Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Nobility ❯ Chapter 00: The One Left Behind ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Sailor Moon is the property of Takeuchi Naoko. Ranma 1/2 is the property of Takahashi Rumiko.

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Saffron threw the enormous ball of fire, knowing that the force, power, and tractory would not only cleanse the world of that foolish mortal that sought to defy him; but would also incinerate his party in the process. He smiled in vile satisfication as he watched the boy attempt to use that pathetic amozon technique. Sure there was plenty of heat to generate the attack, but there wasn't anyway that he could make his soul "cold" enough to tip the odds in his favor. He did not take into account that Ranma had found a way to tap the magic of the cold staff, and as such was in for a big suprise. There was a sudden quiet. Air just seemed to stop moving, noises stopped resounding, and Ranma just stood there with his arm up in an upper-cut possision. Even the incredible force of Saffron's last attack looked like it was a video put on pause. And that was the moment a storm was born. Sharp winds began to drag toward Ranma's position, moving with just enough force that a tugging could be felt by all present. The portion of the Nerima crew that had followed Ranma here dicided that the time to be a spectator had ended and began to run for cover. Saffron just couldn't figure out just what was happening; he watched in rapt attention as his own attack was been twisted and pulled apart to and fuel to the ever quickening vortex. "HIRYU HYUU TOPPA!" As if hell itself opened up, a tornado exploded into exsistance. Everything that surrounded Ranma was ripped from it's place and set flying into the desprite last stand that was his most violent technique. The hungry funnel swollowed Saffron whole, then greedly sucked up the waters that once fed Jusenkyo as it tore though the giant water tap and continued higher till it appeared to poke a hole in the heavens themselves. Seeing his chance, Ranma flung himself to the mercy of the strom he himself had created. The waters which were drawn into the cyclone wrapped around and engulfed him. With baited breath, he watched as Akane began to take her true form, even as he took his cursed form. From a doll to a teen aged girl once more, all seemed alright. But even as the revised Hiryu Shoten Ha was dieing out, Ranma noticed that she had yet to start breathing. Fearing the worst, he held her close as unshed tears glimmered at the edges of his eyes. "Akane, please don't die... please..." Deep inside of his soul he felt that he should finally confess his love for the wonderful girl, but something held him back. It felt almost as if he was going to betray someone. But there was no one else... was there. No as far back as he could remeber there was no one else. he did fell a great love for this insufferable tomboy. It was now or never. "Akane... please. AKANE, I L-" *thump, thump* That was when he felt it. A heart beat. Two. And more that followed. She was alive. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at Ranma with a small tired smile. But before she could really say anything, she notice her state of dress. Or rather, lack there of. Trained reaction overcame lack of energy. And the result goes without saying. "RANMA! YOU PERVERT!" He stood before the mirror. He had to admit, he did look good in a tux. Western and white, a far cry from his red and black, chinese duds. Today was the day of the wedding. Maybe after the marrige things would calm down. After all, the only ones that will be at the event are the people who can keep relitively under control and his family. He sent out the invitations himself, with the help of Akane, who was of the same mind about the subject. Maybe things will finally start getting better. Walking to where his fate would be sealed no matter what the out come, he kept a positive outlook and a smile on his face. Upon entering the dojo, he saw only those he and Akane had invited. Things did seem to be going according to plan for once. He took his place and awaited the coming of his bride. He watched with total supification at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen took her steps toward the alter. It had to be a dream, that couldn't be his Akane. Just as they were to begin. Just as the first day of his happy new life was going come to a fairy tale ending. Just as his hopes would finally see fruition. All hell broke loose. Before her roared the Galaxy Cauldron, a seething vortex that once was a gental ocean of creation. Seeing her objective, she made her decision. Stepping one foot in front of the other, she began slow, but gained speed in direct proportion to her surging confidence. It was going to work. The Ginzuishou always brought her and all of her friends back. It had always resurrected them before. ...And even if she were to die for good this time, at least she would be able to join her beloved amongst the stars. Reaching the end of the cliff, she lept toward the dark vortex. At the apex of her jump, she spread her wings and dove straight for the center of the malevolent cyclone. The vile, unforgiving winds tore at her, leaving bloody lacerations and deep gashes. Blood mixed with tears as the dark forces greedily devoured her body and power. Her last coherent thought was of the love that she shared with all of her friends and family. The love she shared with Mamoru. Suddenly, all was quiet. No wind, no cyclone of death. Peace once more returned to the galaxy. The cost... Softly, a small gem of light faded into existence above Tokyo. As the gem of silver began a slow decent, eight more faded in, one by one, around the first. Blue, yellow, red, green, lavender, orange, aquamarine, and purple joined in the journey toward terra-frima. Their final destination was the Hikawa shrine proper. As each one set down, a bright orb of brilliance roughly the size of a person manifested in it's place. Once all had gathered on the ground, a bright flash engulfed them. It quickly subsided, leaving nine princess' in it's wake. Dressed in gowns of priceless quality, and standing with the grace and dignity that befit their station; the reborn royalty took in their surroundings. To all but one's surprise, they had an audience. Of course the people watching were not just anybody. Grandpa Hino, the Aino's, Dr. Mizuno, and even Usagi's parents stood as spectators to the spectacle. Still in her princess persona, Usagi spoke with calm and poise. "I imagine we have much to explain." "Not at all, Usa... no..." Usagi was caught completely of guard as she saw her mother bow deeply toward her. "...Princess Serenity, your highness." Ending the bow, Ikuko looked at her daughter with great pride and boundless awe. "In fact, it is we who should apologize. We knew of you all being Senshi from