Ranma ½
A Scary Thought:
What happened last time: Things are getting mighty messy. As the Nerima crew are doing their best to assault the La Bac and rescue those inside, Kasumi final succumb to the Dark Ha Do completely.
Chapter 36
"What the devil was that?" Ranma asked as he steadied himself. For the last minute it seemed as if the whole building was vibrating and a low rumble had resonated throughout the structure. If that weren't enough to unsettle him, his danger sense, still badly compromised because of the energy field of the hotel, was giving him bad vibes.
Looking over at Herb, Ranma could already tell what the prince was thinking as a deeply serious expression locked on his face. "Come, we can't delay any longer," he said after a second and continued to run up the stairway the two were currently in.
As they arrived on the next floor they could hear a pair of shouts, both easily recognizable. One was Saki and the other Kuno, and it did not sound like it was going well for the pair. Wasting no time, Herb and Ranma rushed towards their voices. Turning a corner they found a large pit had opened in the hall which apparently the other pair had stumbled into. Kuno was barely managing to hold on to the edge, with Saki dangling from one of his legs.
"I see you were careless," Herb said with a displeased frown.
"Silence! Can you not see we need assistance!" Kuno bellowed back. Obligingly, Ranma and Herb reached down and helped the other pair out of the pit.
"Where are the rest?" Saki asked.
"Ryoga and Izou got knocked out. Sakura wasn't in good shape either. We left her to look out for the others. We managed to take out that dark skinned freak though," Ranma replied. "What about the rest that were with you?"
"Takeshi got knocked out too. Ranko and Chun Li decided to hang back and hold up that lady clone of Chun Li's long enough for us to get by," Saki answered. "Did you guys feel that rumble too?"
"Yes," Herb replied with a nod and surveyed the area. "We must hurry. I fear time may already be up."
The others collectively nodded in agreement and taking another moment to decide on a new path, they continued on.
XXXXX
Several floors below, Genma's group, save Mint, were gathered around a second stone. Lime was currently having his hands bandaged by Akane, while Kodachi gave the Musk boy a good slap every time he tried to make a closer inspection of Akane's chest. Claigin sat on the ground nearby, panting in fatigue as Shin stood tense in front of the stone, waving his hand over his snow globe.
A sudden hiss of static, signaling the activation of their walkie talkie, caught everyone's attention and Genma quickly grabbed the device from his side. "Hello?" he asked after getting no distinguishable message.
Another hiss followed then finally Chun Li's voice came across the channel. "What are you guys doing? We are really taking-" the channel suddenly closed causing the group all to eye each other with some worry, but after another few seconds Chun Li once more signaled. "We need those stones destroyed, now!"
Grabbing the walkie talkie from Genma, Frost responded, "We're working on it. Problem is they're tough, and our resident Oracle blew a fuse." Frost took a second to eye Shin, who was looking exceedingly frustrated.
"It is but a temporary problem. The Snow Globe is merely busy with more important matters is all," Shin replied defensively.
"Yeah right. You just got lucky the first time!" Frost shot back just as the Chun Li signaled.
"Whatever, just get it done fast!" Chun Li said and the channel went dead.
"Things do not sound like they are going well," Kodachi said and Akane nodded in agreement.
"We haven't got time for this," Frost complained. "Claigin, give that damn hammer to Lime."
"Nay! Tis my hammer," Claigin exclaimed, pulling the object in question close to him.
"Look, muscle head, you have barely dented that stone. You clearly don't have the strength to finish it. Lime just might using that hammer of yours, now hand it over."
"No!" Claigin said with a determined shake of his head. "That oaf would break it."
Frost fumed but there was little to be done. Hitting him would do no good with her strength and Mint was currently off searching for the power supply using the keys so she had no magic either.
However, Akane came to the rescue, approaching the hammer wielding boy. "Claigin, you came here to help save Kasumi, right?" Claigin slowly nodded. "Well, you're not helping! Just give him the hammer already. This is important. You heard Chun Li, they need this thing destroyed."
Claigin hesitated, looking at the others and his hammer before finally, and very reluctantly handing it to Lime. Lime took the implement and turned to the stone with a determined glare. With a quick battle cry, he swung the hammer with all his might at the stone. An instant later a very loud snap could be heard as the hammer's handle gave way under the force of the blow.
"AH!" Claigin exclaimed in a panic, quickly snatching the remains of the tool from Lime. "You... it... Ahhhhhhh..." The boy collapsed in grief on the floor.
"Gee, I didn't think it meant that much to him," Akane said quietly, suddenly feeling very sorry for the boy. However, the subject of interest quickly changed when a second snap could be heard.
Looking up from Claigin, the group could see a large fissure had appeared in the stone. After a few seconds, a second fissure, then a third started to appear, as if something within the stone was struggling to get out. It only took a few more seconds and with a loud bang, the stone exploded into dust.
"At least it worked," Kodachi said as she fanned the dust away. "Do we need to take out the others too?"
"No," Frost replied quickly as she weaved a simple piece of magic for the others to see. "With only 2, the field has no width, and thus isn't affecting us anymore."
"My precious hammer..."
"Is he crying?" Frost asked in disgust.
Akane glared disapprovingly at Frost, but nothing more was made of the comment as Mint arrived back in a flash. "Did you find it?"
"Yes. It's one floor up. We can get there in just a few minutes," Mint replied.
"Great," Akane replied. "Come on, let's get moving."
"Hold on a sec," Frost said, pulling the group up short. "I can't stand to see a grown man simpering like a baby," she complained and walked over to Claigin. "Give me the hammer, I can fix it."
"Truly?" Claigin asked suspiciously.
"Yes, truly," Frost answered and took the remains from the boy. A short incantation later and the newly mended hammer was back in Claigin's very appreciative hands. "Now we can go," she said to the others, taking the lead.
XXXXX
Far above, Chun Li could feel the shift in power immediately. With the second stone gone, it felt like chains that had been holding her back were suddenly gone and power flowed throughout her body. "Finally," Chun Li said in relief.
While Ranko had been keeping Shadow Lady busy, Chun Li had been forced mostly into a support role up to this point, mostly acting as a distraction for their opponent. The battle, however, was proving increasingly destructive to the building, and she had just finished pulling Takeshi's still unconscious form to someplace safer before rejoining the fight.
As she did, she came in to see Ranko dodging Shadow Lady as she punched through a nearby wall. Actually, punched would be the wrong word, more like drilled as her hands were currently reformed into a large metallic drill bit. "First it was missiles, now its drills. What the heck is she?" Chun Li wondered aloud before moving in.
While Ranko was wondering much the same after recovering from a rolling retreat and reassessing her strategy, Chun Li's dry of 'Kikouken' could be heard and a blast of energy struck Shadow Lady from the side, knocking her off balance. "Nice. They took out the stones I take it."
"Guess so," Chun Li replied as she joined up with Ranko and the pair faced off with Shadow Lady. "Time to show this thing some real moves."
"Right," Ranko said in agreement and the paired rushed their opponent from either side.
Shadow Lady had little time to respond. The drill bits dissolved quickly back into her arms just quick enough for her to block the first of the attacks, a forward kick from Chun Li, but with Ranko following it up perfectly she could not block the second and received several quick kicks to the chest. Rocked by these, she was wide open as Chun Li finished off the combination with a backhanded punch to her face, sending her tumbling across the floor.
"Ha, not so tough," Ranko replied confidently and Chun Li nodded in agreement. However, only a second later Shadow Lady was already rising back to her feet.
