[SM/Xover][FanFic] A Soldier's Duty, chapter 11

[metro...@mindspring.com]

A Soldier's Duty
4th Labor chapter 11

"Of men who have a sense of honor, more come through alive than are slain,
but from those who flee comes neither glory nor any help." Homer (~700 BC)

"Even the reverse side has its reverse side." -Japanese proverb

------------

"Would someone please explain what's going on?"

It was the latest in a long string of shocks for a person named Grey L
Shard. First, that there were *samurai* guarding Rei's shrine. Lean,
powerful, guys with swords. Lots of them. He'd manifested the Chain at the
first sight. Not a twitch that would reveal any of them as threats.

Second, the crowd of people waiting around. People he'd never seen before.
Some glanced up at him, some seeming to eye him briefly as if they were
weighing him. Particularly when they saw the Chain and that he was limping.
They obviously started talking about him. He heard his name mentioned a few
times.

Third, someone finally read the newspaper article to him. Though they
stopped after the list of fiancees and from the excitement there was
something *else* in there they weren't mentioning. How many girls was he
expected to marry anyway?! He was still reeling from Ami's rejection.

Now he had a camera crew watching him, filming his every move, while an
interview was being conducted.

He just *knew* he was going to screw this up.

-------

Ami got home, flicked the TV on, hoping that something would take her mind
off what had just gone on at the love hotel, and tried to settle her
feelings so that she could get her mind on her studies.

TV: "...and since Shard-san is not fluent with Japanese, we have used a
translator."

Ami twitched. Shard-san was obviously nervous and self-conscious. So did
most of the girls in the background. Except Minako, who was acting as if she
were born to be on television.

TV:"This is Tezuka Mizuhara, TV 10! Are you Greylle Shard?"

Grey:"Ah, yes. Sorry, my Japanese is not very good. i've tried to learn but
have not had much time."

Ami winced. They'd given Grey-san a scared little boy's voice.

Mizuhara: "So what do you think of your fiancees?"

Grey: "Other than Ami-chan, i didn't know i *had* any fiancees. i know a
couple of them, i guess. They'd said something but i wasn't sure i
understood. My Japanese isn't very good. Just... This isn't live, is it?"

Mizuhara: "Ah, so Mizuno-san is already your 'Ami-chan' is she? What do you
think of her?"

Ami winced again. Grey-san did not have a very good poker face. He went into
obvious pain, and was that a tear?

Grey: "Ami-chan? She's beautiful and smart, and she's got this smile... and
those eyes. i could spend hours looking in those eyes."

Ami twitched a few times.

Mizuhara: "Beautiful?"

Grey: "Cute, gorgeous, elegant. But she doesn't like me. From something she
said, i don't think she likes guys. At least not THAT way."

Girls in background: "WHAT?!"

Ami fell off the chair.

Grey: "It sounds like the reason that her friend Makoto beat me up the first
time we met is because the two are an item."

Ami twitched from her position on the floor, slowly raising her head up to
where she could see the screen again.

Makoto's eyes were big as saucers. "...but... we're just friends. Really.
Why doesn't anyone believe that?"

Mizuhara: "Ah, so that would be Makoto Kino and Ami Mizuno are *that* way. I
see. That does still leave the others. What about... Miss Aino?"

Minako sidled up to Grey's side. "I think Shard-san is misunderstanding
something, but Minako Aino will embrace Duty!" Minako bowed to the camera,
then took her fiance's arm.

Ami made a strangled noise, got up and rushed out the door.

-------

The argument had stopped in the Tendo living room as well.

Grey: "Uhm, Aino-san? I really need a little time to get used to this. Are
you sure?"

Minako: "Well, he's not cute. But he's nice and that covers a lot. Besides,
he needs a fiancee who can speak English until he gets the hang of
Japanese."

Other girl: "I object! The Meiou claim is much older."

Grey: "Setsuna? You're serious? You're... young?"

Akane frowned. It sounded like the boy was a pervert, leading a bunch of
girls on.

Setsuna: "I call for a contest! A dating contest. Each of the fiancee
candidates shall date Grey-chan once. In that way he can make an informed
choice as to who will be his fiancee."

