-AN-
Do you think if Tenchi was made in its original form today, would it have been as well received or popular? I'd like to think so, but then again it also has the clueless MC who refused to choose a love interest. We don't have time for that here in 2024 anymore.
-Story Start-
If there was one thing Usagi gave thanks for in her new life as Moon Queen, it was that when she wanted to make something happen bad enough, everyone below her would move Heaven and Earth to make it happen. It had started easily enough, a few words here, some references to different personnel schedules, and finally a heavy foot to the floor on no more work for herself. She wanted one week. One week of being able to relax while spending some time with her family and not thinking about the cluster of nightmares that was the political situation down on Earth. So, as she hummed and slid into the large bath within her palace, she smiled as strong arms snaked around her middle and cupped her pregnant tummy with all of the reverence and grace that she felt her child deserved. Was it most likely heavy handed of her? Sure. But who cared. She was the Magical Queen here. Fight her.
"This is heavenly." Usagi's voice was full of relief as Ranma chuckled from behind her and the others began to find their own places around the large pool of water around them. She was already eyeing Ami, Minako and Makoto all coming together, hushed whispers that she was sure meant plotting and scheming. "I noticed you were a little slow to return with Ami, do I even have to guess?"
"It's your fault, you gave them a free pass." Ranma's deep voice rumbled through his chest and into her back, soothing some part of her as Usagi mingled her magic with his. Tension and stress she hadn't even realized she had began to bleed away into his calming aura, and she smiled.
Reaching up to pat his cheek, she twisted in his grasp to kiss him softly, "We're family, sharing is caring." Plus the plethora of babies they were going to have were bound to be super cute.
Rolling his eyes as Usagi wiggled in his lap to get a bit more comfortable, Ranma eyed the room around them. Never mind the troublemaker trio, Setsuna and surprisingly Kasumi were huddled together, leaning on one another as Nabiki and Akane both explained in great detail what they had been up to on Venus lately. Nabiki was pushing herself to join Usagi's cabinet quickly, wanting to be of help much like everyone else. Akane was training and learning with the Amazons, becoming something of a go between for the Phoenix, Amazons, and the Venus inhabitants all in one go. She had confided in Ranma once that while she had admitted becoming a martial artist like him wasn't necessarily in her future, but she wanted to try out a little of everything. See where she fit. He was rooting for her, though he hoped she wouldn't burn herself out.
Pulling him from his thoughts, Shampoo bumped into him and snuggled into his left side while kissing Usagi on the cheek lightly, "Wo ai ni."
Usagi sighed, "Love you too Shampoo. Sorry, I know you don't like the Palace."
Shampoo shrugged, smirking as the motion drew Ranma's eyes for the moment, "For family, I come. We need more time together." Here she wiggled her eyebrows at both of them, "Who next on pregnancy list."
Usagi rolled her head this way and that. "You know, everyone has been rather careful actually, plus, I've been told not to go checking everyone's magic without permission." Spoil sports, she had baby showers to plan!
"As it should be! I want it to be a surprise!" Makoto was already raising a fist her way, shaking it comically as Ami and Minako giggled on either side of her, "I will have my big family damnit!"
Reminding himself that he could have said no at any time, Ranma just sighed and leaned into the stonework behind him. "I'm gonna become a monk at this rate." Not likely but it stirred them up to say so aloud.
Shampoo slapped his shoulder, "No can do. Husband have duties." She turned as her hearing picked up naked feet slapping on the tile-work and all eyes turned to see Haruka and Michiru leading a grinning Hotaru along, before said girl cannon-balled into the water. "Ah, it girl in denial."
Grunting as Michiru went after Hotaru, Haruko floated towards Makoto, "I'm not in denial of anything." Flushing as several smirks were tossed her way, she only just restrained herself from giving them the finger. "I know what I like. There just happens to be an exception."
Michiru smirked and turned back to her love, "My and what a wonderful exception it is hmmm?"
Groaning as the others all shared a laugh, Ranma kept his mouth shut as the girls around him began to gossip and catch up. Usagi was right, this is just what they needed. Time with each other. No Earth drama. No phantom enemies to concern themselves with. No possible inter-galactic war. Just them. Family. Usagi's thoughts brush against his own and he pushes her forward just slightly, beginning a lower back message that had her nearly purring in his lap.
Of course, with relaxation came griping. Rei the first to finally crack, "Can I advocate for making every meeting with Earth a video call from now on? Or maybe putting all questions through Japan or something. We saved their bacon how many times? Don't they owe us one or two?"
Setsuna giggled and shook her head, "I don't think that's how it works Rei. We did what we did out of the goodness of our hearts, not to ask for political favors."
"Well it should. Usagi's a literal Goddess. Hell, she technically could make a case that she comes up in several cultures mythology through the ages. So the least they could do is stop bothering her with stupid questions like 'is she gonna take over the world' or 'maybe a political marriage to so and so would be a better option'." Rei was fuming because just like she had predicted her father was hamming it up. Playing up his attachment to her for points within the Diet, like he deserved the attention. Maybe Ranma needed to pay him another visit, scare the shit out of him again. The thought put a cruel smile on her face.
Hotaru nervously wrung her hands together as the others murmured with agreements. She had only been providing security along with Setsuna during Usagi's trips to Earth but even she was starting to get fed up with some of the planet side people's antics. "I wouldn't mind having a go against some of the security forces for the other leaders. It gets annoying being treated like a kid all the time."
Haruka ruffled the younger girl's hair with a grin, "Maybe we should take that up. It'd be fun seeing a bunch of special forces dudes getting tossed around by a middle schooler." Haruka could envision it now. Some urban training environment, men running and screaming while Hotaru easily carved up buildings and tanks. Fire and destruction rained down with abandon. Maybe she could teach Hotaru how to bench press an attack helicopter.