As they readied to press their attack, Chun Li couldn't help but notice a trickle of blood coming from Shadow Lady's mouth. So, there is something human in there after all, she thought. I don't know what exactly you are, lady, but you're unfortunately on the wrong team. Human or android, you are going down. Steeling herself, Chun Li gave a quick glance to Ranko as a signal, and the pair once more were on the attack.
This time Shadow Lady had a different response. Once more she entered a praying stance. It was a stance they had seen many times before and signaled she was readying her missiles. Exactly how many she had hidden within her body was still a mystery but somehow she seemed to have a lot of them. Ranko and Chun Li immediately dodged in separate directions.
However, unlike all the other times, not a single pair of missiles came out. Instead, across her whole body, tiny hatches opened up revealing dozens of missiles. An instant later, the air was full of projectiles flying in every direction. Chun Li realized too late that she was no longer safe.
Explosions engulfed the floor sending debris in every direction.
XXXXX
A few floors above, Saki's group had also become aware of the second stone's destruction which had given them some relief. Herb was currently using his chi sense to feel out the situation around them, and it was becoming clear that he wasn't pleased with it.
"Well?" Ranma asked after a moment.
With his eyes closed to concentrate, Herb began speaking. "I can still sense Ranko and Chun Li below, as well as the others who went after the stones. Above I'm sensing a large group of people with magical auras. I don't recognize them."
"Magical auras?" Ranma repeated in confusion. Neither Saki nor Kuno could offer any suggestions. "And what about Kasumi and the others?"
"I sense Kasumi. There is no doubt; she's using that same energy field again. In fact, it seems even stronger than before. I also two others near her, both have very weak auras at the moment. They could be Shampoo and Usagi, but I can't be sure. There is also one other near the ones with the magic auras. That one's aura isn't very strong, probably not a fighter."
"Maybe the mastermind behind this place," Saki suggested and looked up. "We need to get to Kasumi, quickly. That Dark Ha Do stuff is exactly what they probably want from her. They're going to make their move soon, if they haven't already."
Herb opened his eyes and nodded. "I agree, and since my power is back, it is time to take a more direct route. Stand back." The others did as ordered, and Herb energized his aura and gathered his energies into his hand. A second later he shot a beam into the ceiling, slicing through it like a knife, and began cutting a hole. "This will only take a minute."
"Damn," Saki said in awe. "I really got to learn how you guys do that."
"He's not exactly natural," Ranma pointed out just as Herb suddenly stopped and groaned slightly. "What is it?"
"It's nothing... Just..." Herb replied as he steadied himself against the wall. A second later his form started to shrink and two very particular bumps formed on his chest. "Damn powder wore off finally."
"What the?" Saki exclaimed at seeing the now female Herb straighten back up and resume the cutting. "You're a girl now?"
"It's a long story," Ranma said.
"Long story?" Saki repeated, looking between the two remaining boys, neither of whom was surprised. After a moment of no one offering any further explanation she frowned in thought. Magic, chi, boys changing into girls... wait... Saki thought and suddenly a realization hit her. "Where is Kaneda? You'd think he would be here, being Kasumi's family and Shampoo's husband, after all."
"She doesn't know?" Herb asked and Ranma shook his head.
"Kasumi is Kaneda, isn't she, or is that he?"
"Yes, and it's she," Ranma answered. "Herb's and Kasumi sort of have the same problem, but from opposite sides."
"And Shampoo-"
"She knows," Ranma interjected. "Look, we'll explain later."
"You better," Saki cautioned and watched as Herb completed the final cut. An instant later, the ceiling segment dropped noisily to the floor, followed quickly by two others. "You cut through three floors?"
"It was quicker that way, come on," Herb replied and started to fly up through the hole, pausing long enough to offer her hand to Saki to carry her up. Saki took a second to examine Herb as she floated in the air then accepted the aid.
Seconds later, Herb carrying Saki and Ranma helping Kuno, the foursome were three floors up and started walking down the hall. They turned a corner to finally find Kasumi, but everyone was well aware that this was not the time to rush in as Kasumi's aura was still exceedingly dark.
Next to her in the hall, Shampoo lay unmoving and from Ranma's perspective she did not look to be in good shape at all. However, while she was easily recognized, the other woman lying on the floor near Kasumi was not. Giving the others a quick look, Ranma could tell they were equally unaware of her identity. One of the kidnappers, maybe? Ranma thought and decided to figure it out later and concentrate on Kasumi.
"Kasumi," Herb cautiously called out, finally gaining some of her attention. She turned slowly to look at them, giving them a full look at her face and that gave them pause. Like the other times, Kasumi's eyes were glowing red, but this time her face was twisted. Veins and arteries were so gorged with blood that they were clearly visibly and overall her face had gone dark red. Beyond that, the dangerous look she possessed seemed almost burned in. The sight was enough to put them all on edge.
However, Kasumi did not attack or otherwise threaten them. Instead, she turned to the unknown woman and kneeled down to take something from her hand. As Kasumi rose back up, they could see the object was a red and black hat with a small golden symbol on the front that they couldn't make out. Puzzled by this they only watched as Kasumi dusted it off and then placed it on her head and smiled.
"Finally," Kasumi said in a decidedly sinister tone and turned to them. "And your timing is excellent. I need to test out my new abilities."
"This does not bode well," Kuno said as he readied his weapon.
XXXXX
Chun Li didn't exactly know how long had passed, perhaps only a few seconds, or maybe a few minutes. Either way she was relatively undamaged, which was a bit of a surprise. The last thing she clearly remembered was seeing Shadow Lady launch missiles in every direction, and that left no room for escape. Chun Li had been staring down one particular pair missiles flying her way. Although their yield was relatively low, they were nonetheless potent weapons, so Chun Li was a little confused. That is until she noticed Ranko in front of her, her hands thrust in front of her and projecting a dimly glowing barrier of energy. "Nice shield," Chun Li complimented as she stood up straight.
"You should be more careful," Ranko said as she let the barrier collapse and relaxed. "You're just lucky I finished that technique. A couple days ago and it wouldn't have held." Looking around, Ranko could see the damage to the level was severe. Walls and supporting beams were collapsed. Even the floor was broken open in several places. All in all, what had been a mess before was now in total shambles. "Hope she hasn't got another blast like that. I don't think I can block another."
"No need. I think she just expended the last of her stockpile if I'm guessing right," Chun Li replied as she examined her opponent, who despite her stoic face looked very disappointed at seeing them still alive. "I think she got a bit desperate. We got her."
Nodding in agreement, Ranko lead the charge as they worked their way through the debris and toward Shadow Lady. For the first time since their fight had begun, Shadow Lady showed a sign of uncertainty as she backed off several paces. Taking that as a good sign, Ranko and Chun Li took their time, making sure not to step badly and ruin their advantage.
However, their optimism was quickly lost when Shadow Lady assumed a new posture. Chun Li recognized it. It was very similar to her own when she executed the Kikouken. However, instead of an instantaneous energy blast being emitted, a dark power field started to generate in front of her hands.
"Now what?" Ranko asked as she stopped short.
"It's an energy blast," Chun Li replied and quickly assessed their options. The hall between them and Shadow Lady was still filled with debris. It would take them a good thirty seconds or more to cover it. Worse still, the part of the hall they were in left them little options in cover. Damn it, I bet she waited for us to reach this position, Chun Li thought in worry.
Ranko too had realized their situation. By the looks of things, Shadow Lady's attack would take only perhaps ten seconds more to be fully formed, and they needed more than that to reach her or cover. I could try and block it, or cancel it out, but I don't think I have the energy left to do it, she thought in desperation.
Just as things were looking grim, Chun Li stepped forward. "Stand back. My turn to shield us."
"What?" Ranko asked in surprise as Chun Li started to gather her own energy.
