Ranma Half Moon chapter 69 "The Death of Tuxedo Kamen" Part 1

Author's note: This episode also happens during the Sailor Moon episode 34, "The Sparkling Silver Crystal! The Moon Princess Appears"

Author's note: "baka" means dumb.

Mamoru walks down the street towards the setting sun, unaware of Usagi running down the same street, just one block behind him. Mamoru walks with effort, weighted down by the dull pain in his shoulder.

Mamoru feels a sharp pain in his shoulder. Could this be a sneak attack by Zoisite? Mamoru turns, but instead of seeing Zoisite ...

"Why feeling all depressed? I thought you were always Mister Happy-Go-Lucky?"

Oh, it's that weird fourteen-year-old girl who hangs out with Rei, Tsukino Usagi, the baka girl that I always tease. Sad though. I am just ten minutes away from a duel to the death, and I just can't come up with a good tease. "Odango head. I see that you're as perky and lively as ever."

"Yeah, well, I can't help it if I'm always perky. I am a teenage girl, you know. Beda!" Usagi pulls down her right bottom eyelid and sticks out her tongue.

Wow, is Usagi only two years younger than Ranma? They almost seem a generation apart in maturity. But, at least Usagi is not one of the Sailor Moon's. "It's good that you're so perky. Please, try to stay that way forever."

In shock, Usagi watches Mamoru walk off. Mamoru didn't insult me?

...

"Zoisite, the preparations are almost complete. You have done a magnificent job as always."

"Master Kunzite, how you flatter me."

"But, we must keep our mind focused on the prize, of bringing home the Rainbow Crystals and obtaining the Silver Millennium Crystal."

Zoisite rolls his eyes. "Yes, and taking Tuxedo Kamen alive."

Kunzite nods solemnly. "An order is an order."

Zoisite sulks.

"I need to check the safe room one more time. Prepare yourself mentally for battle."

"Of course."

Kunzite materializes in the safe room that they had set up. I didn't really need to check it, but I didn't want to alarm Zoisite with the odd emotions that I am feeling now.

The night before, I had a nightmare that seemed to be set a time long ago where the four great generals of the Dark Kingdom were living on earth, in what passed for harmony back then.

I vaguely remember from the dream that the four of us all served a great prince, but the prince betrayed us and we had to hunt him down to avenge our Queen's honor.

I do not know why, but somehow, when Queen Beryl showed me the images of Tuxedo Kamen without his mask, these memories seemed to resurface.

But it does not matter. Myself and Zoisite are going to win the ultimate victory today and seize control of the Rainbow Crystals. Then Zoisite will obtain redemption in the eyes of Queen Beryl and Queen Beryl will not have to kill Zoisite. Then Queen Beryl will award the two of us prominent positions in the new world. So, I must not let a nightmare distract me from the upcoming battle.

...

The Starlight Building is in sight. Mamoru gazes at it from an alley, trying to make sure that Zoisite does not see him coming.

There is a presence behind me. Mamoru whirls around with a karate chop and nearly hits Usagi right in the face. "Why are you following me?" That's a relief. Hitting girls in the face usually doesn't work out well for me.

"Because you are hurt. Your shoulder is bleeding."

This is bad. Usagi was an innocent girl. She shouldn't be this close to danger. "My shoulder is not your concern. You should go home, now!"

Usagi looks scared. Why is Mamoru acting hostile towards me? "I guess you're right. Bye." Usagi runs down the alley to the next street.

She doesn't know the danger. Zoisite is a soulless killer. He would endanger hostages just to get his way. Mamoru steps out of the alley. Time to face the music.

A park separates him from the Starlight Building. Mamoru walks down the path.

Suddenly a red ball of light surrounds Mamoru. So, this is how Zoisite is going to fetch me?

Usagi screams. "Oh, no!"

That baka! Usagi followed me even though I told her not to. Now, this red beam has also captured her. This is terrible. Fighting Zoisite is bad enough, but now this is a hostage situation.

...

Artemis and Minako run at top speed. The central control computer had shown them that Dark Kingdom would strike at the Starlight Building on the bay.

Fortunately, the directions that Luna gave me for the Hikawa Shrine are easy to follow. "Minako, remember, there will be four girls, and one will wear a Shrine Maiden uniform. She'll have dark hair."

"Got it!"

After a hard sprint up the stairs, they arrive.

Minako looks around, but does not see a group of four girls, just a three girls.

"It's okay, Luna is with them."

"Okay. Everyone! We must go to the Starlight Building, now!"

Ami, Makoto, and Rei look at this strange person with blank faces.

Rei finally speaks. "Excuse me, who are you?"

"Aino Minako. We met yesterday under different circumstances. I was Sailor V then."

Makoto slaps her head. "Wow, you look nothing like your transformed self."

"Is someone missing?"

Rei nods. "Usagi, Sailor Moon, is late. Makoto, Sailor Jupiter, called her home, but they had not seen her. Ami, Sailor Mercury, called their school, but they said that she had left. I'm Rei, Sailor Mars, by the way."

Luna asserts herself. "Rei, try contacting Usagi on your communicator."

Rei tries. "I can't get through to her, it's as if she was out of range."

Minako nods. "Maybe she is already at the Starlight Building?"

Luna bows her head. "I wish Usagi was that dependable."

Artemis takes control. "Putting that aside, we need to go to the Starlight building, now!"

"Right!"

To Be Continued