From: Rob Paragon A Sailor Moon / Ranma 1/2 fanfiction #### Prologue: It was done. The cats had been sealed, and sent into orbit around the Earth, where eventually they would land, to be awakened when the time was right. As many souls as possible had been sent into the future, to be reborn in a happier time, hopefully without conflict. Not that Serenity, the queen of the Silver Millennium, actually believed that for a moment as she lay dying amidst the wreckage of her palace. Darkness would arrive again. She had not been able to destroy Metalliaia or Beryl, only seal them away... and there were other dangers out there, and she feared that they too would come. Ginzoushou. Broken into seven parts, to seal the Shadows away... even if it was reformed, would it be enough? Her daughter... such potential... but still... She lay dying, and despaired. And then, in her last moments, a shadow fell across her face, and she saw a man. Someone she had never seen before, but somehow his presence comforted her. "Do not fear, Serenity. There are other powers." And Serenity let go, with a smile on her lips... #### He sat under the bridge that he favored when he was feeling unusually depressed. Recently, for Ranma Saotome, that was happening a lot lately. Stupid wedding. That was hell. Stupid Amazons and their stupid laws. Stupid Ucch-- Ukyo. He'd expected better of her. Stupid Nabiki, inviting all those loons. Stupid Pops, attacking that cask of Nannichuan. Stupid Happosai, DRINKING the damn thing, thinking it was sake. Stupid... curse. Maybe not everything came down to the curse, but enough did. Only person right now that he wasn't calling stupid was Akane. It was something of a shock to him that she'd actually wanted to get married. Ranma was normally not the type to use a Shi Shi Hokodan. Right now, the bridge was in serious danger. "This can't be right." Depressed or not, Ranma's reflexes and reactions were still about the sharpest around. He leapt to his feet, spun, and faced-- A six year old boy. "You're supposed to be-- hmm. You ARE Ranma Saotome, right?" "Look, kid, I ain't in the mood--" "Why aren't you a girl? The Paragon is supposed to be a girl, you know. No, wait, you wouldn't know. Excuse me, mind if I take a look at your soul?" "What?" "Arigato. Won't take a moment." Then the kid stuck his head inside Ranma. Now, Ranma was no stranger to weird things happening. Frankly, he was more a stranger to NORMAL thing happening. But this was so insanely weird that he froze in shock. The kid pulled his head out from Ranma's abdomen, and nodded. "Hmm... you're both. That could be useful. And you're definitely the Paragon after all. Wanna help save the world?" "Huh?" "I'm not allowed to explain right now. But... look, you want a way to control your curse? I can give it to you. But you have to help save the world." "A... a cure?" "Not a cure, a control. It won't be a curse any more. It'll be something else. But you have to promise. You have to help save the world." Ranma paused. Something told him that accepting would be a mistake. Something else told him that refusing would be a bigger one. "Deal." The boy smiled. "Okay! Now, put this on, and wait for the rabbit." "What? Rabbit? And what's that thing?" Said thing was a sort of pendant, with a five pointed star of crystal inside a simple gold circle. "It's the Paragon Amulet. Never take it off. Actually, you won't be able to take it off. If you take it, you can't go back. Last chance to back out." Ranma paused. And then he took the amulet, and put it on. "Now what?" The boy smiled again. Then he produced a bucket from apparently nowhere (not an unusual act in Nerima, really) and splashed Ranma. "HEY! What did you... do... that... I'm... I'm still a guy?" "Cold water isn't a problem for you any more, Ranma." "I'm... I'm cured! Never gonna be a girl again! Never gonna be a girl again! Never gonna be a girl again!" The no longer aquatransexual began to fairly caper in joy. "I didn't say that. But you'll understand in time." "Never gonna be-- what did you say?" But the boy had vanished. No longer depressed, Ranma decided to forget about it and started to dance home. #### A man stood staring into a pool of water. "THAT'S your choice for the Paragon?" The boy shrugged. "A mighty warrior, a heroic soul, and a girl. When he'll need to be. Star's already on the way to his house. And he's meant for this, I can tell." "His life is a constant pattern of chaos! He's got a pack of loons chasing him, who either want to kill him or marry him! His father's a moron, his mother's a loon, and he attracts trouble like a cake attracts ants!" "And he's still sane, still noble at heart, still a gentle soul and a brave fighter." "You're right. He's perfect. And the Amulet is already adapting to him. This is likely to be the strongest Paragon ever." The boy smiled. "Am I ever wrong?" The man sighed. "Just once, I almost wish you would be..." #### "So... this world has a Senshi." "My lord, it may have more than one. And there are other sources of power that we can't define." "But you're certain that the StarGem is here?" "Yes. It will try to mask itself by hiding in the soul of one of the humans of this world. We can determine possible candidates, but we can't be certain which one until we find the right one." "Problematical..." "Yes. We can't be certain who carries it, there are probably multiple Senshi, and other opponents. Then again, we have our Ur-golems, and our Ur-demons. Ur-golems can distract any senshi that pop up, while the Ur-Demons seek the StarGem. I don't think it will be that difficult after all." "Then go. Find the StarGem, my key to immortality and omnipotence." "As you command." #### In the room of Ranma Saotome, a gray rabbit with a white star-shaped patch of fur on his haunch sat on his futon, wriggled his amazingly cute nose, twitched a whisker adorably, and sighed. The door opened, and Ranma entered. He'd gotten back to a empty house, which was unusual. Then he stared at the rabbit. And the rabbit said, "Hi! I'm Star, your advisor. I'm supposed to teach you how to be the Paragon. Funny, you don't LOOK like a girl." Ranma fainted. #### End prologue... "What the hell ARE those?" The other Senshi found themselves agreeing with Jupiter's question. It was pretty much like the usual enemy-- basically female in appearance, but twisted in some almost ludicrous fashion. As evinced by the fact that it had a hairbrush protruding out of it's head, was dressed in the required skimpy outfit, and just plain looked silly. After the Daimons, silly probably meant dangerous as all hell. And unlike the Daimons or the other enemies, this one had friends-- a pack of (again) vaguely feminine faceless things that looked as though they were made of clay. Well, clay with sharp rocky projections sticking out. A new enemy. The thing with the hairbrush stood over an unconscious girl, examining her. "Pah. No StarGem in her. Well, she dies then, for her death energy. Kill those... Senshi, Ur-Golems. That at least will please the Master." "Doesn't work that way," came an unfamiliar female voice. And all eyes turned to the shadowed figure, who said-- "From out of darkness comes a light. From out of Chaos comes a champion. To attack the innocent for your dark ambitions can never be forgiven. Judgment has been made-- and you are found wanting." "And who are you?" snarled the Ur-Demon. And the figure replied... "I am... the Paragon." #### Robert Haynie Presents A Sailor Moon / Ranma 1/2 crossover fanfiction PARAGON Episode One : She's not a Senshi? Mysterious Warrior Paragon appears! #### Ranma began to return to consciousness as he felt a soft paw tapping his face. A soft paw? In Ranma's experience, soft paws usually meant-- "C-C-C-C-CAT!!!!!" "Cat? Where? Oh, MAN, I HATE cats!" panicked Star. Ranma froze again. "Not cat. Rabbit. Not cat. Rabbit. Talking rabbit. Eeeep." "Oh, there's not a cat? Whew. You ever been chased by a cat? They are evil creatures, any rabbit can tell you that. Say, why are you clinging to the ceiling?" Ranma stared at Star with eyes roughly the size of cantaloupes. "Talking Rabbit. Weirdness. No more, please..." "You're over-reacting. What, did your father wrap you in a bunch of carrots and lettuce and drop you into a pit of starving bunnies when you were a child, or something?" Star felt, understandably, hurt. First time out as a magical mascot and his charge was acting weird. "R-Rabbits don't talk..." "I do. I'm your advisor, remember? I'm supposed to teach you how to be the Paragon. I don't think I can do that while you're clinging to the ceiling. How do you do that anyhow? Come down, already." "Nuh-uh. I like it up here." "Please? It's not like I can hurt you, is it? I'm just a kawaii little bunny-rabbit." "You're weirdness. I ain't coming down." "I can wait as long as you can, you know." "Bets?" "I don't see what you're so upset about. You DID promise." "Promise what?" "To help save the world." Ranma paused. He HAD made that promise in return for his cure. "Ummm..." "Please?" Star took on an expression that went beyond kawaii and far into the uber-cute spectrum. Eyes sparkling, nose twitching, ears drooping just a bit-- the rabbit radiated sadness and disappointment. Taro would have softened at the sight. Ranma never stood a chance. "All right... " He dropped easily from the ceiling. "Wow, you're good. I can see why they chose you for the Paragon. Except that you're a boy. The Paragon is supposed to be a girl." "Oh, yeah! I don't turn into a girl anymore! So I guess you really want someone else!" Maybe he could escape this rabbit after all. "Don't... wait, let me think... Oh, yeah! Jusenkyo, right? Knew I forgot something." Star paused. "Actually, I think I'm forgetting a LOT of things. But you aren't cured." "Am too! Watch!" Ranma grabbed a glass of water and dumped it over his head. "See? No more girl!" "You don't understand, your curse isn't cured, it's controlled. I want you to think girl." "Think... what do you mean?" "Think about changing into a girl. TRY to." "Why?" "Just do it." "Don't wanna, and you can't make me." "Can too." "Can not." "Can TOO!" "Can NOT!" "You're scared to try!" THAT did it. "I ain't scared of nothin'! Watch, I'll think girl, and nothing-- errrgh." Ranma stared down at herself. Instead of water triggering the change, SHE had. And worse... "ACK! I'm in a dress!" "Well, that's what girls wear--" "I'm-- I'm wearing a BRA! And PANTIES! I can FEEL them! My hair's undone and there's a ribbon in it! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" "You look nice..." Ranma glared at the rabbit in fury. "CHANGE ME BACK NOW!" "I can't. You can, though. Just think boy." Ranma shuddered, and then concentrated again. Again the familiar tingle. He was a he again, and dressed in his habitual Chinese outfit. He tugged at his pigtail for reassurance. No ribbons. Good. "Never gonna do THAT again. Never." "Um..." The rabbit looked nervous. "You'll have to. Rather a lot. You'll have to be the Paragon to fight the Outer Darkness, and only a girl can be the Paragon, so you'll have to be a girl sometimes. But at least you control it now." "Maybe, but I was dressed--" "Like a girl, and sometimes you're going to have to pretend to be an ordinary girl, and they usually don't dress in Chinese tangs and baggy trousers. You'll get used to it." (I don't believe this,) thought Ranma. (I thought I was never going to have to be a girl again, and now I have to turn into one complete with stupid girls clothes and everything because a magical rabbit says so and because I promised to help save the world and... My life may not be hell right now, but Purgatory is a definite possibility.) "Anyway, do you know an abandoned lot or something like that? We should start training. It won't be long before the Darkness begins to make it's move." "What can I learn from a rabbit, anyhow?" asked Ranma. Star produced a lapine grin. "Well, you may have noticed that I'm not an ordinary rabbit..." #### On the subject of rabbits, the name Usagi Tsukino often crosses the mind. Most people assumed her to be just another junior high school student, if one with a peculiar taste in hairstyles. Few knew that she was really the reborn Princess of the Silver Millennium, Serenity the Younger, as well as the Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon, the most popular urban legend in Juuban. There's a certain symmetry in the fact that where a certain cat-hating youth was holding a conversation with a talking rabbit, a girl NAMED "Rabbit" was holding a conversation with a talking cat. "Luna, you really think there's likely to be a new enemy?" "Pharaoh 90 wasn't the last, I fear. I don't know who the new enemy would be, but I'm certain that he wasn't the last. I can feel it." The black cat padded over to Usagi's desk. "But I could be well wrong. At any rate, you have a much greater threat to face." Usagi's eyes widened. Grabbing her transformation brooch, she gasped, "Who? What? Should I call the others?" "No, this is a battle only you can fight..." "No... wh-what is it?" "Your imminent failure in that mathematics midterm Thursday if you don't start studying NOW." At the other end of the room, a pink haired girl of about twelve years of age began to snicker. "Luuuuu-naaaaaa..." "You tell the odango-atama, Luna!" chortled Chibi-Usa, who, even after all the adventures she and Usagi had shared, still couldn't resist a good tease. "Don't Call ME--" "Gomen, gomen. Besides, I realized they don't look like odango after all." "Oh?" Usagi began to preen a bit. "They look more like meatballs." Preening stopped. "And those ponytails look like spaghetti..." "BANZAI!" Luna sighed as one of the not infrequent Usagi and Chibi-Usa chases began, the older girl snarling and the younger giggling like a madgirl. "Definitely her mother's daughter," sighed Luna. "But only if her mother turns out to be Rei instead." #### Before anyone asks, no, Chibi-Usa IS Usagi's kid, or will be. This isn't that kind of fiction. #### For reasons that had never been easily explained, the ward of Nerima, which by rights should have been every bit as congested as the rest of the area around and in Tokyo, had an unusual number of small forests, quarries, abandoned junkyards and the like which were tailor made for martial artists to train in insanely destructive techniques in. Then again, Nerima was a place where the inexplicable was a daily occurrence-- or so it seemed at times. Ranma stood at the abandoned quarry, and scowled. The rabbit that somehow easily rode on his shoulder nodded sagely (or as sagely as an overly kawaii bunny could, anyway). "This should do just fine." "All right. So, what's first?" "First, you change into a girl again." Ranma grumbled. He'd gotten used to the curse, true, but that was because he'd had very little choice in the matter. Now he no longer had to worry about being a girl by accident any more-- and was expected to be one on purpose. Life stank. (Think girl. Think Girl... think COOL Girl,) he thought desparately. He came close. Star nodded in approval. "Very stylish." Ranma looked down at herself. This time she was wearing khaki shorts and a matching military style top, with combat boots yet. "At least this ain't a dress. Aw, man, but there's still the damn bra and... I hope the old pervert never finds out about this." "Don't know what you're talking about, Ranma, but now it's time to summon the Power. Take hold of the amulet, and say 'Paragon no Power Henshin", and that will do the rest." "All right, but-- wait a minute." It was beginning to click. Magical jewelry. Henshin phrases. Have to be a girl to use the power. Saving the world. Cute Fluffy Talking Animal Companion (tm). "Oh, no. Oh, no no no. No WAY are you going to turn me into a magical girl!" "The Paragon is a great warrior--" "You can't fool ME. I've seen those cartoons! Akane watches them all the time! I've seen Pretty Sammy! I've had Wedding Peach shoved in my face a million times! You're going to put me in some frilly skirt with bows and ribbons and some cheesy looking magical wand and goofy jewelry and who knows what and I'll be making silly speeches and dancing around like an idiot! I ain't gonna do it!" Star looked doubtful. "I don't know anything about that. I don't know how the Paragon will manifest this time-- it's different every time. Just do it, please?" "No WAY! I ain't going to dash around in pink lace and satin!" --You promised. Ranma shook her head, uncertainly. Did she hear-- --You promised. You are said to be a man-- or woman-- of your word. You promised to help save the world. "But... but do I have to--" --It is the only way. Star twitched an ear, uncertainly. Ranma was suddenly standing stock still, eyes glazed, and mumbling under her breath. Had the idea of becoming the Paragon sent her over the edge? Then Ranma took the Amulet in hand, closed her eyes, and said the words... "Paragon no power-- HENSHIN!" It took less than two seconds for the transfiguration to occur. It seemed much longer, somehow, as Ranma felt her clothing dissolve, and the lights-- the terrible, beautiful lights-- forge a new garment. She felt energy infuse her. She felt power. She felt... wonderful. She felt like she could go thirteen rounds with Ryoga, Taro, Mousse, Happosai, and Cologne easily without breathing heavily. And as her feet settled the ground and she realized that she HAD been for a moment lifted bodily up, she looked down at herself, and blinked. "God. I think I woulda preferred the ribbons and the frilly skirt." Star developed a nosebleed. He might be a rabbit, but he was also a boy. #### Ami Mizuno held a secret pride. Although as a Senshi she held considerable power-- the Shabon Spray, and recently the Shine Aqua Illusion-- she didn't consider those her true powers. Nor did she consider the enhanced speed, agility, and strength such. No, what she considered her true power was something she had been born with-- her intellect. It wasn't a matter of ego, really. She studied hard to get the grades she did. Harder still to keep ahead of the class as far as she did. In her own way, she held a touch of ego-- in one thing, at least, she desired to be the best. With her friends in the Sailor Team, that could be hard. Minako was so beautiful, Makoto was so strong, Rei had her strange mystic abilities and a glamour that could not be over looked, and Usagi was... A pillar of unyielding strength wrapped in the blanket of a terminally happy teen. A study in contrasts. The Princess. Ami didn't consider herself very good looking, actually. Not compared to the others, anyhow. Chronically shy, somewhat lacking in self esteem, she threw herself into her studies and her duties as a Sailor Senshi. In those, she found a much needed pride. She smiled. She was also the only one of the Senshi who could access one of her abilities without being transformed-- the Mercury Computer. From time to time she would take it out of the strange pocketspace she carried and do a scan, just in case something odd was happening. Idly she did so, tapped the data entry pad, and froze. For a second-- only a second-- there had been a reading of a new and powerful energy, but it had lasted far too short a time to tell where it was from. It could have been a random blip, but... Better safe than sorry, after all. She'd mention it when she met the others at the Crown this afternoon. #### Ranma came home again, male, with Star riding his shoulder easily in the tradition of magical girl mascots throughout history. Ranma had decided that even if he wasn't exactly dressed like the stereotype from anime, when he was the Paragon he-- or rather she-- was pretty much a magical girl. Closest thing he could think to call it, anyway. Well, maybe superhero, but they didn't usually have talking rabbits as trainers. "That wasn't so bad," said the aforementioned rabbit. "You did good in the training. Guess all that martial arts helped too." "Yeah, but that outfit-- man, if anyone ever sees me in it, they'll never let me live it down." "I told you, they won't recognize you. The Paragon is a mysterious warrior, and no-one will ever recognize you unless they actually see you change in front of them. In fact, I'm not sure they'd recognize you even then." "You SAY so. But you just keep remembering stuff from outta the blue. How do you know any of that works?" "The stuff we tried today worked, didn't it?" "Well.... yeah," Ranma admitted, grudgingly. "I haven't steered you wrong yet, have I?" "Well..." "Trust me. You're going to do fine." "But that outfit..." "The life of a Magical Girl is full of peril," the rabbit said sententiously. "Ha ha ha. You sound just like my pop. By the way, you even THINK of engaging me to anyone, you are fricassee. And I ain't a magical girl. Paragon is." "You're the same person." "..." Arriving at the Tendo house, Ranma entered, with a slightly sullen "Tadaima". Kasumi looked up, and frowned imperceptibly. Ranma had been depressed for weeks since the failed wedding attempt. Although his father and her father had finally stopped pressuring the matter, it hadn't improved his mood. He wasn't eating much (Well, not much for Ranma), he didn't talk much, he didn't even argue with Akane much. There was something different about this depression, though. As though he had the weight of a world on his shoulders. "Ranma-kun, the furo's still hot if you want a bath, and... Oh! What a kawaii little bunny-rabbit!" Ranma shook his head to clear it, and realized that he had a shoulder full of lapine cuteness. "Um... yeah. My new pet. Name's Star. 