Chapter 2: Fly me to the moon.

Ranma ½ belongs To Rumiko Takahashi, Viz video and others. Any other works belong to their respective people as well. I don't own any of this so just sit back and enjoy the tale, oh and don't sue me please that would be bad.

Ranma and Ryouga were sitting on the surface of the moon having a conversation. They were trying to figure out what the hell had just happened to them again. Ryouga said with some consternation, "I didn't do it Ranma I used to get lost on earth and I admit that I somehow got to places like France and Russia without actually crossing much ocean, but off planet? That's a bit much for me." Then he added with even more chagrin, "Besides I don't think a Serenity Imperial City should exist do you?"

Ranma looked at him and said, "Yeah I know it's that damn witch isn't it she did this to us as a 'Gift'. I'm thinking that it was less of a gift and more of something she wanted to do."

"What do you mean Ranma? Do you think she planned this?" Said Ryouga with concern.

Ranma responded with a slight hint of paranoia, "Y'know I wouldn't put it past her, it always seems like people are planning my life for me, trying to make me do what they want and know some Kami forsaken witch has latched on and we're both being taken to what was it again?"

Ryouga replied, "She said 'You shall always know where you are and you will always be brought to where you need to be.' We got the first part of it earlier we knew exactly where we were including the secret cave. Does the second part really mean that somehow the Direction sense she provided us with sends us places we need to be?

Ranma looked disgusted and said, "Not direction sense man it was just Direction she gave us a gift of Direction and now that I think about it more as I stare at that Damn Palace over there this direction is like a quest. It is her placing us where we 'need to be'" Ranma continued to be annoyed and then said, "How the hell can she be that powerful I mean this is the moon fer cryin out loud! And That" he pointed at a Large city, "is as you said Serenity Imperial City. I'm thinking it just isn't on any Lunar map and neither are any of the rest of the structures around here."

"You think we aren't even in our universe don't you" Ryouga said with concern. Then stared at the Earth below him and said, "Is that ours or is it just one that looks like it."

Ranma looked as well and then jumped up with an even louder exclamation, "No! Look at the continents man! They look wrong they aren't shaped quite right I know you didn't quite understand maps, but even you should be able to notice that it just looks different."

Ryouga looked again and came to the same realization. Then he looked at Ranma's face and said, "Ranma I'm so sorry if I hadn't asked for your help, if I hadn't been so depressed in my life this wouldn't have happened. This time it's my fault and I really am sorry for this."

Ranma heard Ryoga's sympathetic words and said, "No, it ain't your fault, just like everything previously wasn't all my fault this isn't your fault. I could have said no, I could have let you go off alone, but you know what? That ain't me I don't let my friends down even if it means getting stuck on the moon I help my friends and I'll continue to help my new brother." He then held out his hand and the two boys shook hands again with a pat on the back as well. They then set off towards Serenity Imperial City.

As the two young Hibikis arrived in the city it was a hustling metropolis beyond even the scale of Tokyo or Hong Kong. The buildings were higher than they had ever seen and the traffic was flying everywhere and yet the streets were clean and it looked like everything was shaded in silvers and whites with hardly any other colors interspersed. In fact they were starting to feel conspicuous in their much more colorful outfits. They wandered the city for awhile in awe and then took to a harder task of fining a place to stay.

After finding out that any accommodations would require a form of currency called Lunars they were out of luck on that score, but being prepared with tents and other supplies they found a convenient park. Sadly the Moon Imperium was not kind to 'vagrants' in the park and they were woken up by some security 'bots. The fight was short and quick, but afterwards they decided to find another place to camp that wouldn't require the disabling of robots or the possibility of detention for disabling someone's robot.

The two searched on for awhile until they came upon the only structure in the city which seemed to be in disrepair. Surrounded by glowing lights and other pretty things sat a what looked like a decaying temple of some type it was darkened and broken down, but it looked serviceable. They approached the outer door with a sign above it stating, "Solus Secundus" and knocked. An elderly gentleman came to the door and said, "I'm sorry sirs, but we are not allowed to accept recruits. Our senshi as you may know is gone please go to another headquarters thank you for your interest." Then the tall grey haired man with blue eyes and a red robe started to shut the door, but Ranma piped up and said, "Wait!" then he grabbed the door and said, "Look we ain't here to be recruited, we just need a place to stay and thought that this temple or headquarters place might be allright."

The man looked at the teens again and said with some confusion, "You have no place to stay?"

Both Hibikis answered, "None at all sir."

The confusions still evident the man said, "Very well come in come in quickly." And hurried

them through the door. He then brought the boys through a grand entrance hall and into a small meeting room with broken computer panels and displays. "Here let me get you something, our robots are not working anymore. Please sit, be comfortable. I will be back."

