Linear Destiny A FanFic by Animercury Chapter5 Renewed Zeal. STANDARD DISCLAIMER- Sailor Moon and all other related characters are the property of their creator Naoko Takauchi. Crono, Marle, and all other Chrono Trigger characters and or Machines and or places are the property of Square. Please don't cart me off for this. Ranma 1/2 and Co. are the property of the great Rumiko Takahashi. MMPR is the property of FOX. It's a snowball Idea. I claim no rights to the characters what so ever. All events occurring in this story are purely fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental. You may notice the similarity to the first chapter disclaimer, which is because it is! "How dare you use magic within the confines of the receiving room!" Red Robes hissed at Marle. "It is against the law to practice any form of magic without consent of the Guild. Surely even you above worlders know that." "Above worlders? Guild? What the heck are you talking about?" Marle asked in a confused voice. "You barge into our kingdom, use magic, and then try to attack our soldiers with your vile spells. I and the others were barely able to stop the one girl, it would have been near impossible for us to stop five." He paused looking at the Power Sticks the guards had collected. "They were attacking us. What did you expect us to do? Play dead!" Marle went from confused to mildly ticked. "Perhaps it would have been better if you did." Red robes said. "Unfortunately you didn't so I'm afraid we will have to turn you over to the Sisters." His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and a few seconds later a woman in a white robe entered. "Erline, please take this one and find trainers for any of the others with the gift." "Yes Mage Brollo." The woman bowed and took Marle's arm, leading her from the room. "A truly remarkable piece of technology." Brollo muttered, idly spinning Lita's Power Stick between two fingers. "You will address me as Mistress Erline, or Misse if I let you." Erline said to Marle as she led her down a hall. "Please put this on." She handed Marle what looked like some kind of headband. "Why?" Marle asked suspiciously. "It will aide in your training. Just do it." Erline replied. "No. Not until I know what it does." "Fine then, I will do it for you." Erline snatched it, muttered something, and Marle's head was suddenly surrounded by the metal band. "There, this will make it so I can tell when you are using your powers. It will also allow me to stop you from casting anything, should I have to. There are other things it does, but I hope they will not be necessary." "Like what?" Marle tried to pull the band off. A small surge of electricity caused her to yelp in pain. "Hey, I can't get it off!" "Only I can remove that band. I am a good master, Marle, and I am well known for my kindness, but rules are rules." "Damn you, and damn your rules!" Marle shouted as she tried to punch Erline. "Ahh!" A searing pain ripped through her arm. It fell, useless, to her side. "I do not appreciate that kind of language. If you do it again I will use the band to paralyze your mouth. Please, just cooperate and I will be able to take the thing off. If you learn quickly it will be only a matter of a few weeks." "What did you?" Marle tried to lift her arm, but it wouldn't respond. "I shut down the impulses to that arm. It will begin to work again soon, so long as you don't try to punch me." **Topside ** "I think they're set now." TJ said as he finished modifying the Astro-Morphers. "Try again." Ami flipped open her communicator. "Can you hear this?" At the other end her voice crackled through, "An ear hiss." "Just a second." TJ twisted his screwdriver to the side. "Try again." "Can you hear this?" It came through. "YES!" "All right, TJ!" Carlos gave him a high five. "We did it, TJ." Ami said as she gave him a victory hug. "Now all you have to do is install video screens." She said. "I think we'll stick with audio for now." Andross readjusted the morpher to his wrist. "But the hundred-dollar question is: how do we get home?" "Getting the gate Key from Tetronite may help. Magus could make a Gate for you back to your home." Ami said as she examined the disk that Marle had said she'd found after Andross had stolen the Gate Key. "I think this is yours." "I was wondering where that went to. It's Deka's core. I downloaded it." He looked at the green square, "But I doubt it will fit into any of the computers here." "So now what do we do?" Ashley asked. "We wait. Spectre or Tetronite will make their moves soon. We have to hold them off until my friends get back." Ami sighed. "But first, I have some questions. First of which is do you know where Tetronite stays?" "In a cave somewhere. It started slipping away as soon as the spell broke." Andross said. "There goes that plan." **The Tanker ** "Just what do you think you are doing?" Raye demanded as a man in a white robe approached her, holding some kind of headband. "Get over here!" He demanded. "Give me one good reason!" "Dammit, if you want to make this difficult it is your decision." Suddenly Raye found the band on her forehead. "Now, I understand that your powers can only be activated if you are 'transformed' so I am authorized to allow you to do so. Here." He handed her the Power Stick. "Do it!" "No!" She clocked him on the head with it. "If you want to play it that way, fine." The band on her head tingled. "Mars Star Power." "Mars Star Power!" Raye repeated. There was the normal flash of fire as she transformed. "Pal, you don't know what a mistake you just made. Mars Fire, Ignite!" Nothing happened. "I am the master, you are the pupil. You listen to me got it?" "Like heck I am." "Unlike some of the trainers here, I prefer the older methods. The whip is my favorite." The said item appeared. "I hate having to do this but it looks like I'll have to break you first." The sound of the whip cracking shattered the tense