Shaking her head and smacking Haruka, Michiru turned to Usagi herself, "Though really, Usagi, how are you holding up in all of this?"
"I need a vacation." Sighing and rubbing her belly with Ranma, Usagi looked up to the glass ceiling to eye the blue and green ball of life above them. "Don't get me wrong. I'm doing my best and I feel like I'm starting to get used to it, but it all feels so fake. These politicians. They say one thing while meaning another. Easily lying about intentions while planning to take advantage of whatever they can. Truly the saying rings loud and clear. Those who should be in politics don't want it, and those that do shouldn't." She'd be lying if she said she didn't think about tossing some of the heavier handed leaders out a window if given the opportunity. America for sure. China probably a close second. Japan she could deal with, if only because she gave them a bit more leeway because that was the nation that housed them for so long.
Hugging his wife around the middle, Ranma spoke up so everyone could hear him, "We're supposed to be relaxing you know. Let Earth stew for a few days. They'll be there when we get back."
Rei smirked as she had her own idea of how to get Usagi to relax properly, "I say we nuke em and be done with it."
It was the normally quiet Ami who spoke up next, "It's all fun and games until you have to deal with the cleanup. You really want to deal with the fallout of an all out war on Earth?"
"Aw com'on Ami-chan. Let me have this fantasy." Seeing Ami shake her head, Rei pouted and lowered herself into the water. "Oh poo." Minako patting her on the head normally would have pissed her off, but it was sorta cute so she let it slide.
Feeling something brush against his senses, Ranma focused a bit more on the conversation, "I don't know, Rei's idea might have some weight."
Finger pointing, Rei was back to grinning, "See, the man of the house sees it my way."
"I said weight, not that I agree."
"I'll do that thing you like while Usagi watches." The look Rei tossed Ranma's and Usagi's way had both of them blushing.
"You drive a hard bargain Rei." Ranma accepted the slap from Shampoo easily, quick followed up by a double from Usagi, "But no. Guess there is no nuking Earth."
Setsuna spoke up next, Hotaru having come to settle in her lap and accepting a hug from the older woman, "It would be rather poetic if Usagi averts the great silence, only for her to get moody and raze it all to the ground." There were some giggles as Usagi began to pout.
"You're not supposed to pick on pregnant women."
"My apologies my Queen, but you're just so cute to tease." Running fingers through Hotaru's hair as Kasumi fussed over the younger girl, Setsuna's thoughts traveled to her own little bundle inside her. Was this what it would be like? Would she be just as happy as she is now? Most likely, if everyone else had a say in it. She should start thinking up names.
"Well maybe turn some of that teasing to someone who wouldn't cut off your cookie time." Usagi smirk as Setsuna gave her a mock look of shock, before both women laughed and settled.
"As if you would, you're enjoying it more than everyone else I think." Shampoo spoke up as everyone shared a laugh before sobering and relaxing together again. Rei especially leaning against Minako as said girl began fussing with her hair. That was pleasant, maybe she would braid it today?
Looks becoming thoughtful, Makoto eyed their leader and best friend with some concern. "You know Usagi, you shouldn't shoulder everything on your own. We're still a team and your friends. We can assist you, take on some of the burden." Winking at the blonde and snapping a finger, Makoto was happy to see Usagi so relaxed with them all, "Spread the load, why don't ya?"
"I think there's enough load spreading these days don't you?" Minako smirked as everyone groaned, to which she shrugged and started giving Rei a french braid, "We were all thinking it."
Soaking in the warm waters and enjoying the free time, Usagi had to hand it to them. This was probably the most relaxed she had been in a long while. Life suddenly full of meetings, planning, constant learning and education with a side of not wanting to become a tyrant. This was good. Healthy. Now if only the last member of their little family would show up.
Speaking of them, it was the missing Ukyo who nearly jogged into the bath area, towel already sailing through the air to join all the others on a bench near the entrance. "Kami I'm free! What'd I miss so far?"
Watching her battle sister join them in the bath, Shampoo spoke up first, "Not much. Griping about Earth and the workload. Wondering over what to do next."
Humming and floating around in front of Usagi and Ranma, the adopted Saotome leaned in to first kiss Usagi on the forehead, much to the Queen's giggling, and then leaned up to kiss Ranma soundly on the lips. Pulling away with a smirk, the shorter girl floated away with a smile, "Huh, would have thought we'd be talking about that Tokimi woman. Any news from her since the last time she called us?"
Seeing the others shaking their heads, Usagi brought a hand up to nibble on her thumbnail. "No, and it somewhat worries me. She said that another Goddess, Tsunami, had a champion that would come to challenge us but that was it. No real time or anything else."
Mulling it over first, it is Akane who loses her patience finally, "Maybe if we're lucky they'll wait at least a century or two before coming to cause trouble."
Confident as ever, Haruka holds up an arm and flexes, "I think between all of us, we don't have much to worry about because of some champion."
"Underestimating an opponent is never a good idea. We're all powerful, but even a base rookie can get lucky. Maybe I need to drill my lessons into you a bit more. And not just the fun ones." Ranma speaks up, the instructor in him coming out for a moment. He was happy to see that the Senshi all seemed to actually think on that, before nodding along one by one.
Setsuna's own worries came to the forefront, "My own divinations can't seem to pinpoint this Tenchi character. Michiru, have you had any luck?"
Shaking her head, Michiru wished she had better news, "No. Every time I try, my mirror just gives me the same image. A dancing crab." Seeing several disbelieving faces turned her way, Michiru shrugged, "It's the truth."
"A dancing…crab?" Minako paused in her work with Rei's hair, trying to puzzle that out. Was it a metaphor? A symbol or sign they couldn't understand?
Seeing was believing wasn't it? Michiru summoned her Mirror and performed her usual divination rites. Within moments and getting the same results, she turned the mirror around to show everyone else. On its circular face was a bright red and rather cute dancing crab waving its claws in the air.