As the two teens sat in some chairs Ranma said, "Now what do you suppose that was about?"

Ryouga said, "I'm not sure. He seemed confused by the fact that we didn't have a place to stay. Do you think there aren't any people like that in this entire city?"

Ranma replied, "Nah that can't be possible right. I mean this place is easily twice the size of Tokyo and we have both seen other people camping at the parks, in train terminals, and bus terminals there. Then again who knows we are in some moon city in some moon kingdom right?"

As the two conversed some more about the strange city they were in the silver haired gentleman came back into the room with some food and drinks. He placed them in front of the boys and said, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Coronis, I was the seneschal for Princess Sol. May I ask who you two young men are?"

Ryouga answered, "I'm Ryouga Hibiki and this is Ranma, we are now practitioners of the Hibiki Anything Goes Martial Arts."

Coronis said, "Anything goes Martial arts? I'm not sure I understand."

Ranma said, "It's an adaptive style based on Kenpo and Wushu, but with a mixture of everything else thrown it. It is meant to make the users completely adaptable my brother" he looked at Ryouga with a smile and finished, "and I have been learning moves from all over the world and incorporating them into our styles."

Coronis was still confused, "Kenpo? Wushu? If you are fighters as I think you are trying to say where are your swords?"

Both blurted, "I don't" then stopped for a moment and said "We don't"

Ryouga said, "You go ahead."

Ranma then said, "Our fighting styles rely more on unarmed techniques we don't use swords much, although we have the training and have some items that are weapons we prefer not to use them if possible."

Coronis said, "How strange you prefer not to use weapons. Well that is interesting and you have come here because you did not have a place to stay. You boys are just full of surprises aren't you? Please can you tell me any more."

The two told Coronis a modified story of their arrival in the city. Stating that they were from far away and were just interested in seeing the sights.

Coronis realized they were leaving something out, but decided to trust them and warn them. He said, "I think you may be in danger here in the Imperial city."

"Why?"

Coronis answered, "You have not been 'cleansed' and are a threat to the security of the empire. You have been walking around all day from what I have hear you say in these outfits and you have disabled some security bots. Those things mark you as outsiders."

Ranma said, "So uhm that's bad right, but why would they care about just the two of us?"

The older man said, "It is likely that they will not care much as long as you keep a low profile, but it is still dangerous here for you. Her imperial majesty Serenity does not tolerate dissent from her rule; she will not accept people being anything other than her automatons. If you are found you will be brought before her and she will use the Ginzoushou to make you more obedient and serve out her wishes."

Ryouga looked at Coronis and said, "I don't get it if you are telling us this that means you're in the same danger right? I'm thinking she wouldn't want you telling people about her 'cleansing' or helping them avoid her. How come you're okay?"

Coronis said, "You are perceptive Ryouga, but as I said I was the seneschal for Princess Sol. To get to me she would have to destroy what is left of this temple. And destroy the heritage of Princess Sol she will not risk that quite yet as then the three outer worlds and Earth would not join the empire. She will not risk it until the princesses of Neptune, Uranus and Pluto are no longer a threat. In addition the current king of earth would not allow his son to marry her daughter and seal the deal that will make her daughter and thus her by proxy the ruler of earth. All of these things have not yet come to pass and so she allows me to live here in the vestiges of Sol headquarters two. After all what can one old seneschal do without his mistress and without power especially when he is in the middle in the Imperial city surrounded by her forces."

Ranma said, "So uhm what happened to this lady you served? Uhm Princess Sal?"

Coronis said, "It is Sol! She was the princess of the sun and she was the most powerful of all the senshi. She was given power from the sun itself, she was the first to speak out when the Queen began to create her empire. The first to speak out against the cleansings on the moon and the first to try and stop the Queen from gaining power over Mercury and Venus, but it was not to be. She was trying to convince princess Saturn not to allow her planet to become part of this empire or allow her populace to be cleansed, but she was ambushed. The last communication I heard from her said that she was attacked by princess Mercury, Venus, and Mars before she arrived on Saturn. The newscasts later reported that she and Princess Saturn destroyed planet Vulcan in a mutual annihilation duel, I suppose it is lucky that the planet was uninhabited, but I do not believe there was such a duel. I believe as she said in her final communiqué that she was attacked by the princesses and that afterwards the princess of Saturn was attacked and killed as well to allow for the cleansing of her planet."