Soun heard that and was running for Juuban, Akane flapping behind him from
one arm as she was dragged at such high speeds that her feet didn't come
close to the ground.

Kasumi, ignored as usual, pursed her lips as she watched the interview.
Well, Akane could do worse. Nabiki could marry Ranma. Just as long as they
left *her* out of it. Though with that much money, she could really outfit a
nice kitchen.

Grey: "Dating contest?!"

Setsuna: "Just a date. Go out for dancing or something. Check for
compatibility."

Mizuhara: "But what about this story that your life is tied to a direct
prophesy regarding the prosperity of Japan?"

Grey: "First I've heard of it."

Minako: "Actually we're not too sure about all that. Can you get back to us
after we've had a chance to sort things out?"

--------

The Wizard turned away from the screen and looked over the Witches 5, and
Kaolinite, and even their newest ally. "The press has discovered that the
boy is pivotal, though neither he nor they know why."

"So what should we do? We can't kill him. Heck, the *heroes* seem bound and
determined to kill him." Eudial was concerned about this. Besides, it kept
people from talking about her failure to catch Senshi. Not that anyone else
was more successful.

The Wizard considered. "The Virtual Beast is almost ready. In the
meantime... Terurun, Eudial, Cyprine, Mimette, Villuy. One of you will have
to join the fiancee group."

"WHAT?!" Five witches were aghast at this sudden development.

"There you will seek to stir things up, lest he decide on one girl. I'll
send a few daimon by as well. You'll be an agent, undercover of sorts.
Kaolinite is already known to them due to her earlier bungling."

"What of this boy?" Really wanting a change of subject, Kaolinite invested a
tiny amount of power to conjure an image. This particular image being of a
bokken wielding maniac being ejected from the news conference.

The Wizard made a gesture and a daimon seed appeared. Another gesture and a
current image of the same boy appeared. The seed was thrust within the image
and the witches watched as a black aura appeared around the boy with the
bokken.

"An experimental subject. I'd wondered what would happen if a living human
were infested with a daimon seed. That boy has some serious leanings towards
the darkness anyway: vengeance, lust, and pride. This makes him a near
perfect guinea pig. See- he's already given in to the wickedness in his
heart." The Wizard gestured and the image turned off. "Now, we'll just see
what kind of horrors he can inflict in this Nerima. But later. There are
more important considerations for now."

"Such as..." Eudial was the one speaking, but more than one of the Witches
began to sweat.

"Such as why you are all still here when at least one of you, not counting
Kaolinite, should be attending this Shrine to see about the boy?"

Several Witches began to particularly sweat. "Uh..."

"I see. So you doubt my power or authority here. You feel that gating in all
these other elements has left me weak."

Frantic shaking of heads (Mimette, Terurun, and Eudial) while Cyprine stood
and conjured her staff to hand. "No. But now that you mention it..."

The Wizard brought a hand up in a quick gesture. Then tsked and gestured at
where Kaolinite held a knife to thrust in his back, having conjured an image
of herself earlier in order to get into position. "Well, now. What do we
have here?"

Only the eyes of the Witches were able to move, and several of those were
bugging in terror.

"Kaolinite. You disappoint me yet again. I shall have to be creative with
you." The Wizard considered the older woman briefly. "Nothing personal, but
if I fail to make an example of you, however will I maintain discipline?"

Kaolinite glared at the Wizard.

"Your affection for Professor Tomoe no doubt led you to this rash course of
action." The Wizard walked around Kaolinite inspecting her. "Perhaps you
should be a mannequin on display? Or join the Professor you so admired?
Perhaps turn you to a statue of ice and let you slowly melt and drain away?
Transform you into a horrifically ugly monster that the Senshi could then
destroy? No, too cliche."

Cyprine, aka Puchirol, aka a number of other aliases, began to experience a
level of discomfort that she had never felt before. Almost religious in the
intensity of her prayer that she be overlooked.

"I'll think about and get back to you." The Wizard said, then inspected the
Witches 5. "No offense, Mimette, but you seem to be a bit bipolar. That
doesn't work too well with espionage assignments. Eudial - you think you're
more clever than you are. Terurun - maybe, though you've a vicious streak
that might be hard to suppress. Villuy - if Terurun has a vicious streak
then yours is a raging river. You are likewise unsuitable for trying to hide
your true colors. So the best choices for my operative in this little event
would be either Eudial or Terurun."

