten up a number of muggers, stopped a few break-in attempts, and he even had broken up a street gang that had been bothering a number of local merchants. Unfortunately, his nightly activities had caused his already less than average grades to slide even further downhill. He had just failed another test and was a little depressed when he saw the resident supergenius walking home, looking depressed as well. Knowing there was very little he could do to help himself, at least he could try and make someone else feel better than he did.
"Mizuno-san!" he called to her with the proper form of respect. His mother had been working on his manners ever since he came to live with her.
Ami looked around to see the new student calling to her. Slowing down, she waited for him to catch up.
"Konnichiwa, Saotome-san. How are you this afternoon?" she asked.
"Not too bad, I guess. I Just failed another one of Haruna-sensei's test. I'm beginning to think she's got it in for me!" he complained.
Ami looked at him and was soon giggling.
"What's so funny?" he demanded.
Her giggling increased in intensity and soon she was holding her sides laughing.
"Hey! Cut it out!" Ranma yelled but that just caused her to laugh even harder. "Fine. Be that way!" he huffed and started to walk off. *Oh well, at least she is feeling better,* he thought to himself and allowed a small smile to make its way onto his face as he sprinted home.
Watching him leave, she tried to apologize for her behavior. It was just that he acted so much like Usagi in that regard that she couldn't help laughing. Unfortunately, he either didn't hear her or he didn't care. She hoped it wasn't the latter. *Now where did that come from?* she wondered and continued to ponder on the question when she realized that there were more important things to worry about. Thinking back to the Senshi's first battle in months, Ami started to walk off in a random direction. Looking up, she was startled to find herself in the downtown shopping district. *What am I doing here,* Ami thought before she remembered, *Oh, that's right! Minako wanted me to pick up some lipstick for her.* Looking around for the drugstore that Minako had mentioned but when she couldn't find it, Ami got a little frustrated until she spotted Setsuna in a nearby cafe, *Perhaps I could get some information from Pluto,* she thought, forgetting why she was downtown in the first place. *If anyone could shed some light on this mystery, the Guardian of Time could,* Ami figured, walking into the cafe.
Had she stayed a moment longer, she would have run into the very person that she came into town to help, Minako.
"I still don't see why we had to come all this way, Minako." Artemis complained.
"I told you. I need that shade of lipstick to go with my new outfit. Eric will love it on me!" she stated dreamily.
"Minako, Eric is a colllege student. Do you really think that a certain shade of lipstick will make him like you even more?" Artemis asked.
"Just hamming the bet," Minako answered with a wink.
Artemis let out a sigh of long suffering before trying to correct his ward, "That's, 'Hedging your bet', Minako. Honestly, why is it that you act this way? When we were in England you never...Minako? Minako? Minako, what are you staring at?"
"Ami," Minako replied.
"What about Ami?"
"She's over at that cafe."
"So?"
"She's talking with Setsuna! Ohh, I've got tell the others about this!" she said excitedly, picking up Artemis and raced home.
Inside the cafe, two girls around the age of 16 to 19 were talking to each other.
"Setsuna, I was wondering if I can ask you something? During a recent battle with an unknown enemy yesterday, I picked up a strange energy signature on my computer. There is a 33% chance that it's from the Silver Millennium, 33% it's from Earth and another 33% that is unknown. I called a meeting together with the rest of the Inner Senshi but I'm not sure if the Outer Senshi would be interested because it doesn't seem that dire yet. Can you tell me anything?" Ami asked the girl with dark green hair in front of her.
After thinking for a few moments, "He's not an enemy if that's what you're asking," Setsuna finally answered.
*He?* Ami thought for a second. Looking at Setsuna, Ami saw that the enigmatic senshi of Pluto had a look of sorrow in her eyes. *Did she know him? Is he another Tuxedo Kamen?* Ami wondered. So many questions started to surface in Ami's mind that she failed to notice Setsuna leaving. Breaking out of her daze, Ami discovered that if she didn't hurry, she would be late for the meeting.
-----
As Usagi puffed her way up the steps to the Cherry Hill Shrine, she again wondered for the millionth time that day why Ami had called this meeting. It must have something to do with the monster they fought last week in the park. Usagi figured that something was special about it because as soon as the battle was over Ami had secluded herself in her room and would only ventured out to get a quick bite and then lock herself back inside her room. What had really surprised her was when Minako informed her that she saw Ami talking with Setsuna of all people. Ami had been very secretive about what she had talked about with Setsuna but Usagi figured it was better not to ask as she had seen the look in Ami's eyes that stated she would not answer any questions until she was ready.
Usagi shook her head to clear her mind, as she finally reached the top of the stairs, and found Yuuchiro outside sweeping the grounds. Usagi smiled, a plan started to bloom in her mind. Yuuchiro's presence was bound to dampen the fire that Rei was at this moment getting ready to launch at her for being late.