Coronis continued to tell the Ranma and Ryouga about the forming of the Imperial moon kingdom. He explained more about how the princess of each planet was given power through magical bonds to her planet and that they were the defenders of that planet alone. It was the queen who in her zeal to create an empire had turned each of the inner princess' into her servants, protectors of the throne, and enforcers of her will. He explained that princess Sol had originally been created by an agreement of all the governments on the planets. The Princess of the Sun had been created so that one planet would not conquer the others and so that peaceful measures would reign in the solar system. Her position had been created to prevent this exact situation, but she had failed at her duty due to betrayal and treachery and the three planets left would suffer.

Ranma and Ryouga were appalled at the actions that had occurred here and saddened by the betrayal of the solar princess. They were also wondering what they could possibly do to help and if this situation was what they were needed for. They went to sleep in a small room provided by Coronis and their dreams were troubled by these questions and more.

Coronis woke them early the next morning and allowed the two young men the use of a combat training area. The two sparred for a couple hours and practiced some techniques for an hour more. The two were shown a shower area and cleaned themselves off and then sat back down in the meeting area with Coronis to eat. An old serving 'bot had been repaired by Coronis while the two had been sparring and it was providing them all a nourishing meal when a new development occurred. The serving 'bot spilled cold water on Ranma and the two Hibikis transformed into their cursed forms. Sitting at Coronis' table was a tall red headed elven girl and a large Razor back black boar. Instead of confusion Coronis' face gleamed with pleasure and reverence he dropped to his knees and said, "Mistress I serve."

Ranma took a moment to realize that Coronis was speaking to him and then said, "Ah man get up it's just me Ranma the guy you let sleep here. I ain't your mistress."

Coronis stood and replied, "But your form is exactly that of Princess Sol even though the clothes are different the form is the same. No other sentient in this solar system has pointed ears and very few have that height and hair coloring. How could you so match the features and yet not be? Perhaps your memory was lost in battle?"

Ranma said, "Look I think we need to talk." Then he proceeded to tell Coronis the entire story of what had happened to the two Hibiki boys and perhaps the reason why they were with Coronis.

Coronis then said, "It seems like you may not be the princess, but why not try one small test to make sure. When Sol disappeared her henshin rod appeared here in this place. Please come with me and hold the rod. That will determine everything. The two followed Coronis farther into the building and arrived in what seemed to be an altar room. An altar that had to be for the Senshi of the Sun. She was a tall red haired girl with pointed elven ears. She had a good muscular frame, but was well endowed nonetheless. The girl in the picture was wearing elbow length white gloves and a bright yellow leotard with a red skirt. She also wore a spectacular yellow diamond tiara on her head and had on a pair of red high heels. Held in her hands in a ready position was a red and yellow double sword with living flame all along it. The pose she was in spoke of power indeed.

In the center of this altar room was a single red pillow under a sky light with a beam of sunshine streaming in. In the center of the pillow was a small red and yellow stick with the words 'Solus Custodes Omnis'1. Coronis pointed Ranma to the stick and said, "See if you can pick it up."

Ranma replied, "I'm not sure what do you think Ryouga."

The large razorback replied, "I don't know, but really can you be this princess? I mean you're a guy right? But then again maybe this is what we are needed for. I'm just not sure either Ranma it's your call."

Ranma sighed and said, "Allright why not" and he walked over to the henshin rod and picked it up. Coronis looked at him wide eyed and said, "You picked it up that at least means you have royal blood in you. Like myself you would be qualified to be a seneschal on that action alone, but there is more you must try the activation phrase."

Ranma winced and said, "Activation phrase? I gotta say something corny now?"

Coronis answered, "It is a safety measure all who wish to possess the power of the Sun must use a verbal command one that will only work if the user is of the royal line. Or in this case if the sun itself has chosen you. Do not be afraid if you are not worthy you will feel nothing at all."

Ranma sighed again and said, "Alright what do I need to say?"

Coronis answered, "Solar Strength Makeup."

Ranma winced once again and said, "Geez!" then held the stick and said, "Solar Strength Makeup!" In an instant he was garbed in the same outfit as the princess on the wall and the stick had transformed into a quarter staff. Ranma looked down at himself and then looked across at a chuckling razorback and said, "Laugh it up P-Chan. You're just lucky that this thing didn't transform you into.." Ranma suddenly stopped in mid sentence as his mind was assaulted by all the memories of a life he had never led. He remembered clearly being the one girl chosen for the honor, the one who had an impeccable service record and who had already proven that she could be fair to all planets in her duties. Ranma remembered the original transformation and countless years of her sworn duty to keep the peace between all the planetary factions. Ranma remembered being the one princess without a planet or a populace to call her own she recalled having to be aloof from every single other princess and being by herself. She also remembered her loss, her inability to stop the might of Queen Serenity and the cleansing power of the Ginzoushou. She recalled trying to put a stop to it and failing time and again as entire planets of slaves willingly joined a growing empire. She recalled the day when her ship was attacked by the other princesses and a desperate battle on planet Vulcan a battle that was joined by the Queen and her artifact. She remembered the power of the cleansing and her resistance to it a resistance that utterly destroyed her. As she felt the power of that destruction the princess let out a last primal scream and then all was silent and black.