"Huh. I think someone's having fun with you." Ranma spoke up, trying to puzzle it out himself. He had a feeling adding his own magic to the mix would probably end up just as it had with Rei and him.
Usagi pinched at his hand lightly, "Think it's whoever we felt earlier?"
"Can't rule it out. Whoever that was, they weren't too keen on being found." Ranma didn't really like that idea. It meant the Goddess might be willing to get involved themselves. Never a good sign.
Minako went back to Rei's hair, finishing it up quickly as the others started to speculate among themselves. "What's this about feeling someone?"
Makoto takes up that question, "Right, you weren't here. Something brushed against Ranma's and Usagi's senses earlier as she was returning from Earth. Can't say if it was hostile or not, but when we started to focus on it, it ran away."
Rei let Minako finish the braid by twisting it up into a bun for safe keeping before sitting up a bit straighter. "I don't like this. It stinks of old gods and fights to the death. You'd think we'd be over that by now." Quietly she looks to Ami, sharing a knowing look with the scholar of the group before they both nodded in unison. Both then turning to Minako and Makoto the same byplay happened there as well.
Something Usagi picked up on and didn't approve of the feelings she was getting, "Hey. No. No sacrificing yourselves for me. We've been there and done that. We fight together, one and all." She would not be trampling over the bodies of her friends and family again. Never again.
It's Ukyo who speaks up, trying to give Usagi a kind and gentle look, "Hey sugar, you know. You're a Queen now. Bonus points, you have a heir to think about. I'm sure everyone would love to not have to think about this, but…well. Sometimes there are things more important than ourselves you know?"
Kasumi nodded as Setsuna sighed and rubbed a hand along her own stomach, "You carry the next generation within you. As much as you wish for it not to happen, I'm sure we all would be willing to fight and protect that just as much as you will."
Ranma hugged his first wife easily, back rub done, "You'll have to put up with it. You can no sooner order them not to protect you than you yourself could stop your own duty to try and protect them. It's family. This is what we signed up for."
Sharing a look with Michiru, it was Haruka who decided to be thoughtful as Usagi seemed close to tears. "We're not saying it's going to happen Bunny-chan. It's just, worst case scenario, you and lover-boy are to take what ya can and who ya can and bolt for it. So long as you live, we know our people will live on." Hard eyes raked over all of the young women present. "That goes for all of you. Anyone pregnant is to prioritize living, not fighting. There's always another day. Always time for a rematch."
Turning in her love's arms, Usagi pouted and looked for some extra support. Seeing those kind storm grey eyes showing both love and understanding, Usagi wanted to pout harder. Ranma wouldn't let her, "They're being logical here 'Sagi. That's all." He didn't like it either and secretly he'd be training harder with his powers. He was sure if worst came to worst, either he could teleport them all away from danger, or make sure the danger was no longer a threat himself.
"Logic is bullshit. I call for a compromise." Usagi shook herself, turning around to settle on her knees as she placed her hands on Ranma's shoulders. "I'm a Goddess aren't I? You're a Kami. We can make it work how we want."
"First, you aren't a full Goddess. Not yet. And I'm only a minor Kami. We're talking about a potential fight with a fully realized Goddess. Big G. I don't want to take chances with that. No one here does 'Sagi." Reaching up and taking Usagi's hands into his own, Ranma smiled and threaded his hands into her's. "Expect the best, plan for the worst dear."
Groaning and relenting, Usagi flopped back into the water and started to float towards Minako. "You all suck and whoever is coming for us can get a Phoenix Fire enema." Getting a few laughs as the mood lightened, Usagi promised herself to start diving into her powers more often. Just like Ranma, she would not give in to whatever idiocy was headed their way.
Mirroring her thoughts, Ranma knew his training was going to be intense. "We're going to train and watch out for each other. But I promise, I won't let harm come to anyone so long as I breath."
"Hold it buster." It was Shampoo who held up a finger, pointed right between his eyes, "You promise too. No doing something stupid, like dying."
Rolling his eyes, Ranma does admit that most of the women around him are looking at him with concern. He had to remind himself that they considered him just as important as Usagi now. Right. "Don't you worry, I like my life. I'm not throwing it away so easily."
"No duh, who's going to give up a literal harem of beautiful women?" Minako easily accepted Usagi pusher her head into her lap, coming up out of the water to begin the long task of working over the Queen's hair with ease.
Makoto smirked as she started to float towards said man, "Well the rest of us certainly meet the beautiful standard."
A twitch formed at Minako's temple, "You trying to pick a fight Ma-chan?"
Coming in for the kill and cuddling into Ranma's lap, Makoto shook her head, "Wouldn't dream of it."
Light bulb going off in his head, Ranma did his best to ignore the soft form now in his lap, "That reminds me. We need to start training full time again. At least on the weekends. I gotta make sure you all aren't getting soft." The rise in complaints was actually music to his ears. Maybe he'd throw his old man a bone and bring him in for some help. "Like you haven't enjoyed the benefits of stronger ties to your powers."
Ami could understand that, though the physical exercise was still not her thing. "Along with that, we should plan for when we're going to send a team to Jurai. Opening negotiations early would put us ahead of potential problems." Seeing Nabiki and Setsuna headed her way, Ami had a feeling she just made more work for herself. Oh well. It gave Ranma more chances to drag her out of her lab or from her ship. Some detours might be in order as well.
Ignoring Makoto and Ukyo chatting it up, while the former wiggled excessively to make herself comfortable in his lap, Ranma let his mind wander. Things were getting interesting to say the least. Not that it wasn't always chaotic around them. He just prayed that one day, maybe soon, they would finally be able to rest. To enjoy times just like now. Though maybe with less feminine rage. Shampoo giggling and snuggling into his side had an arm automatically coming around her shoulders, and he cleared his mind. Better to focus on the hear and now.