Eudial and Terurun began to sweat, but as the Professor was the only one not
currently paralyzed, they couldn't protest.

"Eudial's a bit old," said the Wizard thoughtfully, enjoying the slight
flinch from the one Witch. "While Terurun is lacking in sex appeal." Terurun
*glared* at that one.

Another gesture and Mimette, Villuy, and Kaolinite vanished. Cyprine,
Eudial, and Terurun were left. Eudial and Terurun found they could move
after a few moments.

"I've sent them on to their power bases, except for Kaolinite who is now in
my lab," the Wizard explained. With a gesture, he brought forth a flask of
some thin black fluid. "What we have here is the classic Overwhelming Love
Potion. This is different from the Erotic Impulsive Sports Drink that you
have been given use of, Eudial. It is actually a virus, and therefore
contagious, but I have a cure for it. How it acts is deceptively simple and
consists of three parts.

"It takes about four minutes for it to work. There is, within the memories
and patterns of the human brain, a template marked Ideal Mate. The first
thing that this does is erase that template. The brain will then imprint a
new template based on whoever is present at that time. Which is why you must
be alone when you give the Chain Wielder the potion.

"The second thing is to attack the victim's own self-image. Any comment
directed towards the victim from their new ideal will help to reform their
new self-image. Reinventing themselves in order to please this new ideal
mate. This phase passes after a few minutes.

"The third and final thing is to rearrange the neurons within the brain
relating to their new master. They will never lose the giddy happy feeling
of their love for the individual in question."

"Ah. We've got to get him to drink all *that*?!" Eudial looked at the flask
and guessed there was about 20ml of the fluid. Which looked particularly
unappetizing.

"Oh no, not at all." The Wizard smiled. "Five drops, no less, is one dose.
More won't cause any harm. Less will just cause a pleasant buzz and feelings
of attraction for you if you happen to grab their attention at the right
time. You can also get the other fiancees with this, causing them to abandon
him and go off on trysts with whoever else has been affected."

Cyprine looked a little nervous, especially as she had *not* disappeared
with the others nor restored to movement. And she was about to pass out from
not being able to breathe.

"Allow me to demonstrate," said the Wizard, opening Cyprine's mouth and
squeezing a squirt of substance within. Then unfreezing the girl so she
could breathe and swallow.

Cyprine swallowed as she gasped for air. "Please... I didn't mean to..."

Cyprine vanished.

"Where did you send her?" Eudial was getting even more nervous, and a few
minutes ago she would have sworn that wasn't possible.

"To my room. She'll be able to prove her loyalty to me later." The Wizard
shrugged. "If I'd known where the Mage was, I might have blanked her memory
of this location and sent her there where she could annoy the other side for
awhile. Pity."

------

Currently the Mage was doing many things. Though only one of him was in the
scenario, still dodging recall attempts by Celeste.

The other two were being watched by Jared's fiancee brigade, who were quite
aware of his desire to move back into the simulation. Not that they were
inclined to let him, considering that he himself had wanted to keep out of
it earlier.

Celeste's reaction had been a little less kind. "One more attempt like that,
I'm slapping the Reset and Grey can try playing out this damn Labor in the
Pokegirl setting!"

Jared paled. Both of him. "That's the one where... ugh."

Jared #2 agreed with a shudder. "That's a bit extreme, don't you think?"

"Well, it would get him to choose one. And darn rapidly too." Celeste's
sense of humor had begun to fray two hours ago. There wasn't much left.

Toltiir had gone off to do something at Mimir's Well, put off by things
getting too serious for his tastes. Amaterasu had excused herself after
making *her* interference, and Urd was obviously ready to follow Ama's suit
if the Mage wasn't ejected soon. Not to mention Elistraee. Or Aphrodite,
Freya, etc.

Though the presence of Aiki, goddess of inter-racial liasons (primarily
elf+human), was a little concerning. Particularly for Jared. Nobody was sure
who *she* was rooting for.