Ranma woke up in small infirmary with Ryouga sitting in a chair near him. Ranma surveyed his surroundings and said, "Ryouga what happened."

Ryouga saw that Ranma had woken up and stood next to him and said, "You stopped talking for a moment Ranma and then, well then you screamed as if you were in immense pain and passed out. You were still in that funny outfit and that Coronis guy said that maybe we should turn you back, but without you awake to trigger what he called a de-transformation I tried the Jusenkyo solution and got some hot water. That did the trick and you turned back into your male from then I picked up that stick thing and handed it to Coronis, but he just said that Sol needed a new seneschal and told me to watch over you. Then he went to the computer room saying something about seeing if protocol Solus Secundus was now running. I haven't seen him since then, but I wanted to make sure you were okay man."

Ranma saw concern in Ryouga's eyes and said, "I think I'm okay, but I'm not sure. I've just some princess' memories jammed into my head. Let me tell you it wasn't a pleasant experience. I was a girl, I was a princess and I was killed! What the hell is up with that! Not only do I get stuck with this girls memories, but I also get to feel the pain of this girl's death. I'm beginning to think that that Damn Baba Yaga lady had it out for me or something."

Ranma realized how angry he was and tried to calm down a bit. As he calmed down he said to Ryouga, "Okay now what do we do? Am I supposed to go out there and tell the stupid Imperial queen that I'm here to kick her ass in the name of the sun or some other lame and corny magical girl thing like that?"

Ryouga got the Image of Ranma making a corny speech in his mind and started laughing again. He calmed down and said, "Heh I don't think you need to be making speeches yet man. Let's talk to Coronis some more and see if we can't get out of this strange mess."

Meanwhile Coronis was speaking on a private triple encoded secure channel.

The voice spoke back, "Coronis you have always been loyal to the ideals of 'Solis Custodes Omnis' I trust that this line has been secured?"

Coronis said, "Yes with herself in residence the computers have begun self repair and I have used a triple encoded cipher that only a member of the Solis guard would know."

The voice said, "Very well that should be good enough, now tell me what you want from me?"

Coronis said, "Beryl you are one of the only people that I can reach and might be able to trust with this information. The princess has returned."

Beryl said, "That can't be she supposedly died in a duel with Saturn. No wait that was on the Imperial news and we both know that it can't be trusted. Are you sure it is her Coronis?"

"Yes, Beryl I tell you she lives Sol is again alive and well and she has a new guardian animal with her."

"In one week the so called inner senshi will be away on a mission to Neptune and Pluto. We both know that they will be there with the queen's new cleansing devices, the ones that are linked to the crystal. With those devices they will clear away resistance in the outer planets. During their return trip to the moon Serena and my nephew Endymion will be getting married and the Imperium of Serenity will be complete.

We can not allow this to happen. In days long past I had been creating a secret armada. I started doing it when Serenity originally began this madness. The armada was known to only to the Solaris defense forces and they were given the self destruction codes for that armada and the Solaris defense forces that joined my cause have been specially trained to lead the Youma type fighting robots in battle."

Beryl's sighed after her long report and said sadly, " You know Sol always argued with me that reasoning and diplomacy world work. I wish it had been so I wish she had not been proven wrong in this way, but it was not to be. If this girl truly is the princess returned or the heir to her power we will have a fighting chance. No longer will it just be a small armada of starships and their crew against the devastating might on the Lunar Imperium. No longer will this be the last gasp of freedom before a final cleansing. This could be the strike for freedom of all people in the solar system."

Beryl finished her final statement with zeal and pride and then begani planning with Coronis. If Ranma and his friend would agree to it the new princess Sol could stay and train on the moon while the other senshi were away and allow Beryl's armada to get into position. Then when the time was best Ranma could destroy the lunar shield generators and allow the armada and Youma fighters in. The armies of freedom would then assist the Ranma in an all out attack against the Imperial Palace itself. They knew the Queen would come out to fight and when that event occurred all forced would concentrate their fire upon the artifact known as the Ginzoushou. With the destruction of that great artifact no more cleansings would be possible and it was hoped that all of the previously cleansed planets would revert to their natural state ending for all time the dreaded rule of Empress Serenity the first.

1. Latin for "The Sun Watches All"