-b-
With a start, Ranma opened his eyes and regained consciousness. Latest dream floating away of him and Makoto flying through the storms of Jupiter together, he took stock of his situation. Tonight saw Usagi just having rolled away from him, hair up in massive twin buns while snoring away cutely on her side. Beyond her was a smiling Akane, both girls cuddled into each other under the thin sheets. Turning to his other side, it had been a happy pair of Shampoo and Makoto who was on her front, hair splayed out everywhere but just as dead asleep as the others. His senses told him the others in the adjoining rooms were all just as asleep as these three, though it felt like Ukyo, Kasumi and Nabiki had opted to return to Venus. Most likely to pick up their work and schooling in the morning. But, he had a task of his own to complete, not much time during the day to do so. So rolling out of bed without a sound, he took to the floor with all the grace of a cat. Taking up a kekkafuza position, Ranma crossed his legs and folded his hands in his lap.
It was slow at first, careful not to wake the others with a sudden rush of his magic Ranma went through his meditative motions. Breathing in he took some of the moon's ambient magic into himself, tapping into not just its power, but Usagi's as well. Breathing out, he felt his magic respond, flowing out to mix and mingle in the air around him. It was a circle, a complete circuit between himself and everyone alive on the moon and within the palace. A dance. A balance. One he was happy to contribute to as his mind fell deeper into his trance. His perception shifted, the room falling away, the sleeping women and the children within them safe and sound. Further, Venus, the Phoenix and the Amazon. So many lives, safe and sound within their homes. A promise he made not just to them, but to himself. He would safeguard their lives. Their futures. No threat should stand before them without first going through him. Him and his cleansing fires.
With a thought the next shift focused on Earth. Once before it might have overwhelmed him, a massive punch to the gut as the energy of life washed over and through him. Now it was warming, comforting, an embrace of home after a long time away or maybe as one lover to another. Even yet, he knew Earth's power was not all his own to monopolize. So many other minor Gods and Kami resided there after all. And even more, Usagi's former flame Mamoru was there. He may not fully understand his connection to the Earth yet, but it was there. Simmering, waiting, cautious. Ranma wouldn't usurp that, it wasn't his place. Plus, Ranma had his own domain to concern himself with. Plus, his power now siphoned from more than one world, thanks to the Phoenix and the women who loved him so.
Another breath in and Ranma could feel the Phoenix breath with him. They were thriving, working together with the Musk who remained on Earth to prosper and thrive together. Good. He'd visit Jeeves and make sure he had a present for the old advisor next time. His power brushed against his Earth bound people as he mentally smiled as they responded in kind. Love, cheer, acceptance. They were his people and he was their Kami. Bless them and may they continue to live freely in this new and slowly shrinking world. But it was time to reach deeper. To the power he knew was vaster than any ocean he knew. Only able to access so much at a time, but he needed to widen that thread. Build not the lonely dirt road his connection represented, but a vast highway, no. A grand canyon through which power could flow freely. So he reached in, and pulled.
In a blink he was no longer in the Moon Palace, sitting at the foot of a very warm and cozy bed while his love's all slept soundly. This was the Astral Plain. Though not the expanse of empty white he knew before. This time it was a forest, full of life and energy that had him smiling almost immediately. This was home, what he was used to. The girls would love this if he could bring them along. Well, most of them might. Minako was such a city girl. Looking up through the canopy and shielding his eyes from the sun that shone through, he wondered what it would be like to soar through this sky. To take some time and enjoy his freedom and his power. It was tempting, not having a lot of free time, but he shook himself and spread his senses out, taking off at a walk towards where he could feel someone. Something. Was it waiting for him? Or just happened to be nearby? Animals scurried about the trail he found himself on, but he recognized so few of them. A pack of what looked like brown rabbits raced by, but their eyes were a startling green and they all had a single golden horn on their foreheads. Further away through the trees he could make out another grouping of six legged deer grazing in a field beyond the treeline. They looked mostly normal, short of the largest buck which had such an amazing assortment of antlers that glowed iridescently blue and purple. It and he locked eyes, and something like understanding passed through them. Oh, another Kami then. Interesting.
Another shake and Ranma focused. Something told him if he set off randomly he wouldn't be returning home when he wanted. The air here was intoxicating and his power flowed easily. He was sure that a lesser mind would wander within this pleasure trap for eons given the chance. Enjoying the peace and the freedom with no limit until time finally ceased. But he had a mission, a focus, and something was calling to him. So he walked, appreciated the nature and the occasional bird that visited his shoulder from time to time. The tri-eyed falcon that perched on his shoulder once to nip at his hair was cute, though the nick to his ear he could have done without as it flew away eventually. Smiling though, he barely flinched as an old man joined him on his journey. Stooped and nearly a head shorter than Ranma, the man bore ragged brown robes and a cane of solid obsidian. At its head was what looked like a turtle. No, maybe a clock? No, now it was a tree. As his perception shifted so too did the visual. Interesting.
"Curious little fellow ain't ya? It's nice to see one of the young ones actually stay focused for once. That usually takes a century or two for you to learn." The man's voice while light was strong. Even. Ranma knew better than to underestimate old men like this. Half the time it was just an act, Happosai had taught him that one.
"I've been meaning to come back, learn how to utilize my power properly. I have a family to protect, and I don't want to fail them." Ranma kept walking, the elder keeping pace with him easily as Ranma grinned and held out a hand, "Ranma Saotome."
Swatting said hand away with the cane, the man shrugged, "You have good instincts Phoenix. If you had let the realm take you, you would not have returned to the lower plain for some time. A few centuries maybe. A millennia most likely. The Everplane is a wonderful place, giving all that one desires. All it asks for is company."
Rubbing at his hand with a sigh, Ranma was only a little irked by the old man's attitude. "Everything we desire huh?" Making a show of looking around the forest as they walked, Ranma smirked, "I don't see nearly a dozen cute girls in multicolored bikinis running towards me."