-----
Rei looked around her at the assembled Senshi. Usually the Inner Senshi held a weekly meeting but what made this one so special was that Ami was finally ready to break her silence on information regarding the monster they had fought last week. Something else that was different was that the Outer Senshi were here as well. Seeing Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru, Rei knew that whatever Ami had found must be huge if she felt it was necessary to call in the Outer Senshi to the meeting as well. Only Setsuna was absent, which was usual.
Waiting for Usagi to join them, Ami was busy reading something that was displayed on her mini-computer and occasionally typing in some information. Makoto and Minako were looking over a fashion magazine that Minako had brought but they would occasioanlly look up at Ami, as if to inquire what the purpose of this meeting was, but she kept saying, 'Not until everyone has arrived.'
Rei's reverie was interrupted by Yuuchiro. "Rei," he called in, "Can I talk to you for a few minutes? Please?" he asked.
"Baka," She mumbled quietly but couldn't keep a small smile from appearing on her lips as she walked out of the room. After a couple of minutes, the future queen of Crystal Tokyo slipped into the room, unseen.
"Hi guys!" Usagi greeted the group.
After overcoming their first inital reactions of surprise and shock, they all welcomed her in response. True to form, the instant all the greetings stopped, Usagi began diving head first into the tray of snacks Makoto had brought.
"Usagi, slow down. You'll get sick if you eat so fast!" Luna complained.
Hearing a reprimand from her feline advisor, Usagi stopped and swallow what she had in her mouth before responding. "Nothing you can say will upset me right now," Usagi said and just kept on grinning. Shortly thereafter, Rei came back in the room and saw Usagi sitting at the table smiling up at her.
"How did you get in here?" Rei demanded very loudly.
"It was really easy. I saw that you were busy talking to Yuuchiro and I didn't want to interrupt so I just walked right by the two of you. That makes it three in a row, Rei! I WIN!" she declared and began laughing.
Rei just shook her head in denial as she wondered how she got herself in this situation.
A month ago, Rei and Usagi were having another one of their heated arguments when Rei accused Usagi of being clumsy. Usagi had denied it, saying she wasn't. Rei challenged her to get to the next three Senshi meetings without being seen. If Usagi lost, she had to hand over two months worth of allowances. Rei had to do the same if Usagi won. The first time Usagi got past her was disguised as Ami, using the Lunar Pen. The second time, she had snuck in through Rei's bedroom, at the back of the temple, and waited until Rei had left the room before slipping in. Rei had been watching the door and waiting for Usagi to show when Yuchiro called her. Rei's eyes widened in shock.
"Yuchiro was in on this, wasn't he?" she demanded.
"Not really. I just told him that you'd be free Staurday night and that he might want to ask you out. He had no idea about our arrangement," Usagi smirked.
Ami chose that moment to speak, "Okay, guys. That's enough. Now that everyone is here that should be here, I'll begin. I did some checking with Central Control and I can firmly say that what we fought last week in the park was a new type of droid."
"WHAT?" came the startled replies.
"It's true!" Ami said, "I wasn't sure at first but after I saw how it attacked and how it was almost practically immune to our attacks I became suspicious. It wasn't until I saw the jewel implanted in it's forehead did I realize that we might be facing off against an old enemy. My visor and computer both confirmed my hypothesis. The data I gathered last week nearly matched the data I gathered from our battles with the four sisters." Ami insisted.
"Then this means..." Usagi let the thought trail off as Ami nodded.
"Yes, the Black Moon Family is back." Ami finished.
"But, how is that possible? Demando was their prince and he died along with the rest of the family." asked Minako.
"I don't know! Maybe there were a few royal family members left. Maybe someone found a way to duplicate their technology but whatever the case, we need to be ready!" Ami insisted.
Haruka looked up at her with a bored expression. "So what does this have to do with us?" she asked.
With a flash of light, Setsuna appeared before the eight humans and two feline who were once members of the proud civilization known as the Silver Milennium. "What this have to do with the Outer Senshi is quite simple. Acquaintances from the past as well as the future are gathering. It is near time that the wheel of destiny spin once again. This will be the toughest battle the Senshi will ever face as it will pit friends against friends."
"And here I thought that Setsuna finally learned to speak like a normal person without all those riddles," Michiru whispered in Haruka's ear.
Haruka briefly smiled before turning back to Setsuna with a serious expression. "What do you mean?"
Giving everyone a sad smile, "I can't give you much information because I am almost completely in the dark about the outcome of this encounter as you all are. What I can say is that someone from our past will appear and he will have the power to help break or create the future that we've all been fighting for. If he were to become our enemy, Neo Crystal Tokyo would become a dream yet were he to become an ally, which I doubt, due to his past, we would be one step closer to a peaceful future." With that, Sailor Pluto vanished.