"Don't worry. Just stay a couple feet back, and get ready to move the second she's done. It's up to you."
Ranko nodded. "Right."
After several more tense seconds passed, Shadow Lady's attack finally completed and a great blast of dark energy surged forward from her hands. In response Chun Li thrust her own hands forward, shouting out, "Kikoshou!" With that, a bubble of intense energy surrounded her and blocked Shadow Lady's blast.
From Ranko's position, all she could really see is the collision of dark and light energy and nothing more. The contest of power went on several seconds, heating up the whole area. Finally, though, the black energy ceased and a moment later Chun Li's counter attack followed suit and Ranko was immediately on the move.
Dodging around Chun Li, who had collapsed to her knees to recovered, Ranko quickly rushed up the newly cleared hallway at Shadow Lady. Like Chun Li, Shadow Lady was showing the strain and in a very un-android like way was showing fatigue. Ranko did not let the opportunity go to waste, and once in range unleashed her Kachu Tenshin Amaguriken to good effect. Shadow Lady was so weaken that she didn't even mount a minimal defense and received the effect of hundreds of punches in a few seconds. Already badly shaken from this, she was completely unprepared for Ranko's finishing touch, a Moko Takabisha at point blank range. The blast sent Shadow Lady flying backwards and smashed her into a wall.
Ranko paused her assault for a moment as she noticed her opponent was not reacting. A second later, Shadow Lady's eyes clouded over and she fell forward unconscious. "Finally," Ranko sighed out and collapsed herself.
XXXXX
Why am I here? Kasumi asked herself as she looked down at something she knew she shouldn't be looking at right now, a tombstone. Specifically, her mother's tombstone. As this puzzled her, she looked around her to see friends and family, but not as they were now, but as they were then, almost ten years.
This is mother's funeral, Kasumi realized as she looked down at herself and she two was as she was then. This isn't right. I shouldn't be here. I should be somewhere else... but I can't remember.
"Kasumi?" Akane asked suddenly, gaining Kasumi's attention.
Kasumi looked at her youngest sister and lost herself in the moment. "Yes?"
"When's Mommy coming back?" Akane asked.
How nice it must be to be able to be oblivious to what is obvious, Kasumi thought as she couldn't help herself and felt tears come to her eyes. "She's... she's not coming back, Akane."
Kasumi almost wished she had lied at seeing Akane's reaction to this, as if one last piece of hope had been taken from her and she couldn't hold back her own tears anymore. Without hesitating, Kasumi took her younger sister into her own arms, and joined her in their mutual grief.
I remember this time, but it was long ago. I miss you mother, but I cried my last for you long ago. Yet, somehow, I feel just as I did then, like someone equally dear has been lost to me. If only I could remember...
XXXXX
Back in reality, the doctor was looking at his various monitors with increasing tension. One in particular had his attention at the moment, that being the one monitoring the main power exchange room which Genma's party had just entered. Within just a few seconds the room was rendered rubble, forcing the building to switch to battery backups. However, the batteries did very little. They powered the monitoring equipment and a few other essentials, but not the main defenses.
The doctor's attention moved to another monitor, this one showing Shadow lying unconscious. Yet a third monitor, one of the few surviving ones on the floor showed Shadow Lady equally incapacitated.
"This is not good at all," he mumbled as he looked at the monitor looking at the Senshi. They had wisely chosen to take Sailor Moon's current orders as time to recover and think. What they didn't know is there was more to those orders that simply giving them time to think about surrender. The Sailor Senshi were considered class A protected individuals by the doctor's organization. He already expected to be in a great deal of trouble when they found out Bison had brought Sailor Moon into the equation, but if he did any serious harm to any of them... well, let's just say it was a good thing his life insurance was paid up.
It won't be long before they recover enough to risk another assault on her. I don't know if she can hold them off with access to their full powers again, the doctor thought as he turned to another set of monitors. Unlike the others, though, these were displaying nothing but static. And I can't tell what is going on with Kasumi. All the cameras and sensors are dead on that level.
Nervously the doctor rubbed his chin and considered. This operation was getting out of hand and he had few options left. If one of these martial artists reached him, well he wouldn't last long. With a final nod, the doctor began typing at the console. It's time to bring this little experiment to an end.
XXXXX
Several minutes later, Genma's team arrived at the devastated remains of the floor Ranko and the others were on. The sight was enough to give them all a short moment of pause before Chun Li called out to them.
"You really messed up the place," Akane commented as she looked around. "Is everyone alright?"
Chun Li nodded and looked over to where Ranko was gathering the various injured together. "Takeshi, Ryoga and Izou are unconscious, but they should be okay. Sakura broke her arm, but otherwise she'll manage. Ranko and I are just a bit bruised and tired, is all," Chun Li responded. "The others went on ahead. We don't know how they're doing."
"Have you found my little girl?" Soun broke ranks to ask in a desperate tone.
"Uh... not yet," Chun Li answered. "We were just getting everyone together then we planned to keep going. Since you all are here, guess we should get going."
"Right," the other answered in near unison and headed for the nearest set of still intact stairs. They were half way up to the next floor when a siren could be heard.
"What's that?" Genma asked.
"Sounds like some sort of alarm," Frost replied and looked around. "Look there. That symbol, the one from the keys. It's blinking."
"We're not close enough to activate it," Kodachi pointed out just as a new voice could be heard throughout the building.
This was not the doctor's voice, but rather a female's voice speaking in a very monotone fashion, clearly artificial in origin. "Warning, the self destruct system has been activated. All personal should evacuate. You have 20 minutes remaining."
"You got to be kidding me," Ranko moaned. "This is a joke. They're trying to scare us off."
"That may well be, but 20 minutes isn't a whole lot of time. What if we're wrong?" Chun Li replied. "We have done a lot of damage here. Maybe they think they can't keep us back any longer."
"All the more reason to press on," Soun replied quickly. "My little girl is somewhere up there!"
"What are we going to do?" Genma asked as uncertainty gripped the group.
Ranko looked back down the stairs, thinking. Damn, if it is true, Ryoga and the others will never get out in time unless we start carrying them out right now. Looking back up the stairs, Ranko continued to ponder. But fake or not, Kasumi and the others are up there, and they may still need our help.
"We have to split up," Ranko finally said. "Some of you will have to stay behind and help the others out."
"Right," Chun Li said in agreement, and quickly assessed the situation, tossing her radio to Kodachi. "Kodachi, Lime, and Claigin, can you three manage the boys?"
"Lime can probably manage them on his own," Kodachi pointed out. "But, since it is my darling Ryoga, I will gladly help out."
"Okay. Frost, Shin, you go with them as well."
"But-" Frost started to protest but Chun Li shook her head.
"You're exhausted. I can see it from here," Chun Li countered. "Now get going."
Frost couldn't argue. Her energies were mostly spent and she did doubt she would be of much more use here. Remembering back to Cologne's words of earlier, Frost nodded and obeyed, grabbing a reluctant Shin by the shoulder and dragging him along. "Come on you."
"And for the rest of us, let's stop yapping and get moving," Ranko said and doubled her pace up the stairs.
XXXXX
Several floors above, Kasumi, still engulfed in darkness, was making disgustingly short work of her would be rescuers. Kuno was already unconscious, lying against a nearby wall with his bokken shattered. Saki was little better, her head spinning and her yo-yo smashed to bits, crushed in Kasumi's grip as if it were made of rock candy rather than steel.