"Bwuahahaha, such fire! You truly are the Phoenix aren't you?" Wiping an imaginary tear from his eye, the old man finally turned a dark eye up to Ranma. It was like staring into the void itself. "You may call me the Gardener. I like to tend to this place, watch over the others. Spur along those upstarts who like to get involved with the affairs of mortals. Hmm, you predecessors never made it this far. You're something special indeed."
Well Ranma didn't like the sound of that. "Upstarts like me?"
"Well, you haven't shed your mortality just yet. Not fully at least." The Gardener seemed to look Ranma up and down before sighing. "Not long yet though. For you or your partner."
Ranma didn't like the sound of that, but had a feeling if he questioned about it he wouldn't be getting any easy answers. So he focused on why he was here. "I'm still getting used to this whole Kami thing. I need to train. Learn how to come into my power."
"You mean how to wreak havoc and destruction upon the mortal realm with it." Spitting off to the side, the Gardener and Ranma both ignored the group of flowers that sprung to life there. "Always the same, though the reasons may differ."
"I'm not looking to cause destruction. Just. I want to protect what's mine. No more. No less." Ranma didn't like being compared to others like this. He was himself and his reasons were his own. He wasn't the one who actively sought out the chaos in his life. He just had to deal with it.
Walking along as the forest opened up before them, the Gardener looked on as they came upon a crystal clear lake. Birds flew overhead while they both watched a family of swan swim towards the far shore. "Oh, do not misunderstand. I don't care one way or the other. Use your power how you will. You're a Kami. Who is to judge you."
"Me. Or my wife. Wives. Man that's still odd to say aloud." Ranma rubbed at his neck while chuckling, eyes tracking over a elephant sized wolf basking in the sun nearly fifty meters away. Around it a small pack of younger and smaller wolves played in the grass, none worried about danger. Surely there was no danger in this place. "I just want to protect my family."
"As do we all, don't we?" The Gardener sighed, turning and resting both of his weathered hands on the top of his cane, "As for your power. A tip, if you'll listen." Seeing Ranma turn to face him, eyes focused on him, the elder continued as he looked up into the bright blue sky. "Just coming here and controlling your desire is a good start. That part usually takes some of the lesser Gods centuries, like I said before. Of course, from here on it'll only get harder for you."
"I'm used to fighting for everything I want. I think I can handle it." Ranma never saw the cane move as it whacked him on the knuckles, but the Gardener was giving him a grin all the same.
"Oh yes. With your physical form you have few equals, I can see that. But this new power you wield takes more than that. To use this power, power drawn from the very fabric of reality itself, that takes everything you are. Your mind. Your spirit. Your very soul. This requires distilling and breaking down the self, and coming to terms with just who and what you are. Each flaw you confront, each crack to your ego you mend is another step towards your full realization. Perfection takes an eternity, and even then some never fully make it. Of course, for the likes of us, all we have is time."
Groaning and just knowing he was going to hate asking, Ranma did it anyway. "So what. A spiritual journey to fight my flaws and trauma. To heal myself and gain control of myself?"
"Well, everyone is different, maybe you'll end up fighting a mountain? Or take on a great quest to kill a fellow God?" The Gardener chuckled as Ranma gave him a sour look, before waving the boy off and turning back to look out over the calm waters of the lake. "Oh be a good sport my boy, eternity is a long time."
At the least, Ranma now knew there was no fast track for this. Which also meant he'd have to meditate on his biggest flaws first, one he had a feeling he knew right away. "I've been noticing, lately it's felt like my fuse has been shorter than normal. So what, my soul is helping me along, bringing my biggest flaws to the forefront for me to deal with? So what's next for me, patience?"
Humming, the Gardener gave a noncommittal shrug once more, "That is usually the first test for many. Haste leads to poor decisions, some can doom entire civilizations. Not something to be proud of. With patience comes a calm mind, a strong and reasonable mind. To plan and adapt for a century's worth of consequences. But, well, patience isn't really what will hold you back." Feeling Ranma lift an eyebrow and stare at him, the Gardener continued. "All Kami have to judge themselves through the Seven. Meaning the Great Sins. Some are easier, some are harder. Depends on the soul." Once more a dark eye turned to stare at Ranma, "Gluttony should be easy for you. Greed much the same. Your past giving you more than enough experience to stay away from those."
Ranma's thoughts instantly turned to his father, their life on the road and all the headaches attached to that. "Yeah, I suppose so."
"Heh, but then the rest? Sloth, envy? Maybe not so hard. But Pride?" There was a pregnant pause as the elder smirked as the suddenly embarrassed young man. "More so, Lust?" A bigger grin as Ranma physically flinched. "For those of us who seek the culmination of our power, we must walk through the lense, tune ourselves to our perfection."
Nodding along and just knowing he was going to be in for it, Ranma took a deep breath before exhaling long and slow. Right. This was for protecting Usagi's happiness. Everyone's happiness. He could do this. He would do this. On the far bank both men could see other Kami break free from the treeline, several diving into the lake's waters as a few others laid out on the grass to bask in the sun. Laughter. Life. Love. Family. Emotions and feelings wafted over the both of them easily, nearly taking them in before washing over them to envelope the area.
Watching Ranma smile despite himself, the Gardener sighed before seeming to shrink in on himself a bit. "Of all the sins. The hardest for many is Wrath. It is an all encompassing sin. Able to feed upon itself given the chance. Anger is manageable. Can be given direction. But Wrath? A wrathful Kami is good to no one, and only promises a swift end. There is not much every Kami and deity agrees on. But when a Kami gives in to their Wrath?" Two dead stars stared hard at Ranma, who now felt like all the warmth and life of the forest had abandoned him in their wake. Yet, the Gardener continued, "We will all band together to put down such a being. The destruction, the desolation, we will not accept it. Please Phoenix. Heed that warning."