*He?* all the Senshi thought.
-----
Hearing the sound of someone closing the door, "Ami, is that you?" a woman asked from the kitchen.
"Hai!" Ami shouted from the doorway.
"You're late, Ami. Get cleaned up. Dinner will be ready in a few short moments." Mrs. Mizuno called back.
"Hai!"
Dinner went quietly as usual for Ami, both parents asking Ami how school was going and if she had a boyfriend, at which she blushed and replied with a 'no.' Near the end of dinner, "Ami, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind tutoring the son of a friend of mine?" Ami's mother asked.
After Ami thought for a few moments, she agreed. "I think I have enough time on the side to tutor someone," Ami answered. Hanging around with the other Inner Sensehi, especailly Usagi, had giving her a new perspective. Life was not just all school and studies but also helping others and having fun.
"That's great. His name is Ranma Saotome."
"Ranma is the person I'm supposed to tutor?"
"Yes, do you know him?" Mrs. Mizuno asked.
"He's one of my classmates," Ami answered.
"That's great. Did you know that he has been training in martial arts since he was six years old?"
"No I didn't," Ami answered, a little confused. *If everything I've heard about Ranma is true then he should be the greatest martial artist in Japan in his age group yet I've seen him let bullies pick on him. You are truly an enigma, Ranma.* Ami thought.
"Anyways, he'll be giving you martial arts lessons in exchange for tutoring him. I've seen you practicing some martial arts and thought that maybe it would be better for you to have an instructor."
Suprise was not the word for what Ami was feeling. Shock was more like it. *I have to be more careful in the future.* "That's great," Ami said, trying to hide any shock.
"I'm happy that you have found something other than school interesting."
"You don't know the half of it," Ami whisper under her breath.
-----
Ranma was inside the training hall, praticing a few katas. Without looking up or pausing in his motion, "Hi, mom," Ranma greeted Nodoka as she entered the small dojo that was a part of the Saotome home.
*If nothing else, Genma trained Ranma well,* Nodoka thought. "I'm impressed, Ranma. You've surpassed your father in the arts."
"Thanks, mom." Ranma repied, a bit proud of himself for impressing his mother and not having to hide from her anymore before scowling at the last comment.
Seeing the scowl, Nodoka tried to explain to her son what she saw in Genma. "Whatever your father has done in the past, he was still one of the best martial artist I've ever met, Ranma. You have to understand, he was not always this way. He was considered a grandmaster by many of his peers. He even created two different forms of martial arts, the Yamasen Ken and Umisen-Ken, that were so powerful that he sealed them away himself. Your father was caring and compassionate when it came to my needs." Nodoka continued to explain and defend her husband which she felt was quite funny.
Ranma reluctantly agreed. *Oyaji did create some very powerful techniques,* Ranma thought. After thinking for a few moments, Ranma's eyes brighten. *If Oyaji could do it, so can I,* he thought. Ranma was determined to surpass his father in every aspect of the arts. Creating a new fighting style would take him one step closer to his goal.
"Anyways, I just came by bearing two good pieces of news. The first is that I got you a tutor. After seeing you grades, young man, there will be no complaints from you. You are too far behind in your studies from the other students and this was the only way I could think of for you to have a reasonable chance of catching up." Nodoka lectured, stopping Ranma before he even got a single word out. "Now I think the second piece of news I have would be more to your liking," she smiled at her son, "I signed you up for an upcoming martial arts tournament occuring within two weeks."
*Martial arts tournament?* Ranma thought. Throughout his 10 year training trip, Ranma had never once entered a tournament. Usually Oyaji would make him challenge a well-known school so that he could see the various different styles. Now thinking back, Ranma had to give some credit to his father's training methods. As he fought and went up against almost every known school of martial arts, Ranma soon found out he could almost instantly come up with a few weakness and strengths to each style. As years passed by, unknown to Ranma, his mind developed into something every logical and analyical. Not only was Genma training Ranma's body but his mind as well, the last part was also lost to Genma.
"Ranma?" Nodoka called out to her son when he did not answer.
"Yes, mom?"
"Well?"
Suddenly realizing that he hadn't answered or given a response to his mother's last statement, "That's great!" he finally answered.
"I'm glad, Ranma. I'll leave so that you can continue practicing." Nodoka said, turning around and started to head out when her son stopped her.
"Huh, would it be alright if we sparred a little bit?" Ranma asked.
Smiling at her son, "I would be honored to but I only know kendou, Ranma." Nodoka explained.
"That's alright, Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu incorporates almost every style." Ranma explained, "And I've faced off against Kunou for so long that I kinda picked it up."
*That's what you think, Ranma.* Nodoka thought as she faced off against her son, both weilding bokkens.