Herb and Ranma were doing little better. Despite the situation the pair found themselves in, and very real danger it posed, neither was finding it easy to fight Kasumi seriously. That hesitation was costing them dearly as Kasumi apparently had no such reservations about attacking them. She currently had Herb-chan pinned to the wall, held off the floor by her throat and was being slowly suffocated. Ranma was doing his best to try and free her, but Kasumi's strength was such that she could completely ignore Ranma's efforts.
It was in this situation that they too heard the alarm throughout the building, and the warning that quickly followed. Ranma paid it little attention, as he had more pressing concerns. Kasumi, however, seemed annoyed.
"How troublesome," she said at last and with a violent jerk, tossed Herb full force into Ranma, knocking them both far down the hall, where they lay motionless from the impact. Reaching within her hat, Kasumi retrieved a small device and spoke into it. "Priority override, beta six sigma twelve Denver, enable."
XXXXX
Further above, Sailor Moon's eyes reacted to this, although only she could hear it. The Senshis' attention, instead, was focused on the self destruct warning.
"Okay, rest break is over guys. We're running really low on time here," Sailor Jupiter said as she looked over at Sailor Moon who remained as unresponsive as ever.
"Mercury, do you have any ideas?" Venus asked desperately.
Mercury could only shake her head sadly. "I'm sorry, but no. I can think of no way to remove or disable the nanites, at least none that would not severely injury or even kill Sailor Moon in the process. It is unfortunate. Sailor Moon could likely purge us of such an infection, but our powers are ill suited to this task."
As once more, the only option was appearing to be to attack, a new figure entered view behind Sailor Moon. The Senshi looked at him in surprise then suspicion as he smiled at them.
"Well, it is good to meet you all in person," the doctor said and his voice was instantly recognizable to the girls.
"You bastard," Uranus exclaimed as she jumped to her feet threateningly but found Sailor Moon responded by moving directly in front of the doctor.
"I wouldn't bother. I'm sure you've realized the futility of this. By now the nanobots have complete control of Miss Moon. I'm afraid there is nothing you can do. However, you are at least somewhat fortunate as my time has run short and I will have to let you all go for the time being," the doctor said with a smile and turned to Sailor Moon. "Come."
"No," Sailor Moon unexpectedly replied without moving.
"What? I order you come with me."
"I no longer obey your orders," Sailor Moon replied without emotion.
"What's going on?" Venus asked the others in a half whisper. "Is she... coming around?" she asked in some hope but Tuxedo Kamen shook his head.
"I'm certain I would sense something if she was. No, it seems something else is happening," Tuxedo Kamen explained as they watched Sailor Moon finally turn on the doctor.
"What is the meaning of this?" the doctor asked, clearly nervous at the sudden change in loyalties.
"You have served your purpose. My master no longer requires you," Sailor Moon replied and her energy field activated. As it did, both the Senshi and the doctor realized what was about to happen, but neither could react in time. A split second later and the field slashed through the doctor. A second later, he fell to the ground, lifeless.
The Senshi could only look at this in shock. The man was doubtless evil, but to see him cut down so casually by their princess was not an image they could easily accept. However, as she turned back towards them, they realized their situation had yet again become worse.
XXXXX
In her own mind, Usagi was as shocked as her Senshi at seeing this sight on the screen. Sure, she had brought an end to many a youma in her time, but this was no youma. This was a human being that she just cut down.
Suddenly, Usagi felt outraged and stood up. "I would never do that. That's just wrong."
"Calm down, Usagi. It's just a game," Mamoru cautioned but Usagi's feeling only grew.
"I will not! This is not right! This is... is... slander!" Usagi exclaimed and moved to take the controller from Minako. However, before she could Seiya and Mamoru grabbed her by either arm and stopped her. "Hey!"
"Usagi, you're getting overly excited," Seiya said, but this did not calm Usagi.
"Excited. I just... I just killed... someone..." Usagi blurt out and suddenly paused in thought. I... it was video game... no, I know somehow it was really me! But... Still confused, Usagi started struggling against the two boys. "Let me go."
"We can't do that," Mamoru replied, his tone now icy.
"I have too..." Usagi said as she continued to struggle but to no avail. As she did, she looked up at the screen and could see Minako directing the virtual Sailor Moon towards the Senshi. "Stop!"
"It is too late, Usagi. We are in control now," Minako replied in an eerily dead tone and at last Usagi realized that these were not her real lovers, or her friend. This was some kind of illusion, and it was the game before her that was the reality.
"No..." Usagi gasped out.
XXXXX
A few minutes had passed since Kasumi transmitted her instructions to Sailor Moon when the device activated, this time with a response.
"The doctor has been neutralized. The other Senshi are here. What are your instructions?"
Kasumi paused to think just as the 18 minute warning sounded. "Oh bother. I would have so enjoyed having a full set, but I suppose that can't be helped now. Dispose of them and come to me."
"Understood," Sailor Moon replied over the transmitter.
Satisfied, Kasumi returned the device to her hat and smiled as she felt a new group of auras approaching. "Excellent," she said as she turned down the hall to the shaft that Herb had created earlier. As she did she could see Ranko pulling Chun Li up. "Ah, Miss Li, I was hoping you might show up."
Ranko and Chun Li turned to Kasumi at hearing the greeting and immediately entered defensive postures as they felt the darkness of her aura. However, before they could otherwise react, Chun Li realized something. "Wait, how do you know who I am? We've never met."
"Oh, but we have," Kasumi replied with a menacing smile.
XXXXX
"Understood." With that single word, and the activation of her energy field, it became obvious to the other Senshi that they were her next target.
"This can't be happening," Mars said as the seriousness of the situation became clear. There was three options, attempt to retreat, attack, or die. Sailor Moon was blocking the only way down, and up lead only to the roof. Even at best it would take them nearly a minute to initiate the teleport and that left Sailor Moon plenty of time to intervene. So really, there were only two options.
Still, despite knowing this Mars just could not accept attacking her friend and princess. Their earlier fight had made it clear that simple physical attacks were useless and that left only their magical ones which would doubtless hurt her. She could be a real pain in the butt sometimes, but Mars was no where near ready to seriously hurt her.
That sentiment was shared by most, even the outer Senshi. To Uranus, knocking her cold was one thing, but attacking at full force was something completely different. However, she was not about to simply lie down and die, she just didn't know a way out.
As they continued to hesitate, Sailor Moon was only closing the gap, her eyes as dead of emotion as ever. It was finally Venus who snapped everyone out of their stupor. "I know you don't want to attack her. I don't either. But, if we just stand here she's going to kill us and still be under their control. We just have to hope she can make it thru it," Venus said as she looked at the others seriously.
For the other Senshi, and Tuxedo Kamen this was very hard to swallow, but slowly they realized the truth of Venus's words. "She's right," Tuxedo Kamen finally said. "We've been left with no other options." Taking one of his trademark roses out, Tuxedo Kamen grimly faced his future wife. Come on, Usako. You have to make it out of this.
XXXXX
"Kas...umi... uh..." Soun gasped out as he lost consciousness. He was the last opposition, and Kasumi had shown him no more mercy than the others who lie collapsed around her.
"How pathetic. I expected at least a minimal challenge," Kasumi complained as she walked over their fallen bodies and stopped over Chun Li. Reaching down, she dragged Chun Li to her feet by the hair and grinned evilly at her. "Or perhaps I've simply underestimated this power. What do you think, Miss Li?"
"Kasumi, you have to snap out of it," Chun Li replied but Kasumi only laughed.
"You are wasting your breath. Haven't you realized yet, I'm not Kasumi. Oh, I'm using her body, but I'm certainly of a different mind."
"I don't-"
"Of course you don't," Kasumi replied as she dropped Chun Li to the floor. "Perhaps I should explain."
"Warning, the self destruct system has been activated. All personal should evacuate. You have 15 minutes remaining."