If this impasse was still in place when the Elder of Mischief returned,
Celeste didn't doubt for a moment that something ridiculous would happen.
Such as those asteroids being turned to lemon meringue moments before
impact.

Not that that would make an appreciable difference to anyone at an impact
point.

Jared should have known better. "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"

Celeste clicked a button. On one of the screens popped up a countdown.
[0:30:00]

"Guess she would," said Jared #2.

"Uhm, who all is real in that simulation anyway? They all seemed pretty real
while I was in there." Jared #1 asked, curious and anxious to change
subjects.

"They're Turing-capable AIs. I spent a long time constructing the scenario,
then wrote a program that designed and built the semi-independent AIs based
on what data I was able to provide about common SM branch timelines."
Celeste didn't look up from hammering buttons as she continued to try and
catch the final Chibi Jared. "If you could tell that it was just a
semi-independent simulcra, then it would fail the purpose."

"As for who's real, sugah. Four are dark elves rescued in the last Labor
durin' that bit with that El Vis fella. Like everyone but that Wizard fella,
they only remember their roles for this, as if they had grown up under the
circumstances. They're stuck in roles real similar to what they were in
their real lives. One's Kumori Mizuno, Ami's mom. Her daughter's in the role
of Sakura Shinguchi, that samurai gal. Eudial's a third, not a nice gal to
be sure. The fourth is that there little drummer gal: Maya Tono. Morrigan,
most of the Senshi, Nuku, Honey, and your own favorite are also real. She's
comin' up too." Edema finished weaving a barrier spell around the control
room. Then had to step back from it herself as it was a Protection From
Elves 10' Radius.

"Most of the Scouts? I mean, Senshi?" Jared #1 looked over the spell
critically. Though he hadn't *known* there was a spell like that, he could
immediately see that there were those who'd pay big bucks for semi-permanent
versions. Dwarves, for example.

Celeste's voice was distracted as she tried rotating a set of recall lights
through an elaborate chase pattern. "The only ones not real of that crowd
are Uranus and Neptune, Luna and Artemis, Usagi and Mamoru. Oh, and the
spare Setsuna."

Jared and Jared looked at each other. "USAGI'S FAKE?!"

"So it's a fake crystal too," mused Jared #1. "How can they possibly stand
against an all powerful wizard without her?"

"Sugar, the boy's not all powerful or all knowin'." Edema dropped to knee
level so she could talk eye-to-eye with one of the Chibi-Jareds. "If he'd
researched Sailor Moon or the attendent timelines very well, he'd likely
have taken out Sailor Moon and Sailor Pluto before revealin' hisself. He's
also a specialist transmuter, like myself. Ah seen the weave of his magic,
and Ah can tell. Y'all know that limits him. He can do summonin' so that
means he can't do evocation. Thinkin' it's likely he has a few items stashed
that he's gettin' power from as well. He's also constrained by his nature,
y'see. Being one of those Spells R Us wizard-types, he's really practiced at
turnin' all sorts of fellas into oversexed strumpets, or folks to animals
and the like, but not nearly the sort of broad-scale thing he's doin' now.
Now when you gunna get yourself using that scroll Ah brought you?"

Both Jared winced before Jared #2 explained. "Well... it'll have to be when
all three of us are together again. Splitting into three has likewise
divided our skill levels."

"So y'all ought to get busy askin' which of your fiancees is gonna be
willin' to part with those Aspects that were originally part of Grey's
friends." Edema shook her head. "The spells high level, requires a willin'
target too - so any doubt on the part of the gal you're castin' it on will
foul it up. It also don't manifest no physical body, so's they gonna have to
re-merge with one of them in that simulation."

Jared #1 sighed. "We'd rather fight Invid."

Jared #2 nodded sadly. "And we can still hope for Project Payback if this
doesn't work."

Jared #1 clapped his hands. "Okay, let's go to the Well. We've got plans to
make."

---------

"Shard-san, I realize you are not Japanese and you are unfamiliar with our
customs, but you should not say such things!" Ami was a bit unhappy. Also a
bit out of breath.

"i'm sorry," said Grey, feeling kind of funny being the center of so much
hostility. Nor did he completely understand the reason for it. However he
*was* getting lots of practice with various phrases used to apologize with.