'Cause of the mark, ne?" "He's adorable! But why did you get a pet?" "Um... well, I've been feeling down, and kinda thought a pet would maybe cheer me up. And I guess it's working a little." (Yeah, right.) "Well, it's the most precious thing I have ever seen!" Kasumi was fairly gushing. Star merely turned up the cute levels a few notches. "Would Star-chan like a carrot or some lettuce?" Star nodded. And then remembered he was supposed to be a dumb animal. "Oh, Ranma-kun! Such a clever bunny!" Kasumi was now officially enchanted. "Um... yeah, he, um, used to belong to a magician I think and he does tricks and he's even housebroken which is very unusual for a rabbit?" Ranma said in something of a panic. Kasumi wasn't listening any more, though, instead rapidly selecting a large carrot, paring it, washing the greens, and slipping it onto a paper plate. "Here you are, Star-chan! I hope you like it!" As Ranma took the carrot and the carrot-eater to his room, Star whispered, "I think I like her." "Everyone does." #### Rei Hino gazed into flames. The fire watching was a mixture of meditation, clairvoyance, precognition, and relaxation. Right now, she was focused on the first and last. Relaxation was sometimes not easy for a Sailor Senshi to come by. The events of the Pharaoh 90 matter had been at times horrific. But again... somehow they'd pulled through. Sometimes she couldn't understand how they won this last one. Usagi's refusal to harm Mistress 9 -- Hotaru-- should have gotten them all killed. Instead... Instead, as she always did, somehow she persevered through love, hope, and sheer bloody-minded refusal to lie down and die. Whatever else one might say about Usagi Tsukino, she was not a quitter. No matter how much she wanted to be. But for now, Rei wasn't thinking of any of that. She was simply relaxing, losing herself in the flickering patterns of the flames, and allowing herself to enter the meditative state she so rarely had an opportunity to enjoy. It was probably the least desirable time for a vision to intrude. She saw a strange irregular crystal. A hidden face. A darkness. And for a flickering moment, the glimpse of a blue eye and red hair. She fell back, groaning. "Oh, no... not AGAIN..." It was a good thing she was meeting the others at the Fruits Parlor Crown. They had to be warned that something might happen. #### Dinnertime at the Tendo residence. As it had been for the last few weeks, it was oddly subdued. Ranma ate in silence as he usually did nowadays, and people tended to match him. But this time there was a new tension in the air, one that wasn't easily defined. Ranma was timing this one perfectly. Anything Goes Martial Arts Surprise Announcement Technique. Just as his father was swallowing a rather large piece of fish, he mentioned casually, "Oh, by the way, got cured of my curse today." The now choking Genma was a pleasant sight. "You okay, Pop?" Ranma asked with dripping insincerity. Actually, the reactions around the table were pretty varied at this announcement. Akane froze, in sheer disbelief. Nabiki's chopsticks snapped as she realized that almost 15 percent of her profit margin may have just dried up and blew away. Soun took on an expression much akin to a deer caught in a 5000 watt spotlight. Kasumi smiled, and said "How nice for you!" Nodoka fainted in joy. Ranma went back to his meal, expecting chaos at any moment. He wasn't disappointed. "H-how did you get cured? How can I get cured?" his father demanded. "You can't. Only works once." "You mean you found a cure and denied your poor, long-suffering father release from his personal hell?" "What hell? You seem to like bein' a panda pretty much. And anyway, I didn't find a cure, it found me." "You could have waited, Saotome," mused Nabiki. "You mean for one last photo shoot, or the chance to sell the news about my cure? Sorry, I already told Cologne and certain other people about it, including Hiroshi and Daisuke. Guess by tomorrow it'll be all over town." Nabiki stared at Ranma's frankly nasty grin. She knew he wasn't happy with her about her part in the failed wedding, but... "You... you lost me that much opportunity? Do you know what you have done?" "Yeah. Took control of my life for once. Feels good." Ranma rose from the table, and added, "Well, I gotta groom my rabbit. See ya." "Wait-- at least tell me how it happened!" Ranma paused, and then held out a hand. "500 yen." Nabiki screamed in frustration as Akane found herself repressing laughter... #### Makoto Kino was a romantic. But not in general a successful one. She was reading a cheap romance novel, trying to picture herself in the role of the heroine, and failing miserably. She was uncomfortably aware that she wasn't quite fit for that role. She was taller than most boys her age. Also stronger, faster, and a hell of a lot better fighter. This tended to intimidate said boys. True, this usually didn't matter (or so she told herself). Most boys she met were immature types, not quite what she was interested in. But every once in a while she'd see one... One who reminded her of her old-- no, that was a memory she should just let go of. (As if I could,) she thought ruefully. (Face it, Makoto, you can't go a week without seeing some cute guy who reminds you of your old sempai.) Well, someday she'd meet the right guy. Until then, she'd keep trying. Makoto was also an optimist. Idly she stood, tossing the novel into her purse, grabbed a bag of cookies she'd made for Motoki-- not to try to catch his interest, he had a girlfriend already-- but just because he was a nice guy, and headed out to the Crown to meet her friends. Besides, there might be a cute guy there. #### "Got to admit, Star, your advice was worth it. I thought she'd die when I asked for the 500 yen." "Did she pay?" "Naw, but the only one who knows anything about how it happened is Cologne, and all she knows is a wandering kami passed by and decided to cure me. I ain't telling any of the rest, it's too embarrassing." "It's also a secret. You can't be a mysterious warrior if everyone knows who you are, you know." There was a knock on the door. Star quickly started to play "innocent little rabbit" as Ranma said, "Come in." Akane entered, trying to look severe. "That wasn't very nice to do to Nabiki, you know." "Wasn't meant to be. I ain't gonna let her control me ever again. I got other things to worry about." "Like what?" "Like how Kuno's going to react when he don't see his pig-tailed goddess any more, for example. Or the fact that my stupid pop ain't going to understand that that cure only works for me, and I can't repeat it, and I didn't do it in the first place. Or making a bed for Star here..." Akane took in the rabbit for the first time, and melted. "Awwww... what a kawaii little bunny rabbit!" she said in sugary tones. "People keep saying that. Star, this is Akane. Wave to the nice lady." Star, playing along, sat up on his haunches and waggled a paw. "Ooooo! What a SMART bunny!" Akane gushed. "Yep. And he's neat too. I'm gonna teach him the Art." "You're going to try to teach a rabbit martial arts?" Star looked uncertain at this also. "Sure, in case he gets lost and a dog tries to mess with him. So he can defend himself while I try to find him. I think it would be cool." "Well," Akane said uncertainly, "If anyone could teach a rabbit kempo I guess it would be you... Can I hold him?" Ranma looked at Star, who nodded imperceptibly. "Okay, but be careful. He's not as tough as P-Chan, I think." Akane gently took the rabbit in her arms, and scratched it behind the ear. Star closed his eyes, happily. "He's adorable." "People keep saying that too." "But why did you get a rabbit? I would have thought you'd want a dog or something like that..." "Oh, I've always liked rabbits. Tough critters in the wild, you know, real fighters. Besides, dogs are too much trouble, compared to rabbits." Again, Star's coaching came through as Akane accepted the fabrication. Akane reluctantly put the rabbit down. "I miss P-Chan... I haven't seen him in weeks..." "He'll turn up, maybe." For a while they talked, about inconsequential things, and then Akane left. And Ranma mused at the idea that they would actually just talk. Star smiled. He was here for more than one reason, after all-- the Paragon was only the most important one. #### Minako Aino. There was a heartbreak in her memory... She'd actually been the first of the Sailor Senshi to be called. She'd pretended to be the Princess to draw the attention of the Dark Kingdom. She'd traveled the world, especially Britain, fighting crime and the Dark Agency, and meeting-- Alan. It still hurt, a little. But she knew that Katrina was really the right person for him. If only she could have been... It had been hard fighting alone. When she had teamed up with the others, it had been the best day of her life. About three months later came the worst one. Also the last one. Dying at D-Point wasn't ANY fun. Being reborn again and having at least a short while to be an ordinary girl had been. Then she had been reunited with her friends. That had been even better. Well, life was good, except when you got killed, or had your heart broken. Minako wasn't the sort to stay down for long. Just wasn't in her nature. She was sort of like Usagi that way. Which reminded her, it was time to meet with the others at the Crown. Maybe there was a new boy in the neighborhood, or a new manga series she hadn't heard about, or a new idol group, and if nothing else, Usagi and Rei could always be counted on for some entertainment. "Come on, Artemis, we don't want to be late, do we?" "What we? Luna and I usually wind up waiting outside anyhow..." "Cranky Kitty." #### SPLASH! Ranma stood, soaked and fuming. "So... the rumor is true... you're cured and you refuse to share it." "Ryoga, dammit, I didn't find a cure, a cure found me! Some weird passing kami or something! And he was looking for me specifically, anyhow! There ain't nothing to share!" "You specifically?" The Eternally Lost Boy stared. "Only you?" "Yeah. Only me." (I guess they didn't need a magical pork roast to help save the world.) "How DARE you insult me so!" "Huh?" "To suggest that the kami would choose you over me! DIE!" "Aw, no, not again!" It was an old dance. Ryoga lost his head, Ranma went into the usual routine of dodge and strike, nothing ever seemed to change. Until now. Suddenly Ranma realized that he was moving faster than usual. Faster, more gracefully, more nimbly. Almost like he used to in his... A-ha. Ryoga was confused. Ranma had never been this fast before, never this nimble, this agile, except when he was a... Oh, damn. The fight was shorter than usual. It ended with Ryoga embedded in the ground, expressing muffled curses. Ranma punted the lost boy out the gate, knowing that it would be at least a week before he saw him again (although he couldn't be certain about P-Chan) and went to talk to a certain rabbit. "Well... since it's not a curse, and since the Paragon is somewhat different from the old version of your girl side, I suppose that the girl side's old advantages just sort of shifted over to your boy side. You know how tough Paragon is," Star said. "Yeah. That was kinda embarrassing, to find that I was that much stronger as a girl... uh-oh. Does that mean my not-changed girl side is gonna be weak or slow now?" "I don't think so, but we'll check tomorrow-- aggh..." Ranma leaned forwards. "Hey, you okay, Star?" "D-Darkness... I sense the darkness. It's started... Damn, wanted to train you more..." "Where? Can we get to it?" "I can take you there. Change and follow me." Ranma had seen many things in his short life that defied reality. Star went beyond defiance, and mooned reality while giving it the metaphorical finger. A 60 MPH rabbit counts, anyhow. Then again, so does a 60 MPH Paragon. #### There are few things that spoil the enjoyment of a strawberry parfait quite like the panic stricken scream of someone who has just been attacked by a monster. In the opinion of the Sailor Senshi, it was also uncomfortably frequent. After nearly two years of this, the reaction had become routine. Find a quiet place to change, and do so. Go out, find out where the scream came from-- And stare at what seemed to be a tall girl in a rhinestone bikini with a hairbrush stuck in her head, crouching over an unconscious girl. "Is it just me, or do the enemies just get daffier and daffier looking overtime?" asked Sailor Venus. "It's not just you," gritted Mars. "And I thought the Daimon looked weird." The hairbrush-head turned, and snorted. "Intruders. Enemies. Go away." "Not likely! Whatever you are, we won't let you hurt that girl! Agent of Love and Justice, Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon! In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" "Senshi? You are... senshi?" Sailor Moon blinked. "Um... I just said that, right?" "Senshi. Die." The ground began to waver, and things appeared. Squat, vaguely feminine things, like female trolls made of clay. And there were a lot of them. "What the hell ARE those?" asked Jupiter. The thing with the hairbrush stood over an unconscious girl, examining her. "Pah. No StarGem in her. Well, she dies then, for her death energy. Kill those... Senshi, Ur-Golems. That at least will please the Master." "Doesn't work that way," came an unfamiliar female voice. And all eyes turned to the shadowed figure, who said-- "From out of darkness comes a light. From out of Chaos comes a champion. To attack the innocent for your dark ambitions can never be forgiven. Judgment has been made-- and you are found wanting." "And who are you?" snarled the Ur-Demon. The figure stepped into the light. She was not very tall-- a hair taller than Usagi, maybe, but maybe not. She wore a sort of metallic silver strapless leotard that left no doubt that she was of mammalian decent, and a matching silver choker. A open front black mini-vest accented the revealing bodywear. Black thigh-high boots and elbow-length gloves added to the effect, as did the twin thin black belts that draped her hips in an X pattern. The final accents were a complex dragon-shaped circlet of silver in her free flowing mane of crimson hair, matching earrings, and a black mask that, although sparse and hiding nothing really of her face, still seemed to be concealing. "I am... the Paragon." Before the hairbrush headed thing could react, the Paragon had leapt over twenty meters in a flat arc, to plant a heel in it's gut. "Oh, and I don't like you," she added. Hairbrush oofed. The Senshi, meanwhile, found themselves having to deal with the Ur-Golems. And they weren't having a very hard time of it at all. Without the Ur-Demon to direct them, they Ur-Golems had all the tactical capability of a tin of bad salmon. Everyone was using their basic attacks. No need to use an improved one-- these things were cheese. Even Sailor Chibi-Moon had taken one out with the Pink Sugar Heart Attack. "Are these supposed to be a threat?" demanded Jupiter. "They're ugly, but they break easy!" She hadn't even bothered with a power attack. A nearby 2x4 left from a construction site and her own muscles were doing just fine. "You noticed-- this is silly!" replied Sailor Moon, clubbing another Ur-Golem into dust by the simple expedient of hitting it with the Spiral Heart Moon Rod, as opposed to hitting it with a really big pink heart. "Kinda fun, though!" "YATTA!" cried Chibi-Moon as she took down a second thingy. "I'm getting to beat up monsters all by myself!" Mercury stared as a pack of Ur-Golems melted under a Shabon Spray -- which normally doesn't DO any damage. "These things are a joke! What possessed that creature to summon them?" Hairbrush knew why the Senshi were having an easy time of it. This damn silver and black clad bitch. Her constant attacks were distracting her from pushing any energy into the golems. "You... you dare interfere-- DANDRUFF SWARM!" "Dan-- OW!" Paragon had not expected to be hit by a flurry of armor piercing head flakes. Then again, who would? "DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!" raved the Ur-Demon. "Let me guess," Paragon retorted, now dodging the bursts of damaged scalp, "You aren't wishing me a long and happy life, are you?" "ARRGH! FULL ULTIMATE DANDRUFF ASSAULT!" (Oh, crap...) "PARA SHIELD!" The hairbrush Ur-Demon was now pushing all her power into an assault against the Paragon. Said Paragon had created a star-shaped plane of force in front of her, blocking the assault. Now that the Ur-Demon's attention was totally on the Paragon, the golems began to crumble by themselves. Relieved of the need to fight the weak but plentiful creatures, they turned their attention to the struggle between the Ur-Demon and Paragon. Paragon was discovering a small problem. While she was using the Para Shield, she couldn't attack-- either her normal attacks or the Paragon attacks she'd only just learned. One at a time, so far. This sucked. And she wasn't certain she could hold out forever. She wasn't certain who the cheerleaders were, but she called out to them, "Hey, can you call the army or something? I'm not sure how long I can hold Miss Bad Hair Day off!" Sailor Moon smiled. And began to do her thing. "You can't possibly think that you can outlast me, human!" snarled the Ur-Demon. Paragon sensed a buildup of energy. A LOT of energy. Hey, those weren't cheerleaders, those were-- well, what do you know? They DO exist. "Ever hear of a delaying tactic, bristle brain?" "What?" "MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!" "What? What did she.......lovely..." Paragon stared. Then she walked over to Sailor Moon, and said, "Did you actually just hit that thing with a nine foot wide giant pink heart?" Sailor Moon blinked. Of all the times she had used the attack, that question had never managed to come up. "Um... well, yeah, but... but it works, right?" "Can't argue with that. Well, I'm likely to be seeing you. Ja!" Before she could leave, Sailor Mars cried out, "Wait! Who are you?" "I said it before. I'm the Paragon." "No, I mean who ARE you?" demanded the Senshi of fire. Paragon paused, and then allowed a smirk to cross her face. "You know, that's a pretty stupid question." Mars stiffened. "Stupid? How is it stupid?" "Aw, come ON. If I WANTED you to know who I was, I wouldn't wear a mask, now would I?" With that, she leapt to a rooftop and zipped away at speeds that defied reality. None of them noticed that she was being followed by an equally fast rabbit. #### "I don't trust her." Rei was not happy with Paragon's reply. "Aw, You only say that because she got you with a real good zinger," teased Usagi. "We don't know anything about her... except she's definitely not a Senshi," added Ami. "Luna, Artemis, do you have any ideas?" asked Minako. Artemis sighed. "Not a clue. I'm certain there was nothing like her in the Silver Millennium." "Well, we know one thing about her. She's some sort of a martial artist. Although I don't know any martial arts that let you jump up 20 meters and create magical shields," said Makoto. "I thought she was really cool. And I thought she dressed really neat. Maybe we should find out where she gets her clothes from," input Chibi-Usa. "I don't think that's such a good idea," sweated Usagi, an unnerving vision of Chibi-Usa in Paragon's outfit coming to mind, except where there was silver her's was a metallic pink. Luna was silent. As much as she tried, she couldn't remember anything like the girl tonight from the Silver Millennium. And if she wasn't from the Millennium, then she was... Something else. This would bear watching. #### Paragon dashed across the rooftops, laughing. "So, it wasn't so bad, then?" Star inquired. "Bad? BAD? I've never felt so alive in my life! I don't like being a girl at the best of times, but I think I could get used to being a magical girl when I gotta! And I feel a lot better after actually seeing the Sailor Senshi for real!" "Why?" "Because no matter how stupid this outfit is, it's nowhere NEAR as silly as theirs are!" And shifting into first female mortal mode, and then himself, Ranma Saotome went home. #### END episode one From: Rob "Six Senshi. Six. On one planet. This is NOT good for the Master's plans." "And this other?" "This... Paragon. Also powerful, and obviously opposed to us. It seems that finding the StarGem will not be nearly as simple as we had thought." "Then a simple Ur-Demon and Golems aren't enough. We'll have to send someone to command them." "I'd suggest Ferriko. She's done well in the past." "Well enough. As long as she remembers what her main objective is." "To find the StarGem." "Not... entirely. As long as we are opposed, finding the StarGem will be difficult." "I see. Then... We have another objective as well." "Yes. Find and kill the Senshi-- and the Paragon." #### Robert Haynie Presents A Sailor Moon / Ranma 1/2 