Hey all! Thanks for the reviews, I really liked them! They're so .
so. exiting! I'm just not USED to them! Sorry about the misspelling of
Artemis AGAIN. Artimas Artemas. but I think I've definitely got it down
now! . Yeah, I'm rather slow, when it comes right down to it. But I'm sure
you've all already picked up on that one, my smart, intelligent readers! In
any case, I've decided to point out, again, I believe, that Ranma's NOT
going to be a Sailor Scout, OR Tuxedo Mask. It's just not going to work.
Not to say he's not going to have a large part in the story. He's just not
going to wear a cape or throw flowers at the villains. You'll see. It'll
happen. Don't you worry.
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½.
Partial Eclipse
By Rio Grande Chapter Two: In Over Our Heads? Nooo.
"Ranma, my Boy," Genma called, entering the hovel (well, ever since he moved in) of a room he and his son inhabited. The person in question glanced up briefly from his comic, (he rarely ever did his homework unless Akane was around to encourage him.) before quickly looking back down.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Have you seen the girls, Ranma? It's almost six already and Kasumi hasn't started dinner, no word from Nabiki, and you're not with Akane!" Genma stated, emphasizing the last point with a slight growl.
"Hey, we don't have to be attached at the hip all day long, you know!"
"No!- But that's actually a very creative idea."
"Pops! Jeez!"
"Anyway! HAVE you seen any of them?" Genma asked, shaking his head.
"No," Ranma quickly replied. "Wait. well, I know Akane is doing a study hall at the school," he admitted.
"Fine, so we know where Akane is. But where's Kasumi? She has to feeeed us!" he whined piteously. Ranma gave off a disgusted look and turned the next page of Tenchi Muyo. Man, this guy had even more problems than HE did! "If you're so worried about it, why don't you call Dr. Tofu?"
"Already did it. He hasn't heard from her. though I think I put him into a coma when I mentioned her name."
"Kuno? He might know where Nabiki is."
"Do YOU want to call that guy?"
".Fine. Okay. Valid point."
"Ranma, you know this only leaves one other option." Genma said, folding his arms importantly, eyes flashing.
"Awwww! Come on Dad, I just started this comic! And it's good!"
"You must go out and find them boy! It'll be dark soon and it's not safe for young women to be out alone!"
"I highly doubt ANYTHINGS going to happen to THOSE three." Ranma pointed out.
"Ranma, they could be kidnapped, locked in a basement somewhere, terrified out of their minds, RIGHT NOW! And you're sitting here reading a COMIC!?"
".You're really hungry, hu?"
"I'm about to eat Soun. Now go, hurry!"
"Yeah, yeah," Ranma sighed, standing up (Why did HE always have to rescue the girls?) and stretching leisurely. only to have the wind knocked forcefully out of him as his father booted him out the window, in the general direction of Furiken High, while his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "YOU JEEEERRRrrrkkk." he screamed as he disappeared into the horizon.
"Hurry back, son!" Genma called cheerfully, waving his son off with a broad smile.
*
"So, a Disformunous is a low class demon. which means we should be able to get rid of it fairly quickly, right?" Kasumi asked, thoroughly surprised she wasn't panting, even though she had already sprinted fifteen blocks in high-healed boots. There was something about these outfits. and she felt so much stronger! Maybe this whole Sailor Scout idea wasn't so bad, after all.
"Um, I guess," Akane replied, not at all sure what to expect. Out of experience, the worst, but Luna had made it sound so easy. "Why, something you need to be doing?" Akane asked, jokingly.
"Well. um. there is dinner."
"Relax Onne-chan! I'm sure everyone will forgive you if you're a BIT late." Akane assured the woman.
"Are we talking about the same family?" Kasumi asked, flatly.
"Not to worry, Kasumi," Luna commented, catching up to the five girls, with Artemis at her side, taking bounding leaps to keep up with the girls run.
"Luna, Artimas! What are you doing here?" asked Ukyo, as she ran along side Shampoo. Slightly behind the two girls was Nabiki, also amazed at her notable running time. She never USED to be able to do this.
"Well, we thought we were being a little harsh, just sending you out as we did, so unprepared. we didn't even tell you what Sailor Scout you will each be replacing!" Luna said, in a slightly bashful tone.
"Does it matter?" Shampoo asked, blatantly. "All is different is skirt colors! And this color clash with hair!" she pointed out, referring to her vivid orange skirt, and flamboyantly purple hair.
"It definitely matters!" Artemis argued. "Depending on what Sailor you are, you get different specialized powers to help you fight!"
"Yes, and while we know some of you already have incredible strengths. they might not be the sort of skills that will be useful to you when fighting comas. That's why you have Sailor powers now, as well."
Having reached the museum, the group came to a halt, glancing briefly at the building, before turning back to the cats, looking at them expectantly.
"Well then, what Scouts are we? Hurry up, we have a priceless artifact to save, here!" Ukyo reminded everyone.
"Right!" Artemis agreed, glad the girls were taking the initiative on this one. "Now. Kasumi," the white cat turned to look at the woman first, who widened her eyes and clutched her hands to her chest self-consciously.
"Yes?"
"You are Sailor Mercury, Sailor Scout of ice and wisdom!" the cat declared, dramatically. Kasumi blushed.
"Wisdom? Oh, my. but I didn't even go to college! That doesn't seem logical." Calmly ignoring the girl, Artemis turned to the next scout.
"Nabiki! You are Sailor Mars, Scout of fire and war!"
"Cheerful." The girl commented, folding her arms. War? What sort of peace loving super hero represented war?
"Ukyo!"
"Present!"
"You are Sailor Jupiter! Sailor Scout of thunder and protection."
"Just thunder? What about lightening?" the chef asked, curiously.
"Well. that too."
"Yippee!" she cheered.
"Um. and Shampoo! You're Sailor Venus, scout of love and beauty," Artemis declared, continuing, unfazed.
"Too true." Shampoo agreed, nodding earnestly, as everyone else made gagging motions behind her back.
"Then last, but certainly not least," Luna said, butting in. "Is Akane. leader of the five scouts, you are Sailor Moon. The Moon princess's replacement."
"A princess, hm? Not too shabby," Akane commented, smiling.