"Plenty of time," Kasumi mused and walked over to Rose's fallen form. "This all started many years ago. You see, Bison was experimenting in the psycho power. He had come very far, but something was holding him back. It was the good side of him. You see, psycho power is quite... an evil power. To reach it peak, all goodness must be shed. And so he did.
"He flung the good part of his soul into the ether and thought it gone, but it wasn't. You see, it was born anew in a new body, this body. Her name is Rose. She grew up never knowing her true origin, but perhaps by fate she was drawn to Bison nonetheless. She sought to destroy him and his psycho power.
"It was only by chance that she arrived shortly before your little attack on the psycho drive. Bison defeated her, naturally, but he left her alive. But they are still two halves of the same soul and the contact connected them, however loosely, once again.
"So, you see when you thought you killed Bison at the psycho drive, you were actually correct. You did kill his physical body, but that connection remained, allowing him to claim a new body."
Chun Li looked on in shock at this, as did the few who were still conscious. The implications were becoming all too clear.
"But of course, that just left Bison with his original problem, his good side. It didn't take long for him to use one of his cloning facilities to make a new body, but when he attempted to inhabit it, the connection did not fully sever. It left the psycho power weakened even in that new body. I'm sure you know what became of that clone.
"And thus that little endeavor ended badly leaving Bison once more trapped in Rose's body. But then, a new opportunity presented itself. The Dark Ha Do. He always had an interest in it, but Ryu rejected him, and as you know Akuma was simply too powerful. But he knew that there must be others with the potential so he began seeking them out, with the help of the good doctor.
"The Dark Ha Do, you see, is a blight on the soul. Even the brightest will be consumed in its darkness. Beyond that, its power is unmatched. A Dark Ha Do user is the perfect vessel."
The conclusion was obvious, but nonetheless, Chun Li had to ask. "Are you telling me that you are Bison?" Bison-Kasumi only laughed in response. "And the psycho-drive?"
"Ah that. You thought it was a weapon. You were right, but that was only a secondary effect. Its primary task was to maintain my strained body. The psycho power was having a devastating effect on it."
"And Cammy, she was going to be your new body," Saki concluded, gaining Bison-Kasumi attention.
"Yes. The female form is apparently more viable for the psycho power. A twisted joke I know. However, she was ultimately a failure when she began to break her programming, and Ryu seemed like a far more viable vessel at the time."
"And the others?" Chun Li asked
"Shadow and Shadow Lady? Experiments. You probably don't know this, but the technology for the psycho drive has a rather unusual source. They too are a product of this technology. Specialized nanobots that invade and control the body. Shadow was the first, a simple proof of concept. Shadow Lady is the superior model. The nanobots were allowed to heavily augment her. But, that's not the best part. Did you know both of them have the imprinted memories? Yes, both think of themselves as who they modeled after, they are just simply controlled."
Chun Li looked sickened. "Why?"
"A small measure of revenge," Bison-Kasumi replied. "Sure, enslaving your forms was fun, but enslaving your minds as well..." She burst into a short laugh, taunting Chun Li. "I must admit though, it would have been much more satisfying having the authentic models. Perhaps I will use you to replace Shadow Lady after all. I'm sure you'd enjoy that."
"You bastard," Chun Li couldn't help but exclaim.
"It is not that bad. The nanobots go about their work by trapping you in a dream state in which you are much more controllable. I'm told it can be very pleasant in fact. However, ultimately, once they gain enough control they no longer have need of you. I really don't know what they do with your consciousness then. Most likely you're simply left in the dream state, only vaguely aware of what you are doing."
"Fiend," Kuno managed to say as he slowly rose to his feet. "What have you done with Kasumi?"
"Oh, like my little helpers, she's still in here. However, I am in control. I have forced her into her subconscious. She is most likely lost in her own memories. I can tell you this, nothing you do can awaken her. This body is possessed by the Dark Ha Do. Even if her mind were to surface, she would not care for any of you. In truth, she would probably kill you all. I, of course, have more experience with such darkness and have better control than she would. You should be thankful."
Kuno scoffed. "You sicken me, devil. I will force you from Kasumi's body even if it takes my life."
Bison-Kasumi only laughed. "That it might."
XXXXX
Kasumi was aware of none of this. She was still vaguely aware that she should not be here, but more and more she was losing herself in her memories of the past.
For her, time was passing very quickly. What had been mere minutes in the real world had been weeks for Kasumi. With the funeral passed, Kasumi was once more with the Saotomes, and were any outsider to peek in, they would not be aware any such tragedy had befallen the family by looking at Kasumi.
No, Kasumi was nothing but smiles lately. Everything was right with the world it seemed. Kasumi would cheerfully go about any choir assigned to her, apparently pleased and happy. It was making Nodoka nervous.
Kasumi had just arrived home from school and was taking off her shoes at the front. She could hear the talk in the other room though, even though they probably thought she couldn't.
"Genma, I'm telling you this is not natural. Her mother has been gone just a few weeks and she's acting like this."
"Oh, you're worrying over nothing. She's fine. She can't be mourning forever."
"Yes, I know that, but there is a difference between getting over it and this. Would you do something?"
"Why me?"
"I've already tried to talk with her."
Genma sighed. "Fine, fine."
Kasumi paid little heed to the conversation. Her uncle Genma was right, she was fine. So, she finished up with her shoes and headed to her room, just as Genma entered the hall.
"Hold on, Kasumi. Your auntie thinks we should have a talk."
"Yes Uncle?" Kasumi replied with a smile.
"So... um... how are things going?"
"Very well, Uncle," Kasumi replied easily.
"Right," Genma said, clearly finding it difficult to get a foothold in the conversation.
"Uncle, I know what Auntie thinks, but I'm okay. Mothers gone and I've just accepted that."
"Oh?"
"Yes, it's alright. Bad things happen and you just have to accept them. There is no point is getting upset."
"Uh... yes," Genma replied, but his look had changed from nervousness to concern.
"Is there anything else, Uncle?"
Genma thought for a moment then shook his head. With one final smile, Kasumi headed on her way, but noticed that Genma seemed to be watching her closely. I don't understand. Now Uncle acting weird. Is this not the way I'm supposed to act? Kasumi thought, but was quickly absorbed in other matters.
XXXXX
The next day, the previous day's conversation was almost completely forgotten by Kasumi. She arrived home once again, this time to a quiet house, and once more removed her shoes before heading to her room.
As she entered she placed down her school bag and absently said, "Hello Mother," intending the greeting for a small picture she had on her desk. However, as she looked over, she noticed that spot on her desk was empty. Concerned, Kasumi rushed over and began looking around her desk for the picture. It must have fallen, but I don't see it, she thought as she knelt down on the floor and looked below the furnishings.
"Something wrong?" Genma asked as he entered the room.
"My... Mom's picture. I can't find it," Kasumi said, some stress creeping into her voice.
"Oh, that, I threw it out," Genma replied casually.
Kasumi was up in a flash. I must have misheard, she thought as she looked back at her uncle in shock. "You... you threw... you mean you threw out the frame, right?"
"No, the whole thing. I mean, you said your mother is gone and you had accepted that. I figured you didn't need that old thing anyway."
Kasumi stared at her uncle, at first in disbelief then in anger. "Give it back!"
"Why would I do that?" Genma asked, seeming honestly perplexed by the request.
"It's my picture! MINE!" Kasumi started to yell. "Give it back!"
"No," he replied and Kasumi reached her limit and rushed him, trying to hit him, but he easily caught her fist. She persisted, trying with the other hand, but that too was intercepted. She struggled for a moment, trying to free herself, but it was useless. Unable to vent her frustration on him, Kasumi began to cry.