fanfiction PARAGON Episode Two: Who is this girl? Ranma's new identity! #### Ranma tugged at the uncomfortable collar and grimaced. "Man, why do I have to wear this stupid thing?" "Don't ask me, ask your mother," replied Star. "Besides, you don't look half bad in it." "Just because I'm cured--" "Controlled." "Whatever. Still no reason for me to start wearing a stupid uniform anyway." "You know as well as I do that the only reason you got away with wearing that tang all the time was because of your problems with cold water. Now that that's a thing of the past, she's going to insist on your dressing 'properly', if I'm any judge of character. And I am." "Well... guess I don't look so bad after all..." Ranma checked himself out in the mirror. There was a certain panache in the cut of the Furinkan High School uniform, at that. "And I can still fight in it, and you can bet I'm going to have to." "Is this Kuno guy really that much of an idiot?" wondered the magical rabbit. "Nope. He's not smart enough to be called an idiot. His whole family is a pack of one hundred and fifty percent loons. They make me look normal." "What's abnormal about you?" "Other than the fact that I'm the first ever male magical girl? Nothing at all." Ranma frowned. He'd have to check out parts of the school for private places to change if the Paragon was needed again. And he was pretty damn certain that the matter wasn't over by a long shot. Of course, he was right. #### Her name was technically Usagi, but there wasn't a single person alive in this time period who called her that. Most called her by the more familiar nom-de-childe, Chibi-Usa. Except for the person who would one day be her mother, who was more likely than not to call her "Spore", "Fungus", and recently, "Ninjin-atama" (Carrot-head), due to the shape and color of the odangos she habitually wore . Chibi-Usa didn't give a whit about being called Spore or Fungus, but Ninjin-atama was beginning to get on her preadolescent nerves. It just didn't seem fair to the youngest of the Pretty Fighters for Love and Justice that her baka mother to be should come up with a good zinger like that. She wasn't supposed to, in her opinion. Don't mistake her-- she truly loved her "cousin" Usagi, but the rivalry between them was now force of habit. Besides, it was usually in good fun. Well, at least she thought so. And somehow, although she knew it intellectually, it was at times hard emotionally to connect the graceful Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo and the not particularly graceful Usagi Tsukino of Juuban Junior High together. Somehow they didn't even seem to look alike... Except in battle, especially a hard battle. Then the power of Serenity shone through, the hope and bravery and sheer goodness. THEN she could believe. Well, she could also believe when Usagi tried to cook. Serenity had never gotten the hang of it herself, and it was widely known in the Crystal Palace that when the Queen was feeling "domestic", to precall for takeout just in case she hadn't picked to prepare curry. Serenity did a mean curry rice, but almost anything else... On the other hand, with Ikuko-mama helping, Chibi-Usa was a fair cook for her age. Except for one thing. For the life of her, she couldn't cook curry at all. Then again, neither could Endymion. Like father, like daughter... Said future father was talking to aforementioned future mother. Not their usual quiet intimacies or discussions of how to improve Usagi's grades (a matter of some concern to Mamoru Chiba) but the mysterious fighter that had appeared the day before. "So... Rei doesn't trust her?" Usagi shook her head. "But she doesn't say that because she has any bad aura or anything, she just doesn't like her attitude. She got Rei really good, you see... And also because whatever she is she's definitely not a Senshi." "Are you sure? We didn't know about the Outers before, and they were Senshi..." "And they dressed the part too. She wasn't dressed like anything I've ever seen before. Um... except in a swimwear catalog I have. Besides, she didn't call herself a Senshi or a Sailor, but the Paragon. Mamo-chan... what does that mean?" Mamoru thought a moment. "It's an English word, meaning 'Ideal' or 'Best Example'. You know, when you think about it, all the Senshi names are also in English-- except Chibi-Moon-- and when you perform an attack, you use English too. I wonder why that is? Perhaps there's another connection." "Well, neither Luna or Artemis can think of one." "Perhaps we should ask Haruka or Michiru. They might know something. A pity Setsuna's vanished again. Not that she'd answer any questions." Usagi looked morose. She didn't hold out much hope of getting any help from the Outer Senshi-- who more likely than not would assume that since the Inners had handled it before, they would continue to do so. Neptune and Uranus-- especially Uranus-- weren't always what she felt was friendly. And Mamoru was completely correct about Pluto's tendency to limit information to a need to know basis-- herself being the only one who needed to know. "I hope we see her again... and get a chance to talk to her. I don't care what Rei thinks, I trust her. I think she's on our side." "Well, Usako, considering your track record in that area, I'm inclined to agree..." #### Akane looked up at the fence-rail at her fiance, who was whistling happily instead of the somber boy of the last few weeks. It seemed that his cure had cheered him up no end. She hoped it would give her the confidence to finally tell her what she was so certain of-- that he loved her, that he did want to marry her. Somehow it never occurred to her that she might try saying it first. But like many women, Akane thought that it should be obvious-- and that it was the man who should say it first anyhow. Except he wasn't saying it. Baka. "NIHAO!" Damn. It was all going to start again. Shampoo would glomp on him, and he wouldn't even try to get away-- well, he would, but he should deck her, except he didn't like to hit girls, and anyhow how did she know he didn't secretly enjoy it, and why didn't he commit to one person, and-- Then Ranma vaulted over the red bicycle that would normally have planted itself on his chest (if not face) and continued on to school. Without apparently thinking. The only person who was more astonished than Akane at the casual avoidance was Shampoo, who lost control and fell into the ditch that ran alongside the fence. Drenched, the now Shampoo-Neko trudged back to her home, wondering what the hell had gotten into her airen. Ranma continued to whistle. He had hardly noticed Shampoo, in fact-- he'd merely reacted to an incoming threat. The changes wrought by his accepting the role of the Paragon weren't just the Paragon's. He was now a composite of the best physical qualities of his male and female forms-- and so, claimed Star, was his now secret female form. And when he was the Paragon-- but that was different. That was a responsibility, not a gift. That was... special. A secret. Just as the fact that he wasn't exactly cured was a secret. One that he had to keep no matter what. Martial Arts didn't mean a thing next to saving the world. Now, THERE was a thought that he'd never EVER thought he'd think. The idea that something more important than the Art was almost, well, sacrilegious. But when he was the Paragon... There were, literally, no words for it. The sheer rush of power, of the undefinable rightness of it... of the Purpose. His life hadn't really had much in the way of purpose before this. For ten years it had been training in the Art-- not so much a purpose as a lifestyle. Then for about the last two it had been training in the Art, trying to balance two fiancees (At one time three), a determined Amazon who figured they were already married, and a lunatic gymnast, dealing with a series of challenges that were best described as just plain nuts, and randomly turning into a girl at some of the least opportune moments. Oh, and avoiding a possible suicide pact. Again, pretty interesting, he supposed, but not exactly what one would call a purpose. The closest thing he could call feeling as though he actually meant anything were those few times he was using the Art to help someone instead of trying to keep the latest loony from killing him for some completely insane reason. Then he had felt alive. And as Paragon... Alive wasn't the word. He wasn't certain what the word was-- he had to admit that his vocabulary wasn't as large as it probably should have been-- but whatever it was, it was something he'd LIKED. Liked a LOT. If only he didn't have to turn into a girl wearing a really revealing outfit to do it. Cripes, even those Senshi got to wear more than he did. (Or was that she? Paragon was a girl, after all.) Well, more where it counted. On the other hand, what they wore was downright silly looking. (In his opinion, anyhow.) Oh, looky. School. And the single person who he actually came close to detesting in the world. Tatewaki Kuno, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High. Ranma had come to the understandable conclusion that Blue Thunder was some secret code meaning Total and Complete Idiot. "So, Saotome, you still dare to show your misbegotten countenance at these hallowed halls of education even after I justly halted that foul attempt to bind the fair Akane Tendo in an unholy rite of oof." Kuno had MEANT "Unholy rite of matrimony", but Ranma's simple punch in the gut had forced him to rephrase that somewhat. "Ain't got time, 'Sempai', gotta get to class." "You.. you will call me moron..." said a somewhat dazed Kuno, getting the usual morning conversation backwards, but oddly accurate. He then fell over, which, after two years of practice, he was very good at indeed. "Gladly. Come on, Akane, don't wanna be late, ne?" Akane was beginning to wonder about Ranma. No taunting Kuno, no flashy moves like the habitual leap-kick -- just a short, brutal blow to the stomach. Not like Ranma at all. Almost as if he had more important things to think about. #### In the case of Usagi Tsukino, she did have more important things to think about. Being Usagi, she wasn't thinking about them at the moment. She was too busy standing in the hall with a placard around her neck reading "Tardy". For almost any other student at Juuban Junior High, this would be a matter of intense embarrassment. For Usagi, it had become something of a matter of routine. Besides, it wasn't really her fault, she felt. Luna should have woken her earlier. Usagi conveniently forgot that Luna HAD woken her three times that morning, but then, she usually did. In a choice between the wonders and majesty of a modern education and an extra five minutes of nappy-time, give her the nappy-time any day. One might not agree with Usagi's priorities, but no-one could deny that she definitely had them. Besides, if she had been on time, she would have fallen asleep in class and wound up in the hall anyhow. School was so BORING. She tried, she really did, to get as interested as Ami or Rei in it-- but she just couldn't. Even when Luna said that as the future Queen of Crystal Tokyo she owed it to her subjects to be well educated, she couldn't work up any enthusiasm. It was a small comfort that Makoto and Minako were equally little interested, even if they did get somewhat better grades. Although in the case of Minako, not by much... And anyhow, she was passing, what with Ami's study tips and the regular informal juku at the temple and Mamoru's encouragement and most of all Luna's just plain scolding. It was amazing how useful the scorn of a cat could be for short-term motivation. Hmm. There was something more boring than class, now that she thought of it. Standing outside class with a sign around her neck. THAT was really boring. Usagi's mind began to wander, and to drift again to the strange fighter from the day before. The Paragon. If she had appeared in a proper Sailor fuku and tiara, Usagi wouldn't have bat an eye. After the Pharaoh 90 matter, she'd have just asked what world she was a senshi of and said Welcome. But instead this new player was dressed like something out of... what WAS the name of that artist Mamo-chan liked so much? Oh yeah. Masamune Shirow. Built like something out of his work, too. Maybe Rei was a bit jealous. Heck, Usagi was a little jealous herself, she had to admit. Not that even if she HAD had that sort of body, she'd ever have the nerve to wear something that... sexy. She didn't think any of the others would either. No, Paragon was not a Sailor Senshi by any stretch of the imagination. Which bought up the question-- what was she? Somehow Usagi had a feeling that the answer would be something totally unbelievable... #### The word had gone out that Ranma was cured. Of course, more than one person felt compelled to test that. After the first six experiments, Ranma became somewhat irritable. Experimenter number seven was experimented on himself by being thrown fifty meters into the swimming pool. This put a damper on experiments. To Ranma's considerable annoyance, a fair number of the male population of Furinkan began to complain that Ranma had been unreasonably selfish in accepting the cure, since they no longer had the innocent pleasure of leering at his female form. This ceased after complainer number five also took an impromptu tour of Furinkan's aquatic facilities. Of all the disappointed people, number one was Nabiki. Ranma's curse had been a serious boost to her finances. It had also been her primary source of amusement for nearly two years-- there was no end of fun and excitement that that little case of aquatranssexuality had provided. And the jerk went and got cured. It wasn't fair. Worse, there was no doubt in her mind that Ranma wasn't telling the whole truth about what had happened. A passing kami-- yeah, right. There had to be a lot more to it than that, and the barbarian wasn't coming forward with it. Ranma was hiding something. Hiding it from HER. Totally unacceptable. Last night she'd tried to corner him about the matter, and had received an answer that she'd never thought she'd get from Ranma... "None of your business, Tendo." Damn him. He'd been so damn cool and collected about it too. Just tossed that retort with casual ease. Not like the Ranma she knew at all. Was it merely being cured that had wrought this change? Or had he undergone more than a cure? Whatever it was, she would find out. Nobody held out on Nabiki Tendo. Nobody. Right? #### Class was, for once, a quiet affair that day. Comparatively speaking, that is. No fights broke out, no yelling matches happened, and Ranma stayed awake, listening. Obviously bored as hell, but he stayed awake and listened. In other words, Ranma Saotome was actually making something of an effort to learn in class for once. This caused some of the other students to get really distracted. An attentive Ranma was, after all, something along the nature of three of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse riding in with a note from Famine saying "Sorry, I'll be late, had to stop for a beef bowl". Akane was one of the distracted ones. Ever since the day before, Ranma had been acting less and less like himself. Then again, she'd never known an uncursed Ranma. Could it be that this was the real one? The real Ranma? One she'd never known before? How much did a cure change a person? How much did a curse? Had someone told her that the reason Ranma was paying attention was because a rabbit had suggested that it might be a good idea, well... she might well have believed it. Stranger things had happened before in Ranma's life. #### The Evening Before-- "You grades aren't very good, you know." "Ah, I'm a martial artist, not a scholar. I never understood what use all this school was anyhow." Star sighed. "Great. I have to train a stupid Paragon. What kind of Paragon is that?" Ranma glared at the bunny. "Hey, I ain't stupid!" "No, I guess you aren't..." Ranma began to smirk, when Star followed up with, "Only woefully ignorant. Cherry Coke is not an illegal drug. You're sure hitting one stereotype for sure, you know." "Stereo... whatever?" "Yeah. All these magical girls in these manga are lousy students also. Looks like you'll fit right in." "What?" "Yep. You'll be wearing twinned ponytails any day now. Just like Pretty Sammy." "Why, you baka bunny... I'll show YOU who's a stereophone!" "Stereotype." "Whatever! I'm gonna become just as great a student as I am a martial artist!" Star concealed a smirk-- rather easy to do when you're a rabbit-- and congratulated himself on his talent for pushing the right buttons. After all, a Paragon DID need to be reasonably educated. He sat back on his haunches as Ranma began to study-- for once, with actual fervor. After a short while, Star began to help. A magical mascot is as much a tutor as anything else, sometimes... #### Ranma was bored. But he was determined to prove that he could be just as good a student as he was a fighter. And since he no longer had to worry about changing-- accidentally, that is-- he found that he could concentrate a bit better. In fact, he could think better in general. Eventually, P.E. began. After three more cold water attempts in the locker room and three severe bruisings, it finally sank into the heads of the hormonal idiots of Furinkan that there was no more Onna-Ranma to gawk at. There was much despondency. Drying off, Ranma wondered if any of these people had anything even resembling a life. He was beginning to doubt it. P.E. began as usual. It didn't stay that way. Kuno had decided, once again, to punish the wicked. The wedding attempt had unnerved him more than he cared to admit-- since apparently Akane had been so deep in the sorcerers enchantment that she had been-- horror of horrors-- about to actually wed the foul Magus Saotome. Worse, he had been informed by Nabiki Tendo that it was entirely probable that photographs of the Pig-Tailed girl might well no longer be forthcoming. The reasons were not explained, for Nabiki had merely said that "She's left Tokyo", a statement that was on the face of it implausible, since how could she possibly bear to do so and abandon Tatewaki Kuno? The only possible explanation was the sorcery of Ranma Saotome. So it wasn't a surprise to anyone that Kuno, who had somehow never managed to make the real connection between the Pig-Tailed girl and Ranma, despite having seen the transformation before his eyes on numerous occasions, confronted Ranma during a game of baseball. "Foul demon! What have you done with the Pig-Tailed girl?" Ranma sighed. He had known that this was going to happen. And there was no way that he'd be able to convince Kuno of the truth. Kuno's reflexive distrust of Ranma was to a level that if Ranma had said the sum of two and two was four, Kuno would have hired mathematicians to make it five. "Ain't done anything to her. She's just left, is all." "Liar! She would never leave me!" "Like she was ever WITH you?" "Cease your ill-considered mockery, Saotome! Where has she gone? What have you done with her?" Ranma was hit by a sudden spark of inspiration. If Kuno wouldn't believe the truth, and only kept to the improbable delusions of his mind-- "Well, basically, she went back to her own planet." Kuno froze. His jaw fell a good three-quarters of a meter, his eyes bugged, and his bokken fell to the ground from his lax fingers. "Her... her what?" "Well, you always said she had an unearthly beauty, right? Turns out she was an alien princess. And her two years on Earth studying us were over, so she had to go home. Explains a lot, don't it?" "Princess... alien... oh, thou gods and goddesses of the heart, how sad must she be to be forced to return to the cold depths of space, separated from my embrace! I leave, sparing you for the moment, to begin to find a way to communicate with her during her bereavement!" The assembled students stared as Kuno wandered off, mumbling about SETI and how best to arrange for satellite time. "I can't believe that worked," Daisuke murmured to Hiroshi. "It's got to be the lamest, stupidest excuse ever conceived by man. Of COURSE Kuno bought it," noted Hiroshi to Daisuke. #### School was over for the day, and Ranma had changed into his preferred Chinese clothing. Which, he was realizing, he wouldn't get to wear for very long. According to the rabbit, anyhow. "Do I have to?" "You can't access any of the gear unless you're a girl, Ranma. And there's certain equipment that goes with the job. As you are now, all you have is the Amulet, and you can't use it as a boy." "Bleah." Ranma looked about the alley, and closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating-- thinking girl, as Star put it-- and changed. She looked down and grimaced. "Aw, MAN. Where did THIS outfit come from?" Star began to giggle. "Looks like you're going to have to practice generating a wardrobe, Ranma-chan." "None of that! I gotta think of a different name for when I'm like this." She looked down at the blue pleated skirt and white sailor-collared blouse with the ludicrous red bow. "This looks like a school uniform. Wonder what school?" "Search me. Now, we need to practice with the compact-- uh-oh." Star darted