Nodding as the warmth and life of the forest seemed to come back to them, Ranma decided that he did not want that gaze upon him again. "I'll…keep that in mind. I'm not the angry type."
Spitting off to the side again, three baby turtle rising from the dirt to scurry into the water's depths, the Gardener sighed. "Many think themselves above Wrath. Until you feel it for yourself, you won't truly understand. And no. Your fight with your predecessor wasn't truly of the level of Wrath. Close, but not quite. That was the anger of a boy, hot but fleeting. You are a man now. With the weight of responsibility and duty on your shoulders. It makes a world of difference my boy. I would know."
"Because I have something to lose?"
"Especially because you have something to lose. Thinking you lost your love was one thing. But imagine someone coming for your children?"
The flash of anger that passed through Ranma was unexpected, but he at least felt like he understood what the elder meant. "I'll heed your wisdom."
"Time will tell if you do or don't my boy." Turning away from the other Kami congregating and enjoying themselves, the Gardener reached up and patted Ranma on the shoulder, "I'm rooting for you. You're important this time around. Whether you know it or not."
"Wait. What do you mean this-" In a blink Ranma was shoved away. The scent of fresh dew and soft earth still on his nostrils, Ranma opened his eyes to Usagi's bedroom once more. Great, another crotchety old man with cryptic lessons to deal with. Just like Happosai. "Asshole."
Sighing and rolling his neck, his internal clock told him he wasn't gone even five minutes, though it felt like closer to a hour. Right. Kami. Things just worked differently for them. Even so, he now had a goal. His soul would be putting him through trials that he needed to overcome. Great. Part of him remembered stories from his past. Of monks and priestesses across Japan and China who had told him of pilgrimages to be taken. A journey to achieve Nirvana. Only this time, it was very real. Very serious.
Standing with a sigh and stretching, movement catches his eye. Usagi had rolled back over, searching for him in her sleep and finding Makoto instead. The larger girl was pulled in, Usagi cuddling her with a pleased sigh while Makoto made no sound. This was what he was fighting for. His family. His friends. His children. He'd take whatever trial was needed. Face whatever version of himself that came before him. All would fall before his will and his might.
Because he was Ranma Saotome. Phoenix King.
And he did not lose.
-b-
Closing the door behind him, Tenchi didn't even flinch as it disappeared as soon as he let go of the handle. It was a courageous few who wandered into Washu's lab. Short of Mihoshi who always seemed to find herself in here on a whim. But today he had a mission. This situation with the Moon Queen was bothering all of them, more than usual. He wanted to make sure he was doing the right thing. Making the right decision. So. He sucked it up and decided he was going to ask for her help. Whatever she was looking for in payment, he'd give it, even her oh so often asked for samples.
Walking past dark rows of equipment he could never hope to name and tanks of fluid full of things he really didn't want to know anything about, Tenchi sighed as he spied the scientist ahead of him. Sitting on a floating cushion before a larger than life monitor scrolling text and information he couldn't read or decipher, Tenchi cleared his throat as he came within spitting distance of the older than she looked woman currently in her shorter form, bright red hair spilling every which way. Chaotic, just like her. "Hey Washu, you have a minute?"
Spinning her her seat with a wide grin, Washu was all happy bubbly energy as she laid eyes on her greatest guinea pig. "For you Tenchi? Always. What's on your mind. Finally coming to give me that sample I keep asking for?"
Chuckling nervously, Tenchi scratched as his neck and shook his head, "Ahhahaha, no no Little Washu, not today."
"To bad. Could be a lot of fun you know." Winking at him, it wasn't like she really had to ask why he was here. The same thing had been on everyone else's mind for months now. Making a hand motion and summoning another floating cushion for the lad, Washu watched as a trio of crabs floated to them carrying trays of tea and snacks.
Climbing onto the cushion with little difficulty, Tenchi sighed as he accepted the tea offered to him, "You already know. We're all worried about what this Moon Queen means for the safety of Earth."
"You and everyone else. But the UN is negotiating with them regularly, and that isn't our business." This world's governance was solely theirs. Tenchi and crew shouldn't get involved with that, no matter their personal feelings on the matter. It wouldn't do for Jurai to have to exile them from the planet for interfering with a lower civilization after all.
"I…I know that. But, this goes bigger than them. Do you really think the UN has a chance against someone powered by magic?" Thanks to Sasami's little fangirl era of the Senshi, they had plenty of recorded news reels of the magical girls. The power they had at their disposal was nothing to sneeze at. How it compared to Tenchi and the rest? Time would tell.
"Magic is just science we have yet to understand." Her response was automatic, fast enough that she even felt bad at the look Tenchi was giving her. "Sorry, just, don't you think we should give them a chance."
It wasn't like he didn't want to do that. It was just, he needed to assure himself. Assure the others. "Why can't we just, make sure things go smoothly is all? Not a fight! Not like Kagato or Cain or any of the others. Just. Talk it out. Make sure things will remain peaceful."
"And if they won't be?" It was rare for her to do this, but Washu transitioned into her older form, staring down the young man before her. She had more than a thousand years of experience on him. Though his life kept things interesting to her, she still had seen this same story play out more than once. Empires rose and fell. Kind rulers turned to despots. The most righteous of men, fallen in the name of good intentions. "What of it Tenchi? What will you do, if this Usagi tells you she will do as she pleases?"
Tenchi quailed a bit under that hard gaze. This was not Little Washu, this was Washu. The greatest scientific mind of the Galaxy. This was a woman who had lived more lifetimes than Tenchi would probably ever know. Yet. He had been through much himself. So much. "Then I'll make sure she can't hurt anyone here. By force, if I have to." He was Tsunami's champion. The inheritor of the Light Hawk Wings. It was his duty to protect people, to fight back the darkness.