"Princess's replacement," Luna reminded, helpfully.
"Fine, steal my thunder!"
"Umm. guys." Nabiki whispered, as the ground began to shake beneath her feet. Everyone dropped to their knees to keep from falling over, as birds all around them soared from their perches on various trees, to the sky, cawing violently. Cars rattled uneasily in their spaces and there was the distant sound of screaming children. followed by a pounding roar of anger. "Yeah, that was coming from inside the museum. definitely inside the museum." Nabiki sighed.
"How scary," Kasumi commented, standing up after tremor had passed, carefully flexing her legs.
"Well, looks like its time to go in then." Akane stated, glancing a little more warily at the museum this time.
"Just a low class demon, right?" Nabiki asked Luna.
"Yes."
"Hmm."
"Come on guys!" Akane sighed, strengthening her resolve, suddenly. "Let's just get this over with! Don't think about it! Just go!"
"Yeah, GREAT advise."
"Come on!" Akane said, starting off by herself, dashing towards the entrance. expertly dodging the crazed stream of museumgoers who were storming out of the building, desperate to get away from the deformed monster. Ukyo and Shampoo followed closely behind her, Nabiki and Kasumi shortly after them, needing a little more mental prep talk before they could haphazardly throw themselves into the path of Disformunous. whatever the HELL that was.
"Excuse me! Pardon me! Sorry me! Excuse me! Pardon me!" the girls chorused as they elbowed their way through the doors. Finally squeezing through the sea of terrified people, not exactly a comforting sight to begin with, they fell unceremoniously onto their butts in the main hall, safely out of harms way.
"Those people really violent," Shampoo mentioned, eyeing her ripped back bow with a critical eye, while re-adjusting her tiara.
"Sounds like all of the action is going on in the Hall of Ancient Chinese Jewels." Ukyo said, pointing towards a hall that indeed did look to have a lot of action going on in it. Glass cases, doors, priceless pieces of jewelry and people were being tossed out of it as though they were weightless. All of the girls winced and began to jog towards it, their heels clacking on the marble floor, voices echoing of the impossibly high, styled ceiling.
"China. ugh. That's a bad omen in itself." Akane decided firmly, as she marched foward.
"Hey!" Shampoo protested.
"No offense! Well, actually..."
"Look!" Ukyo gasped, as the girls began to encroach upon a large, light blue, God ugly figure that was completely desecrating a large, crystal statue of Chinese God. All around it, already broken glass cases lay in pieces, their contents spewed carelessly around the room. as though the monster had been searching through them.the girls bit their lips. It's arms were bulky and muscular, it was far too tall for their liking, and when it turned around, they were horrified to find it had the type of face that cracked mirror without every actually touching it. Ugh.
"This one look stupid. Shampoo take care of quick." The Amazon assured everyone, whipping out her trusty bonbouris from thin air, and zipping forward without another thought.
"Be careful! It looks strong!" Kasumi warned, biting her lip. Not that she knew anything about taking down a demon ANYWAY.
"No worries! The bigger are, the bigger FALL!" the girl cried, leaping into the air, raising her bonbouri above her head in a graceful arc, and then letting it slam down forcefully atop the monster's head with a sickening crack.
"Eeep!" the pretty girl squeaked, when she looked at her hands, and discovered it wasn't the demons head she had cracked, but her own bonbouri. She let the broken splinters fall to the floor. The demon glared at her with its glassy eyes, seemingly unharmed in anyway. Shampoo sucked in a nervous breath and back peddled furiously.
"Maybe we try different approach, no?" she offered generously. Everyone looked slightly paler at this point, as though maybe they were about to get more than they bargained for.
"Um, well, okay. This is good. Good. It tells us that we can't bludgeon it to death.so we shouldn't try that approach anymore." Ukyo said, as the monster began to look as though maybe it wanted to charge the weak looking girls. The cup was always half full!
"But then what CAN we do? Can you honestly think about anything else were better at? I don't think you guys are going to be able to spar with this one, and besides hitting things really hard, you're not good at much else!" Nabiki cried, pulling at her hair fretfully.
"Mercenary girl have point." Shampoo agreed somberly.
"Shoot! It looks like we're going to have to use those new powers Luna and Artemis were talking about- but what ARE they?" Akane wondered, backing away slowly with the others, trying hard not to startle the dumb thing anymore.
"And where those cats go, anyway?" Shampoo asked.
"We lost them when we got into the museum."
"Great."
"Okay guys. So we can't use our powers, we can't use our strength, and we can't talk it to death." Nabiki breathed. "I think our next best option would be. to run."
And, screaming, the girls did just that, tearing down the hall at warp speeds, the Disformunous hot on their trail, looking a whole lot more terrifying than they had imagined in being.
*
"So. how do you think they're doing?" Artemis asked, glancing up at the Museum, twitching his tail sharply.
"Oh. you know, normally. I suppose," Luna said, shrugging, and trying not to look worried out of her mind. The girls might be strong and spunky. but they were so green! A lot like Usagi, when she first started her job as Sailor Moon . and look how many times that girl had almost been killed when Luna wasn't around to watch her! "Artemis! Maybe we better go check on them!" Luna cried suddenly, eyes wide. Yee gads, what had she been thinking!? If it hadn't been for her, Sailor Moon would have been shredded during her first fight! Heck, practically during ALL of her fights! These girls had to be looked over too!
"All right Luna, you go, I've got to go check on something, I have a feeling the fight isn't going on too well in there." Having absolutely no idea what her partner was talking about, Luna nodded quickly and took off. Hopefully none of them had been decapitated yet!
Artemis watched the small black cat run off, frowning. He hadn't told Luna about this. but. it was probably for the best. Sighing, he spun on his paw and took of down the street, heading towards Nermia.
*
"Ahhhh!" Kasumi shrieked as the Disformunous clawed at her heal, almost swiping her legs out from under her. Glancing back at the slowest member of their group, Akane stopped short, clasped onto Kasumi's waist, and flung both of the girls into an abandoned room off to the side, saving Kasumi from loosing everything below her calves. The monster raged on after the three remaining, faster girls, leaving the two sisters behind.