behind a waste can as someone approached. Ranma turned to see the last person she wanted to see as a girl-- Nabiki. (Damn... she must have been following me. She's still suspicious about the cure-- and she'll recognize me, and-- DAMN.) But instead Nabiki looked about blankly, murmuring, "I thought I saw him duck into here..." (What? She... she doesn't recognize me?) "Excuse me, have you seen a boy, about yea tall, black hair in a pigtail, pass this way?" (Think fast, Ranma. Think very fast...) Ranma put on an expression of sheer confusion. "You mean the boy that ran up the wall?" Nabiki paused. (Sounds like the kind of stunt Ranma would pull off.) "Probably." Ranma pointed. "He ran up the wall. Well, he more hopped on a ledge and again up. It was really cool! Do you know him? He was really handsome, I think, although I didn't get a good look at him because he was so fast. Are you his girlfriend? What's his name? Do you know his blood type? Blood type is awfully important, isn't it? Where is he from..." As the redhead continued to prattle, Nabiki's eyes began to glaze over. It was clear that no useful information would be forthcoming from this kid. "Ah... his name's Ranma, and I'm not his... Um, I have to go. Thank you for your help." Nabiki left, and after a few minutes, Ranma began to laugh hysterically. "Whoo-hoo, that was fun! Hey, Star, why didn't she recognize me?" "I don't think you look the same. Well, I mean, it's the same sort of thing that keeps the Paragon from being rec... rec... BWAH-HAHAHAHAHA!!!" The Magical Rabbit rolled out from behind the can, hysterically guffawing. "Gomen, can't help it-- you were acting like... like..." "Like an airhead?" Ranma grinned. "That was the idea. I just had a great idea, see? If I got three identities, then if I make the girl one as different from me as I can, it'll make it harder for people to connect her with the Paragon or Ranma. Um... is that a good idea?" "Hey, it worked for Clark Kent, ne? Now, let's try the compact." "Okay." Ranma produced a small compact-- grimacing at it's innate cuteness. Pink. She hated pink. With rhinestones in a star-shaped pattern, yet, like the Amulet. "How does this work?" "Well, it let's you track weaknesses in the fabric of the dimensional walls so as to determine where a possible Dark intrusion may happen. You look at the mirror and concentrate." "And what does the powder and puff do?" "They let you powder your nose." Ranma rolled her eyes, and gazed at the mirror. And then scowled. "Um... Star, I think I see something already..." "What? Damn. Try map mode. Think map." The hazy but menacing vision in the small mirror resolved into a street map. "It's not very precise, but it's somewhere in Juuban. Like yesterday. Should I henshin?" "Not yet... but we probably should get there fast anyhow. Go Ranma and start roofhopping." "Why not as I am now?" "You WANT people looking up your skirt?" "Um... I don't really care, but I suppose I should pretend I do?" "Exactly." A shapeshift later, and Ranma ran up the wall (He KNEW it would work) and started on his way to Juuban, followed by a very fast rabbit. #### Makoto Kino was walking down the street, idly contemplating either a sundae or a bit of boy watching before the scheduled Sailor meeting at Rei's shrine, when she heard a soft impact behind her. Reflexes took over and she spun, ready to-- Fall in love. Again. She watched the youth walk away, (failing to notice the rabbit that followed him) and sighed. Perfect. That hair, those eyes, those shoulders, that butt-- Oh, MAN, that butt-- The perfect man had appeared out of nowhere. She HAD to meet him. She just HAD to. Before any of the others could, that is. Of course, that was the cue for Minako to walk by, wave at Makoto, and freeze in sheer fascination as the lad in the Chinese clothes passed her. Her expression was almost identical to Makoto's, except possibly a wee bit more dreamy. This did not sit well with said Makoto, who walked up to Minako and glared. "I saw him first, Mina-chan." "Yeah? And I suppose he looks just like your old sempai too?" "No. Sempai NEVER looked that good. And I saw him FIRST." "What does that have to do with anything?" "It has everything to do with everything! I saw him first! And-- aw, he's gone! You made me lose him!" "Me? What did I do?" "You looked at him!" "Mako-chan, any girl who's not dead, cremated, and scattered over the sea is going to look at a boy THAT cute. Besides, **sigh** he HAS to have a girlfriend already. No way is someone like that unclaimed." Makoto added a sigh of her own. "You're probably right. Still... won't hurt to check?" "True enough. Let's go!" Two boy-hunters and part time heroines of Justice set off to find the perfect boy they had just seen. Who didn't exist any more. #### (Girl again. At least I'm not wearing that stupid fuku. And I don't look like a total idiot.) Pastel green skirt, yellow blouse, cute socks and flats. Ordinary girl on the street. Well, ordinary girl on the street with a rabbit on her shoulder. "So," whispered Ranma, "Any ideas yet on a cover name?" "I thought of a few... Ranko?" "I've done that for ages, and it would give me away." "Hmm... Kikuko?" "Yeah, right. Sound's like something my mom would name a daughter. No way." "Rumiko?" "Hmm... I don't know, has potential, but I don't think so..." "How about Fred?" "No broccoli for you tonight." "Meanie." "Anyhow, I think I've got a better fix on that weakness thingy. Somewhere near that block." "Hmm... All right. I've got more accurate mystic senses than you do-- at least for now, so I'll go and scout the area. You wait here, okay?" Ranma paused, and nodded. "Be careful. I'll probably wait in that cafe over there." "Works for me. In a bit..." And shortly after Star went to see what he could find, Ranma was blindsided. #### Usagi wished that for once Sailor meetings took detention into account. As it was, she was late. Again. How was it that she could manage to arrive at a battle with a youma or the like at just the right time and was late for nearly everything else? It somehow just didn't seem fair. When Usagi was in her full "running to get to someplace if not exactly on time then at least not THAT late" mode, she had a tendency to not notice little things in her path. Like streetlights, telephone booths, and people. This time it was a people. WHAM! "Urgh." "GomennasaiIdidn'tmeantoknockyoudownIwasinahurrygomengomengomen!" "Urgh." "Are you all right? Can you stand? Let me help you up..." "Urgh. No... I'm okay... it's nothing, really..." The redheaded girl stood, dusted herself off, and smiled. "I've taken worse, anyhow. But you should really watch where you're going, you know." "Taken worse?" (Ooops. How do I cover for that slip? Well, I probably can't hide being a martial artist for long-- but... maybe a variation of what I tricked Nabiki with...) The redhead giggled. "Hai, 'cause I'm a martial artist. I want to be as good as my idol someday." "Idol?" Usagi asked, uncertainly. "HAI! He's the bestest martial artist I know, and he's also really really cute, but he's taken, well, sort of, it's really really complicated and stuff, but he's really good and I want to be as good as he is and did you know he can jump over a house? I can't, I can only jump over a car, but he can." "Jump over a..." murmured Usagi, weakly. Makoto's words from the previous day rang in her mind... ("Well, we know one thing about her. She's some sort of a martial artist. Although I don't know any martial arts that let you jump up 20 meters and create magical shields," said Makoto.) "Um...can I buy you something to make up for knocking you down? Like some ice-cream, or something? 'Cause I still feel kinda bad about that," Usagi temporized. "Well... I don't--" "Great! Just a moment, I have to call a friend, but I'll be right back!" Usagi stepped to a phone booth, and pretended to use the phone. Actually, she was using something rather more sophisticated. "Rei, I'm gonna be late, but it's important-- I met someone who knows about the kind of martial arts that Paragon was using. Maybe I can find out a clue?" "You might as well take your time," grumbled the shrine maiden over the communicator. "Makoto and Minako are trying to find some perfect guy. Those two... only person here's Ami, and she's all wrapped up in her computer, scanning the area. So we'd start late anyhow." "Arigato! I'll see what I can find out!" Usagi broke contact and then hung up the unused phone. Ranma was somewhat flustered. There was something about this girl that made it hard to say no. Then again, if she was a local, perhaps Ranma could learn something about the Sailor Senshi, who were supposed to be based in the Juuban area anyhow. This could be to her advantage. Besides, she NEVER turned down free food. "So, come on! I want to hear about people jumping over buildings, I thought only the Sailors could do that kind of thing! Oh, my name's Usagi, Usagi Tsukino! What's yours?" (KAMI-SAMA, but she's enthusiastic!) "Ah... Naoko. Naoko Takahashi." "So, what kind of ice-cream do you like?" Of stranger things are friendships formed. But not by much. #### "He sounds impressive, all right," said Usagi in fascination. "Naoko" had never had a chance to ask a single question under the barrage of happy and friendly inquiries by Usagi. "Can he really do all those kinds of things?" "Oh, hai. He's not the only one, but I think he's the best. But the others are pretty good too. But he's my personal idol, and I want to be just like him someday. Except not a boy." Naoko had carefully managed to avoid subjects such as chi-blasts and the really insane things, implying that Ranma jumped over small shacks rather than two story houses. She'd also managed to avoid his rather complex social life-- that is, not mentioning the multiple fiancees, implying only a single one. "And he's really that cute?" Playing the role of idolizing girl, Naoko replied, "Hai. But he's taken. I'm not silly enough to chase after someone like him anyhow. His life is kinda weird, they say. I don't know, I don't go to his school, but there are stories." (There, if for some reason she ever meets my male form, I can keep the two identities separate.) "I think if you really like him, you should let him know." Naoko began to sweatdrop. "Oh, I don't like him like that-- not really, and anyhow, I'm not interested in boys right now. Most of the ones at my school are, um, kinda immature, you know?" (THAT'S putting it mildly.) Usagi nodded. That pretty much described most of the boys at Juuban Junior High in her opinion as well. Then again, she had Mamo-chan, who was very mature... "Well, don't give up. There's plenty of boys out there, and one has to be right for you." (Kami-sama, I hope not!) "Uh, sure. Probably just around the corner." "That's the spirit, never give up hope!" Usagi was second only to Minako in the "Girl's gotta find the right boy" department. Naoko resumed work on her sundae, eating slowly. No need to freak out the girl with Anything Goes eating techniques. "Hadn't planned to, you know? I'm just not exactly looking right now." "Anyhow, it sounds really cool except for the part about all those fights. He seems to be rather violent." "Well... he is a fighter, but he usually doesn't start them, I think... it's more he's really good, so other martial artists come around to challenge him." (Or kill him, or marry him, or try to brainwash him, or... this is harder than I thought.) "You mentioned something about Sailors? Are they real?" Usagi paused. (Oh, great. How do I answer this?) "Well, everyone says they are, but no-one knows much about them... they're very mysterious. And they only show up if there's trouble." "Oh. I wish I could see them, they sound really interesting." (And I could stand to learn more about the people I fought with.) "I suppose. Like I said, no-one really knows much about them." "Oh. That's disappointing." (Well, THIS conversation is going nowhere fast.) For a moment, there was a lull in the chat. It didn't last very long. #### She appeared in an alley, adjusted her cloak, and looked about, uncertainly. THIS primitive place was where the Master expected to find the StarGem? Well, what the Master said went, as far as Ferriko was concerned. If she could do well on this mission, she'd show her smug cousins who was the real asset to the Dark. (Stupid Argentiko and Auriko. Think they're so smart.) She nodded to the Ur-demon she'd bought for the trial mission. "Optika, what I want you to do is seek one with the focus to hold the StarGem. We know that only a soul with a great focus in their lives can be the host. I've assigned a pack of Ur-golems to you. And for pity's sake, put on a human illusion-- you stick out like a sore thumb looking like that!" "Yes." There was a sort of wavering for a moment, and a young woman stood next to Ferriko, carrying a pair of binoculars. "I will start seeking now. I'm very good at seeking, you know." "Yes, I know. I've been informed of that repeatedly. Now, the Master believes that it's possible that Senshi or this Paragon may try to interfere. If they do, stay away from them, and concentrate on the Ur-golems so that they will stay stable. I will reinforce you." "Yes. Did you know I'm very good at seeking? And finding too? I can both seek and find. I'm an excellent seeker and finder." Ferriko had never seen "Rain Man", or she would have found a frightening parallel here. "Yes, well, that's why you are here. So go seek and find." "Now?" Ferriko growled. "Yes. NOW. Before I get angry." "Okay. I will seek and find a soul of great focus that may hold the StarGem." (The Master's Demon-wranglers need to work on the intellect protocols BADLY...) #### Naoko decided she liked Usagi. If she had to spend a lot of time in Juuban, it was nice to have a friend. Especially one that wasn't trying to either kill or marry her. Yet another new concept-- a just plain old fashioned friend. Better yet, she was now going on about her boyfriend-- someone called, improbably, Mamo-chan-- which suggested that Usagi wouldn't become a new suitor should she meet Ranma. Naoko had NEVER seen anyone so heads over heels in love that wasn't chasing her boy-side. And she doubted that Usagi would be using poisoned roses, obscure Chinese herbs, or strange okonomiyaki either. She was, if a bit ditzy, probably the closest thing she'd ever met to a normal girl in her life. And Usagi assumed she was a normal girl also. "Can you really jump over a car?" asked Usagi in yet another dizzying change of topic. Naoko had discovered that the blonde was really good at that. "Hai. If I try hard. I'm not as good as my Idol, but someday..." "Every girl should have a dream. All my friends do, and I know they'll make theirs come true. And I'm certain mine will." "Yours being a happy life with your Mamo-chan?" Usagi nodded. "I'm really really certain of it. It might be a while, but... I wish you could meet him. He's so handsome, and mature, and clever, and nice, and..." "Sounds like you're trying to set me up with him instead of you," Naoko grinned. Usagi blinked. "No way! It's just that he's, well... perfect." "Oh, well, I never met a perfect boy, myself. I guess you're lucky." For a moment Naoko could have sworn she saw literal hearts bounding around in the eyes of her new acquaintance. "Oh, I'm the luckiest girl in the whole--" Usagi's paean to the wonders of Mamoru was interrupted by the unexpected intervention of a pair of binoculars. The woman in the jeans and t-shirt was leaning over, staring at Usagi from three inches with said optical enhancers. "You have great focus. Perhaps you have the Gem." "W-what? What are you talking about?" From outside, Ferriko slapped her forehead and groaned. (REALLY need to talk to the wranglers.) Naoko began to feel a strange buzzing somewhere at the back of her heart. She didn't know how she knew, but she KNEW that this idiot was an enemy. But how to change with this girl right in front of her and surrounded by patrons of this cafe? (I need a distraction. I need something to distract the people here... but what?) "Ur-golems. Remove these others." Once again, vaguely female-shaped things began to rise from the floor, causing the patrons of the Crown to panic and stampede to the doors. The strange girl turned back to the booth. "Good. Now I will... where did she go?" Because her target wasn't there any more. #### "Ow! Not so HARD!" "Sorry, Usagi, but I'm not leaving anyone in there with that... thing! We gotta get away, and find a policeman or something!" Usagi rubbed her wrist where Naoko had dragged her out when the weird girl had been distracted by her Ur-golems. (She's got to be as strong as Mako-chan. Maybe stronger!) "Ah, good idea! I'll look this way, and you look that way!" (Beat me to it, good!) "Hai!" Both girls went to ostensibly find a policeman. Both instead ducked down different alleyways. And both said certain unusual things-- "Moon Cosmic Power, Make Up!" "Paragon no Power, Henshin!" Had anyone BEEN in one of the alleyways, well, they wouldn't have believed what they saw. Two Magical Girls began to head to a single place where it was painfully obvious that trouble was rearing it's ugly head-- again. #### Ferriko was NOT a happy minion. "What were you THINKING? Walk RIGHT up to a target, stare at her from three inches away, summon the pack in the middle of a social center-- of course they ran away!" "I sought, I found. That is what I do." "Oh, lovely. And then you lost." "I will find the focused one again." "Bets?" Ferriko spun to see a silver and black clad girl leaning against the door-frame, with a disturbingly confident smirk. Paragon stared at Ferriko. Of course, you can't be absolutely certain about these things, but women in chainmail leotards with flowing black cloaks were, at the least, suspicious in her view. "You know, I have this funny feeling that you're an agent of the Dark. Care to try to convince me otherwise?" "So. The so-called Paragon. Well, at least one part of the mission objective had been achieved." "Hmm... interesting. Which part of your mission objective is it to get your butt kicked to the moon?" Ferriko began to fume. The sheer arrogance of this... "Optika. Deal with this... person." What seemed to be an ordinary young woman raised her binoculars to her eyes once again... but this time as she lowered her hand, they stayed there. To Paragon's disquiet, her clothing changed-- as did other parts of her. Where once an ordinary woman stood, now there was a gunmetal gray creature with various lenses sticking out of her dressed in a pink tutu. "Oh, please. Is that supposed to scare me, or are you trying to win by making me laugh myself to death?" "OPTIBURST!" Paragon had never seen a real honest to gosh laser before. As she barely dodged the beam from the now affixed binoculars, she decided she didn't like them. (Great. Even I can't dodge lightspeed forever. Let's see if I can take her down fast-- aw, CRAP.) Before Paragon could react any further, the lasers began to hit the various Ur-golems. Paragon stared as they began to glow, and then found herself in combat as they attacked. (Damn! They're a lot tougher than the first ones-- faster too! She must be powering them somehow! What the hell do I do now?) Spin kick. Punch. Leap kick. Chop. They were still easy to take down-- for a Paragon-- but for every one she took out, another two seemed to rise. (I can't keep this up forever! And with these things in the way, I can't get to bino-face or her boss! I need room to fight and plan...) Paragon had never been particularly concerned about property damage when her life was on the line... #### As Sailor Moon arrived at the Crown, she found herself joined by Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus. Which made her very happy. "Oh, you don't know how happy I am to see you! There's an enemy inside!" "We know, you called us, remember? Darn, and we were almost on the trail of that boy too!" Venus replied. "I still think we lost him," Jupiter grumped. "I hope Mars and Mercury get here soon." Discussion was derailed by the shattering of the plate glass window as the Paragon leapt through in an attempt to get some fighting room. "Hey, it's her again!" Venus exclaimed. "Wha-- you guys? Get ready, they're tougher this time!" Paragon shouted as her hands began to shine. "Who's tough-- YAHHHHH!" There were a LOT of Ur-golems. "SUPREME THUNDER!" "CRESCENT BEAM!" There were a few less. "Damn it, no more nice magical girl! PARA VOLT!" In contrast to the almost dancelike movements of the senshi attacks, Paragon's assault was rather a simple punching motion towards the pack of Ur-golems, releasing a arrowhead shaped form of light that slashed through a few more, reducing them to dust. But there were still too many. It wasn't looking good. Still inside the cafe', Optika began to carefully target Paragon. In a moment, the wild card would be eliminated, and-- Ur-demons aren't exactly brilliant, true. On the other hand, they can scream fairly well. And when a rose impales what is passing for an eye, screams are to be expected. (Where the hell did THAT come from-- whoa. Now, THAT'S different.) The Ur-golems stopped attacking, confused without the leadership