"This is very strange," confessed Luna. That so many of the girls present
took a talking cat in stride merely proved how strange it was.

Artemis likewise frowned, though he thought there was something *very*
interesting about this Nuku Nuku girl.

Minako noticed Artemis staring again at that Atsuko girl and slapped the
cat.

"Uhm, bad time maybe. But oh heck." Grey took a breath and tried again.
"-Does everyone speak English to some extent? Besides Rei, Makoto, and
Usagi?-"

Nuku looked blank. Honey and Morrigan nodded. Tono-san held finger and thumb
close together.

Setsuna was suddenly older and holding her staff. "The Garnet Orb can be
used to erect a translation field."

"-Oh good. Uhm, Setsuna-chan, how come you're younger sometimes?-"

"I manipulated the timestream. Normally a version of myself would be born in
the future, after my current self died fighting the Death Busters. When the
timestream changed, that event was lost. While things were still in flux, I
arranged for that future version of myself to be born earlier. Now I'm
trading off with myself so that one version of me is fulfilling duty by
guarding the Gate Of Time. The other version can spend time with you. Though
if you were to come visit the Gate Of Time, both of us could spend time with
you..."

Everyone looked from Sailor Pluto to Grey and back again.

"Okay, this is seriously weird," summed up Morrigan. "And from *me* that
means something."

"-Okay, well, this is probably the wrong time, but Chiba-san has arranged
for us to go to a party up at the hill manor.-"

"PARTY!" Several teenage girls were at least momentarily cheered by the
prospect.

"-Yes, well, it's primarily attended by international students. And Puu-chan
carrying her staff would be a bit much. So if everyone could brush up on
their English skills? And not wear swimsuits or school uniforms. It's kind
of formal.-" Grey looked over at where Maya Tono was getting Sailor Moon's
autograph and smiled. Nice to see everyone getting along. Well, mostly. Rei
had had to excuse herself or she would have slapped a few spirit wards on
Morrigan. Something about professional instincts. Sailor Moon/Usagi was
running around welcoming new friends and allies and gushing about how much
fun they'd all have.

Morrigan had looked *distinctly* uncomfortable being hugged by Usagi and
getting the dreaded Puppy Dog Eyes Attack.

"How come everyone knows our secret identities?" wailed Luna, who hadn't
stopped griping since this quick meeting had been called. And Honey, Nuku,
and Morrigan had shown up wearing fake Sailor Fuku. (gold, lavender, and
black trim respectively - though normally a seifuku didn't have cleavage
like Morrigan's did.)

"I didn't," pointed out Maya. "oooh! Sailor Pluto-sama, can I get your
autograph for my collection? That key-staff thing is *so* neat, do you know
any staff based martial arts?"

"It's probably not known below a certain level. One of those 'black bureau'
types - they suspect your identities but aren't 100% sure. Or at least
weren't until the interview with Sailor Moon." Honey shrugged. "It's their
business to know things."

"Eh?" Usagi froze. "I was interviewed?"

Hotaru shrugged when Maya started asking her questions. She had no idea if
she was a Senshi or not. She could heal minor wounds though.

"-So, in two nights we've got that party to go to,-" Grey pointed out. "-I
think Chiba-san can finagle extra invites so everyone can go. Uhm. Now does
someone want to explain this date contest thing to me?-"

"Excuse me, but the reason that Nuku and I wore these was to get the
prelimaries over and bring *this* to your attention." Honey held up a small
envelope, then handed it to Ami who quickly opened it.

Ami looked at the ticket in her hand, unable to believe it.

"What are ya staring at, Ami?" Usagi asked, concerned at the look in her
friend's eyes.

Luna leapt up to a vantage point but couldn't quite read the slip of paper.

Setsuna paled for some odd reason when she saw the ticket.

Morrigan leaned against a wall and waved her own ticket while Ami continued
to stare at Honey's. "That's why I wore a Sailor costume myself. So do you
see now why I wanted to attend? Though I've had my fill of formal events so
maybe not."

"What is it?" Rei demanded, coming out of the kitchen drying her hands, only
to see Usagi scarfing a bag of chips and launching into the standard
arguments.

Ami interrupted by reading aloud.