"Oh! Akane! I'm so sorry! I'm slowing you all down! It's just I'm so new at this and I don't think I can-"
"Sh! Kasumi, don't worry! We're all new at this! And we're all doing pretty poorly!" Akane assured Kasumi, feeling a little odd over the fact that SHE was counseling KASUMI. Usually her elder sister was a picture of good composure! Guess this whole super hero thing was a hard transition for a woman who's biggest pride and joy was that new vacuum cleaner she had just purchased.
"Oh, Akane you're right. And I'm worried. Things look bad out there!" she sighed, still sitting on the cold floor, and waiting for her legs to stop quivering. Akane was already standing again, face contorted into a frown.
"Yeah, I know. If only Luna and Artemis hadn't left us!-"
"You called?" Luna asked, completely on cue, leaping gracefully from the nearest window and onto the floor, quickly bouncing over to the two girls.
"Luna, you're back!" Kasumi commented joyfully, eyes lighting up.
"We're in trouble! That THING is strong!" Akane added, sounding slightly panicked.
"I know, I assumed as much." Luna admitted, eyes flashing. "Now, if you'll both just listen, I'll tell you how to release your powers and get rid of that monster!" Both scouts leaned forward eagerly, attentively taking in everything the small feline told them. They needed all the help they could get!
*
"The vase, use the vase!"
"I don't WANT to use the vase! Look how OLD and EXPENSIVE it looks-! It was made in 1250! Look!"
"God dammit woman! It's that or your EYE! Make the right decision!"
"Aiyah! Mercenary girl! Duck!"
"Eek! That could have been my head!"
"This way! A left, a left! If we go down this hall maybe we can loose it in the marble statue garden!"
"It's not THAT dumb!"
"What it doing with glass case? Oh no. aiiyaahh! Hit deck! Hit deck!"
"That's IT! I'm using the vase!"
"Finally!"
Elsewhere, Shampoo, Ukyo and Nabiki were having a long bout of terrible luck with the Disformunous, as it raged along, out of its mind with fury that these puny humans would dare challenge it. Half of the museum was already in ruins, and they were doing nothing to help with that situation. Luckily, just as they turned another corner, skidding along the smooth floor, they met up with Kasumi, Luna and Akane.
"Where have you guys been?! That thing is totally insane!" Ukyo gasped, clutching her chest, her face red with excitement and lack of breath.
"Luna just taught us how to-!"
"Oh no! Here comes! Look out!" Shampoo cried, jumping behind Akane, eyes wide as the demon stormed over to them, drool sliding down its face like a sticky waterfall.
"Ouch!" shouted Nabiki, leaping to the side with Kasumi, to avoid being slammed across the room by one powerful punch. The demons blind swing slammed into a wall, and everyone was sprayed with bits of rock. Snarling and turning on his now fallen victims, the yoma lurched forward, arms raised menacingly. The two Tendo sisters cried out their fear, the other scouts helpless to do much.
Just as Shampoo was ready to go tackle the monster before it could kill anyone, Akane stepped forward, her tiara in hand.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it," she stated, wishing she sounded more confident.
"Wha-?" Shampoo asked, quizzically watching as Akane stepped forward, and aimed her tiara at the yoma as one would a Frisbee. The girl had her eyes closed in concentration, and Luna was watching Akane, and her aura, carefully. 'She's doing it perfectly! Just like I told her! She must be drawing her energy off of fear and concern for her sisters!'
"Moon, tiaarraaaa. action!" Akane screamed, letting her ruby studded tiara fly, watching, fascinated, as it created a luminous glow, and took the form of a ki blast, instead of a flying piece of gold.
It impacted with the demon almost perfectly. a little off center, perhaps, but hey, at this point, not many people were being picky. It screamed in horror, mouth open as wide as it would go, before exploding, seemingly, from the inside out, the blast tinted pink and filled with sparkles. Kasumi and Nabiki, still on the floor, looking up, terrified, at the scene before them, watched the sparkles fall to the ground with a critical eye. Ummm.
Too stunned to speak, Akane didn't notice the tiara come flying back at her, until it hit her square in the head, and she toppled over, landing flat on her butt.
"Did I just do that!?" she asked, disbelieving, clasping the tiara in her hand as though it were a preciouse item. And it was! Who would have guessed she could do THAT!? Ranma said she had been having trouble with that new set of KATAS she had been learning! Well HA, she had most definitely just showed HIM! Staring at the blue haired school girl thoughtfully, Ukyo and Shampoo took off their own tiaras, inspecting them with a new degree of awe.
"Yes! I told you, you could be powerfull!" Luna said, proudly. "All of you girls have the potential to do what Sailor Moon just did! You simply must unlock your inner powers!"
"I don't think there's anyway I could ever do that," Nabiki said emotionlessly, dusting off her short skirt, and then coming to stand by the other scouts, trying very hard not to look disgruntled. Kasumi followed at a more humble level, still a little taken a back.
"But you CAN! That's the beauty of being a Sailor Scout! All of your powers are derived from your inner strengths. The more beautiful a heart you have, the strong you become," Luna informed them all, a large smile on her face. Everyone raised an eyebrow. Sounded pretttyyy cheesy, if you asked them.
"Hey! I see some people in the ancient statues section! This way!" a male voice sounded from down the hall, accompanied by a flash light and the sound of cuffs clinking at their waist.
"It's the cops! What should we do?" Ukyo asked, worried, as she surveyed the damage around them. How would they explain all of this now that the demon was dust? Paying for all of the ruined artifacts would be IMPOSSIBLE.
"Well, while I highly doubt that the police are going to arrest the Sailor Scouts," Luna said, sighing. "I do think we should try hard to not let ourselves be seen. Kasumi, do your stuff."
"Oh! But..."
"Remember what I told you!"
"Umm." The girl didn't look encouraged, in fact, as the police got closer and closer, she started to look down right scared. " I don't think I can do this." she admitted, wringing her hands.
"Kasumi! Don't have so little faith in yourself!"
"Hey! There they are!" One cop called out. Eyes wide, Kasumi quickly thrust her hands out in front of her as one police officer made his way towards the girls, a purpose in his step.
"MERCURY BUBBLES!" A large, icy looking bubble formed in Kasumi's hands, and the air around her took on a cold chill. "BLLASSTT!" she screamed, letting a whole barrage of bubbles zip out of her hands, and fill the air with a frost-laden fog. When she was done with her attack, no one could within a few inches in front of them, and all were shaking from the cold.