of the Ur-demon Optika. It's very hard to coordinate a horde of faceless minions when you're screaming bloody murder with an armor piercing rose jammed into your eye, after all. The tuxedo-clad figure hopped lightly off the lamp-post, to land beside Sailor Moon. "Looks like I arrived just in time, Sailor Moon." "You're good at that," added Jupiter. "Now, let's finish that thing!" "Right!" Again the strange spinning dance, again the cry of "MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!", and again the execution of what Paragon felt was a really funky looking finishing move. Optika didn't even get a chance to scream "lovely", since she was too busy screaming in pain. Ferriko stared dumbly at the scene before her, as the remaining Ur-golems collapsed into dust without an Ur-demon to power them. "I... I don't believe it... you can't be this powerful, can't win this easy..." Paragon looked at the chainmail wearing woman, and her face darkened. "You." "Me?" "You ruined a lot of peoples quiet time today. You sent that thing to attack a helpless little girl. Those are crimes that cannot be forgiven. Judgment has been made-- and you are found wanting." "And who are you to judge me, human?" Ferriko was becoming truly incensed by the redhead's arrogance. "I am the Paragon. And you are not getting away with this!" Before anyone could react, Paragon leapt at Ferriko, her battle aura already gleaming a brilliant blue-- And passed right through Ferriko. "What the-- Ooof!" exclaimed Paragon as she passed through the illusion and slammed into the counter inside the cafe'. "Oh, so sorry. But direct confrontation isn't in my plans yet. I'll pass your boasts on to the Master, though... and next time, I'll pass your head to him also. Till then..." The image wavered and faded. Paragon rose, and snarled. "You got that right... until then. Ain't my head, though..." Dusting herself off, she left the building, only to be surrounded by three Sailor Senshi and their evening-dressed friend. "Just a moment," Jupiter said. "We've got some questions for you." "I'm not in the mood for a quiz, sister." "Please," Sailor Moon asked. "We could be of a lot of help to each other. But we have to know who you are!" "Willing to put that on an even base? You tell me, I tell you." Paragon crossed her arms and smirked. "Why should we tell you anything?" demanded Jupiter. "You're the one butting into our fights, you know." "Oh? And how do you know you aren't butting into mine? Besides, unless you have a legal document assigning you alone to monster fighting, that one won't wash anyhow." Before Sailor Jupiter could protest this, Sailor Moon laid a hand on her arm. "She's got a point. Why should she trust us if we don't trust her? And they might be more her enemy than ours. We don't know, do we?" Paragon smiled at Sailor Moon. "You I like. You got sense. Anyhow, sorry, but I can't tell you anything, except that there's probably going to be more of those guys, and no, I'm not certain what they're after myself. Now, I gotta go. Be seeing you." Before any of the Sailors could react, Paragon leapt straight up nearly thirty meters, and vanished over the rooftops. #### "That powerful." "Yes, Master. I'm sorry I failed you." "I did not expect success this early in the game, Ferriko. It's apparent to me that our main problems will be Sailor Moon and the Paragon. You must work to draw them out, and if possible, trap one of them alone for elimination. A pity, really. Both are such pretty little things, almost too pretty to die. Almost." "As you will, Master. #### Sailor Moon stared at the space where Paragon had been a moment before. Then she turned towards Tuxedo Kamen, and... scowled. "Tuxedo Kamen-sama," she said in deceptively sugary tones, "What's wrong with your nose?" "Ah, nothing, nothing at all," Tuxedo Kamen replied, wiping a trickle of blood away. (DAMN, that girl wears almost... damn.) "We'll discuss that later, and-- oh, NO. Naoko! I almost forgot about Naoko!" "Who?" Venus asked. "The girl I met, the one who knows about strange martial arts! I hope she's all right!" "Well, let's change and we'll help you look for her," Jupiter suggested. "Besides, the police will be here any moment. We should be scarce by then." And soon the street was deserted. #### They found her later, in an alleyway, hiding. "Usagi, you're all right! I tried to find a phone, but I got in this alley, and then there were horrible sounds, and I was scared to come out, and..." "It's all right, Naoko... the Senshi came by and it was a monster but they beat it. Are you okay?" "Yes... I... I think I should go home, though, Mama's going to worry about me. Maybe we'll see each other again someday." "Maybe." Somehow Usagi felt that that was a given. #### "Mamo-chan... " "Usako, I love you. I'll never betray you. I'd give my life for you-- hell, I have at least twice that I know of. And I live only because of our love. "But right now I'm alive-- and personally, I don't think there's a man alive who wouldn't be distracted by a girl with that figure and that style of clothing. Please forgive me, I'm only human..." Usagi nodded. "I... suppose you can't be blamed. I wish I had that kind of figure-- although I'd never wear anything like that. Not even at the beach. Never-- well, maybe with one exception." Mamoru paused, and then asked, uncertainly, "Ah... where?" "More a when-- and on our wedding night." Mamoru blushed. VERY hard. #### "Anyhow, unless I take out the boss thing out right off, those little geeks are gonna be trouble. And I think Sailor Moon trusts me, but I don't know about the others." Ranma sighed, idly scratching the rabbit behind the ear. "And I missed the whole thing. Darn." "Well, that's the least of my new problems. Nabiki's getting suspicious, I think Akane's beginning to worry about me, and that jerk girl in the metal suit isn't going to be a pushover-- and she has a boss. Does this job come with a guarantee of victory?" Star paused... and said, unhappily, "Kami-sama, I wish it DID..." #### To Be Continued. From: Rob If there was a person in Japan who was as big a weirdness magnet as Ranma Saotome, that person was Naru Osaka. Unlike Ranma, however, who attracted paranormally powerful martial artists, bizarre curses, wandering amazons, confused ghosts, dim witted demons, and the occasional small shriveled up pervert, all Naru ever seemed to attract was monsters. She was very very good at that, though. Whenever a new enemy would appear to bedevil the Sailor Senshi, it was pretty much a sure thing that eventually said enemy would get around to Naru-chan sooner or later. For some reason, evil beings from dark dimensions seemed attracted to her in much the same way that one certain small shriveled up pervert was attracted to panties. Only worse. If it weren't for the mysterious Sailor Moon, who had saved her on more than one occasion, she'd probably be dead a dozen times over now. Well, her or her boyfriend, Gurio Umino. He'd been attacked once or twice himself. Most people didn't understand what Naru saw in Umino. They looked at the surface and saw a geek. Well, fair enough. He WAS something of a geek. But he was a geek who was loyal, affectionate, brave, unfaltering, and-- the last two factors being Naru's personal secret-- had the most gorgeous eyes under those coke-bottle glasses and was a fantastic kisser. Naru allowed herself a small smile at that thought. She wondered what Usagi would think about Umino-kun if she knew THAT part. But although they were the best of friends, there were some things she was NOT planning to share with Usagi. Like eyes and lips. Idly she wondered what Usagi was doing right now. Idle wondering was interrupted by something that seemed... odd. Even for Juuban. "Come back here, you baka monster!" Naru had seen monsters before. None quite as odd looking as this one, though. It seemed to be female-- they nearly always were, for some reason-- and made entirely out of Lego blocks. It was also, contrary to what monsters usually did, running for its semi-life. And it was being chased by... Well, whoever that was, in the skintight silver and black gear, she wasn't a Sailor. For one thing, Sailors wore, well, more modest attire. And considering the typical Sailor gear, that was saying a LOT about the outfit THIS person was wearing. Also, Sailors didn't usually chase monsters while carrying telephone poles. Heck, she didn't think they COULD carry something that heavy, or unwieldy. They were strong, yes, but... But as far as Naru Osaka was concerned, the strangest thing was that the monster wasn't after her. So she just watched as Legolette was being chased by the person who was becoming known to Juuban as the Paragon. Nice to be on the outside for once, she mused, as she took cover... #### Robert Haynie Presents A Sailor Moon / Ranma 1/2 Crossover Fanfiction PARAGON (Standard disclaimers apply. Duh.) Episode Three: A new ally? Unexpected return of an old friend! #### It was supposed to be simple. There had been nobody anywhere around. Just the target, a person of great focus. Send the Ur-demon, seek the soul, find out if the StarGem was there, kill the target if it wasn't-- didn't do to leave lose ends, after all-- and go to the next. Of COURSE that Paragon bitch had popped in out of nowhere, spouting something about judgment and being wanting and all that. As bad as a Senshi, she was. Well, Legolette had been crafted for just such a thing. She could reform herself into almost any weapon she could envision. So, it should have been simple. Ferriko groaned. SHOULD have been. But no, the Paragon was so damn fast that Legolette couldn't get a chance to form a weapon, except once. And then she hit, not a Paragon, but a telephone pole. The telephone pole had almost hit some girl with really strange hair, and Paragon went berserk. Who KNEW that such a tiny girl as the Paragon could pick up and wield a damn telephone pole? Who knew she WOULD? The Master was NOT going to be happy. Things were going not at all as planned... #### Sailor Moon wasn't exactly happy herself. Baka monster almost dropped a telephone pole on her. If it hadn't been for the unexpected arrival of the Paragon, she'd probably have been crushed. But there she was-- fast as lightning-- just in time to knock her out of the way. Lucky Usagi. Unlucky monster, because Sailor Moon was angry at nearly being squashed. Now she had to somehow catch up to Paragon. But how to find her? (Hmm... sounds like a fight around--) "MONSTER NO BAKA!" WHAM! (I guess that's her, and-- WHOA.) "My GOD. She's a monster herself! NO-ONE can be THAT strong!" exclaimed a girl in a stylized green and pink seifuku. The Sailor Senshi had arrived on the scene. And Jupiter was freaking. Of course, a short girl in a skimpy costume waving a telephone pole around and trying to beat the hell out of a female form made out of toy blocks is something that would freak anyone. Sailor Moon was willing to bet that even the normally unflappable Sailor Pluto would have reacted in the same way. "Um... should we help her?" asked Venus. "YOU wanna get close while she's waving that thing around?" Mars retorted. "Point taken," replied Venus. "But we can't just stand here... That's funny. Doesn't Paragon usually use magical blasts or weird martial arts?" "I think she's just really really mad," Chibi-Moon said. "Wow, look at her! Sugoi!" Mercury shook her head. There was something magical about the Paragon, no doubt, but there was an insane amount of non-magical energy about her also. Her visor was getting scrambled readings every time she tried to scan the red-headed magical girl. Meanwhile, said Paragon DID have a reason for using a telephone pole instead of her usual martial arts and Para Volts. She was testing herself to find out just how strong she was. As best as she could figure, right now she probably was as strong as Akane had been under the Super-Soba and twice as good a fighter as the Do-Gi incident. Not too shabby. And no unsightly whiskers either. Heh. Sometimes she wondered if the incredible physical boost she got as the Paragon was cheating, in some way. But then, she wasn't using it against other human opponents in honorable martial arts combat, but against, well, really silly looking demonic creatures trying to suck the lives out of people. In a case like that, anything goes. She allowed herself an internal snicker at that thought. No, she's never use the Power of the Paragon against a human being. Well, except maybe Happosai. Heck, for all she knew he was an evil extradimensional entity himself-- it would explain a lot. Hmm... and Pantyhose Tarou... Have to ask Star about that... Well, enough indulging her muscles. Now to finish it. Tossing the telephone pole up in the air, Paragon let out a Para Volt, followed it up with a leaping kick, and finally suplexed the Ur-demon. Which shattered. "Huh. Didn't have a lot, did it? Hey, Chainmail-chan, where you hiding? Aren't you going to start some rant about how you'll win next time?" "Why should I," a voice from apparently nowhere said, "When this time will do just nicely?" For a moment Paragon was annoyed-- after all, it was clear that the victory here was hers-- and then heard an unpleasant rattling sound. She turned around, and groaned. Legolette was reassembling herself. "This we've seen before," murmured Sailor Mercury. "Looks like she's playing Nekoneru's game there..." She raised her voice, calling, "Paragon! That thing won't stay broken-- we've fought something like that before!" "Oh, goody! You can have it, then!" replied the now dodging Paragon. "Damn thing's somehow doubled in speed! At least there aren't any--" There was a sound of many whiny-grunty voices coming down the street. "Ur-golems," Paragon finished miserably. "I'd ask if you ever had one of those days, but I just know you have... YOW!" She dodged a sudden knife-like arm. (How did she get a sharp edge from Legos?) Mars and Venus began on the Ur-golems, while Jupiter glared at the monster. She had heard a rumor that that perfect boy was in the area again, and was NOT happy with monsters distracting her from her hunt. As far as she was concerned, monsters were made for taking out frustrations. "Get back, Paragon!" yelled Jupiter, following up with the cry of "SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!" The ovoid of electrical energy smashed through the air, causing Legolette to grunt, but not to break- and Mercury noticed something. "Some of it's blocks fused! It really IS made of Legos-- and that means plastic! Mars?" "Got it! BURNING MANDALA!" Hoops of elemental fire spun out at the Ur-demon, which screamed as her body began to melt and fuse. Paragon grinned at that. "Hey, that's pretty good! You guys want to see something with hot and cold?" "I'll show you something instead," Mercury replied, adding, "SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!" The already half-molten Ur-demon suddenly froze, unable to move at all, it's structure now brittle from the extremes in temperature. Paragon blinked. She'd thought the Soul of Ice technique was something, but this? "Okay, I'M impressed. Now--" Paragon had worked carefully on this one. It had occurred to her that her normal Ranma-mode attacks could be used if she just called them something different and varied the delivery a tiny bit. (Actually, it had occurred to Star. But magical mascots are supposed to take a back seat.) "PARA IMPACT STORM!" Mercury, who had been monitoring Paragon as well as the creature, gasped. Paragon had punched it one thousand, six hundred and thirteen times in less than five seconds, each time with a force capable of shattering prestressed concrete. There was a stuttering, thundering crack as her fists shattered the sound barrier repeatedly. Paragon blinked. She knew she was stronger and faster in this form, but... Oh, MAN, Cologne would freak out... "I think I've gone deaf," complained Venus. "What? I can't hear you, I've gone deaf," replied Mars. "Speak up, Mars, I can't hear you," Moon added. "It's all right, it's just temporary, I don't think she meant to do that," said Mercury, who could read lips a little. "What?" said Mars. While the Senshi tried to sort this problem out, Paragon left, her job, as it were, done. She realized that she needed to talk to Star about this side effect. Well, as soon as she could hear the rabbit, anyhow... #### "THAT'S a side effect I hadn't expected," Star murmured. "Speak up, I still can't hear you very well," complained Ranma. "But MAN, it worked great! 'Course, I gotta admit that Mercury's ice thingy helped also, and that Mars has got some pretty good moves with that fire stuff. Shame they don't trust me yet... except Sailor Moon. Wish I could find something to tell them..." "Well, you can't. You know that. Mercenary Alert," the rabbit added, in a whisper. Ranma didn't hear the last, but had noticed Nabiki anyhow. Nabiki stormed up to Ranma, repressing the desire to frown, it would be bad for her image after all, and assuming her patented sardonic smirk instead. "And where have you been all day?" she demanded. "Why?" "I'm asking the questions, Saotome," she grinned, confidently. "Your point being?" "Look, you're hiding something-- and we both know that I'll find out eventually what it is. So you might as well stop this game and tell me straight out." "And if I am, and do, then you'll sell whatever it is to the highest bidder. Well, I ain't in the mood for that any more." "Is that any way to talk to a friend?" Nabiki said, grinning. "No. But what does that have to do with you? No WAY are you my friend." Nabiki's grin faded. "What do you mean by that? Of course I'm your--" "Then why do you pull all that crap on me?" "I treat everyone the same, you know that, Ranma." "I do. That's why I don't think you're anyone's friend. I don't have time for this, I'm outta here." Before Nabiki could protest, Ranma skipped to a nearby rooftop and started his dash back to the Tendo residence. She stood there, in shock. She didn't know what had made this new Ranma, but she knew damn well that she didn't like it one bit. Because Ranma was supposed to forgive and forget like the sap she'd always known him to be. And for some reason, he'd stopped being a sap. Instead, he'd grown a spine. She had always, in her own way, considered herself a friend to Ranma, and had assumed that he felt the same. But... now she wasn't so sure. For the first time she considered the possibility that Ranma might actively dislike her. And she liked that even less. #### Ami Mizuno was usually a calm and peaceful sort. Of the Senshi, she was the most mild mannered, the calmest, and the least likely to become unduly frustrated. Thus, it was a very bemused group of girls and cats that were watching the blue-haired girl bang her head on the table. "Ami-chan," Minako said uncertainly, "Aren't you... over-reacting?" "They make no SENSE! They make no SENSE!" Ami whimpered. "What's she on about?" murmured Makoto to Rei. "The readings on Paragon," Rei replied sotto voce. "She's been getting new ones every time we meet her and she can't make them make any sense. It's like there's two entirely differing forces powering her, and she says they shouldn't be able to work together. And no, I don't understand what that means either." "Ami-chan," soothed Usagi, "She's just a different kind of warrior. She's not one of us, so maybe she isn't like us in how she does things." "Usagi, she threw over fifteen hundred punches in five seconds-- each able to crack concrete! I don't care HOW much magic she has augmenting her, there's no WAY that muscle and bone can stand the kind of stress that would create-- not to mention that her hands should have been bloody pulps! She can't be human, nothing human can do that! I don't think there was ever a daimon that could do that! She can't be human!" "Maybe she's a strange visitor from another planet, like in the American Manga I got?" Chibi-Usa put in. "No! That's the problem-- she's human!" "But you just said--" Minako asked, a confused expression settling into her face. Joined by similar ones on the rest of the girls. "I KNOW! But all scans say she's human, but she CAN'T be human and do what she does, but she IS, and... I have never felt so... so..." "Depressed?" asked Makoto. "Frustrated?" suggested Rei. "Stupid..." despaired Ami. "Ami-chan, just because you can't figure it out doesn't mean you're stupid about it-- it just means there's something you don't know yet," Usagi said, with a trace of sharpness. She didn't care to see Ami belittling herself. "Thank you, Usagi-chan... but... I just can't figure out what she is..." Ami HATED being this much in the dark about the mysterious warrior. "I don't see what it matters," Minako said. "She's on our side, right?" "We don't know that for sure," Luna interjected. "She seems to be so, though," added Artemis. "We can't be sure about her at all," Rei said. "She's not a Senshi, so we can't be sure." "Her enemies are our enemies, right? As far as I'm concerned, it's six of one and two in the bush," Minako retorted. There was a pause. "That's six of-- oh, never mind," Artemis sighed. "I trust her," Usagi said. No emphasis, no challenge, just a calm, serene