That Old Time Magic

Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2 or Sailor Moon. This story is for fun. I do not make any profit off it.

Characters not in either series however are mine. As are unique story elements.

Unseen by all, there was an uninvited guest in the Fillmore residence. This house guest stood six inches tall and had light blue skin. Her hair was the color of freshly fallen snow. Her name was Bláthaigh, and she was a pixie. The miniature woman sighed as she gazed down upon the sleeping youth. If only it didn't have to be this way. If only She hadn't returned when she did. But no matter. The queen is too old now. The princess will have to do.

It had taken a long time to find the magic which would allow this boy to become the woman that was needed. For the last two months Bláthaigh had done everything in her power to acclimate her charge with the change. She knew the young man hated the gift. He changed back to a boy whenever he could. It was almost a full time job to find new and creative ways to force the change. That aspect of her duties Bláthaigh actually enjoyed though. A little fun before the terror began anew was a good thing.

She remembered The War. Remembered the horrors it had brought. While she herself had not fought, good friends had. It had been a long one. Long and bloody. A time of death and fear. And in the end, they had won. But the cost had been high. To protect the last best hope of ending The War her queen had given her own life. And with that sacrifice, so too did the Queen's Knights fall.

Since then Bláthaigh had seen empires rise and fall. Even the greatest one had fallen to treachery. And that to the pixie's way of thinking was a shame. She had enjoyed visiting the palace on the moon. She herself had recommended two friends to the moon queen as advisers. Sadly she recalled the day two brave pooka had given up most of their nature in service of a new Queen. I wonder what ever happened to Luna? Did she survive the fall?

Shaking her head, Bláthaigh brought herself back to the present. It was time to be sure. If he was indeed the right one, the forearm would hold the proof. Hovering just above him, she carefully turned the boy's right arm. There, she could see it. The birthmark to humans appeared to be nothing but a dark patch of skin. But to her eyes she could see the royal mark in all it's glory. And soon others would too.

The pixie reached into a pouch and withdrew what appeared to be a simple ring. It was made from silver, and to the naked eye looked quite plain. She gazed upon it for several minutes. Her queen had entrusted it to Bláthaigh two years ago. Now was the time for it to be passed on to the next in line, and it didn't matter if he liked it or not. Hovering over the youth's face, she slapped him. Hard.

"Wake up James Fillmore. It is time to accept your birthright."

The aforementioned James groaned and swatted at the air. He woke up the rest of the way when a block of ice landed on his stomach. Cracking open his eyes, he saw an impossibility. There hovering above him was a small blue woman. It of course had to be a dream. After all, he didn't do drugs or drink. It couldn't be a drug induced hallucination. After blinking several times and rubbing his eyes though, it was still there.

"Accept your birthright," The blue woman said again.

This time James managed to say something intelligible. "Who are you?"

"I am Bláthaigh, and I am sent to prepare you. Accept this ring, and the responsibility it represents."

James eyed the apparition warily. He still didn't believe this was real. But what if it was? He had been called many things over the years. Barbarian, uncultured, even his language skills had been insulted. Merchants would sometimes refuse to sell to him on the grounds of 'not speaking Japanese'. A joke if ever he heard one. After all, it was the only language James knew. But never had he been called stupid. At least, not by the same person twice.

"You speak of destiny and responsibility. What do you mean?" He asked after some deliberation.

"You are the grand child of my Queen reborn. Heir to her kingdom. Like the Queen before, you must take up arms. A darkness rises once more. You are needed to defend humanity, as was done in The War." Bláthaigh told him.

James narrowed his eyes hearing this. He was related to no queen. Nor knew of what kingdom was being talked about. There was something being unsaid. What that something was, he didn't know. James took the ring, but didn't put it on. Not without knowing the conditions attached. From the sounds of it people would be in harms way. And that wasn't something James could stomach. Bullies made him sick. Picking on the weak, that was something only scum did.

"What is the catch?" He asked. Regardless of the catch, James suspected he wouldn't walk away.

"There is no catch, my Princess." Bláthaigh said with a strait face.

Well, almost strait. James caught the hint of a smirk. Equally he caught the term used to address him. Princess, that told him quite a lot. And it wasn't something he liked. James hated being a girl. That thought brought on another realization. This thing is why I turn into a girl! I'm sure of it. With a low growl he rolled out of bed. Coming to his feet, James swung a right cross at the pixie.

"You." A vicious left hook, easily avoided. "Had." A strait punch, ducked under by the pixie. "No." A left cross as a feint. "RIGHT!" A right uppercut. This time James managed to finally land a blow. It had felt satisfying. Bláthaigh flew up and hit the ceiling. The impact stunned the frost pixie. As she fell James snatched her out of the air. He wanted to wring the neck of this being. That final punch had proven that this was real. That she was real.

James wasn't sure what stopped him. Maybe it was his sense of honor. Maybe it was the fear that only this pixie could remove the curse. Maybe it was the look of contrition on Bláthaigh's face. What ever it was, he couldn't do it. James was shaking as he let go of the fae. He'd almost allowed himself to become that which he hated the most. The woman before him was now badly hurt, and it was his fault.