"I-I can hardly move!" Akane gasped, clutching her arms. What had onne-chan just done?!
"All right Luna, I see your point about the powers," Nabiki admitted, teeth chattering. "But now we're sorta, uh, stuck here! How are we going to find our way out?"
"Take my hands, you guys," Kasumi said, calmly, grabbing Nabiki and Ukyo's hands. " I can see fine with my goggles, I'll get us out," she said, now sporting a pair of blue tinted goggles, that seemed to be typing messages to the ice scout across the lenses. Looked complicated. Kasumi seemed to be enjoying it.
Tediously, the girls inched their way around the rubble, following Kasumi's gentle instructions, finally making their way to the back exit. Once outside, everyone smiled and reveled in the glorious warmth of the sun, infinitely relieved THAT was over, and they had WON! No one was exactly sure HOW they had done it, but they had definitely beaten that demon's ASS!
"Where did you get those goggles, anyway?" Ukyo asked Kasumi, as the girl pressed her blue stud earring, letting the goggles zip back into them. Woooww.
"I don't really know! They were just sort of. there!" Kasumi admitted, giggling cutely.
"Righ..."
"Hey, where Artemis?" Shampoo asked, looking around for the white cat in question.
"Well, he said he had something to do quickly, but it would seem as though he ditched us!" Luna admitted, sounding a bit stunned
"Well, if you see him, tell him thanks for ALL the help," Nabiki commented sarcastically. Luna frowned, but nodded, a little curious as to her PARTNERS where-abouts, her self. Ukyo stretched, worn out.
"I think we should all be heading back. I have a store to take care of, and I think Shampoo does too." The young woman pointed out. "Not to mention we have school tomorrow."
"Aiyah! Grandma KILL Shampoo for leaving while on duty!" the girl squealed, clapping her hands to her face. Gasping she took off at a run to the Neko Hatten. "Must go, see all later! Thanks for help, Luna!" she called, waving exuberantly. "Be seeing you soon!" she seemed to have accepted her role as a Scout, at least.
"Got a lot of energy, does she?" Luna asked mildly.
"You don't know the half of it," Akane groaned, feeling wasted herself, and thinking of the mountains of homework she had, awaiting her back at the house. If only she had Shampoo's boundless amount of 'oomph.'
"Well, I better go see if anyone still wants dinner," Kasumi admitted, not commenting on anything as she simply detransformed without much light works, back into her street clothes in the blink of an eye. Nothing would ever faze her again, after THAT. Everyone else quickly followed suit, silently hoping that Shampoo had done the same before too many questions were asked. They didn't want their secret out just yet... People would laugh!
"Yeah, I'll see you all tomorrow! Gotta go!" Ukyo said, trotting off towards the Uchan, thinking of the poor cross dressing ninja she had left to hold down the fort all evening.
"I'll be keeping in touch with all of you!" Luna reminded the departing girls, watching the three Tendo sisters slowly travel home. "You have a lot of work ahead of you!"
"Joy!"
*
Artemis hadn't told Luna about his plans for Ranma, mainly because he didn't think she would approve of bringing anyone but her carefully selected girls into this whole thing. She had been very up tight about going ahead with the plan in the FIRST place, but bringing a MALE into the equation was just something she was not going to put up with, and Art knew it. However, Artemis had seen how the heir to the Anything-Goes thrown fought, and new he could be a valuable asset, especially just now when he was sure the girls were getting a terrific pounding, if approached correctly. Bit of a hard feat to pull off when you were a talking cat.
Artemis spotted the sixteen year old scuffing his feet on the pavement as he traveled, hands stuck into the pockets of his black, draw string pants, and looking distinctly worried about something. Under his breath, Artemis had been sure he heard the comment: 'Stupid, helpless tomboy. always getting in trouble.'
Carefully trotting forward, Artemis planted himself in the boys path, wanting to get this over with. First confrontations were always the worst part. It was easier to get it done fast. Artemis watched the boys expression carefully as he saw the white cat in his path, and stopped short.
The first emotion to flicker through the handsome boys storm blue eyes, was confusion. What was in his path? Then anger. WHY was it in his way!? Then. something totally unexpected seeing as how Artimas hadn't SAID anything yet. fear. Total, all consuming, bone chilling fear! Ranma froze up, stood ramrod straight, his mouth forming a perfect 'o'. Wait! This wasn't supposed to happen until Artemis actually spoke!
"Um-hello there, I'm," Artemis tried, a little baffled.
"A CAT!!!" Ranma yelled at the top of his lungs, pointing accusingly at Artemis.
"Er-yes, I." Not waiting to have his worst fears confirmed twice, Ranma took off at a run in the opposite direction, hyperventilating and shaking from head to foot. Squeezing his eyes tight he tried to suppress the demon within him that was the neko-ken, as he rushed towards the only place he could think of to go to when things got bad- the Tendo dojo, his legs pumping as fast as he could make them, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.
"AAHHHHH!" Were his parting words. Artemis stared after the terrified high school boy with a baffled expression. What had just happened there?
"Maybe it was the wrong kid?" he wondered to himself, as he turned around had headed back towards the museum, hoping he hadn't missed all the action on THAT wasted effort.
*
Standing casually on the roof of the Museum, Ristuko twirled a lock of blond hair around one slender finger, with nails that were painted, appropriately, blood red. She cocked her head at the girls as they all went their separate ways, listening to the cops gather their wits after Kasumi's attack, beneath her.
"Interesting choice, kitties. Very interesting. I had not seen this being an option but. I suppose whatever floats your boat." A wicked smile flashed over her features. The Disformunous had been a SMALL sacrifice to obtain THIS information. And that's all he had ever been. A sacrifice for knowledge. "Not that they're going to save you and your silly peace. You blew it the day you let the Scouts leave. it's all over now. I wont let you live." Giggling softly, she disappeared in a haze of sickly looking red smoke, overly pleased with the latest turn of events. If those naïve girls kept this up, soon she could suck all of Japan dry!! It would be just like the old days.