confidence. "She is on our side-- or we're on hers. Remember what she said-- this might be her fight? We might be the outsiders in this conflict?" Makoto cracked her knuckles. "Hey, it's all the same to ME. If she's a good guy and they are bad guys, then we help the good guy. I want to see if I can learn some of her moves." Rei scowled, but said nothing. To her annoyance, that argument made perfect sense. "Besides, she dresses neat," added Chibi-Usa. "Now you do NOT go there, ninjin-atama," Usagi said. "I won't have it now, and I KNOW I won't have it in a thousand years. You are NOT dressing like her!" "Spoilsport." #### Akane was becoming very worried about Ranma. He'd started to change after the battle with Saffron. He'd had to do something there that he had never had to do before. He'd had to kill. Never mind that Saffron had been reborn, like the Phoenix he was-- Ranma had killed him. Had, in fact, frozen him solid and broken him into bits. Had used the Art not only to kill, but to kill in an incredibly gruesome fashion. Never mind that he had no other recourse in the battle-- it was kill or be killed, kill or let Akane die, kill or allow a madman with incredible power to do who knew what-- Ranma had killed him. Something in Ranma had died that day, she knew. Somehow the purity of the Art had been sullied in his eyes. Somehow, a certain innocence that had always been a part of Ranma throughout two years of unrelenting insanity had been erased. Then came the wedding. She didn't know if Ranma had wanted to get married-- she knew SHE had, but... She BELIEVED he did, she believed it would have worked out, she believed it would have all been right... But apparently the rest of Nerima hadn't agreed. She'd always assumed blithely-- well, perhaps not blithely, but confidently-- that all Ranma had to do was to make a choice, or have someone make it for him in this case, and all the other suitors and lunatics would vanish away. But Shampoo and Ukyo throwing exploding food, Kodachi popping up to steal the wedding ceremony, Kuno trying to marry BOTH of them, Happosai drinking the Nannichuan while Mousse, Genma, and Ryoga-- the last for reasons she couldn't figure out-- fought over it... That pretty well proved that Ranma had been right in one thing-- there was no simple solution. Things had begun to get strained over the next few weeks. Ranma had become sullen and depressed. He'd become almost impossible to talk to, simply because he wouldn't answer. He wouldn't talk to Ukyo, or Shampoo, or even Akane herself. He had been becoming lost. Then one day, two days before school was to start again, something had happened. Akane suspected that Ranma wasn't telling everything, but he'd come home that night with a pet rabbit and no curse. No Curse. It was hard to imagine Ranma without a curse. And then, Ranma had cheered up-- but he'd also changed. He didn't seem to be worried about the various fiancees, or the stable of enemies, or anything of the sort. It was as though he had more important things to worry about. He'd disappear for hours on end, and return without saying where to. If asked, he'd only shrug-- and not reply. This was driving Nabiki insane, Akane mused. It wasn't doing much for her peace of mind either. The one time Akane had asked, his reply was, "Akane, I'm sorry, but it's private. And no, it's not another fiancee or another girl or anything like that, so you can forget that part of the argument right now. Heck, forget the argument." Akane had been stunned. But she hadn't asked again-- because she could see that the young martial artist was completely resolute. Whatever he was involved in, he was NOT talking. All she knew for certain was that this new Ranma-- this Ranma who was studying in school, who was apparently unconcerned with the multiple girls, who would quietly talk about things in a calm and non insulting way (and who would simply cease talking if she insulted him, breaking off the conversation right there, refusing to argue) and who most of all had decided that in contrast to the past two years he had a right to a private life of his own-- This Ranma scared her a little. Because this Ranma wasn't playing by the rules that the world had set for him. #### "I'm sorry, Mr. Kuno, but we do not rent time on the SETI array to private citizens." "Hmmmph. Peasant." #### "Getting along better with Akane?" Ranma sighed. "Don't know, Star... it's easier to be not insultin' like you said to be, but... I can't help but feel like I'm changing inside, y'know? Like I'm turning into a different person." "Hmm... let's take a look at the last two months of your life. Jusendo. The wedding. Becoming the Paragon. No longer having to worry about water. The fact that you actually passed an English test with more than a minimum grade. Those are experiences that can change anyone." "Please... don't remind me about Jusendo." Ranma shuddered. "That was the worst day of my life." "Oh? I would have thought the Nyannichuan would have been in that spot." "Who cares about that? I almost lost--" Ranma broke off. "I mean..." "I know what you mean. So do you. Even though you would rather have your teeth pulled with rusty steel chopsticks than admit it. Of course, considering your upbringing, that's not so surprising. I can't see Genma teaching you anything about interpersonal relationships." "Whatever... anyhow, I don't mean that when I say I feel like I'm changing. I feel... I don't know what. Just today, well, you heard me with Nabiki. I don't believe I SAID that! I mean, I've thought that for a while-- deep inside-- but I never thought I'd SAY it! Man, what if I hurt her feelings?" "Would she care if she hurt yours?" "Not a bit, but that ain't the point. I don't like to hurt a girl's feelings... I don't like to hurt people, really." "THIS from the man who regularly beats the crap out of a certain half-pig?" "Bunny no baka. Fights are different. That's just the body, not the soul. It's flesh and blood, which heals easily-- not spirit, which heals more slowly. And he starts them anyhow." "Hmm... awful poetic for you, Ranma." Ranma blinked. "Aw, MAN, it's happening again. I'm saying things that are all fancy and stuff! Next I'll start waving a bokken and chasing those girls instead of ducking them!" Star chuckled, a rather unnerving sound coming from a rabbit. "No, it's more that you're growing up at last. I don't think you've ever really been allowed to grow up for real, you know... but the Paragon effect is having more effect on your 'normal' self than I'd suspected it would." "You mean this thing is turning me into someone else?" Ranma stared in sudden apprehension at the amulet. "No... I mean it's allowing you to finally BE you-- the you you have the potential to be, the you that your father's training in nothing but martial arts and your mother's rather... extreme expectations and the pressure from practically everyone you know hasn't let you be. You're becoming Ranma." "What if I don't like this... Ranma?" "I don't think that will be a problem. Hmm... I smell You Know Who coming this way... want to have some fun? I think it's your turn." "Which You Know Who?" "The fat one." Ranma cracked his knuckles. "OOOH, yeah." #### "WHAAHAHAHAIIIE!" SPLASH! "GROWF!" "Honestly, old man. You're getting lax in your training." Genma-panda rose from the koi pond and fumed. How the HELL had the boy gotten that fast? #### In Juuban, two girls were laying very careful plans to catch the Boy. Minako and Makoto had seen him from time to time in the streets of Azabu Juuban. Tallish but not too tall, well built, with dark hair in a pigtail and the most incredible blue eyes either of them had EVER seen. He affected Chinese garments, which only added to his mysterious allure. Exotic, see? It wasn't exactly that he was handsome-- although that was certainly part of it-- it was rather that he radiated a casual masculinity that was just plain the most enticing thing they had ever experienced. While Minako dreamed about his cute pigtail and those incredible eyes, Makoto was more fascinated by the amazing grace that his every move had and his wonderful physique. And neither of them could get close to him. Every time they'd seen him, he'd go into a tea shop or an alleyway or something and never come out. It was as though he was able to vanish off the face of the earth. Normally that sort of thing would have started to trigger suspicions-- and they had a lot to be suspicious about-- but when a girl is under the effects of a full blown crush, deductive reasoning goes out the window. To date, they had had no success whatsoever. They didn't even know the Boy's name. They just knew that they wanted him. This wasn't actually unusual for either. Minako had run through many a crush in her time after Alan, and Makoto had a way of falling in love on a regular basis. But somehow this was different. The Boy was, they knew, by far a cut above the rest. The Boy was also not cooperating. The usual methods-- bump into him, or ask his name with a careful expression of shyness, or the like, were not exactly working. After all, it's hard to be properly flirtatious with someone who has a nasty habit of going poof-i'm-gone on you. So, other, more drastic methods had to be taken. Well, in Minako's opinion, anyhow. "Mina-chan, that's silly." "No, really. See this book about this Chinese tribe in the Byankala range? They use all sorts of methods to meet boys. We can set up a snare here, and--" "I'm NOT going to start setting traps to catch him! That's silly! Besides, I think all that stuff is made up, anyhow. Chinese Amazons in a valley next to a magical martial arts training ground and all... it's ridiculous!" "Well... it was just a thought." "And this stuff about marriage by combat is nuts! By that logic we'd have been married to all four Generals, Wiseman, Diamond, Sapphire, AND Professor Tomoe if that applied to us! What are you thinking?" "I'm thinking that I want to meet the cutest boy that ever walked the face of the earth, is what I'm thinking, Mako-chan." "So do I. But I'm not going to be THIS silly to do it. Where did you get that book, anyhow?" "From that new doctor that started practice last month. Tofu Ono. He's pretty cute himself, for an older man..." "The one with the skeleton? That does all those meditation exercises?" "Hai. I think it has something to do with a girl." "Girl?" "Well, I heard him mention a name a few times. Betty." "Pretty name..." #### "Damn, I was right! I THOUGHT I recognized that shingle! Been a year since I last saw you, Doc-- where'dya go anyhow?" Doctor Tofu Ono looked up, startled, and then grinned. "Ranma! What brings YOU to Juuban?" "Aw, um, personal business. Nothing important, really. But you?" Tofu frowned slightly. "I... had to leave. You may not be aware of this, Ranma, but whenever I saw Kasumi, I would become a little erratic..." Ranma stared at Tofu. "I kinda noticed." Tofu gave a wry, almost bitter chuckle. "Oh, who am I fooling. It was far beyond erratic. Every time I saw... her, I'd lose control. I was becoming a danger to my patients. I've been on a training journey, to learn how to control myself. So I can speak to K-K-Kasumi without... you know." "I see... so, why not set back up in Nerima?" "Too many memories, and I want to take it very slowly in getting to know her... if I moved back then I'd see her far too often. And I might... slip. I want to take this carefully... Ah, Ranma, she isn't... isn't seeing anyone, is she?" Ranma shook his head. "Nope. Never even tried. Far as I know, you don't have any competition..." "I... I need to be very careful... remember the training and meditations I have learned..." "Hey, if there's any way I can help, be glad to. Not that I'm an expert on relationships, or anything..." "Yes, I'd heard about the wedding attempt. I've been keeping tabs on you, Ranma. You were always the most interesting medical case I knew of. I even heard you were cured of your aquatransexuality." "Yeah, cured. Big load off my mind, I can tell you." (Or it would be if I wasn't a magical girl who's stronger than an elephant.) "You wouldn't mind if I tested that for myself? For purely purposes of record, I mean." Ranma grinned. "Hey, no prob. Let me take my shirt off first, though-- for once I don't wanna be running around in wet clothes." As Ranma began to remove his garment, Tofu turned to fill a beaker with cold water. He turned back, froze, and dropped the beaker, which shattered on the floor. "Doc? Doc, what's wrong?" Ranma was, understandably, perplexed. And in a voice filled with shock and amazement, Tofu stammered, "Wh-where did YOU get the Paragon Amulet?" (HOO-BOY,) thought Ranma. #### In a place that wasn't a place, an elderly man and a young boy peered into a pool of water and smiled. "Perfect." "Of course. About the only one of his friends that did not have an ulterior motive regarding him. A man who can be trusted with the secret, and who can help him cover. As well as a skilled physician should our Paragon be injured. And he IS a member of the Brotherhood of the Paragon, sworn to aid her should she arise again." "Do you EVER make a mistake?" The boy shrugged. "Well, once I THOUGHT I had..." The old man waited. "But... I was wrong." The old man groaned. #### There were some things that Ranma was not prepared for. An apparently insane Doc Tofu shaking him by the shoulders and screaming "WHERE DID YOU GET THAT AMULET?!?" was one of them. "G-GEEZE, DOC! The kid GAVE it to me!" Tofu released the somewhat baffled Ranma and sat, shaking. "But... if you were still cursed, I could possibly see it... possibly... but if you're not cursed anymore, why would you have it? It makes no sense..." "You... know what it is?" "Since I was a young man. And a boy is NOT supposed to have it! The Amulet is strictly for females!" "Wait a minute. How do you know what this is, anyhow?" Tofu blinked. "I... I can't tell you. It doesn't matter. Ranma, you have to give me that amulet right NOW! It's not meant for a male!" "Doc, I CAN'T give it to you, even if I wanted to. And how do you know what it is?" "Hey, Ranma, I've been looking all over for you-- I just remembered that you're supposed to have an ally, his name's-- Oh, you've met already." Ranma stared at Star, surprised that the rabbit would break his cover and speak in front of another human. Tofu stared at Star, surprised that a rabbit could talk. Then he slowly toppled over. "This is going to be complicated, isn't it?" sighed the rabbit. #### After Tofu woke up from his faint, and after a LOT of explanation, the doctor was still in denial. "But... if the curse is cured..." "Not cured. Controlled. It's not a curse any more." Ranma sighed. "I guess I'll just have to show you." Tofu had seen many strange and peculiar things in his life, and not all of them were due to his residence in Nerima. But when Ranma closed his eyes and... Well. It wasn't like the old get-splashed-and-instant-girl transformation of the curse. Rather, there was a wavering distortion for a moment, a visible shift, and then Ranma was standing there, female, dressed female in a black miniskirt and white blouse, with her hair free-flowing instead of the ubiquitous pigtail. "This... this is incredible..." "It is, isn't it? Oh, and Doctor, please call me Naoko when I'm like this. None of the old crowd recognizes the girl side any more, so I'm keeping it as a secret..." Tofu blinked. She was even using nearly perfect feminine speech patterns. "Ah, well... certainly, Naoko. And... you ARE... Her?" You could almost hear the capitalization. "Oh, yeah. No doubt about THAT. And... well, I have to admit, it's a rush." Star nodded. "Oooh, yeah! She LOVES it! Biggest and best fight she's ever known except for Jusendo." "Don't mention that place, Star-chan," the neo-girl groused. Tofu stared at the rabbit. "They never mentioned talking rabbits when I took the Oath." "What oath is that?" asked Ranma. "Well... since I was sixteen, I've been a part of a very small circle called the Brotherhood of the Paragon. We knew that someday one would arise, to save the world from something terrible. It's part of why I studied all that obscure magical stuff, so I could be of help. But... I was thinking..." "Thinking what?" asked Star. "Well... a political leader, or a great scientist, or even a soldier-- a female general. But... a magical girl? You're a real magical girl, Ra-- ah, Naoko?" Naoko shrugged. "It's the best thing I can think to call it. Hey, I'm not the only one. You should see the Sailor Senshi. Now, THEY have a funky act." Tofu's jaw sagged. "What-- THEY'RE real? They actually exist?" "Yup. They actually exist. And gotta admit it-- they are good at what they do. Especially Sailor Moon. Now, SHE can really beat up on an Ur-Demon-- given a clear shot. I like her." Naoko shrugged. "Besides, she's the only one that seems to trust me." "The others don't?" "They seem to be a pretty close knit group, you know? And face it-- the Paragon is NOT a Sailor Senshi. That outfit alone..." "Is there something wrong with it?" "Well... Star, is it okay if I just show him?" The rabbit shrugged-- a fascinating process to Tofu, who was well aware that rabbits did not have the musculature to shrug. "I suppose. But Doctor... you had better lock the door. No sense in people connecting you and the Paragon, is there?" "Of course..." After doors had been locked, drapes drawn, and such precautions taken, Naoko took out the Amulet, and said... "PARAGON NO POWER-- HENSHIN!" Lights. And Tofu almost passed out again. "In... incredible..." "Yeah, I know... pretty spectacular, isn't it?" "Not the light-show, the outfit. You DO realize that that's nearly as revealing as anything Masamune Shirow could come up with?" Tofu's meditation training was allowing him to restrain a nosebleed. Even knowing the complete truth (As far as anyone did) it was still... Then a bad thought hit Tofu, and he began to shiver. "You okay, Doc?" asked Paragon, concerned. "Please... please change back..." Paragon shifted to Naoko again. "What's wrong?" "I... I just had a image of K-Kasumi dressed like that... almost lost it... oh, GOD..." Naoko couldn't help it. Neither could Star. They both collapsed in laughter... and after a moment, Tofu joined in. #### "Then it did work out." "Yep. And Ranma has a valuable ally in his battle against the Dark." "He-- and she-- will need every ally they can GET." "I know..." #### To Be Continued. ------------------------------ From: "Robert Haynie Jr." Subject: [Ranma/SM][FanFic] Paragon, Episode 4 X-Moderation-Queue-Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2001 20:37:06 -0400 Most people didn't understand the truth about Cologne. Which suited her just fine. For quite some time now, she had been well aware that the chances that Ranma would actually submit to Amazon law and return to China with Shampoo were less than good. One doesn't live to be more than a hundred without being something of a judge of human nature and hearts, and there was little doubt in her mind that the only thing keeping Ranma and Akane from the altar was the fact that they were being forced into it. Besides, law or no law, she no longer really wanted Ranma in the tribe. The boy was just too independent-- he'd make a proper amazon husband the day that Mousse developed spontaneous 20-20 vision and Shampoo took a vow of chastity. The lad also carried chaos around him in ways that she still at times could not believe. A year in Jokuzetsu would likely mean no more Jokuzetsu, since she had no reason to believe that the unending string of challengers, strange happenings, paranatural occurrences, and just plain weirdness would stop at the Nerima limits. True, this area probably amplified it a bit-- the ward was known for a history of odd happenings-- but the boy attracted such things wherever he went. She hadn't taken a really active hand in the matter since the boy had used the Neko-ken to defeat her for the Phoenix Pill. It was then she realized that he was truly opposed to the idea, which had startled her. She had assumed-- as had most Amazons-- that a male would fall for Shampoo's allure, sensuality, and culinary skills in a heartbeat. She had assumed wrong. Because Ranma wasn't like most males. He was practically unseduceable. He reacted to physical advances not with reciprocation, but with unease. He wanted-- if he wanted anything-- to be left alone, to find his own path. It was fairly clear that that path didn't include making many little Amazon babies. Of course, that combined with the fact that Shampoo's first idea was to kill him and her second and following ones were to hang onto him like a love starved chunk of moss on a reluctant oak tree didn't do a lot to help either. Sometimes Shampoo would come across some old or arcane piece of lore or paranormal seasoning, and try it. It never worked, of course-- love doesn't work that way, and fate derailed attempts to make it do so-- but Shampoo, who couldn't see anything past the idea that "Ranma = Airen" would try again. Cologne neither encouraged or discouraged these attempts anymore. She just sat back, watched, and enjoyed the chaos. After all, Nerima was so much more FUN than the sleepy Amazon village. What