"You... you... I HATE YOU!" Kasumi blurt out through her tears. "GIVE BACK MY MOTHER!"
As Kasumi said this, she looked up into Genma's face and could see sadness there. Gently he released her and from within his dogi pulled out the intact picture. In an instant Kasumi snatched it away and held it close to her, still crying. Nothing was said for a minute, but Kasumi was intelligent enough to know she had just been fooled, but for what end she did not know.
After Kasumi calmed a bit and looked back up at Genma in question, he spoke. "You said, bad things happen and we just have to accept that. That's wrong, Kasumi. Acceptance is not the ultimate solution. It is true, your mother is gone and will never come back, but lying to yourself and burying your feelings is not the answer. You cannot look at the world as if it is all is well. The world is far from a perfect place, and because of that, sometimes you must act to change things."
"There was nothing I could do for her," Kasumi managed to squeak out. "You all keep telling me that."
"In that case you couldn't. That doesn't mean you have to like it."
Kasumi didn't know how to respond to this. In truth she really didn't understand at the moment, still too deep in her emotions to truly grasp it.
Taking Kasumi's silence as his cue, Genma gave her one last nod and left the room.
XXXXX
It was many days later and Kasumi was now in front of Nodoka. Things had changed since the Genma's little trick. Kasumi wasn't exactly sad, but she wasn't the picture of happiness either. Instead she seemed to have been contemplating something.
It was those contemplations that had lead her here to make a request. The two were currently together in the kitchen, preparing dinner when Kasumi got up the courage to ask. "Auntie, I want to go with Uncle on a training trip."
"Training trip?"
"Yes. Uncle said he could train me much better on the road. We could go places, and learn new techniques, and find new challenges..."
Nodoka frowned. "Sounds like he's trying his hand at being a travel agent," she mused but when she looked at Kasumi she could see that she was serious. "Kasumi, do you truly grasp what he is proposing? Your father and your uncle went on training trips, and sometimes they were away from home for years!"
"I know that," Kasumi replied easily. "He said five years at the minimum."
"Five?" Nodoka exclaimed, not only shocked at the number, but of Kasumi's casual acceptance of it. "Did your Uncle put you up to this?"
"I don't know what you mean?"
Nodoka paused, examining Kasumi deeply. "No, you are serious, aren't you. But, why Kasumi? That's an incredible commitment. You'd be away for so long. You wouldn't even be able to visit your father or your sisters."
Kasumi looked a little sad at that. "I know, and I will miss them, but I want to do this. Uncle always said I could be a very good martial artist if I tried, and I want to try very hard."
"Can't you do that here?"
"If going on the trip is better, I want to go on the trip."
Nodoka frowned once more. "But why do you want to be a martial artist. It's not necessary. Ranma and Akane will be carrying on the training hall. You don't need to."
"I know that. It's not about the dojo. I want to be stronger. I want... I want to be stronger so I can stop bad things from happening."
"Bad things?" Nodoka repeated and looked at Kasumi seriously. "Kasumi, no matter how strong you become bad things will always happen."
"I know," Kasumi replied, once more a bit sad, but still determined. "I can't stop all of them, but the stronger I am, the more things I can change. I want to be as strong as I can be. If I could change even one more thing than I could before, it would be worth it."
Nodoka looked at Kasumi in a sense of admiration and finally nodded. "Alright Kasumi, if that is what you really want, I give my permission."
For the first time in a while, Kasumi smiled.
XXXXX
The situation with the Senshi was not a good one. Despite rededicating themselves to a more forceful approach, they couldn't help just a little hesitation against their princess. It was only natural. However, in her current state, Sailor Moon had no such hesitations against harming them.
Like their previous fight, it was once more going badly despite the aid of their full powers. Sailor Moon was successfully blocking their every attack with the strange energy field, and was counterattacking with a cold precision that was quickly taking its toll on the other Senshi.
In her mind, as the time passed, this was becoming obvious to Usagi too. It was quickly becoming clear that unless she herself managed to gain control, her friends would soon be overwhelmed. However, rather than gaining more control by struggling, Usagi seemed to be losing it as the two illusionary boys holding her seemed to gain strength by the second.
At last, the inevitable occurred as through Usagi window to the world she could see Mars take a direct hit from the energy field and get tossed, her body loose and unresponsive as she crash to the ground. "No!" Usagi couldn't help but exclaim. "Please, stop this!"
The illusionary Minako did not look back, remaining intent on the 'game'. "You are no longer needed," she said coldly and as she did, the two boys responded by starting to drag Usagi away.
"Wait! Let me go!" Usagi begged as she continued to struggle but it was useless. Their strength was simply too much. Worse still, even their form was now changing. No longer were they the image of Mamoru and Seiya, but rather now that looked more like twisted nightmarish versions of the two boys.
"It is useless to resist," the demon Mamoru said as her dragged her into a darkened hall.
"You should have simply accepted the dream," the demon Seiya added. "You could have been happy."
"I'd never be happy knowing my friends are being hurt," Usagi countered, unthreatened by their grotesque appearances.
"That's unfortunate," the demon Mamoru replied as they seemed to reach their destination. The two forced Usagi to turn around and she found a gapping chasm in front of her, the bottom lost in darkness. "Now you're nothing but a liability that must be dealt with."
Despite knowing this was an illusion, Usagi couldn't help but feel some fear at being at the edge of such of precipice. That fear turned to horror as she felt the two demons throw her forward into the abyss. She let out a scream as she began to fall, twisting back to see the two twisted boys' forms quickly fade as she fell. This can't be happening, Usagi thought desperately as the void encompassed her.
XXXXX
In the real world, Mercury had rushed to Mar's side. She was still alive, but injured badly. At this rate, we'll all end up like this, or worse, Mercury thought as she stood up and once more faced Sailor Moon. There must be something, anything... I must find an answer.
Such an answer was not to come, but a brief pause was as unexpectedly a glitter of energy formed in Sailor Moon's hands. A second later she held a familiar staff, but the sight wasn't comforting as she pointed it at her former allies. "They've gained control of her magic now," Mercury concluded as the magic of the staff activated.
XXXXX
Kasumi was at peace with the world, but a peace not borne of self deception, but rather of purity of thought. Over the last several years, since starting this training trip, she had gone through a lot: Cat-fist training, near starvation, and many a close encounter with a displeased opponent or two. But, it all seemed worth it now, and all due to Master Dhalsim and this place.
When they had come here it had merely been to seek his skills in healing, but since then he had turned into one of her most valuable teachers, not in the offensive aspects of the art, but rather in the spiritual aspects. Thanks to that spiritual training she had already improved many of her abilities, and gained some expertise in healing herself, but most importantly it had reacquainted her with her goals in life.
Somewhere along the line she had lost sight of those goals. It was easy with the chaos Genma continuously dragged her into. Now though, in this place, she had come back to them. She had vowed to become stronger so that she might be able to change things she could not before, and accessing herself, she believed she had come along way on that path.
Suddenly Kasumi opened her eyes as she thought on that. A new feeling was here. Is it that Ha Do again? Kasumi asked herself. Within the Cave of Ancients, one's very spirit was reflected. She had got a glimpse of this technique some hours ago and had been since meditating in hopes of seeing more, but so far had no luck. This feeling, however, was not the same as before. It felt familiar, like something from within herself.
As Kasumi looked around her, she found the environment had changed. It was certainly an illusion, but a good one. "A hospital?" Kasumi thought aloud and stood up. "Perhaps I do have some darkness for this place to reflect after all," Kasumi mused, but she felt safe. Whatever image this place had spawned for her, she knew it was just that, an image and nothing more. Kasumi turned and stopped and shock as she saw a familiar figure in a hospital room bed.