the beginning. But when Lady Setsuna told us that you were, and still are royalty, we did not believe it." With that said, the parents and grandparent looked at their children with unconditional love and total acceptance. Minako, Rei, Ami, and Usagi ran to their respective legal guardians, dropping their princess look and returning to their civilian forms. Tears and hugs followed as years of the stress of keeping secrets from each other were finally released and relieved. "Oh, and Usagi your mother and I have spoken, and we have decided that you may continue to see Mamoru. We give you our blessing." Usagi's dad said as he gave her a fatherly peck on her cheek. "You mean it?" The smile on her parents faces was answer enough. "You hear that Mamo-chan? We can finally get... married?" Usagi turned, expecting to find him by her side. All her eyes met was empty space. "Setsuna, where is Mamo-chan?" Usagi's smile had begun to slip as the senshi of time left for the gates of time. A moment later she reappeared, a deep frown and an ever-so-slight shaking of her head, indicating the negative was enough to tip the scales in favor of despair. All Usagi could do was drop to her knees and scream out in anguish. "MAMORU!!!" Anguish, indeed, was what one Ranma Saotme felt at that very moment. Almost a year and a half of pure insanity. Rivals, fiancees, and those who just flat out wanted him dead. Ryoga, Kuno, and Mousse. Kodachi, Shampoo, Ukyo, and Akane. Cologne, Soun, Genma, and Happosai. Taro, Herb, and Saffron. He had had enough. It was already too much. There was still the ten year "training" (more like torture) trip, not to mention today's horror that they called a wedding; which, like always failed in the worst possible way. If he didn't let loose right now... Standing in a field at Furinkan high and still wearing the very symbol of what he had just endured, he let loose a furious cry of his own. One filled with pain, torment, and frayed nerves. Unlike his partner in the duet of sorrow, the very training that he had endured all of his life enabled his desperate scream to take a tangible form. At first it was a simple shimmering that flowed along his skin, and a soft wind picking up. But as his call grew in amplitude, so did the effects; which quickly became a dark and violent display. The wind became sharp, slicing though ground, tree, concrete, and any other thing that stood in it's path. The shear force of his aura shattered the ground around him. In an explosion of power and emotion, the field was obliterated. All that remained was battlefield of regret and misery. And in the center, an unconscious Ranma. Drained. Emptied. Alone. From the roof of the school a figure stood weighing the choice she must make. "Forgive me, Ranma. I know that you have had a harsh life up to now, and it's not really going to get any better for a long time to come. Please, hold on to that good heart within you, don't ever give in to them. Don't let them win. Soon you shall be free, don't let them force you to come back. Your destiny awaits..." As she finished her monologue, another form appeared behind her. Bowing low, the second woman addressed the first. "M'lady Pluto, all is set according to your contingency plans." "Indeed. See that he is ready in three days. If we miss this window of time..." "There is no need to worry. It will not come to that, M'lady." "In that case, I'll leave the details to you." Pluto left, leaving the other woman on the roof. She held her katana close as she looked over her son's weary form. "Soon, very soon..." Back at the Hino home; next to the Hikawa shrine, the remaining senshi (save Usagi and Rei) and their parents sat in an uncomfortable silence. The atmosphere was thick with a sence of mourning. Even the parents knew of the concequinces of Mamoru's death. No Mamoru, no Crystal Tokyo. After a moment Rei walked warily into the room. It was almost too much for her; her best friend had just complete what should have been their greatest victory, but instead suffered a greater loss then they had ever face before. As she sat down Ikuko looked up and broke the silence. "How is she doing?" Rei gave a ragged sigh. "Finally asleep." "Thats good. Its going to be pretty hard on her over the next few weeks. I'm just gald she has friends like all of you." She gave a lite smile toward the once-soon-to-be-royalty. "But what about Crystal Tokyo?" Ami was sure that this was on everyones mind and felt it might be good to out in the open now. Michiru hung her head. "My mirror is of no use, and Setsuna is probibly looking into it. Though I'm sure that she won't be able to devulge much." "Is everything we done so far in vain?" Makoto knew that they had all sacrificed something for Crystal Tokyo. She did not like the idea of loosing so much for nothing. "Nothing was in vain, Makoto." Setsuna spoke as she walked in. "Crystal Tokyo is an absolute. The question you should all worry yourselves with is 'What will Crystal Tokyo become without a king for the queen?' Right now I am not able to see much with the Gate of Time. It seems that with the defeat of Galaxia and the calming of the Galaxy Cauldron, all forms of precognition are deeply effected. Right now, with the gate, I can only see details and not the over all picture." Hotaru would have started to get worried had she not been so already. "What do you mean, Setsuna-mama?" "For example, I can tell you when your next growth spurt will be, or whether or not Michiru will stay at the top of the charts. But I can't look in on the overall future of Tokyo as a whole. In theory, I could find out by following an idividual path of one of us; but the time I would be able to get to the answer the power surge will have passed and I'll be able to see normaly again anyway." Haruka thought for a moment. "What if Rei did a fire reading? She may not get much, but at least it may point us in the right direction." Setsuna, having expected her to say just that, nodded in agreement. Rei stood and stretched. "Well its something to do at least. I'll be back in a little while." she said as she walk out to the shrine itself. Setsuna turned her atention back the others "As for the rest of us, we should get some rest." Her usually stoic face flashed with momentary mischif. "Hey, don't you girls have some home work to catch up on?" After many anguished moans and a 'eep', they set to take their minds off of the current situation long enough for Rei to complete her task. Though she had closed her eyes, she had yet to go to sleep. Tears still streaked down her cheeks, forming twin rivers of silver shimmering in the moonlight. "True love is only a legend and happy endings are only found in fairy tales. So, what have I been fighting for?" She could feel a cold shell of sorrow bury the warmth of hope and love deep inside her soul; leaving her in a state of stoic deprestion. "I will never believe in a fairy tale again."