had started as a husband hunt had become what Cologne considered a sort of temporary retirement with a never ending floor show. From time to time she would teach Ranma something. Not because she hoped to gain him for the tribe. Not because she had any real plans for the boy. Rather, because he was such a joy to teach-- unlike the children of the Amazon tribes she knew who saw the Art as just another way to fight, he understood the truth-- The Art was... The Art. Shampoo knew how to fight-- very well indeed-- but she didn't really understand the Art. Kuonji was skilled with her-- admittedly peculiar-- weapon of choice, but she didn't really understand the Art. Akane, the one she knew Ranma would eventually choose, Amazon Law be damned, had potential that she was letting go to waste because she had no real commitment to it-- she could have understood the Art, but she didn't. Hibiki, now... he understood. You don't learn the true Bakusai Tenkatsu without understanding the Art. You don't master a move like the Shi Shi Hokodan without understanding the Art. And Ranma-- mastering the Burning Chestnut technique without being able to touch fire-- and THEN refining it into a devastating attack technique (which it had not been intended for). Mastering the Hiryuu Shoten Ha without having been taught the final move-- instead executing it on instinct... and later developing methods which didn't require leading the opponent into a spiral, but merely executing one himself. Much less once creating, on the spot, a variation that worked while he was soaring in midair. (And oh, did she have a quiet chuckle when Mousse had related THAT tale to her. Poor Herb... heh.) She expected any day now for the boy to design a variant that let him stand still. Seeing the Shi Shi Hokodan and imitating it without the scroll-- and then after seeing the scroll refining it into a new and non-self destructive technique-- Mokou Takabisha. And his almost insane skill at adapting whatever was around him into a new technique on the spot for that fight alone. (She still boggled at times when she thought about the Pantyhose Meteor Kick.) The boy didn't understand the Art. The boy WAS the Art. Besides, law or no law, no WAY was she going to try to force the lad who had killed Saffron- SAFFRON, dear Gods, SAFFRON- to go to China. She liked her little restaurant in one piece. Her little body, also. And as for the lure of a cure for the curse-- apparently some passing spirit had whimsically decided to remove it. Even if Cologne found a cure, it was useless as bait now. Well, it was really for the best. Ranma would NOT make a good Amazon. But Shampoo didn't understand that. And so, without mentioning it to her, Shampoo had gone to prevent the wedding of Ranma and Akane. And she had actually expected Ranma to be grateful. (My great-grand-daughter's a love-struck idiot,) Cologne mused. A miserable one now, since Ranma refused to talk to her, or even acknowledge her presence of late. Ranma was not grateful for the interrupted wedding. He was, in fact, unhappy about it. Or he had been. Something had happened along with the cure, Cologne decided. Something important. Ranma would vanish for extended periods, and no-one knew where. He wasn't talking about it. He wasn't, in fact, acting much like Ranma. He was acting as though he was finally maturing. Hmm... how much did a curse have to do with his long-held immaturity? The phone rang, interrupting Cologne's musing. "Moshi Moshi." "Oh, you. Haven't heard from you in a long time, Doctor--" "You... you aren't serious? You ARE? Oh, GODDESS..." "Well, of COURSE I'll come. I'm sworn to her service as much as any of the rest of the Brotherhood. Especially since I'm the only female IN the Brotherhood, and I'll have to make certain you don't advise her poorly with your male outlook..." "I don't see what's so funny. Hmmph. I'll meet you there tomorrow." She hung up. Thoughts about Ranma, about Shampoo, about the Art, about everything were banished. There was something vastly more important to consider. The Dark had returned. It HAD to have returned-- Because the Paragon had. #### Robert Haynie Presents A Ranma 1/2 / Sailor Moon fanfiction PARAGON Episode Four : Fearsome Battle! Paragon VS Ferriko! #### Naoko Takahashi sighed. No sign so far of any weaknesses in the dimensional fabric so far-- at least none that the Compact could locate. Then she sighed again, because she had more reason than ever before to BE Naoko. That reason was because she didn't share certain problems in the life of her alter ego-- well, the one named Ranma Saotome, to be specific-- and one of import was girls. As in, for some reason she had never completely understood, he tended to attract them in a manner similar to how a bucket of snails attracted French gourmets. It wasn't that every girl Ranma met would start chasing him. Only a few-- those who were, in general, capable martial artists-- would actively chase him. In a weird way, that was a relief. Because Ranma often feared that if those three or four or how many it happened to be at the time were ordinary girls-- instead of the kind that not only could but very likely would wreak a path of destruction a half mile wide across Tokyo-- he'd be chased by hundreds. (Incidentally, he was right. Where other girls would have fought with spiteful words or hair-pulling, his not-so-wanted fiancees would have fought with spatula, bonbori, ribbons, and the occasional mallet, most girls who would have made a play for the young martial artist tended to feel that they'd have to try for second best. (Then they decided to set their sights lower, since second best was usually considered that cute Hibiki boy, but no one could usually find him, or even talk to him when they did. It was generally considered that he didn't like girls, since he refused to talk to any who even flirted with him slightly. Adorable Shyness wasn't a thing that the average Neriman girl understood.) But those were Ranma's problems. Naoko didn't have anything like that to worry about. Instead, Naoko had to worry about boys. Fortunately, the males in Juuban were strangely less, well, frothing pits of boiling hormonal lechery than the ones in Nerima. She had discovered that the worst thing she had to look forwards to was an ill-phrased attempt to make a date instead of the more familiar (and much less liked) leer or glomp and thinly veiled (when veiled at all) suggestion of immediate intimate physical activity. The boys of Juuban were much less-- for lack of a better term-- perverted. Akane would have been astonished. The girls though-- well, it looked like every time Ranma hit Juuban he'd attract at least a dozen admiring gazes. Hair would surreptitiously be adjusted to best effect, compacts would come out for a quick check, and preparations would be made for a clever and apparently accidental meeting. (In Juuban, as in much of Tokyo, accidentally-on-purpose meeting a boy was the preferred method. This was quite different from Nerima, where it seemed that the favored method was either challenging him to combat or making some flat out insane entrance.) Which never came off, since Ranma had pretty well decided that it was safer to hide as Naoko whenever in Juuban. And Naoko was DAMN well going to spend as little time in Nerima as she could, considering the idiots there. Let Ranma handle that, since he was expected to kick people into the near stratosphere, where if Naoko did that, people would begin to... wonder. No, Naoko was playing it at just barely above Akane's level. You know-- normal. (One can see that Ranma/Naoko had an understandably skewed view of what was normal for a martial artist.) In other words, the Paragon was leading two entirely separate lives-- BESIDES that of the Paragon-- as far as Japan was concerned, with the exception of two residents. One a doctor, one a rabbit. And Clark Kent thinks HE has problems with secret identities. #### Usagi was feeling a wee bit down. None of her friends were able to DO anything today. Ami had some grueling super-study session for an unexpected juku exam, Rei had roughly a quarter tonne of shrine duties, Mamo-chan was in class and would be spending most of the day in the university lab, Chibi-Usa was at a sleepover with her friend Momo-chan, Naru was at the park with Umino, and Minako and Makoto were getting annoying with their recent obsession of the mystery boy that they had discovered and that Usagi personally thought was a figment of their imaginations. Heck-- she was even caught up on her studies and didn't have any homework to do. (As though that was ever a consideration?) So it was with curiosity she saw her new friend Naoko peering intently into her compact (although Usagi didn't know why-- Naoko-chan was so pretty!) and scowling. Maybe she had a blemish. Approaching, Usagi curiously poked her face straight into Naoko's to see what possible blemish the pretty redhead could have. "AAAIIIIIGGHHHHHH!" greeted Naoko, who had found, instead of a signal of the weakness in the dimensional fabric that would have clued her in on the next Ur-demon incursion, a pair of curious wide blue eyes attached to a pair of golden baseballs. Understandably startled, Naoko backpedaled into a convenient tree, knocking her head against it, and grunting out a feminine but very well felt "Ouch!" to go with it. "GomenNaokochanIdiditagaindidn'tI?" babbled Usagi, contrite. "That's-- owww-- okay, Usagi-chan," Naoko replied. "I'm getting used to it. But it's getting to be a bad habit." "I'm REALLY sorry," the blonde said. "I don't MEAN to keep... um..." "Injuring me?" Naoko grinned. "Hai... I mean, startling you, but you were looking at your mirror, and I was wondering if you had a smudge, or something, because you're always so perfect with your makeup, and..." "Um... I was just checking, Usagi-chan." Actually, the transformation into Naoko tended to make certain that she was not only appropriately dressed, but invariably perfectly coifed and decorated. Which, frankly, she was somewhat pleased with, since she wasn't at all certain she could handle it for "real". She barely understood lipstick, and that was only because of a few pre-cure episodes that had required it. Although it DID seem odd that every time she met up with Usagi she'd somehow get an ouchie. Hmmph. For a moment she wondered why her usual danger sense never warned her of these incidents, but decided that it was because Usagi wasn't really a danger-- just someone who was something of a klutz with some of the worst timing she had ever met. Actually, she kind of liked that about her. "It's no biggie, Usagi-chan. I'm a martial artist, remember? I know how to take a little knock." "Well... if you're not mad at me about it..." "Hey, you get much worse in sparring. So you have to be able to take a knock. My idol says that the life of a martial artist is full of peril. But he's an adventuring type, I hear... I guess I'm more a hobbyist." "Adventuring?" "Um... well, you know, minor things like burglars and the like." (And oni, and dragons, and Saff-- don't go there, Ranma.) "Sugoi... Say... are you doing anything today?" "Ah, no, not really." (Scanning's a wash, and if something breaks out suddenly I should sense it-- Star says I should be able to.) "Cool! Want to go shopping?" With a contrived look of anticipation, Naoko replied, brightly, "Sure!" Later, she considered that a MAJOR mistake. #### Three people. Doctor Tofu Ono, physician and student of arcane lore and medicine. Cologne, matriarch of a tribe of Chinese Amazons (for lack of a better term) and expert on martial arts and dangerous magic. Those the reader will recognize. The third was a man in his late seventies, of Chinese descent. He didn't look it, however. His hair grayed slightly at the temples, and there were a few wrinkles, but in general he was well preserved. Only close examination would have revealed that one of his hazel eyes was in fact glass, a small souvenir of an unfortunate incident with a demon he had encountered while aiding a noted archaeologist back in the late forties. He was also one of the richest men in Hong Kong. Many people knew David Wong, brilliant financier and master businessman. Few knew he was a talented if unofficial archaeologist. Nobody remembered the name he had been known by in his youth in Shanghai . "It's been a long time, Cologne," Wong said. "Ah, my young friend. You're looking well. Whatever happened to your handsome associate?" "He died a few years ago. I'm not certain how." Cologne chuckled. "Knowing him, likely a jealous husband. No, that's not fair... he never played in other men's fields, did he?" Wong shook his head. "He might have been a scoundrel, but never that much of one..." Tofu looked on, blankly. "Um... how long have you two known each other?" "Too long, it seems. I'm not getting any younger, and the Elder here just seems to have stopped." Wong gave a mild chuckle himself. "So, we do have a Paragon after all? I spent years of archeological resources and research to find the Amulet, and one just pops out?" "Well, it seems that the... girl was given the Amulet by a person or persons unknown, although I'd be tempted to describe the giver as a kami of sorts. I always said that that little search wasn't likely to give us any results," Tofu clarified. "You certainly got enough legends, scrolls, and obscure texts out of it for us to advise her with, though. IF we can figure any of them out," noted Cologne. "Any idea when the other two are likely to arrive?" Tofu shook his head. "Realistically, they can't come here on a permanent basis, just as Wong-san will need to return fairly soon to his businesses. However, should any of their special talents be needed, they can be here within twenty-four hours. As far as permanent staff is, it's me-- since even you, Cologne, may be needed by the Jokuzetsu at any moment." "We're lucky that she HAS a permanent contact as it is." Wong shook his head. "If it IS luck." "At any rate, Hesse is not going to be able to be here for a few days for this meeting-- being the chief of Archaeology at the University of Berlin is a hounding duty. But we can expect Jack Case tomorrow... and he's already setting up the computer news searches that we hope to use to predict paranormal event possibilities. Genius..." "Well, he IS the man who wrote the REAL protocols for the American Military computers. I STILL get the giggles when I think of all those hackers who THINK they have penetrated the Pentagon's security," Wong chuckled. "I know. I got on-line a few months ago myself. I've been, ah 'surfing', including Usenet. Have you ever seen those idiots that occasionally post notices that say something to the effect of--" Here Tofu took a deep breath, and somehow managed to actually quote-- "HeY DooDz, I nOw OWN the InTERnet, aLL pAy HOMAGE to mY KEWLNESS!" The other two began to laugh hysterically. "Oh, YES," Cologne guffawed. "Even on Chinese feeds, where few can read them!" "You have a net connection, Elder?" asked Wong, who had seen that sort of troll more than once in the financial groups. "It's a lot easier to run a restaurant with one, besides keeping track of REAL Chinese politics that way." Tofu smiled. "I'd love to see the face of one of those idiots if they knew there was someone who DID own the Internet..." #### (I should have claimed some other appointment,) Naoko mused as the blonde girl zipped about the mall like a comet. Usagi had an incredible talent for generating incredible amounts of enthusiasm and energy as long as whatever she was doing was essentially trivial. At least, trivial in Naoko's view. It probably wouldn't have been so bad if Usagi hadn't insisted that Naoko join in. Joining in meant trying this dress or that skirt on, or this pair of shoes or that hat or... other female clothes. It was bad enough that Naoko had to dress in a "fully female" mode when transformed into Naoko, but now she was trying stuff on. All under Usagi's critical eye. Said critical eye consisted of the simple statement that thus and such an outfit looked really cute on Naoko. Apparently, a gunny sack would look cute on Naoko. Naoko held... different opinions. "It's too frilly, Usagi-chan. I'm not a frilly person, you know?" Usagi just beamed. "Well, I think it's cute. You dress nice enough, but always so plain. You should indulge yourself once in a while." Naoko tugged at the ruffled skirt she was wearing and scowled. "I don't care to indulge myself this far. Um, at least not except for a special occasion. I need practical clothes because of the Art." "I don't get it." "Well, you never know if there's going to be a fight. Suppose we were walking and a mugger attacked us? I can fight pretty good, so I could hold him off, but I'd, ah, hate to get a nice dress ruined in the fight. So, I wear plain clothes usually, durable stuff. That lets me kick. So I can fight if I'm attacked or a friend is." "You're really into all this martial art philosophy, aren't you?" "I sort of have to be, if I want to be as good as... Him." Naoko allowed herself a starry look, again giving the impression that she had something of a denied crush on her as yet unnamed idol. "Well, I suppose so... OOOH! This would look SO good on you!" Naoko sighed. She certainly wasn't going to buy anything, but it certainly seemed that she was going to be wearing a lot of them... #### "I KNOW I saw him." "Mina-chan. You keep saying that. He shows up for a minute, and then vanishes. I'm beginning to wonder about that boy." Minako peered at the taller girl uncertainly. "You aren't suggesting that he's an enemy, are you?" "No... I don't get that kind of feeling about him. But maybe he's gay?" Minako blanched. "No! That's not possible! He's too CUTE!" "Then why does he avoid us?" Makoto replied. "For that matter, we've both seen some fairly cute girls start towards him, and he always ducks into an alley or something and then goes poof. I think he's scared of girls for some reason." The blonde thought. "Maybe... he's had bad experiences with girls before. Dumped, or something, and so he's shy about it. So he's avoiding them because he's trying to deal with a tragic heartbreak?" Makoto sighed. That was JUST the kind of logic that Mina-chan would pull out of her hat. On the other hand, it also made a sort of sense. "That could be it, I suppose..." "And so, as the Goddess of Love that I am, I owe it to him to show him that not all girls are fickle or cruel. The poor thing. He deserves a proper girlfriend." It was obvious that Minako had already convinced herself that her hypothesis was a proven theory. "I still saw him first." "Oh, stop SAYING that..." #### Usagi looked at her friend with some mild concern. Naoko was a nice girl, and a pretty sensible one-- unless you got her on the subject of martial arts, and then she'd go downright ditzy. She'd begin to prattle and rave and drop small comments about her idol-- who she had yet to actually name. But it was something of a shame that such a pretty girl was also such a tomboy. Oh, Naoko tried to hide it, and probably wore dresses because her mother made her or something, but Usagi had a feeling that Naoko would be happier in a t-shirt and jeans, rough and tumbling it with other likeminded girls and boys. And her fascination with the martial arts suggested to Usagi that the only kind of boy she'd be interested in would be a martial artist. The only male martial artist that she knew of-- besides Mamo-chan, who had studied a little kendo once, which stood him in good stead as Tuxedo Kamen-- was that weird boy who would show up at Rei's place every once in a while, looking for either someplace called the Tendo Dojo or a pig farm. Hmm... there was a thought. He was pretty cute, and might be just the kind of guy that Naoko needed. Although he did seem to have a problem with directions. At least, she was fairly certain that he had headed towards Kyoto when directed to Nerima. So, if she tried to set Naoko up with a nice boy, it had better be one that would get to the date on time. AND who was a martial artist. Hmm... Mako-chan knew a lot about martial arts, maybe she would know of someone. Meanwhile, Naoko, unaware that her life was about to become feminine social hell, was trying not to explode at the fifth silly dress that Usagi had found in THIS shop. #### Mamoru Chiba was somewhat annoyed at the universe, or at least his particular corner of it. Of all the days for a lab fire to break out, when he had at least three experiments he was supposed to do, bah. Intellectually, Mamoru was aware that what he'd probably wind up doing with his life was sitting on a throne next to Usako-- who by then wouldn't be Usako any more, technically-- and wearing a mask most of the time. (Why King Endymion wore that thing habitually, he didn't know, but his short trip to a distant future suggested that that would be the case. Perhaps it wasn't a mask, but mask shaped glasses? After a thousand years, he could go farsighted after all...) But despite that destiny, he STILL wanted to become an accredited surgeon or genetic researcher first. Besides, he thought with a smile, there wasn't any telling how much money the king business paid, where medicine could probably