"Kasumi," her mother greeted with a smile.
Kasumi's shock quickly passed and she looked sad. "You're not really my mother, just a reflection from my mind of her."
"Maybe so. Does that mean we can't talk?" Her mother asked.
Kasumi considered, but could see no harm. Looking around she found a chair and sat down next to the illusion. "I suppose we can talk. If you are a reflection of some darkness in my heart, I suppose it is best to know what darkness that is."
"A darkness, I hope that is not how you remember me?"
"No, not at all," Kasumi replied and looked around. "Although, this place... This is where you died. It's... not a place I like to remember."
"I suppose not," her mother replied sympathetically. "Well, if I'm just a reflection, it really is you that wants to ask me something, I think."
"Me?"
"Well yes. After all, you conjured me up, didn't you?"
"I guess I did," Kasumi replied and entered some thought. "There are many things I could ask, but I don't think the answers would have any meaning to me. An illusion can't tell me what my mother would really think, only what I think she would think."
"True enough, nonetheless I am here."
Kasumi nodded and continued to think. As she did she looked around the room and couldn't help but remember back to that time. "Something about this time..." she mused aloud and realized that she couldn't really remember much about her visits to her mother. She remembered visiting. She remembered her mother's condition. She even remembered talking. She just couldn't remember any of the details. "I suppose I've avoided remembering so long that the memory has faded."
"Such is only natural with time."
"What... what did we talk about here?" Kasumi finally asked.
Her mother smiled. "We talked about many things: how you were liking living with the Saotomes, how you were doing in school, how you were growing up so fast..."
"Is that all?" Kasumi asked in some disappointment.
"You don't like remembering back to this time, remember. Even now you shy away and change the picture," her mother replied, confusing Kasumi.
"What do you..." Kasumi started to ask but realized the truth. Her mother never looked this healthy here. Kasumi hung her head in thought and decided to push on. Summoning some inner strength, the image before her changed. Her mother's skin paled and the strength left her body. Even her hair became a bit of a tangle from days of lack of upkeep. "This... is how you were then."
"Yes," she replied with a forced smiled. "And now, do you remember what I told you at this time?"
Kasumi nodded, realizing the illusion could only help her awaken those memories, not spell them out for her. Letting herself become immersed in the moment, Kasumi finally nodded. "You told me that I should follow my heart."
"Because that is the only way you'll truly be happy," her mother completed for her. "And don't let your father, or the Saotomes or anyone else tell you what your heart wants. You have to find that out for yourself."
"I know," Kasumi replied. "But it's not easy sometimes to know what my heart wants. Now Father and Uncle want me to marry Ranma, and of course there is Sham...poo..." With a sudden spark of realization Kasumi stood up. "Wait, this isn't right. I haven't even met Shampoo yet... No... that's... Why am I even here?"
"You said it yourself, this is an illusion, Kasumi," her mother replied. "It just isn't the illusion you thought it was."
Kasumi looked back at her mother's face and fully realized. I did speak to my mother at this time. Speaking with her is what allowed me to find my center, but this isn't that time, she thought. "I'm still in that hotel?"
"Yes, although that is not where you are trapped," she replied.
"What?" Kasumi asked in confusion but the image started to fade without an answer. "What do you mean?" Kasumi asked desperately but the image faded leaving her back in the Cave of Ancients. "An illusion within an illusion," Kasumi thought aloud. "I have to find my way out, but how?" Kasumi looked around her but could find no answers.
XXXXX
In Usagi's mind she was still falling. How long she couldn't tell, but it felt like ages. Around her was nothing but all encompassing darkness. Despite this, she could clearly see herself, but that was little comfort in the situation. She had tried everything she could think of: attempting to transform, calling out to her friends, Mamoru, even Queen Serenity for help. It was all useless and the press of despair was starting to get to her.
"My friends are in trouble and there is nothing I can do. No, this is far worse than just that, I'm the trouble," she said to herself as her mind couldn't help but imagine the worse. "What if I... kill them? What if I kill Mamoru?" she thought in horror. "I let those... things control me because I was too busy enjoying myself. I didn't even think," Usagi scolded herself but it did nothing to help.
Finally, the despair was simply too much for her and she started to cry. The tears were no more comforting than the rest of this situation, but she couldn't stop them from coming. Time passed as the emotions overwhelmed her. With no point of reference she couldn't tell how long, but it felt like hours to her and as more time passed the more her despair consumed her.
However, just as Usagi was starting to believe that this would be all that she would know for the rest of her life, she could hear a whisper. Quickly drying her tears and falling silent, she listened more closely.
"Such pain..." the whispered said after a moment. It was a woman's voice. In fact, it sounded not that dissimilar to Queen Serenity's voice, but it was different, as if it too was feeling great sorrow.
"Can you hear me?" Usagi shouted and waited.
"Why do you feel such pain?" the whisper asked back.
"Please, can you help me? My friends... Mamoru... I'm... hurting them, and I can't stop. They're controlling me," Usagi replied urgently. Finally, there seemed to be hope. But, just as she was starting to believe that, the whisper went silent. "No! Please come back! I need help!" Again she waited for a reply but there was nothing. "Please, their must be something I can do? Anything!"
"No, it is too painful... too dangerous," the whisper finally replied.
"I don't care!" Usagi replied with renewed strength. "I'll do whatever it takes to help my friends."
Once more there was silence, but this time Usagi could feel that the voice was considering. Suddenly, the answer came as a light appeared before Usagi, through the darkness. As the light came closer, Usagi could clearly identify it as the source of her power, the Silver Crystal. Usagi grasped it as it came to her, and felt renewed confidence. "I can escape with this," she thought aloud.
"No," the whisper replied.
"What? But, I don't understand."
"They control that power now. It is lost to you," the whisper replied.
"But then... what am I supposed to do?"
"There is but one choice that can end this," the whisper said then went silent once more.
"One choice? I don't understand," Usagi called out, but this time no reply came. She looked down at the crystal in her hands, thinking. "They control it... one choice..." Usagi repeated and came to an unpleasant realization. I have to destroy it. But this is more than just my power, it is my star seed as well. If I destroy it... That's what the voice meant, Usagi thought and hung her head.
Once more her thoughts turned back to her friends. Right now they were fighting for their lives against her. As painful as it was for Usagi, she knew it must be at least that painful for them, both figuratively and literally. And worst still, Mamoru was with them. Raising her head, Usagi decided. "I don't want to die. There is so much I have yet to do," she said to the void, briefly thinking of the dream and how pleasant it might have been to go on unaware. However, the idea was quickly quashed. "I won't be the instrument of my own friends' destruction." Usagi pressed her hands against the crystal, willing it to be crushed in her grip. Within seconds it started to crack.
XXXXX
In the real world, only mere seconds had passed, although that was more than adequate for Sailor Moon to do a great deal of damage. With access to her magic now, the battle had turned very quickly against the Senshi and in a last desperate stand, Sailor Saturn was shielding them using her Silence Wall against the worst of the attack, but her strength was quickly fading under Sailor Moon's onslaught.
However, just as it was looking like Sailor Saturn would crumble, the attack suddenly ceased and Sailor Moon looked to be in pain. In shock and uncertain, the Senshi stood and watched for a second until a distinct sound could be heard, that of a loud crack. In response to this, Sailor Moon grasped at the broach on her chest, the same broach that held her crystal.
