Recently, I have read several really good Wheel of Time/Ranma crossovers. But because I am completely incapable of writing Ranma to suit my standards (and it has already been done, besides), I decided to turn to something that I have more practice at writing . . . Sailor Moon.

But how to incorporate Sailor Moon with the Wheel of Time universe? That was the question that confronted me, as I began to reread the series. This is what I have come up with. If anyone else has written a Sailor Moon/WoT crossover, please let me know–I'd like to read one, but as yet I haven't found any.

The Wheel of Time is a series of books (of which there are nine, eight of which I have read previously) written by Robert Jordan. And Sailormoon is, of course, the manga written by Naoko Takeuchi and the anime based off those manga. Neither, therefore, belongs to me. This combination, however, is my brainchild.


Prologue

Setsuna walked in quietly, hoping her entrance would go unnoticed. She so seldom attended these meetings that whenever she did, the rest of them automatically assumed that the Apocalypse was about to occur and she had just invited Famine over for lunch. Yet this time, nothing was wrong that she knew of. She just had a hunch . . . that she would be needed. Either that, or that something would happen during this particular meeting that required her presence.

She noticed, with a fond smile, that Usagi and Rei were once again arguing over one of Rei's manga. Ami studied, and Makoto and Minako sat to one side, giggling quietly–over boys, most likely. And, as had been usual, especially since Galaxia's defeat, none of the other three Outers were there. She just stood there in the shadow of the doorway, allowing the warming familiarity of the scene to wash over her. Suddenly, her hunch did not seem to matter all that much . . . she wondered why she didn't attend these meetings more often.

Detaching herself from the argument, Rei walked gracefully over. Well, Setsuna? Are you going to come in? You are welcome, you know.

Usagi began to wail. Nooo!!! I don't want to have to start fighting again!!!

With a sweatdrop and a wince, Setsuna waved her hands reassuringly. No, no! There's no apocalyptic event happening that I know of. I just had a feeling that I ought to be here today. Don't worry, Princess . . . if anything happens, I'll take care of it.

*Sniff!* Thanks, Setsuna.

Rei felt kind of silly, asking this of the seemingly omniscient senshi of Time, but . . . Would you like me to do a fire reading for you?

Setsuna considered, then shook her hand. I'll just let whatever is supposed to happen, happen. Pass me a cookie?

Stunned silence. Setsuna shrugged, and grabbed one herself. What? I get hungry now and then, too.

Everyone smiled and relaxed. Soon enough, Ami asked Setsuna for her help on a physics problem, and all continued as before, the green-haired senshi melding seamlessly into the group.

* * *

The red-cowled figure spread his arms wide, smiling mockingly down at the masses in front of him. Scared, cowardly fools, the lot of them–but they were better than nothing. Soon the Wheel of Time will be broken. Soon the Great Serpent will die, and with the power of that death, the death of Time itself, your Master will remake the world in his own image for this Age and for all Ages to come.

The rapturous crowd moaning in anticipation, eagerly awaited the day of their Master's return. For then would the faithful be rewarded with eternal life and dominion over the earth. And Ba'alzamon looked down upon the crowd, from highest class to lowest, all Faithful and all hiding the fact away in their everyday lives. This time, the Dark One *would* triumph.

* * *

. . . the death of Time itself . . . Setsuna moaned, going down to her knees as she brought her hands up, her head splitting–literally splitting into two, it felt like. This was what she had attended the meeting for, she felt. Somewhere, someone was attempting to kill Time, and she, as its Guardian–even if her guardianship was solely over this dimension–could never allow that to happen. That statement . . . that feeling of all-pervasive evil . . . of gloating triumph over battles not yet won, but not expected to lose . . . she felt sure that it had penetrated throughout the entire multiverse.