(To be continued) *
Notes:
I can't believe I just finished this chapter! Whoo hoo! Go me! I'm so good! Of course, this means that my Cowboy Beebop fic is going to be on hold for a bit. but whatever! Hope you liked this chapter; look out for the next one, 'Little Surprises Everywhere!' and PLEASE REVIEW!! Thanks,
~Rio (papaya41@aol.com)
Partial Eclipse
By Rio Grande Chapter Two: In Over Our Heads? Nooo.
"Ranma, my Boy," Genma called, entering the hovel (well, ever since he moved in) of a room he and his son inhabited. The person in question glanced up briefly from his comic, (he rarely ever did his homework unless Akane was around to encourage him.) before quickly looking back down.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Have you seen the girls, Ranma? It's almost six already and Kasumi hasn't started dinner, no word from Nabiki, and you're not with Akane!" Genma stated, emphasizing the last point with a slight growl.
"Hey, we don't have to be attached at the hip all day long, you know!"
"No!- But that's actually a very creative idea."
"Pops! Jeez!"
"Anyway! HAVE you seen any of them?" Genma asked, shaking his head.
"No," Ranma quickly replied. "Wait. well, I know Akane is doing a study hall at the school," he admitted.
"Fine, so we know where Akane is. But where's Kasumi? She has to feeeed us!" he whined piteously. Ranma gave off a disgusted look and turned the next page of Tenchi Muyo. Man, this guy had even more problems than HE did! "If you're so worried about it, why don't you call Dr. Tofu?"
"Already did it. He hasn't heard from her. though I think I put him into a coma when I mentioned her name."
"Kuno? He might know where Nabiki is."
"Do YOU want to call that guy?"
".Fine. Okay. Valid point."
"Ranma, you know this only leaves one other option." Genma said, folding his arms importantly, eyes flashing.
"Awwww! Come on Dad, I just started this comic! And it's good!"
"You must go out and find them boy! It'll be dark soon and it's not safe for young women to be out alone!"
"I highly doubt ANYTHINGS going to happen to THOSE three." Ranma pointed out.
"Ranma, they could be kidnapped, locked in a basement somewhere, terrified out of their minds, RIGHT NOW! And you're sitting here reading a COMIC!?"
".You're really hungry, hu?"
"I'm about to eat Soun. Now go, hurry!"
"Yeah, yeah," Ranma sighed, standing up (Why did HE always have to rescue the girls?) and stretching leisurely. only to have the wind knocked forcefully out of him as his father booted him out the window, in the general direction of Furiken High, while his eyes nearly popped out of his head. "YOU JEEEERRRrrrkkk." he screamed as he disappeared into the horizon.
"Hurry back, son!" Genma called cheerfully, waving his son off with a broad smile.
*
"So, a Disformunous is a low class demon. which means we should be able to get rid of it fairly quickly, right?" Kasumi asked, thoroughly surprised she wasn't panting, even though she had already sprinted fifteen blocks in high-healed boots. There was something about these outfits. and she felt so much stronger! Maybe this whole Sailor Scout idea wasn't so bad, after all.
"Um, I guess," Akane replied, not at all sure what to expect. Out of experience, the worst, but Luna had made it sound so easy. "Why, something you need to be doing?" Akane asked, jokingly.
"Well. um. there is dinner."
"Relax Onne-chan! I'm sure everyone will forgive you if you're a BIT late." Akane assured the woman.
"Are we talking about the same family?" Kasumi asked, flatly.
"Not to worry, Kasumi," Luna commented, catching up to the five girls, with Artemis at her side, taking bounding leaps to keep up with the girls run.
"Luna, Artimas! What are you doing here?" asked Ukyo, as she ran along side Shampoo. Slightly behind the two girls was Nabiki, also amazed at her notable running time. She never USED to be able to do this.
"Well, we thought we were being a little harsh, just sending you out as we did, so unprepared. we didn't even tell you what Sailor Scout you will each be replacing!" Luna said, in a slightly bashful tone.
"Does it matter?" Shampoo asked, blatantly. "All is different is skirt colors! And this color clash with hair!" she pointed out, referring to her vivid orange skirt, and flamboyantly purple hair.
"It definitely matters!" Artemis argued. "Depending on what Sailor you are, you get different specialized powers to help you fight!"
"Yes, and while we know some of you already have incredible strengths. they might not be the sort of skills that will be useful to you when fighting comas. That's why you have Sailor powers now, as well."
Having reached the museum, the group came to a halt, glancing briefly at the building, before turning back to the cats, looking at them expectantly.
"Well then, what Scouts are we? Hurry up, we have a priceless artifact to save, here!" Ukyo reminded everyone.
"Right!" Artemis agreed, glad the girls were taking the initiative on this one. "Now. Kasumi," the white cat turned to look at the woman first, who widened her eyes and clutched her hands to her chest self-consciously.
"Yes?"
"You are Sailor Mercury, Sailor Scout of ice and wisdom!" the cat declared, dramatically. Kasumi blushed.
"Wisdom? Oh, my. but I didn't even go to college! That doesn't seem logical." Calmly ignoring the girl, Artemis turned to the next scout.
"Nabiki! You are Sailor Mars, Scout of fire and war!"
"Cheerful." The girl commented, folding her arms. War? What sort of peace loving super hero represented war?
"Ukyo!"
"Present!"
"You are Sailor Jupiter! Sailor Scout of thunder and protection."
"Just thunder? What about lightening?" the chef asked, curiously.
"Well. that too."
"Yippee!" she cheered.
"Um. and Shampoo! You're Sailor Venus, scout of love and beauty," Artemis declared, continuing, unfazed.
"Too true." Shampoo agreed, nodding earnestly, as everyone else made gagging motions behind her back.
"Then last, but certainly not least," Luna said, butting in. "Is Akane. leader of the five scouts, you are Sailor Moon. The Moon princess's replacement."
"A princess, hm? Not too shabby," Akane commented, smiling.
"Princess's replacement," Luna reminded, helpfully.
"Fine, steal my thunder!"
"Umm. guys." Nabiki whispered, as the ground began to shake beneath her feet. Everyone dropped to their knees to keep from falling over, as birds all around them soared from their perches on various trees, to the sky, cawing violently. Cars rattled uneasily in their spaces and there was the distant sound of screaming children. followed by a pounding roar of anger. "Yeah, that was coming from inside the museum. definitely inside the museum." Nabiki sighed.