"Forgive me, I was out of line." James said with a bow. "If I am needed to protect others, I will do it. No matter the cost, I James Fillmore, son of Andrew Fillmore will accept this duty."

With a great reverence the young man slid the ring onto his left index finger. Why that one he didn't know. It felt right however. The moment the metal band was in place a phrase came to mind. It was very insistent. He frowned, and thought on it. This phrase was ridiculous. There was no way it could actually do anything. And yet, he found himself speaking the phrase. At first it was half halfheartedly. Then finally with true conviction.

"Rose Nature ASCENTION"

The first thing James noticed was a cool mist. His body rapidly shifted into the hated form of a girl. She felt a cool breeze after that. Her body spun around slowly. Shafts of green light flowed out from a point on her stomach. They wrapped around her, solidifying into new cloths. Landing, Jane found herself standing on one foot. The other foot was just barely resting it's toes on the ground. Her arms were spread out to her side, elbows bent and with her fingers forming a pair of V's before her face. In all, it felt stupid. She glanced in the mirror, and gasped.

Her hair was done up in the cutest pigtails with vivid pink satin ties. The pajama bottoms she had on were replaced by a red blouse. It was skin tight, but not revealing. The neckline was a plunging V, and the collar/cuffs made her look vaguely like a rose. She had on a mini-skirt that was forest green. She had on knee high deep green boots with stiletto heels, and light green fishnet stockings. On her back were silver objects that looked a bit like butterfly wings. They also seemed to be a natural part of the outfit. On her forehead was a tiara made of silver. In it's center was a ruby which at first glance appeared flawless.

I can't be seen dressed like this! She thought. Even as the horror settled in Bláthaigh spoke up. "Hurry Knight Rose, lives are in danger!"

And in truth, the youth could feel a sense of forboding. Moving to the window, she opened it and jumped out. And what a jump it was! Easily Rose reached the roof of the nearest building. Jumping from roof to roof, she homed in on the feeling. Only to scowl. Several children were tormenting a black cat. A blond girl stopped and moved to interrupt the children. But to Rose's eyes the kids were more then they seemed. The red stocking caps they wore glistened in the morning light. And then Rose saw them pulling out serrated knives, each easily a foot long. In the back of Rose's mind a name was whispered: Red Cap.

"Foul creatures of the dark, you are upsetting the balance of nature. Children and animals are to be enjoyed, not tortured and killed. I am Knight Rose, and in the name of the queen I shall punish you."

Where did that come from? Rose thought as she landed. Wait, I know that girl. It's Usagi! I can't let them kill her! Rose sprang forward as the three red caps turned. One of the evil creatures drove it's wicked blade towards her chest. Weaving to the right, Rose narrowly avoided the attack. Her hands were clenched in fists. A furious six punch combo was launched at the red cap which had just tried to spear her. The child-like monster reeled under the force of each blow.

A second red cap decided to ignore Rose. Instead it advanced on Usagi. He walked slowly, deliberately. As if nothing could stop it. Rose saw what was happening, but knew she couldn't react in time. Her friend was going to die, and there was nothing she could do about it. NO! Rose thought franticly. There had to be something! She jumped at her current opponant. Grabbing his shoulders, she flipped. Coming down, she threw the red cap forward.

"Blood to dip, blood to drink. My cap it thirsts for yours I think." The horrid man-thing said in a sing song voice.

Then, just as the blade was about to pierce usagi's stomach she stumbled. Falling on her butt, Usagi watched as the dagger just barely missed her ear. Her eyes were wide as saucers as the thrown red cap hit her attacker. The two unseelie faerie folk landed in a heap. Their bloody hats had become dislodged. This seemed to weaken them. The third had fled, unnoticed by any of the other combatents. Even weakened, the two remaining red caps were standing.

Panicking, Rose tried to think of something. Her punches did barely anything to them. What else was there? From deep within Rose could feel a wellspring of power. Reaching for it, she let it flow through her. As it came rose petals began to swirl around Rose. Soon there was a cyclone of them surrounding the neophyte warrior.

"Regretful... Rose... STORM!"

The petals flew forth. As the hundreds of projectiles struck the two red caps tiny cuts appeared. More and more formed. Soon the two creatures were covered with lacirations. As more and more rose petals struck, they started to fall over. Soon the two red caps stopped moving. Moments after that the enemies of nature began to rapidly decompose. Within ten seconds all that was left were two piles of black and yellow goo. Even the bloody hats were gone.

Usagi had watched everything that had happened. It had occurred so fast, the fact she was in danger had only just started to sink in. Who the mysterious rescuer was didn't matter. Once the evil children were gone, all Usagi could think about was the poor cat they had been tormenting. That the children were dead hadn't sank in yet. Just that they were gone. Moving forward, she found the feline huddled in the alley. On it's forehead was two band-aids. Naturally, she assumed the cat was hurt. But since it was trying to remove them, she decided to help...