Could it be possible? She had heard the theory of the Original Universe, that from a single universe stemmed all the rest. Could that theory be true? The sending . . . the warning held within it, for anyone of good conscience to hear . . . was so strong, it could hardly have originated in a mere neighboring universe. With an incredible act of will, she suppressed the headache for now–though she knew that act would cost her later.

Rei. I've changed my mind. I want that fire reading.

Are you okay?

Never mind me. I need that fire reading, and I need it now. Something horrible just happened . . . is about to happen . . . and I need to know what.

Will we have to fight? Now that the danger was imminent, Usagi had become palely determined. I'm ready.

No . . . the threat is not to our dimension. If it truly is a threat, I may have to leave to see if I can be of any help taking care of it, she knew that this was a threat, a threat that world was woefully unprepared for, and that she would have to go, but there will be no reason for the rest of you to accompany me.

Rei nodded. Ami, we may need your brains, and Minako, you have the most fighting experience. Come with me–you may have some valuable insight into whatever the Sacred Fire decides to show me. Mako-chan, I want you to stay with Usagi. Don't worry, she flashed a small smile, we'll be back soon. It's only a fire reading, after all.

The four left the room. Usagi stood up. If something happens to them and I'm not there to prevent it, I'd never forgive myself. Let's follow them.

Makoto stood up as well. Neither would I. Let's go.

* * *

Rei knelt in front of the Sacred Fire. O Sacred Fire, please tell us . . . what is this evil that Setsuna has sensed?

The fire flared, and within it all the watchers could see, for a moment, symbols. A yin-yang without the circles of the opposite color within the heart of each. The black section broke away from the white section and with this unnatural separation both cracked, seeming about to break apart at any moment. Surrounding this symbol, a wheel of colors. Blue was the brightest, red the widest, green, yellow, brown, gray, and white. After a moment, beginning with the red, a blackish taint appeared at the tip of each of the streaks, a taint that ate away at the other colors. They all shivered and bowed their heads, feeling that something great had passed away as the black continued to slowly consume everything.

Somehow . . . there must be some way I can stop this! Setsuna spoke, more passionately than the others had ever heard her.

There is. A sonorous voice rolled throughout the room, audible only to the four within its confines. But are you willing to pay the price?

Will you guarantee that this price shall do no harm to any person but me? Setsuna stood, vainly attempting to address the voice that came both from everywhere and nowhere, all at once.

I give you my word.

Then I will do it.

Good. I fear that any aid will be desperately needed. Now, enter my confines. And in the Sacred Fire, a passage opened up, one with only black at the end, giving no indication of where it ended.

Setsuna nodded brusquely. So be it. She walked through the portal, head held high, and disappeared.

The portal began to close. Ami demanded. What will happen to her?

She will meet her destiny. If you truly desire, it can be shaped to become your destiny as well–but I make no guarantee as to whether you will survive.

Ami's head rose. I will survive, because I have friends and family, and a bright future ahead of me, to return to. I refuse to accept any other option. And I will go, because senshi always stick together. She walked through, and disappeared as well.

Usagi and Makoto, unable to hear anything of what was happening, began vainly trying to open the door, only to find that there was some force preventing it.

Minako nodded firm agreement. It would be better, anyway, to die fighting for a true cause worth believing in that to live on in peace, knowing that something is happening someplace else that you could have had a chance to stop. She walked through, leaving only Rei in the room.

She did not speak as the others did. She simply walked up to the portal. Protect my princess and my fellow senshi, old friend, while I'm gone. And don't worry. Somehow, we will find a way to return. As she walked through the portal, it closed, leaving Usagi and Makoto to stumble into an empty room except for the presence of the Sacred Fire.

Minna-san . . . Usagi whispered, sinking to her knees. Don't leave me alone like this . . .

Don't worry, Usagi-chan. Makoto soothed her, bending down to put a comforting arm around the blonde's shoulders. We'll find them somehow. And when we do, we'll make the people who stole them pay dearly.

Usagi smiled wanly. Yeah, I guess so. After all, the sailor senshi always win, right?