"How scary," Kasumi commented, standing up after tremor had passed, carefully flexing her legs.
"Well, looks like its time to go in then." Akane stated, glancing a little more warily at the museum this time.
"Just a low class demon, right?" Nabiki asked Luna.
"Yes."
"Hmm."
"Come on guys!" Akane sighed, strengthening her resolve, suddenly. "Let's just get this over with! Don't think about it! Just go!"
"Yeah, GREAT advise."
"Come on!" Akane said, starting off by herself, dashing towards the entrance. expertly dodging the crazed stream of museumgoers who were storming out of the building, desperate to get away from the deformed monster. Ukyo and Shampoo followed closely behind her, Nabiki and Kasumi shortly after them, needing a little more mental prep talk before they could haphazardly throw themselves into the path of Disformunous. whatever the HELL that was.
"Excuse me! Pardon me! Sorry me! Excuse me! Pardon me!" the girls chorused as they elbowed their way through the doors. Finally squeezing through the sea of terrified people, not exactly a comforting sight to begin with, they fell unceremoniously onto their butts in the main hall, safely out of harms way.
"Those people really violent," Shampoo mentioned, eyeing her ripped back bow with a critical eye, while re-adjusting her tiara.
"Sounds like all of the action is going on in the Hall of Ancient Chinese Jewels." Ukyo said, pointing towards a hall that indeed did look to have a lot of action going on in it. Glass cases, doors, priceless pieces of jewelry and people were being tossed out of it as though they were weightless. All of the girls winced and began to jog towards it, their heels clacking on the marble floor, voices echoing of the impossibly high, styled ceiling.
"China. ugh. That's a bad omen in itself." Akane decided firmly, as she marched foward.
"Hey!" Shampoo protested.
"No offense! Well, actually..."
"Look!" Ukyo gasped, as the girls began to encroach upon a large, light blue, God ugly figure that was completely desecrating a large, crystal statue of Chinese God. All around it, already broken glass cases lay in pieces, their contents spewed carelessly around the room. as though the monster had been searching through them.the girls bit their lips. It's arms were bulky and muscular, it was far too tall for their liking, and when it turned around, they were horrified to find it had the type of face that cracked mirror without every actually touching it. Ugh.
"This one look stupid. Shampoo take care of quick." The Amazon assured everyone, whipping out her trusty bonbouris from thin air, and zipping forward without another thought.
"Be careful! It looks strong!" Kasumi warned, biting her lip. Not that she knew anything about taking down a demon ANYWAY.
"No worries! The bigger are, the bigger FALL!" the girl cried, leaping into the air, raising her bonbouri above her head in a graceful arc, and then letting it slam down forcefully atop the monster's head with a sickening crack.
"Eeep!" the pretty girl squeaked, when she looked at her hands, and discovered it wasn't the demons head she had cracked, but her own bonbouri. She let the broken splinters fall to the floor. The demon glared at her with its glassy eyes, seemingly unharmed in anyway. Shampoo sucked in a nervous breath and back peddled furiously.
"Maybe we try different approach, no?" she offered generously. Everyone looked slightly paler at this point, as though maybe they were about to get more than they bargained for.
"Um, well, okay. This is good. Good. It tells us that we can't bludgeon it to death.so we shouldn't try that approach anymore." Ukyo said, as the monster began to look as though maybe it wanted to charge the weak looking girls. The cup was always half full!
"But then what CAN we do? Can you honestly think about anything else were better at? I don't think you guys are going to be able to spar with this one, and besides hitting things really hard, you're not good at much else!" Nabiki cried, pulling at her hair fretfully.
"Mercenary girl have point." Shampoo agreed somberly.
"Shoot! It looks like we're going to have to use those new powers Luna and Artemis were talking about- but what ARE they?" Akane wondered, backing away slowly with the others, trying hard not to startle the dumb thing anymore.
"And where those cats go, anyway?" Shampoo asked.
"We lost them when we got into the museum."
"Great."
"Okay guys. So we can't use our powers, we can't use our strength, and we can't talk it to death." Nabiki breathed. "I think our next best option would be. to run."
And, screaming, the girls did just that, tearing down the hall at warp speeds, the Disformunous hot on their trail, looking a whole lot more terrifying than they had imagined in being.
*
"So. how do you think they're doing?" Artemis asked, glancing up at the Museum, twitching his tail sharply.
"Oh. you know, normally. I suppose," Luna said, shrugging, and trying not to look worried out of her mind. The girls might be strong and spunky. but they were so green! A lot like Usagi, when she first started her job as Sailor Moon . and look how many times that girl had almost been killed when Luna wasn't around to watch her! "Artemis! Maybe we better go check on them!" Luna cried suddenly, eyes wide. Yee gads, what had she been thinking!? If it hadn't been for her, Sailor Moon would have been shredded during her first fight! Heck, practically during ALL of her fights! These girls had to be looked over too!
"All right Luna, you go, I've got to go check on something, I have a feeling the fight isn't going on too well in there." Having absolutely no idea what her partner was talking about, Luna nodded quickly and took off. Hopefully none of them had been decapitated yet!
Artemis watched the small black cat run off, frowning. He hadn't told Luna about this. but. it was probably for the best. Sighing, he spun on his paw and took of down the street, heading towards Nermia.
*
"Ahhhh!" Kasumi shrieked as the Disformunous clawed at her heal, almost swiping her legs out from under her. Glancing back at the slowest member of their group, Akane stopped short, clasped onto Kasumi's waist, and flung both of the girls into an abandoned room off to the side, saving Kasumi from loosing everything below her calves. The monster raged on after the three remaining, faster girls, leaving the two sisters behind.
"Oh! Akane! I'm so sorry! I'm slowing you all down! It's just I'm so new at this and I don't think I can-"
"Sh! Kasumi, don't worry! We're all new at this! And we're all doing pretty poorly!" Akane assured Kasumi, feeling a little odd over the fact that SHE was counseling KASUMI. Usually her elder sister was a picture of good composure! Guess this whole super hero thing was a hard transition for a woman who's biggest pride and joy was that new vacuum cleaner she had just purchased.