-----
As morning dawned on Juuban High school, Ranma Saotome, last remaining practicing heir of the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu, glared at the world through bloodshot eyes. Last night had been extremely bad. Not only did he lose to his mother but the gang he had previously broken up returned with double their numbers and had set out to wreak havoc in the neighborhood. It had taken nearly all of last night to round them up and even then, he wasn't without failures as a number of local police officers had been injured with one of them not likely to survive. *Just like with Akane, I was too slow* he cursed bitterly to himself. Ranma was determined to create a fighting style fast enough so that he would never be too slow from saving someone else again. A loud commotion caught his attention as he looked up and noticed at the far side of the school ground, a number of students were gathered around a tall brunette with a ponytail, who was talking excitedly about something. As Ranma moved in closer, he saw that the brunette was flanked by two other girls. He was suprised at seeing two of his classmates, Usagi Tsukino and Ami Mizuno, in the middle of the crowd. They did not strike him as the kind of people who were interested in those kind of activities. Walking silently towards the crowd, he was suprised when the girl with brunette looked his way. *She's good,* Ranma thought before Ami also caught sight of him.
Seeing Ranma head her way, she waved him over. As he came closer, she noticed his extremely unruly appearance. "What happened to you?" she asked in concern.
"Nothin," came his usual response.
"That's nothing, Ranma. If I'm to be your tutor from now on then you will have to learn to speak properly. Anyways, rough night? Didn't get much sleep?" she inquired
"Yeah, you could say that!" Ranma muttered lamely. "So, what's all the fuss about? I recognize Meatball Head but who is that other girl?" he asked.
"Don't call me MEATBALL HEAD!" Usagi screeched, overhearing the conversation between the two while Makoto was busy talking to Naru and Umino.
"Alright, already! Jeez, how uncute!" he complained.
"At least, *I* have a boyfriend! What can you say about that?" she teased.
All the weariness that Ranma had felt throughout the morning was soon replaced with a cold rage that began to build within him, barely keeping himself from glowing. With a great deal of effort, Ranma got his temper under control, "Don't *EVER* mention that area of my life again!" he warned her. Turning to Ami, "I'll see you in class!" he said before heading inside. Even after three months, the death of Akane still plagued him. He still felt the pain of her loss. A small tear ran down his cheek as he walked to class.
"Really, Ami! What is it about that moody, self-obsessed jerk that you like so much?" Makoto asked.
Ami looked at her friends, a look of disapproval in her eyes. "I know Ranma can be rough and unsocial but he really is a nice guy. That comment you made, Usagi, was out of line!"
"What did I say?" she asked.
"You teased him about having a girlfriend. Don't you remember?" Ami asked.
"Oh no! I am such an idiot. I forgot all about his fiancee dying in his arms! Do you think he'd accept my apology?" Usagi asked.
"I'd wait a litle bit, at least until after school."Ami answered.
*Wait, that's Ranma Saotome?* Makoto thought. *No wonder he acts the way he does.* "He looks just like ..."
"No you don't!" Usagi cried out, clamping one of her hands over Makoto's mouth.
Almost half the girls were staring at the retreating martial artist as he headed inside the school. It was an unspoken rule but for the time being, most of the girls were going to give Ranma some privacy. They all viewed him as the handsome yet tragic hero.
"So, what was it you wanted to show me?" Ami asked Makoto
"This" she said and handed Ami the morning paper, breaking her line of thought. The headline read:
LOCAL HERO STRIKES AGAIN It appears that the saviors of Juuban, The Sailor Senshi, now have some new competition. Witnesses described their guardian angel appearing from the heavens, bathed in a bright light, as he decsdended upon muggers, prowlers, and other nightime predators, staying only long enough to see if the victims were okay and would then disappear back into the skies. Although local authorities do say that vigilantiism is wrong, one unnamed police officer said, "It's about time SOMEONE did something about the crime problems in the area!" Rumors persist that the figure is an ally of the Sailor Scouts but, they have been unavailable for commnets to either confirm or deny the rumors.
Ami looked at the paper, *Could this person be who Setsuna was talking about?* Ami thought. As Ami started to ponder the question a little more, Usagi's question broke her out of her reverie.
"I'm sorry. What was that, Usagi?" Ami asked
"I said, 'Do you think that whoever this person is, might be an enemy?" Usagi repeated her question.
"What makes you say that?" Ami inquired
"Zoiscite dressed up as Sailor Moon and pretended to help people just to lure us into Kunzite's trap. Remember?" Usagi complained.
Ami just nodded. She remembered the trap which had almost cost the entire Inner Senshi team their lives if Sailor Venus hadn't intervened. Looking at her friends, "I think we should find out just who this person is." Ami stated the obvious.
To be continued
Author's Notes:
Started August 25, 1998
Finished September 28, 1998
Thanks to my pre readers : Thomas Scroggs, Octavian, Eric McGinnis, TonyLoco