Washu could see it, the emotions and thoughts playing behind those eyes. It was why she stuck around. There was just something about Tenchi, something that drew her, drew them all to him. Transitioning back to her smaller self, Washu spun once before holding up her hands, her holographic terminal coming to life before her as she began to tap away. "I've been blocking them, you know?"
"Huh?" That got a start out of Tenchi as the older woman focused on her work. He was happy that she was so focused, but something seemed…different now. "What do you mean?"
Shrugging, Washu was in full work mode now, "I've been trying to hack into their computer systems all this time. Nothing bad just. Like all of you, I wanted to poke around, get a feel for what they were really planning." Sighing as she paused, Washu admitted to failing for once. "No luck. Their computer language is too different from my own. Not advanced. Ancient really. But in turn someone has been looking into us. You specifically. I've been masking your presence all this time, but the probes are starting to get a bit more persistent."
Well that didn't sound good. "Should we be worried?"
"Not yet. The real question is, why are they already looking for you?" Washu smirked, looking over the see-through terminal to stare down the chaos laden boy, "Maybe the Queen and her court have a thing for farm boys?"
"Isn't she married?"
"She's a Queen, maybe she needs more than one husband. Or maybe a consort or two?" Going back to her typing, Washu didn't really believe that. No. There was something more at work here. It stunk. Stunk something familiar. "I've got every scanner I have pointed at either the Moon or Venus. If they make a move, we'll know about it right away."
Well that was something at least. They would have warning if the Lunarians decided to play hardball. "Thanks little Washu, I appreciate it. Is there, any way to get a better look into their computer systems?"
Washu seemed to consider that for a moment, trying to decide if she should admit to what she needed or not. Then she shrugged, it wasn't her decision to make. "If I got closer I might be able to brute force the systems open, either that or we can do this the old fashioned way?"
"Old fashioned way?"
Nodding along and dispelling her computer, Washu smirked, "You know. Fly in, cause some havoc, leave with one of their people and question them to Jurai and back? Who knows, with your luck you just might befriend them along the way."
Nope. All of the nope. Tenchi did not like the sound of that. "That sounds really dangerous."
"Oh, well at least you can still see reason then. Good to know." Mentally she sighed. Washu was thankful that he hadn't gone completely off the deep end just yet. She had really been worried there. All this talk about taking on the Moon Queen directly wasn't his style, but she supposed that everyone was on edge lately. It was a big change. "But don't you worry. That's not something I want either. It's an absolute last resort. When we know that the Moon Queen is up to no good and we need the evidence." Leaning back and linking her hands behind her head, Washu let out a whistle as she let her thoughts wander, "Yosho is right you know. They haven't done anything wrong yet. We could leave them be. Continuing to snoop or kidnapping one of their people though? That'll garner a response. A big one too. And you know our track record with that sort of thing." Fleeing across the Galaxy, GP on their tail, Jurai forces on their tail. So much pain and chaos. So much destruction and lives altered. All for a throne none of them…well most of them wanted nothing to do with.
Tenchi understood. He didn't want to start a war. He didn't want there to be a war at all in the first place. "Taking a look doesn't sound so bad. We don't want anyone hurt. Just. Reassurance." Tenchi really thought about it. How could they get close but remain unseen? It wasn't like he could hitch a ride on Tsunami, that would involve Jurai and possible start something he couldn't finish. "How about a fly-by on Ryo-oki? Would that work?" The little cabbit had snuck past Jurian forces before, surely she could get by the Lunarians.
It was a risky gamble, but Washu was sure that the little sprite could do it. Though it might take a literal mountain of carrots to bribe her to do so. "Maybe. It'd have to be fast. Real fast. Orrr…"
"Or?" There was hope there, Tenchi could see it. Washu was thinking and thinking fast. She was already building plans.
"The Palace would be to heavily fortified, it's the seat of their power right? But Venus? That's new. They don't have everything set up yet. If we could sneak in. Get me to a computer terminal. I'm sure I could get through the network from there." It would take a little time, but she was sure there would be less security there on Venus. It was an expansion colony and Earth had no way to transport anyone there themselves. What would the people there have to fear beyond themselves?
Smiling as he could see she was on board, Tenchi offered his empty tea cup to the crab holding an empty tray and stood, "When do we leave?"
"Give me a few days. I'll set up some discrete equipment and we can go." Blinking as she realized she might have been had, Washu sighed and eyed Tenchi hard. "My only warning about this. We have to keep this peaceful. We're only going to look. To settle down ours and everyone else's fears. Nothing more. Nothing less. No fighting. No destruction or property damage. You have to get it through those girls' heads that this is that important. It's not a pleasure trip." Of all of them, it was Ryoko and Ayeka as always that were the main concern. Sure they had mellowed out over the years, but still they could have their moments. Somehow they always had their moments at the worst of times.
Tenchi nodded, turning to go back outside to update the others about the plan. "I'll let them know. I'm sure everyone will feel better about having a plan of action in mind. Don't you worry, I'll keep them in line this time." Grinning and giving Washu a thumbs up, Tenchi was already turning away to head outside. This was good, he had focus and a goal. They weren't looking for a fight this time. Just information. There was nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.
Behind him Washu sighed heavily, feeling all of her age settle upon her shoulders. Much like Yosho, she was usually of the mind that the youngins of the house needed to make their mistakes for themselves. They had to learn and grow at their own pace. She was beginning to fear that this might backfire on them, in a way that she or anyone else would not be able to pull back from. This was…well not an enemy nation. But certainly a nation capable of being one. Strong enough to already be on Jurai's radar, that was for sure. Turning and hitting a key on her computer, the large monitor showed a full high definition picture of the Moon Queen herself. "Usagi Tsukino. Serenity. I sure hope you're worth all this trouble." If anything, Washu hoped the girl was as forgiving as she seemed to be. They might need it in the near future.