"Oh, Akane you're right. And I'm worried. Things look bad out there!" she sighed, still sitting on the cold floor, and waiting for her legs to stop quivering. Akane was already standing again, face contorted into a frown.
"Yeah, I know. If only Luna and Artemis hadn't left us!-"
"You called?" Luna asked, completely on cue, leaping gracefully from the nearest window and onto the floor, quickly bouncing over to the two girls.
"Luna, you're back!" Kasumi commented joyfully, eyes lighting up.
"We're in trouble! That THING is strong!" Akane added, sounding slightly panicked.
"I know, I assumed as much." Luna admitted, eyes flashing. "Now, if you'll both just listen, I'll tell you how to release your powers and get rid of that monster!" Both scouts leaned forward eagerly, attentively taking in everything the small feline told them. They needed all the help they could get!
*
"The vase, use the vase!"
"I don't WANT to use the vase! Look how OLD and EXPENSIVE it looks-! It was made in 1250! Look!"
"God dammit woman! It's that or your EYE! Make the right decision!"
"Aiyah! Mercenary girl! Duck!"
"Eek! That could have been my head!"
"This way! A left, a left! If we go down this hall maybe we can loose it in the marble statue garden!"
"It's not THAT dumb!"
"What it doing with glass case? Oh no. aiiyaahh! Hit deck! Hit deck!"
"That's IT! I'm using the vase!"
"Finally!"
Elsewhere, Shampoo, Ukyo and Nabiki were having a long bout of terrible luck with the Disformunous, as it raged along, out of its mind with fury that these puny humans would dare challenge it. Half of the museum was already in ruins, and they were doing nothing to help with that situation. Luckily, just as they turned another corner, skidding along the smooth floor, they met up with Kasumi, Luna and Akane.
"Where have you guys been?! That thing is totally insane!" Ukyo gasped, clutching her chest, her face red with excitement and lack of breath.
"Luna just taught us how to-!"
"Oh no! Here comes! Look out!" Shampoo cried, jumping behind Akane, eyes wide as the demon stormed over to them, drool sliding down its face like a sticky waterfall.
"Ouch!" shouted Nabiki, leaping to the side with Kasumi, to avoid being slammed across the room by one powerful punch. The demons blind swing slammed into a wall, and everyone was sprayed with bits of rock. Snarling and turning on his now fallen victims, the yoma lurched forward, arms raised menacingly. The two Tendo sisters cried out their fear, the other scouts helpless to do much.
Just as Shampoo was ready to go tackle the monster before it could kill anyone, Akane stepped forward, her tiara in hand.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it," she stated, wishing she sounded more confident.
"Wha-?" Shampoo asked, quizzically watching as Akane stepped forward, and aimed her tiara at the yoma as one would a Frisbee. The girl had her eyes closed in concentration, and Luna was watching Akane, and her aura, carefully. 'She's doing it perfectly! Just like I told her! She must be drawing her energy off of fear and concern for her sisters!'
"Moon, tiaarraaaa. action!" Akane screamed, letting her ruby studded tiara fly, watching, fascinated, as it created a luminous glow, and took the form of a ki blast, instead of a flying piece of gold.
It impacted with the demon almost perfectly. a little off center, perhaps, but hey, at this point, not many people were being picky. It screamed in horror, mouth open as wide as it would go, before exploding, seemingly, from the inside out, the blast tinted pink and filled with sparkles. Kasumi and Nabiki, still on the floor, looking up, terrified, at the scene before them, watched the sparkles fall to the ground with a critical eye. Ummm.
Too stunned to speak, Akane didn't notice the tiara come flying back at her, until it hit her square in the head, and she toppled over, landing flat on her butt.
"Did I just do that!?" she asked, disbelieving, clasping the tiara in her hand as though it were a preciouse item. And it was! Who would have guessed she could do THAT!? Ranma said she had been having trouble with that new set of KATAS she had been learning! Well HA, she had most definitely just showed HIM! Staring at the blue haired school girl thoughtfully, Ukyo and Shampoo took off their own tiaras, inspecting them with a new degree of awe.
"Yes! I told you, you could be powerfull!" Luna said, proudly. "All of you girls have the potential to do what Sailor Moon just did! You simply must unlock your inner powers!"
"I don't think there's anyway I could ever do that," Nabiki said emotionlessly, dusting off her short skirt, and then coming to stand by the other scouts, trying very hard not to look disgruntled. Kasumi followed at a more humble level, still a little taken a back.
"But you CAN! That's the beauty of being a Sailor Scout! All of your powers are derived from your inner strengths. The more beautiful a heart you have, the strong you become," Luna informed them all, a large smile on her face. Everyone raised an eyebrow. Sounded pretttyyy cheesy, if you asked them.
"Hey! I see some people in the ancient statues section! This way!" a male voice sounded from down the hall, accompanied by a flash light and the sound of cuffs clinking at their waist.
"It's the cops! What should we do?" Ukyo asked, worried, as she surveyed the damage around them. How would they explain all of this now that the demon was dust? Paying for all of the ruined artifacts would be IMPOSSIBLE.
"Well, while I highly doubt that the police are going to arrest the Sailor Scouts," Luna said, sighing. "I do think we should try hard to not let ourselves be seen. Kasumi, do your stuff."
"Oh! But..."
"Remember what I told you!"
"Umm." The girl didn't look encouraged, in fact, as the police got closer and closer, she started to look down right scared. " I don't think I can do this." she admitted, wringing her hands.
"Kasumi! Don't have so little faith in yourself!"
"Hey! There they are!" One cop called out. Eyes wide, Kasumi quickly thrust her hands out in front of her as one police officer made his way towards the girls, a purpose in his step.
"MERCURY BUBBLES!" A large, icy looking bubble formed in Kasumi's hands, and the air around her took on a cold chill. "BLLASSTT!" she screamed, letting a whole barrage of bubbles zip out of her hands, and fill the air with a frost-laden fog. When she was done with her attack, no one could within a few inches in front of them, and all were shaking from the cold.
"I-I can hardly move!" Akane gasped, clutching her arms. What had onne-chan just done?!