air. "Ungh. Not enough." Sailor Mars said as she rubbed the spot where the whip had struck. Even with the armor it stang. "I've only begun." He sneered as he grinned from ear to ear. **Red Robes Room ** "What do we do with these two? They don't seem to have the spark." A woman in white robes asked. "Take them to the guards and have them be trained as warriors. They obviously have great physical prowess." Brollo ordered. "Females in the regiments, sir? Is that wise?" "I think they can handle themselves. Just do it." Brollo said examining Akane and Ranma. "Yes, Mage Brollo." The woman picked the two up and disappeared. "Now, what to do about the outsiders. This is the largest group yet. I think it is time for us to finish the battle begun so long ago." He sent out a thought. A man in a black robe appeared. "Call the council of war into attendance, Aska. I believe that the time has come." "If you say so Brollo." **Outside of Time ** "Tetronite! Come back here coward, and pay for what you have done!" Magus screamed into the swirling void of time. "What are you talking about, Old Man?" Tetronites voice drifted back. "You know damn well what you did, or will do." "Ah, your wife? Are you still angry with that? Or is it your daughter? Janelle wasn't it? She had such lovely green hair. Is that what you are so angry about?" Tetronite's voice echoed mockingly. "When I find you, and rest assured I will, I am going to rip every ounce of pain you caused them out of your hide!" "You'll have to find me first, Old Man. By the way, your little prodigy is running into some problems back at home. Remember the Bacalles? Well they have your little warriors now, Magus." Tetronite appeared in front of Magus. "Who'll it be? The demise of your friends, or my blood?" "Damn you!" Magus hissed as he vanished back to normal time. "You'd be surprised how many people have said that to me." Tetronite cackled. **Topside-Ami ** "You just let them go into the water? Didn't you find the disappearances a little weird?" Magus asked incredulously. "That's how the Bacalles work." "Bacalles?" Ami asked. She and the rangers had been surprised when Magus has suddenly appeared in the room. "That's right, you wouldn't know of them. All right here's how it goes:" //Long ago a kingdom of magic ruled by a Queen of a pure heart prospered, growing until its lands covered nearly an entire continent, unopposed. They had the abilities to use spells that now are simply myth. But not everyone was able to use magic. Those that could not were split from those who could and two separate races were born. The Earthbound ones, and the Magicians. The Queen saw this, but took no heed. She had found a way to increase the powers of the kingdom exponentially. Her pure heart became tainted. That was the beginning of the rotting. Magic allows the user to live for long periods of time. It somehow stops, or at least slows the aging process, so the Queen continued on her quest. She was drawn to greater and greater sources of power. Originally she had used what is called a Sun Stone, but it was too weak for her. A wandering group of her people stumbled across an even greater energy source. Lavos. The Queen had two children. One was one of the most powerful sorceresses in the kingdom; the other had no ability in the art. The Queen called upon the power of Lavos and raised her kingdom into the sky. It grew lush and flourished, while the after effects wasted the land below. The kingdom of Zeal was born on that day. In her lust for more power the Queen had a device called the Mammon Machine built. It pulled the energy straight from Lavos. Beneath the crust, the creature stirred in its long slumber. The Queen had an undersea palace built, so the Mammon Machine could be closer to the source of its power. That was then called the Ocean Palace. "If you know so much, then why didn't you try to stop them?" "At the time, I was a mere child, and powerless. Crono, Marle, and Ayala were more than up to the task." Lavos awakened and destroyed the kingdom of Zeal. In the process the three Gurus were drawn into time portals. Gaspar went to the End of Time, Melchoir to 1000 A.D, and Balthasar to 2300 A.D. Also a small boy, the Queens son was sucked into one of them, transporting him to 600A.D. From the ashes of the Ocean Palace rose an even greater sign of Zeal's power, the Black Omen. The mad Queen ruled there, but was defeated by Crono and his friends. The Black Omen sank back into its own dark powers, presumably destroyed. The remaining aides to the Queen channeled the last of the already fading powers of Lavos to transport themselves to safety. A Gate opened, creating the first link to this planet, and transported the Black Omen into the bottom of the sea. The people who live there still practice the arts of magic, but now only after severe training. They do not allow magic to be used by those who cannot prove that they have passed their tests. The tests themselves are near impossible. They have a very high fatality rate. > "I fear that your friends have been taken into their training. My instincts tell me that the Bacalles are not friendly rulers. It was stupid of them to go off on their own without telling me." "You weren't around." Ami pointed out. "I am always around, one way or another." Magus replied. "Well if they're so bad, then we have to rescue them." Andross said. "Idiot! Going there now will only enhance the problem. Better to let me go alone." "Won't they detect your powers?" Ami asked. "They haven't yet." Magus whirled and disappeared. "You know and *trust someone like that?" Andross asked incredulously. "Know, yes. Trust? Not yet." "Enough talk!" Artimis shouted as he entered, "Spectre again. This time on the south side." "Let's go then." **Bacalles Army Training Center ** "Where the?" Ranma looked around confused. The knock to her noggin had caused her to black out while the guards had taken her into