"Usagi," Tuxedo Kamen exclaimed and broke ranks to rush to her side. The others quickly followed as more cracks could be heard. This time, Sailor Moon made no attempt to stop them, and instead seemed only too further weaken. Finally, she seemed to lose all strength and started to fall, just as Tuxedo Kamen grabbed her and called out her name once again, this time desperately.
As Tuxedo Kamen held her, Sailor Moon's eyes finally seemed to gain a life to them and she looked back at him for an instance before smiling slightly. However, he never got the chance to return the gesture as a very unpleasant sound could be heard, that of something shattering. With that sound, Sailor Moon's broach exploded into tiny shards and all life left her body.
"Usagi, no!" Tuxedo Kamen exclaimed but was quickly surprised by a totally unexpected reaction. An unseen force thrust him and the others back and suspended Sailor Moon's form in the air. Unable to approach again, the force blocking their path, the others could do little but watch as Sailor Moon's outfit started to disintegrate. However, one piece remained: the wings. Instead of disintegrating, they grew and became more lifelike. "What's happening?" Tuxedo Kamen asked but no one had an answer.
The transformation continued on, as the wings changed even more and started to glow intensely. The light filled the hallway, but strangely didn't blind them. Instead, the light felt strangely soothing.
XXXXX
Outside, Doctor Tofu was just getting to treating his newest batch of patients that had just been carried out. However, that was briefly forgotten as a very strange sight began. At first one floor, then quickly those surrounding it began to shine brightly. Within just a few seconds, the entire building seemed to be bursting forth with light. Everyone seeing this was briefly consumed by a sense of awe.
However, just as it came, it faded back into the night's darkness. "What was that?" Kodachi asked.
"I don't know," the doctor replied just as a moan could be heard. Looking down, he could suddenly see all his new patients simultaneously regaining consciousness.
XXXXX
For Kasumi, the light had quite a different effect. Despite figuring out her situation, Kasumi had found her path out blocked by a great darkness. No matter which route she took in this mental mindscape, the darkness was there to block her exit. It was an easy conclusion that it was the very darkness she had summoned and it was now acting as her cage. Every time she tried to push through it, the feel of it was so utterly revolting and consuming that she had to retreat.
That is until the light came. For Kasumi it was almost like a light from heaven, soothing and warm. With it, the darkness seemed to be drawn back and finally gave way, giving her a window to the real world. It could be just another trick of this place... but I have no choice but to try, Kasumi thought as she rushed forward.
XXXXX
Back above, Usagi was finally aware the real world once again, but she also knew this was her last moments as whatever strength she had gained was fading rapidly. She looked to her friends, seeing them a bit worse for wear, but alive. Most importantly, Tuxedo Kamen was alive, which gave her pause to smile.
They'll be fine... without me, she thought as the last of the power left her. I wish though I could see him one last time too. Without that final thought, Usagi's strength was gone, the wings of light vanished, and she fell forward. The others, seeing this quickly rushed forward toward her. Usagi's vision faded completely, seeing a familiar pair of arms reach out from behind to catch her.
End Chapter 36
Next time in A Scary Thought: My God, now Usagi is dead too! AHHHHH! Calm down now, what did I say just 1 chapter ago? Yes that's right, relax. Anyway, with time running quickly up, the others try to make their escape while Kasumi battles Rose. And, what exactly has become of Usagi?
A quick side note for those non-readers of MUOF: Since when does Ranko know how to make an energy shield? She was in the midst of learning this technique from Cologne in MUOF, although she had not completed it at the time. I figured she'd had enough time to work out the kinks on her own by now.
And another quick note regarding the street fighter back story: Now, I've read around and found myself a nice source which tried to compile as much of the canon for Street Fighter as it could which is quite impressive given how much retconning Capcom is guilty of. In any case, I've tried to follow it quite closely for what Sakura, Chun Li, and Bison-Kasumi have said about those events, and up to the point of Bison's second coming and his battle and death at Akuma's hands it should be fairly close. Obviously, I've taken liberties beyond there as that is Bison's last official appearance and Shadow and Shadow Lady aren't even in the Street Fighter main canon, but I figured this worked them in pretty well.
For those a bit confused on the crossovers: Usagi, Rei, Minako, Makoto, Ami, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru, Setsuna, Luna, and Artemis are all from Sailor Moon. Kitsune has her ties to the X-files, but only in that she's a fanatic of similar interests rather than appearing in said show. Saki and Sampei are from Sukeban Deka. You may also notice Frost borrowing a spell from here or there; in particular Gargoyles and Illusionaries are two prime targets. Speaking of Gargoyles, if you're a fan of the series you may have already figured this out, but La Bac is Cabal spelt backwards. Also Gen-U-Tech is also a business from Gargoyles. Does that mean this is a Gargoyles cross over? Haven't decided, could just be me stealing ideas ^_^. Anyway, besides that we have Chun Li, Rose, Shadow Lady and Shadow, and the previously shown Karin and Sakura which come from Street Fighter series (Rose, Karin and Sakura from Street Fighter Alpha 3, Shadow and Shadow Lady from Marvel vs Capcom, and Chun Li from much of the Street Fighter series). As for Ranko, well she's from my other major fanfic, Most Unlikely of Friends, although you can largely consider her standard Ranma trapped in female form for most purposes.
And, unfortunately the webpage is still dead in the water. I was thinking of putting it up on my local ISP's service, but they only give me 10 megs, I need about 30 megs. Surprising how much space these things take. Oh well.
Well, that concludes things for this chapter. Later.
XXXXX
Hey, no lead in? Bah, who needs you! Anyway, onto Kitsune's Corner! With me today is... umm, where is she?
"I don't know what this is all about, but forget it!"
Get out here, Kotori. I'm not going to hurt you.
"Forget it!"
Okay, fine, I'll just have to make up stuff then. You know, I've heard rumors you did a Playboy spread-
"I did nothing of the sort!"
And there is this great Penthouse-
"Quiet... fine. I'll come."
Much better, take a seat. Now then, your full name and age for the record?
"...Kotori Shoushin, 16"
Right. Now, that wasn't so hard, now was it?
"..."
Okay then, let's hear a bit about yourself. I hear you're from the same school as Takeshi.
"That's right."
So, are you and him... special friends?
"We're just friends."
I see. Oh well. Now, you're roommates with Usagi. What do you think of her?
"I think she's gay."
Right...
"Well, how else do you explain her always acting so weird around me?"
Maybe she's just nervous that you may clobber her. You do have a nasty tendency of doing that.
"Nope, she's definitely a closet lesbian, and I'm keeping my eye on her."
Uh huh... moving on. I know you're not a formal martial artist, but you do seem to have some talent.
"I've taken some self defense courses, and sometimes people say I have a rather strong aura, whatever that means."
That I believe. Anybody that can scare off that old geezer-
"Oh... I so hate him."
We all hate him. Boys, girls, it doesn't matter. We all hate him.
So, I'm getting the feeling you think all guys are perverts...
"Most the girls too."
Yeah... um... what about Kasumi?
"...She's... not so bad I suppose."
Ooo, you do realize that she's really the closest thing in this story to a lesbian we have so far, right?
"Of course she is, but not all lesbians are perverts."
Ah... hmmm... I suppose that works...
"What are you looking at?"
What, I wasn't looking at anything.
"Liar, you were checking me out, weren't you?"
Oh man, I don't need this. Look, it's starting to sound to me like you're awfully full of yourself.
"What?"
Yeah, thinking every guy and especially every girl is making passes at you. You aren't that good looking.
"Ha, so you were checking me out!"
UGH... I'm getting a headache. Okay folks, that it for this episode, see you next time.
"I knew it. You are just as perverted as the others, aren't you? Admit it!"
I am not! And besides, I wouldn't be caught dead with you!