-b-
Crossing into his apartment with a groan, Mamoru Chiba sighed and kicked off his shoes. Returning to University in Tokyo had gone as well as he expected, but without the usual craziness of Usagi and the others, well, life had become oh so routine. A routine he was finding he was not happy with. Tossing his keys on the kitchen counter and his school bag on the floor, he considered his luck. Anger boiled in his chest as the thoughts solidified and condensed in his chest. It should be him at her side. It should be him helping her ascend the throne and addressing the masses of the world. It should be him smiling down on her with all the love and affection he could muster in his heart.
That should be his child growing within her.
Taking a deep breath and shaking his head, he did his best to let those thoughts go. Time and destiny were fickle things weren't they? Were they really destined to be together? Or were they the arbiters of their own fate, allowed to make their own decisions. He had told Usagi that he hadn't given up on her, but what had he done since? He was just a normal college student, nothing major to his name and even his Tuxedo Mask persona wasn't enough to garner anything. Sure maybe he could earn himself a spot on television, make a mess of her relations with the rest of the world. But that wouldn't earn him any points. Just her anger. Hatred. He didn't want that. He wanted for her to realize that she and he were meant to be together. That destiny was real.
Drawing him from his thoughts, his doorbell rung. It was late, the sun setting already and street lights were beginning to come alive. Who would be calling on him this late? No one he knew at least. Certainly none of his classmates. The bell rang again, and Mamoru sighed, "Yeah I'm coming!" Turning around from where he was about to drop to his couch, Mamoru was opening his door easily, "What do you-"
"Mister Chiba, I'd like to have a word with you." The man standing before him was older, grey hair firmly set in with a strong jaw and posture. The suit he wore was finely pressed and clean, fitting him better than any Mamoru could afford. Blinking and taking a step back, the college student belatedly noted the three men behind this one, all looking like typical security guards from a bad movie. Though they did not look like they would appreciate the comparison.
"Uh…who are you?"
"That's for inside I think. May I?" Not waiting for an answer, the man pushed his way in with a grin, the three behind him lining up and waiting outside as Mamoru turned to look at the taller man with a frown.
"Hey uh, I didn't say you could come in." Walking after the man already in his living room, Mamoru was ready to bodily toss him out if necessary.
Looking back at the boy with all the concern of a father looking at his unruly child, the man shrugged, "I'm a member of the Diet boy, if I want to go somewhere, I will."
It was only now that Mamoru could see a very distinctive pin on the man's left breast. A sunburst built on gold. That pointed to a very specific faction, "Sir I-"
"No need. I'm not here for theatrics or threats. I come with an offer, so you'll listen." Seeing the boy clam up, the Diet member mentally grinned as he turned back to the Mamoru. "How would you like to have everything that should be yours?"
"I, what? I don't understand?"
Right, he was a little slow wasn't he? No wonder he lost to an idiot like Saotome. "Shouldn't it be you standing side by side with Usagi Tsukino? A match made by fate, Tuxedo Mask to his Moon Queen. It took us some time to piece together the underground footage and link up all known persons of interest. But still. That must burn something fierce, to lose the love of your life to some country bumpkin."
"I didn't lose her. We're fated, it's only a matter of time." Mamoru wouldn't question how the man knew his alter ego. After Usagi had ascended all the rules had changed. For all he knew, they knew every move he had made since he was a kid. "I don't need your help."
Chuckling, the man nodded along as he looked around the small apartment. A studio really. Barely a twelve tatami place. "Sure you don't. I'm sure you could find your way back to her side on your own. After she's lived a long life. Built memories and love with another man." A smirk, as the man pulled a letter from his pocket, placing it upon the top of the tv before brushing past Mamoru to leave, "I'm sure you'd be happy with someone else's seconds."
Rage filled him, and Mamoru whirled on the other man, "You dare!"
"I do." Pausing at the door, the man was still all smiles as he pointed at the boy. "Because when it mattered. You lost. You failed. You had the keys to the kingdom handed to you and you let someone else pickpocket their way into your seat. Why should anyone respect you? Why should anyone consider you anything more than some loser with no purpose and no goal?"
Mamoru wanted to rage. He wanted to hit this asshole who came into his home and insulted him. More than that. He wanted to hit himself because the words weren't anything more than some he had told himself on more than one occasion. "So what, you come here, insult me, and expect me to grovel and ask for your help?"
"Oh no, of course not." The man pointed at the letter as he pulled open the door. "I expect you to grow up boy. Time to do things like adults do. If you really want to get ahead in life." And then he was gone, pulling the door closed with a definitive clang, leaving Mamoru alone in the dim light.
In which, Mamoru's first instincts were to take the letter that was left and tear it to pieces. In fact, he had already walked over to take it in his hands to do so. Yet. He couldn't. His body wouldn't listen to him. It would be easy. Simple. Take both hands, flex his wrists and it would be gone. He could throw it in the trash and never think about this again. There it was. Shaking in his hands. Waiting to be turned into such garbage. Such trash. To no longer be needed or useful to anyone or anything other than itself and its lies.
The letter was placed back on top of the tv.
Mamoru needed a shower and a change of clothes. Then it was time for dinner. After that…after that he would toss the letter into the burnable waste. After he got this thoughts in order. After he settled on a course of action that in his heart he wouldn't hate himself for.
-AN-
You know, I wanted to rewatch Tenchi GXP but I've been having a hell of a time finding it. Sure the second run is on crunchyroll, but like, where is the first season? Section? Even the Manga is hard to get. Like. Everything involving this series seems to be hard to track down and watch. Welp, might have to pirate everything cause I'll be damned if I don't rewatch it at least once or twice.
Anyway. Ranma and the girls find some time to relax and make plans, while Ranma decides a new training regime is in order. Tenchi seems to be trying to be proactive, but to what end is yet to be seen. And Mamoru is offered a choice, but who else might be dragged along for the ride?