pay for the whole Crystal Palace. At the moment, however, he had nothing to do. Nothing at all. He was bored-- a state he wasn't used to. He was damn tempted to produce the Rose and start jogging on streetlights just to do SOMETHING. "No WAY, Usagi-chan! I'd look like some demented living strawberry parfait wearing that! And I hate pink anyhow!" "Aw, Naoko-chan, what's wrong with pink?" Hmm. Maybe things were looking up a bit. Mamoru gazed in quiet amusement as his girlfriend and future queen tried to cajole an unfamiliar redhead into a rather ornate party dress, that was more suitable to a idol singer than a ordinary girl. Being the basically chivalrous type, he decided to rescue the new person from the hell of Usagi's sometimes over the top fashion sense. "Hate to say it, Usako, but I have to agree with your friend here. She looks to be more or less the practical type." "MAMO-CHAN!" Mamoru braced himself for the almost bullet-like impact of Usagi's hug. He wasn't disappointed. "So, who's your new friend?" "Oh, gomen, Mamo-chan, this is Naoko Takahashi, and she's a martial artist, and aren't you supposed to be in lab today?" "Lab got canceled. Pleased to meet you, Miss Naoko." "Ah..." The redhead looked a bit flustered, and then replied, "Likewise. You have to be Usagi-chan's boyfriend?" (DAMN, he's WAY older than her. Then again, I see weirder relationships all the time. Mostly mine.) "Mamoru Chiba, at your service," Mamoru returned, adding a sort of half-comic bow. To his mild surprise, where most girls would have responded with a cute and embarrassed giggle, Naoko instead looked oddly nonplussed. "Oh, that's nice. I mean, you're very polite." Naoko was somewhat uncertain how to react. True, she had no attraction to the male gender, but she did know what real girls found attractive-- and this youth was just that. Also, to her discomfort, he was a charming type. She'd met more than one fellow who thought they were charming-- bozos all, in her opinion-- but genuine unfaked charm wasn't something she was familiar with. Right now she was praying for some sort of distraction so she could figure out how to pretend to react. Prayers are answered sometimes. #### Ferriko did not like Earth, did not like the East, did not like Japan, did not like Tokyo, and especially did not like Azabu-Juuban. She REALLY did not like Juuban. The place was crawling with Senshi it seemed. Every time she tried to send out an Ur-demon to find the StarGem, along bounced a pack of Senshi, complete with inane speeches and invariably a Paragon in tow. That is, unless Paragon showed up to be followed by said pack of Senshi. They HAD to be coordinating somehow. Perhaps Paragon was actually a Senshi with an unusual fashion sense. Or something. There was no doubt that they were working together, though. Ferriko, one can see, was not a great believer in coincidence. "Mistress?" The apparent girl next to the trenchcoat-clad Ferriko looked at her controller with concern of a sorts. Ur-demons did not actually have emotions of the tender sort, but they DID know that a mistress should be kept happy if they wanted to stay intact. "Chiculii, I'm thinking." (Brooding, more like,) the Ur-demon mused. "Mistress, have we found a target yet?" "No. And right now I'm not looking for one. I'm trying to figure out how to get my hands on Sailor Moon." "Sailor Moon?" "She and the Paragon are our main problems, but it's usually Sailor Moon who actually finishes the fights. She doesn't seem to be as capable a fighter as Paragon, at least not in an ordinary battle-- so she should be easier to capture. Paragon is going to take some effort." "Oh. So, we won't go after that fellow there after all?" "Eh?" "That tall fellow with those two girls. I sense great focus in him." Ferriko blinked. And looked in the direction Chiculii was indicating. "Hmm... you're right. VERY focused soul, that one. Well, it can't hurt to check if we can get him alone. Although blondie there may be difficult to disentangle. She's got a grip on him that a barnacle would be jealous of." "Then we must be subtle, Mistress?" "Yes. We must separate the blonde and her friend from the youth, lure him to a concealed place, and then examine his soul." "Ah. How do we be subtle, Mistress?" Ferriko sighed. "With subtlety." Blinking at the non-answer, Chiculii shrugged. She decided to just follow her mistresses lead and hope for the best. After all, Mistress Ferriko was far smarter than she was. She thought. "Now... how do we distract the girls and lure the boy away?" mused Ferriko. "Ah, it's really simple. And fortunately, you are the perfect minion for the plan." "I am?" Chiculii smiled wildly. It was GOOD to be called perfect instead of a pathetic piece of wasted ectoplasm, as was Ferriko's usual bent. "Human girls love sweets. Human males are, at least after a certain age, less fond of the same. And with your peculiar abilities..." "Oh, I see, Mistress. I think." "Now, here's what I have in mind..." #### Naoko was reminded of a barnacle the way Usagi clung to Mamoru. No doubt in her mind that she was one hundred and sixty-two percent in love with the guy. And she could see by his fond, affectionate, and most of all indulgent glances that the sentiments were fully reciprocated. More importantly, she was incredibly grateful that Mamoru's timely arrival had saved her from wearing an outfit that Asuza Shiratori wouldn't have worn on her worst day. She repressed a shudder at the thing-- frills and petticoats and bows and lace and a LOT of pink-- and was for once grateful that the transformation had her dressed, if like a girl, like a SANE girl. Usually. Somehow she suspected that Usagi herself would have never actually worn that monstrosity, but had only wanted to see HER in it. At any rate, she was DAMN glad to be back in the black turtleneck and matching blue denim mini and jacket. Simple, effective, stylish, and she could fight in it. If she HAD to be a girl to be the Paragon, she'd rather have her own style. Preferably one without pink and ruffles. "WAI!" (Usagi just saw either something very cute or something to eat,) mused both Naoko and Mamoru with weird synchronization. "What KAWAII candies!" "Good lord, she's managed to find both," muttered Mamoru under his breath. Naoko, who had excellent hearing, smirked. The street, as many in Tokyo were, was dotted with small booths and stalls that were more or less collapsible during the night, only popping up at daytime. Like the ubiquitous yatai, they were transient things, setting up here one day and there the next, always trying to keep in business while avoiding unpleasant altercations with the police, who tended to ignore them until they started to cause a traffic hazard. This one was selling what could indeed only be described as exceedingly kawaii candies. (The English word 'cute' doesn't QUITE carry the impact needed.) Brown chocolate teddy-bears with pink spun sugar bows. Cakes shaped like Minky Momo and Wedding Peach transformation items. A tray of apparent marzipan bunnies and duckies and kitties and puppies and whatever else was cute beyond belief, all with JUST the right amount of Super-deformity to triple the innate cuteness. Hello Kitty candy bars that were uncannily truly Sanrio-esque were on display. There was even what appeared to be a hard candy stick shaped just like Sailor Moon's Spiral Heart Moon Rod-- which Usagi had her eyes affixed to in sheer wonder. Usagi was in heaven. Naoko was... suspicious. Once again, at the back of her heart, she felt the strange sensation she had learned to connect to activities of the Darkness. She couldn't pinpoint it, but this almost perfect Usagi-lure made her understandably suspicious. Usagi had been attacked at least once by an Ur-demon, and had had a close call with another. Naoko wasn't sure, but she was beginning to think that Usagi might be part of the real reason the Darkness had come... perhaps she DID have the Star-Gem that they sought. Better to stay close to her, Naoko thought, putting on a false look of enchantment and joining the blonde at the stall. Mamoru watched them for a moment, smiling... and then paused as he felt a tap at his shoulder. He turned to look at an attractive woman, who looked disturbed. "Yes?" "Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but... this will sound so silly, but I need your help to rescue my cat." "I don't understand..." "Well, she's crawled into a pipe, and won't come out. I need someone to stand at the other end and scare her out. It won't take a moment..." "Well, I don't know..." "Oh, PLEASE?" The woman looked almost as desperate as Usagi could when she wanted something. "I... suppose I can help. Usako, can you wait here a minute?" Usagi nodded absently, engrossed in the display of insanely cute and darling and just plain adorable confections. "Okay. I'll be back in a few." Mamoru followed the woman to an alley, and blinked. "I don't see a pipe. Or a cat." "Oh, well, to be honest, I'm the cat." "Excuse me?" (I have a BAD--) "And you're the mouse. HAH-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!" If someone had told Mamoru Chiba that there existed a woman with a more annoying laugh than Emeralda's he would not have believed it-- until now. He'd never heard of Kodachi Kuno, but if he had, he'd have placed this slightly behind in sheer wrongness. Then again, the sudden grip on his throat from behind suggested that something also was wrong. His arms were pinned by something elastic and adhesive. And the woman dropped her trenchcoat to reveal what appeared to be a chain-mail leotard and hip boots. "Now... let's have a closer look at your soul, shall we?" #### Two girls were suddenly distracted by similar sensations. Usagi suddenly knew that Mamoru was in trouble. The linking of her heart with his, the power of their love had led him to her aid more than once-- and although she wasn't as sensitive to it as he was, it did run both ways. Naoko suddenly felt a vast increase in the unease that heralded a attack by the Darkness. And she was now aware that it was NOT in the immediate vicinity. Both tried to think of an excuse to leave. Usagi won the race. "Oooh, I have to have that one (pointing at the candy Spiral Heart Moon Rod) but I haven't enough pocket money, I'll go find Mamo-chan and borrow some." "That sounds like a great idea, Usagi-chan. Maybe he'll buy me that marzipan carrot?" (Star would CHOKE on that one.) "Sure! Wait here!" Naoko had no intention of waiting. As Usagi dashed off, she opened the Compact. And this time it was actually giving an exact reading. (Only a few blocks from here. A snap to get to after I change.) Naoko went to find a convenient place to do just that... #### (Where is he? How do I FIND him? He always finds ME! Oh, I'm not used to being on this end!) Such were the thoughts of Sailor Moon as she started searching, trying to follow her heart to his... #### Paragon had what could be called an unfair advantage. It was a map-- the Compact. As she sped across rooftops, she targeted the darkness-- and stared. There was Usagi's boyfriend, held by what looked like a girl made up of candy, and being scrutinized by Ferriko. Or more likely, one of her illusions. Didn't matter. No-one messed with HER friend's boyfriends. "Not here. And such focus too. Well, Chiculii, might as well kill him now--" "Now, that's just plain rude." Ferriko snapped her eyes upwards and snarled. "Why can't you stay out of my way just once?" "It is wrong to grab an innocent man who only wanted a simple date with his girlfriend for your evil plans. This is a crime that cannot be forgiven! Judgment has been made, and you are found wanting!" "And you're the Paragon, I know. Well, you're also dead! Chiculii, forget the boy for now-- KILL PARAGON!" As Paragon leapt down from the roof, Chuculii started firing what appeared to be wads of chewing gum. Paragon wasn't impressed-- until they hit the walls around her and exploded. "Plastic explosive?" Paragon gasped, startled. "Spearmint flavored explosive chewing gum!" retorted Chiculii, firing another barrage, and forcing Paragon into an intricate avoidance dance. "Why do I bother asking?" groaned the silver and black clad magical girl, avoiding each shot. "Of COURSE it's something silly like that. Well, at least you left those--" Whurfle. Whurfle. Whurfle. "Ur-golems at home. I shoulda KNOWN." For a moment Paragon was almost swamped by the need to dodge both lethal gumwads and Ur-golems. Then her years of martial arts training and her talent for clever if unlikely plans came to the fore once again. She started to lead Chiculii's fire in the direction SHE wanted it to go. "CHICULII! STOP FIRING!" screamed Ferriko in frustration. "Why?" asked the now frustrated Ur-demon. "BECAUSE YOU'RE BLOWING UP OUR OWN UR-GOLEMS, YOU MORON!!!!" It was true. There was a lone Ur-golem standing amongst the dust of the others, where Paragon had led Chiculii into hitting them all. "Hey, you still got one. In fact-- you can have it!" With that, Paragon grabbed the diminutive creature, hefted it with ease, threw it at Ferriko-- and stared in amazement as instead of passing though, it impacted her, knocking her down and causing her to emit a heartfelt "YOUCH!" "You're... here. You are ACTUALLY here. And I thought it was going to be a boring day." Paragon cracked her knuckles and grinned. "What a nice present. Which one of you two do I pulp first?" Ferriko picked herself up from the fragments of the last Ur-golem. Fuming, she snarled, "Chiculii, leave us. Find something to amuse yourself with. I have had enough of this human's arrogance. Paragon-- prepare to die!" "Oh, MAN... you have no IDEA how much I wanted to hear you say that, Chainmail-chan!" Ferriko began to redden in fury. "DON'T CALL ME CHAINMAIL-CHAN!" "I bet you don't have a sense of direction either," laughed Paragon. For some reason that comment began to enrage Ferriko. "Well, forget what I said. I won't give you a chance to prepare to die!" "Aw, you're unfair. HEH!" And the two began to square off as a half-concious Mamoru stared, helplessly... #### Sailor Moon knew she was getting closer... she could feel it. But during her search she passed the candy stall again-- and noticed that it was disappearing. (If that's not a trap, then I'm the meatball head Rei keeps calling me. I should have KNOWN. That candy was TOO cute!) That's when it happened. It being an Ur-demon. A DAMN SILLY looking Ur-demon. A damn silly Ur-Demon harrassing innocents and laughing. (And I thought the Daimon were wierd looking. I don't have time for this! I have to save Mamo-chan!) Her concern, her fear, and her need for haste combined to produce a result that had never been seen before, and likely would never be seen again... No speech. No posing. Just the production of the Spiral Heart Moon Rod, the command "Moon Spiral Heart Attack", and a dusted Ur-demon. It never even got an attack off. Running past, heedless of the amazed crowd, Sailor Moon dashed off to rescue her prince. #### Paragon narrowly dodged a suddden razor-edged chain that sprang from Ferriko's hand. (Okay, so she's using some sort of Mousse trick there- WHOA!) The chain might have been similar at first sight to the tools of the Chinese Master of Hidden weapons, but the way it suddenly changed course in mid-flight wasn't. This was NOT good, the crimson haired magical girl decided. "Fool! I am not like those worthless Ur-Demons! I am Ferriko, Mistress of Iron, and all iron obeys my will! You have no chance against me!" Paragon would have made a witty retort to that, but at the moment she had to save all her breath to dodge not only the first chain but the twenty or so others that had manifested, each moving as though it were alive. (Damn, damn damn. How to I get her if I can't get TO her? I just know a Para Volt wouldn't work even if I was getting a chance to fire one!) Then the street lamps began to move. Like huge snakes, they stabbed towards the silver and black clad Magical Girl, each strike missing by millimeters. (This is no good at all! I can't keep dodging forever, I'm going to get tired or make a mistake, Paragon or not-- there's got to be some way to bring the fight to her!) The problem was that there seemed to be no way TO bring the fight to Ferriko. Every approach was guarded by a whirring wall of razor chain, every line of attack by animated lamp posts, and there were unpleasant sounds beginning elsewhere. And then Paragon was blindsided by a flying manhole cover. She snarled in pain at the impact at the back of her head, and then upgraded snarls to screams of mixed agony and rage as a few of the chains wrapped about her, squeezing her breath from her lungs and cutting into her flesh. The magic seemed to make the pain worse, somehow. (Damn. Can't end like this... have to break free... should be able to break free...) "Oh, are you trapped? How sad. But even with your admittedly impressive strength, you can't break my chains, you know. My magic sees to that. I'm afraid you really have no option but to die." Ferriko was grinning now, secure in her victory-- When a lambent disc of shining light appeared from nowhere and spoiled everything. It slashed through the chains, first severing the link to Ferriko, then changed course and cut the chains binding the Paragon. Paragon fell to her knees, bleeding, half conscious. Before Ferriko could react, the disc cut the other chains, and then swerved again, changing at the last moment into a tiara and landing in the hand of Sailor Moon. "I won't forgive your hurting an innocent man who only wanted a simple date with his girlfriend for your evil plans!" Sailor Moon shouted, furious. (How DARE she attack Mamo-chan and Paragon?) "What, do you people share speechwriters?" Ferriko said angrily. "And how do you plan to stop me, whelp? As if you have a chance when I bought the better of you to her knees." "Sorry... standing up now..." Ferriko and Sailor Moon stared at Paragon, who had managed to regain her footing, wobbling unsteadily. "Ain't over yet. You are going down." "You can still stand? I AM impressed. Well, your pathetic bravado notwith-- what?" Paragon began to shine with a golden nimbus. Cuts and bruises seemed to fade as though they had never existed. And her eyes... Her eyes began to glow. Magic and Chi are not complementary forces. They do not oppose each other as such, but they also do not meld. Until now. The Chi of a martial artist-- that control that allows them to boost their physical abilities, their recuperative powers, their special techniques... was for the first time melded and augmented by the power of Magic. Until now, Paragon had been using one or the other... as if a barrier in her mind had prevented her from blending the two forces. That barrier was now down. Cuts healed in instants. Damaged costume somehow was repaired. And the Paragon was shining. Oh, how she was shining... Ferriko stared in shock at a person who had been on the edge of her endurance a moment before and was now apparently completely healed. "What... what ARE you?" "I am the light that escaped the Darkness." "Whatever-- I took you before, I can take you again!" Ferriko launched a chain-- and froze as this time Paragon batted it aside without any apparent concern. "I am the Champion forged from Chaos." "Shut UP! You are supposed to DIE!" Ferriko launched all the metal she had against Paragon... who now idly dodged it, the blue eyes that had been behind the mask now blank ovals of radiance. "I am the instrument of Judgment. I am the final court. I am the Avatar of Justice." Ferriko was beginning to freak. "SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!" "I am..." "Damn you, SHUT --" And then Ferriko was slammed against the wall. Hard. "The Paragon." Ferriko was in pain. Intense pain. Paragon had hurt her... how DARE she-- The thought was derailed by a kick to the gut. Followed by a punch to the jaw and a cruel elbow bash. And all the time, the face of the silver-clad magical girl was impassive, unfeeling... as though she had a soul of ice. "And you are nothing whatsoever next to me." Sailor Moon stared as the Paragon seemed to undergo a total personality transformation. Where once was a jesting, sarcastic fighter there now was a person who radiated menace that the Wiseman would have quailed at. Then the glow surrounding Paragon began to brighten, as she raised one gloved hand above her head, which began to gather sparks of blended energy and chi... forming, of all things, what seemed to be a katana. "SWORD OF JUDGEMENT!" The blade didn't connect. It didn't need to. An arcing bolt of light slashed forward, and for a moment, one could almost see the ghostly image of a set of scales behind it's target-- who screamed, and collapsed to her knees-- And then fell apart, into a pile of crumbled rust. "Kami-sama," breathed Sailor Moon. "That was-- Paragon?" And the Paragon collapsed, her energy spent, sliding into grateful unconsciousness... and then her outline wavered, and she changed... and became... "I don't believe it... Naoko-chan?" #### To Be Continued. Robert Haynie, who really really wants to find a working technique for making beer out of cheese. Why? Why ask why? I just want to...