the recruitment center. "Get up!" A huge burly man roared. "It is time for your training." "What the?" Akane woke up as well. "We will begin with 20 laps around the Trainer Hall. Move!" He shouted and pointed a tree trunk of an arm towards a door. "Why the hell would we do that?" "Because I told you to! Move!" "Forget it. C'mon Akane, we're leaving this nuthouse." "Fine then, play that way." The guard made a gesture and the two instantly sprang up. "You're gonna train like there ain't no tomorrow, ladies." **Bacalles 'Training Center-Several Weeks Later ** "O.K. Marle, just like you did yesterday." "Yes Misse." Marle said happily. She was so pleased to serve her master. A lightning bolt formed in her hand. She threw it with ease and blew apart the target Misse had put on the wall. "Very good, Marle. I think it is almost time for your tests." Misse said approvingly. Marle crouched down in front of her mistress. "Thank you Misse." She said gratefully. "You are so much better than that troublesome Raye." Misse patted Marle's head absently. "Would you like some free time, Marle? When you come back, I will have arranged for your tests. Be back in an hour." Misse removed the headband. "Thank you Misse." Marle went down the hall and into the Free Room. It was a large indoor park that was used when trainees were away from their masters. It had no way of observation with the exception of two guards who watched the door. The both nodded to Marle as she entered. "How kind of Misse to allow me to come here." Marle said to herself as she wandered down a path. "She sure can be nice." "Marle, come here." A voice whispered. "Huh?" Marle went towards the voice. "Oh, hi Lita! I haven't seen you for a long time." She said cheerfully. "How can you talk like that? They've been keeping us purposely separated. Can't you see that?" Lita hissed in a whisper. "That's just plain silly." Marle giggled. "Why would they do that?" "So we can't escape. They don't want us to." Lita explained. "Nonsense. Misse says as soon as I pass my tests, they will let me go home." Marle replied. "My foot they will. C'mon Marle, snap out of it!" "Snap out of what?" Marle asked innocently. "Don't you want to see Crono again?" Lita tried a different approach. "Who?" "Crono. Guy, carries sword, red hair." "I don't know what you are talking about. I'm going back now, so I can take my tests." "Marle, stop. Don't you see it? They've separated us so we won't be able to leave. Please Marle I need your help." Lita grabbed Marle's wrist. "Will you help me?" "I think you're sick Lita. I'll have Misse get you a doctor." She jerked her wrist free. "Marle, please?" "No." And with that she left. "Back so soon, Marle? I hadn't expected you for another quarter of an hour." Misse said as she stood up. "I ran into someone who scared me, Misse," Marle put on her headband, "I think Lita is sick." "Really? I'll call a doctor for her then. Are you ready for the tests Marle?" Misse dismissed the thoughts of Lita from Marle's mind. "Yes ma'am. I think so." "Good, they will begin tomorrow." **Topside ** Ami was beginning to get worried. She and the Rangers had managed to keep the monsters down so far, but Spectre was becoming increasingly bold. The monsters which before had been few and far between were now appearing in either groups or several separate attacks each day. She and the rangers were on the verge of total breakdown, physically and mentally. She looked at the crystal sword. More than once these past weeks she had had to use it. It was constantly with her, just in case. Her studies were beginning to fall off to the side as she found less and less free time. Her hair was growing out; her normal short style was slowly fading away as the hair grew towards her shoulders. "No time to get anything done." She sighed. "Tell me about it." TJ said as he lounged into a couch across from her. "Three separate monsters today." "I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up. I am way past tired." Ami said as she fought to keep her eyes from drooping. "I know. If we could just find some way to rest without sleeping." TJ answered. "Any ideas? Ami, any ideas?" He looked over. Ami was long into a deep sleep. He got up and quietly crept over. Pulling a blanket from the couch, he covered her up. "At least one of us gets to rest." "Teej." Andross whispered. "Come here." "What?" TJ asked as they went into a different room. "How much longer can we hold out? I mean everyone is exhausted. If a monster attacked right now, he wouldn't get much of a battle. Cass and Ashley are both zonked and Zane is going to be following really soon." "Everyone needs a little R+R, I think. Too bad these monsters aren't going to be so obliging." TJ said. "Too bad things can't go back to the way they were. What we need is someway to get help who can handle a monster who isn't already exhausted. This is where Zordon is supposed to tell us about a mysterious new power." Andross joked. Zordon was gone, along with all the villains in their galaxy. "It would be a real help." "I'm no Zordon, but I think I can come up with something." Magus appeared. "Where have you been?" Andross nailed the question across to Magus. "Spying. I'm still working on how to get the rest of the Sailors out of the Black Omen without anyone the wiser." "Can't you just teleport them out?" "One, maybe two of them. Then they'll be able to trace my powers and capture me. That would be a very bad thing for you, so don't get self righteous." "You're a very irritating person, you know that?" "Yes. Now go ahead and sleep. I'll have help here soon." And thus ends Linear Destiny. Prepare for The Convergance Project Pt3- Old and New, as soon as I get done revising and back from vacation. Chow for Now! E-mail C+C to me a ANITERRA@hotmail.com. Visit the Convergance Project Homepage: http://www.oocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/6159/TheConvergan.html.