"All right Luna, I see your point about the powers," Nabiki admitted, teeth chattering. "But now we're sorta, uh, stuck here! How are we going to find our way out?"
"Take my hands, you guys," Kasumi said, calmly, grabbing Nabiki and Ukyo's hands. " I can see fine with my goggles, I'll get us out," she said, now sporting a pair of blue tinted goggles, that seemed to be typing messages to the ice scout across the lenses. Looked complicated. Kasumi seemed to be enjoying it.
Tediously, the girls inched their way around the rubble, following Kasumi's gentle instructions, finally making their way to the back exit. Once outside, everyone smiled and reveled in the glorious warmth of the sun, infinitely relieved THAT was over, and they had WON! No one was exactly sure HOW they had done it, but they had definitely beaten that demon's ASS!
"Where did you get those goggles, anyway?" Ukyo asked Kasumi, as the girl pressed her blue stud earring, letting the goggles zip back into them. Woooww.
"I don't really know! They were just sort of. there!" Kasumi admitted, giggling cutely.
"Righ..."
"Hey, where Artemis?" Shampoo asked, looking around for the white cat in question.
"Well, he said he had something to do quickly, but it would seem as though he ditched us!" Luna admitted, sounding a bit stunned
"Well, if you see him, tell him thanks for ALL the help," Nabiki commented sarcastically. Luna frowned, but nodded, a little curious as to her PARTNERS where-abouts, her self. Ukyo stretched, worn out.
"I think we should all be heading back. I have a store to take care of, and I think Shampoo does too." The young woman pointed out. "Not to mention we have school tomorrow."
"Aiyah! Grandma KILL Shampoo for leaving while on duty!" the girl squealed, clapping her hands to her face. Gasping she took off at a run to the Neko Hatten. "Must go, see all later! Thanks for help, Luna!" she called, waving exuberantly. "Be seeing you soon!" she seemed to have accepted her role as a Scout, at least.
"Got a lot of energy, does she?" Luna asked mildly.
"You don't know the half of it," Akane groaned, feeling wasted herself, and thinking of the mountains of homework she had, awaiting her back at the house. If only she had Shampoo's boundless amount of 'oomph.'
"Well, I better go see if anyone still wants dinner," Kasumi admitted, not commenting on anything as she simply detransformed without much light works, back into her street clothes in the blink of an eye. Nothing would ever faze her again, after THAT. Everyone else quickly followed suit, silently hoping that Shampoo had done the same before too many questions were asked. They didn't want their secret out just yet... People would laugh!
"Yeah, I'll see you all tomorrow! Gotta go!" Ukyo said, trotting off towards the Uchan, thinking of the poor cross dressing ninja she had left to hold down the fort all evening.
"I'll be keeping in touch with all of you!" Luna reminded the departing girls, watching the three Tendo sisters slowly travel home. "You have a lot of work ahead of you!"
"Joy!"
*
Artemis hadn't told Luna about his plans for Ranma, mainly because he didn't think she would approve of bringing anyone but her carefully selected girls into this whole thing. She had been very up tight about going ahead with the plan in the FIRST place, but bringing a MALE into the equation was just something she was not going to put up with, and Art knew it. However, Artemis had seen how the heir to the Anything-Goes thrown fought, and new he could be a valuable asset, especially just now when he was sure the girls were getting a terrific pounding, if approached correctly. Bit of a hard feat to pull off when you were a talking cat.
Artemis spotted the sixteen year old scuffing his feet on the pavement as he traveled, hands stuck into the pockets of his black, draw string pants, and looking distinctly worried about something. Under his breath, Artemis had been sure he heard the comment: 'Stupid, helpless tomboy. always getting in trouble.'
Carefully trotting forward, Artemis planted himself in the boys path, wanting to get this over with. First confrontations were always the worst part. It was easier to get it done fast. Artemis watched the boys expression carefully as he saw the white cat in his path, and stopped short.
The first emotion to flicker through the handsome boys storm blue eyes, was confusion. What was in his path? Then anger. WHY was it in his way!? Then. something totally unexpected seeing as how Artimas hadn't SAID anything yet. fear. Total, all consuming, bone chilling fear! Ranma froze up, stood ramrod straight, his mouth forming a perfect 'o'. Wait! This wasn't supposed to happen until Artemis actually spoke!
"Um-hello there, I'm," Artemis tried, a little baffled.
"A CAT!!!" Ranma yelled at the top of his lungs, pointing accusingly at Artemis.
"Er-yes, I." Not waiting to have his worst fears confirmed twice, Ranma took off at a run in the opposite direction, hyperventilating and shaking from head to foot. Squeezing his eyes tight he tried to suppress the demon within him that was the neko-ken, as he rushed towards the only place he could think of to go to when things got bad- the Tendo dojo, his legs pumping as fast as he could make them, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.
"AAHHHHH!" Were his parting words. Artemis stared after the terrified high school boy with a baffled expression. What had just happened there?
"Maybe it was the wrong kid?" he wondered to himself, as he turned around had headed back towards the museum, hoping he hadn't missed all the action on THAT wasted effort.
*
Standing casually on the roof of the Museum, Ristuko twirled a lock of blond hair around one slender finger, with nails that were painted, appropriately, blood red. She cocked her head at the girls as they all went their separate ways, listening to the cops gather their wits after Kasumi's attack, beneath her.
"Interesting choice, kitties. Very interesting. I had not seen this being an option but. I suppose whatever floats your boat." A wicked smile flashed over her features. The Disformunous had been a SMALL sacrifice to obtain THIS information. And that's all he had ever been. A sacrifice for knowledge. "Not that they're going to save you and your silly peace. You blew it the day you let the Scouts leave. it's all over now. I wont let you live." Giggling softly, she disappeared in a haze of sickly looking red smoke, overly pleased with the latest turn of events. If those naïve girls kept this up, soon she could suck all of Japan dry!! It would be just like the old days.
(To be continued) *
Notes:
I can't believe I just finished this chapter! Whoo hoo! Go me! I'm so good! Of course, this means that my Cowboy Beebop fic is going to be on hold for a bit. but whatever! Hope you liked this chapter; look out for the next one, 'Little Surprises Everywhere!' and PLEASE REVIEW!! Thanks,
~Rio (papaya41@aol.com)