This is the result of weird idea I came up with one day; it's a Sailor Moon/Ranma 1/2/Pokemon crossover... Of sorts. You'll just have to read on and see for yourself! ^_~ ***** "The War of the Rose" by Avi Part One: "A Rose by Any Other Name..." [A non-descript flower shop in downtown Tokyo. A sign just outside the door reads: "We specialize in roses". Just below it, in smaller letters it says: "We cater to the anime stars!"] [A bell jingles as someone enters the store. The florist looks up from the counter at his latest customer, a dark-haired man wearing a black shirt with a green jacket. As the latter approaches, the shopkeeper smiles in recognition.] Florist: Good morning, Mamoru-san. What can I do for you today? Mamoru: My usual, please. Ten dozen red long-stemmed roses. [The florist looks embarassed.] Florist: I'm sorry, but we're all out. [A sweat drop appears on Mamoru's head.] Mamoru: Wh... What? [The florist nods sadly.] Florist: Yes, it seems there's not a rose left in the city... Except this. [He pulls a single red rose from under the counter.] I was lucky to even get my hands on this one. [Mamoru sighs.] Mamoru: Well, I guess it's better than nothing. I'll take it. [He takes the rose from the florist's hand.] Voice: Hold, varlet. [Mamoru stared at his outstretched hand, which held the rose. The tip of a wooden sword now pointed at it. His eyes followed the length of the sword up to the owner, a teenaged boy dressed in light blue kendo garb.] Voice: I am Tatewaki Kuno, aged seventeen. [He moved his sword, now pointing the end at Mamoru's chest.] And I believe that rose belongs to me. [The florist, looking on, begins to sweat. Mamoru raises an eyebrow.] Mamoru: Excuse me, but I got here first. Kuno: You dare contradict the word of the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High? That rose, being the sole of its kind in this metropolis, rightfully belongs to I, through which flows the blood of the noble clan of Kuno. Only *I*, am worthy enough bear such a symbol of purity, that which you defile with your very touch. [Large sweat drops have appeared on the heads of both Mamoru and the florist.] Mamoru: [aside to the florist] Is he always like this? Florist: Uh-huh. [Mamoru shakes his head. He turns to Kuno.] Mamoru: Look, if you want it so bad, just take it, okay? [Caught off guard, Kuno is speechless (for once).] Kuno: Huh? Mamoru: Here. [Holds out the rose.] It's yours. [There is a dangerous gleam in his eyes. Meanwhile, Kuno has recovered from his shock.] Kuno: Well... [Tosses head] Obviously, you have seen the error of your ways, so I will accept this token of... Huh? [He trails off as the rose in Mamoru's hand begins to sparkle. The florist gulps and ducks below the counter, as Kuno watches with shock.] [Mamoru starts to glow with red and gold light as he begins to transform. As he spins around, his sparkling silouette tosses a top hat. It flies through the air and lands on his head, thus completing his transformation into Tuxedo Mask. Meanwhile, Kuno is bristling with indignation.] Kuno: You... You foul sorcerer! So I spake truly when I claimed that you defiled the rose with thy touch! Thou art a practioner of black arts like mine hated enemy, Ranma Saotome! Truly, thou art an evil magician!! Tuxedo Mask: I am *not* evil! [Eyebrow twitch] And who are you calling a magician? Kuno: You hide behind a mask, do you not? Surely it is to deceive others. And your garb; that cape, top hat and staff... Are those not the marks of the darkest magic? Tuxedo Mask: [Vein popping from head] Look, you idiot, I am *not* a magician! [Just when the two are ready to go for each other's throats, a shadow casts over them. They both turn to see a figure silouetted in the doorway of the shop.] Figure: Prepare for trouble! And make it... Single! [The figure strikes a pose.] Figure: To protect the world from devastation! To unite all peoples within our nation! To denounce the evils of truth and love! To extend our reach to the stars above! Jess... I mean, James! Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light! Surrender now, or prepare to fight! [The figure steps into light, revealing that it is indeed James of Team Rocket. He then staggers, grasping the doorway for support.] James: [gasping for air] Geez, that's a mouthful to say by myself... [Recovering, he pulls himself together.] Now... I've come to-- Tuxedo Mask: [Crossing arms] Don't tell me... Let me guess. You want the rose, too, right? James: That's right! How did you know? Tuxedo Mask: [sighs] Lucky guess. Kuno: [thoughtfully] So... It seems I shall have to deal with both these ruffians before I may receive the rose... Very well. [Draws sword.] [Kuno is about to challenge both Tuxedo Mask and James when there is a nervous cough behind him. All three turn to see the florist poke his head from under the counter.] Florist: Um, excuse me? Tuxedo Mask: Yes? Florist: Uh, well... Instead of fighting over the rose, couldn't you all get a different flower instead? [He gives a weak but hopeful smile. The three look at him blankly. After long pause, Kuno turns to Tuxedo Mask.] Kuno: Shall we make it a free-for-all, then? [James steps between the two.] James: Now, now, gentlemen. There's no reason to resort to violence. I propose we resolve this in a civilized manner. Tuxedo Mask: [warily] You don't mean "Rock, Paper, Scissors", do you? Kuno: What did you have in mind? James: Well, I say we have a debate. First, we should explain to each other the reasons why we each deserve the rose. Then, whoever has the most worthwhile explanation should get to keep it. Kuno: [muses] A feasible plan... Tuxedo Mask: I agree. Okay, then... I say I should get the rose because I need it to fight the forces of evil. Not only do I need the it to change into my secret identity, but I use roses in my attacks, as well. [Kuno rubs his chin thoughtfully.] Kuno: A *seemingly* worthy cause... Very well. *I* require the rose so I may present it to both the pig-tailed girl and Akane Tendo, as a declaration of my love for them. Such an exquisite prize, made doubly so by its present rarity, would raise their already high opinion of my worth in their eyes. Tuxedo Mask: [rolls eyes] I'm sure it would. [Turns to James.] What about you? James: Hmm? Kuno: Why do you believe you deserve the rose? James: [sweat drop] Uh... Well... [Looks embarassed.] I just need it to look cool!! [The other stare at him. There is a long, uncomfortable pause. Finally, Tuxedo Mask turns to Kuno.] Tuxedo Mask: I'll flip you for it. James: [indignantly] Hey! Why aren't you taking me seriously? Tuxedo Mask: Why? Nobody else does. [A vein pops from James's head] James: [growls] Why you... [Pulls out Pokeball.] You asked for it! [Throws it, and it opens, revealing Weezing.] James: Weezing! Smog attack, now! Weezing: Weezing!! [Releases noxious fumes, which cause Tuxedo Mask and Kuno to cough and gasp for breath. The attack clouds the entire flower shop in smoke. Tuxedo Mask flails blindly, searching for the door. Upon finding it, he wrenches it open, dispersing the smoke.] Kuno: [coughing] Where did that little fiend go? Tuxedo Mask: He's gone. [Looks around] And he's taken the rose with him! Kuno: The nerve! How dare that cretin steal my rose! Tuxedo Mask: [snaps] What do you mean *your* rose? [Kuno ignores him, as usual.] Kuno: I must retrieve it at once! [Dashes out the door.] Tuxedo Mask: [blinks] Hey! No fair! [Chases after Kuno, yelling:] Remember, I saw it first! [The rest of the smoke filters out the open door. The florist, who had taken shelter beneath the counter all this time, pokes his head out again. His jaw drops in shock. All the flowers in the store have wilted away under the force of Weezing's attack, and there is nothing left but dried stems and wilted petals. He runs out the door, to glare at the three figures running in the distance.] Florist: [yells] Hey! HEY! [A vein pops on the his head.] WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR ALL THIS?! TO BE CONTINUED... *** Will James get away with the rose? Or will Tuxedo Mask and Kuno catch up to him? Will the florist ever get paid?! Stay tuned for the next installment of "The War of the Rose"! BTW, who do *you* think you should get the rose? E-mail me at aviatrix8@yahoo.com to tell me! ^_^ ***** Copyright, Cherryne Edejer, 1999. Sailor Moon and all related characters are created by Naoko Takeuchi; Ranma 1/2 characters are created by Rumiko Takahashi; Pokemon and all related characters are property of Nintendo et al.; all are used without permission.