"Queen Serenity requests your presence,
at Juuban Civic Center's main auditorium,
In a ball to welcome Earth's salvation,
And unite our forces once again."

She paused to read the fine print.

"Due to the events of the last Queen's Masquerade, this will not be a
masquerade. Formal wear required. Bring weapons, just in case." Ami looked
up from the ticket. "It's for tomorrow night."

"THE QUEEN!!?" Luna's fur poofed out. "b-b-but..."

Usagi dropped plans to get Rei and Nebula together. Obviously her goal
should be getting her Silver Millenium Mommy & Daddy together again.

A sad, hurt, look passed unnoticed over Setsuna's face.

"but... THE QUEEN!! Oh, Serenity..." Luna sobbed something unintelligible.

Morrigan happily waved a booklet. "Are you curious enough to read the
program?"

She was mobbed.

Grey merely rolled his eyes, shouldering the pain and relief from Nebula. He
suspected that he'd end up working security in this gig. Figured.

--------

There was a thing called Mutual Assured Destruction. Some thought it merely
a recent concept that referred to nuclear weapon proliferation, but actually
the concept has been around ever since there were two tribes of
cave-dwellers that didn't like each other but came to the realization that a
fight between them wouldn't leave enough of either tribe to survive.

Some people or peoples knew of the concept, and either didn't care or fooled
themselves into thinking it didn't apply to them. They usually ended up
wiping themselves out with those very neighbors.

Those who came from fantasy realms with dragons and wizards and elves and
magic were often familiar with the concept as well. As well as something
attributed to an old wizard named Le Quon Murphy: "The problem with any
Doomsday or Ultimate Weapon is that eventually it gets used and proves that
it was aptly named." Or the corollary: "The real problem with a Doomsday
Weapon is that conquering the nation next door with it leaves you with less
resources than when you started."

Which was one of the problems that the Wizard was facing right now. He was
facing a mortal enemy, one of the "good guys" (though the Wizard's own
standards of good and evil were decidedly different from the Mage's), whose
power outstripped his own except for the very narrow specialty of
tranmutative cursed items. He had, and could summon, something sufficient to
destroy the Mage entirely. The Mage had inserted himself into this
simulation, and could thus be attacked. The problem was that the Wizard had
counted on the Mage honoring an earlier commitment about non-interference
and had never actually said that he would *not* interfere.

So, he was stuck with this scenario being:
a) cut short by a meteor strike just as it stabilized into a real timeline,
summoned by the Mage earlier. While the vast majority of characters in this
scenario did *not* know about the black meteors streaking towards Earth, a
number of psychics, mages, and the like *were* getting feelings of looming
doom from the constellation of Sagittarius.
b) cut short by the Mage running about cutting into his plans, and (likely
if the Mage ever figured out where he was and which one was the real him)
cutting into certain Wizards as well,
c) cut short by Celeste, who had just activated a timer that would reboot
the whole thing, and there was no telling how things would be reconstructed
even if they were. The Wizard frankly did not think his chances were good
that he'd know the new scenario better than he knew this one, and he *did*
wish that he'd watched more than three episodes of Sailor Moon S (Episodes
90,91,92 - and he'd mainly fast forwarded through them.)
d) thrown completely out of control by him dropping the various summoned
monster, shattering the Eggs Of Daimon, and putting together something very
much like the Dragonball Z villain Majin Buu. While this *might* be
sufficient to slay the Mage, either the fight or the villain thereafter
would likely destroy the world he was trying to rule.
e) cut short by him just giving up and going after an easier target. Such as
finding a Star Wars timeline and supplanting the Emperor. Except that the
Mage might follow him or otherwise continue to plague his attempts to have a
world he could rule over and then retire to the sort of life other wizards
could only envy. He'd already sent the other him out of this simulation, but
they could rejoin if he succeeded, so this might not be necessary.
f) a war of escalation. When this timeline became real, this would be a
problem as he didn't have *nearly* the resources of the Mage. Right now, it
was just shadow images within a VR construct. Much easier. The problem with
that is that it eventually led to the aforementioned Doomsday Weapons and
the like.
g) The Virtual Beast. Something so diabolical that it should bypass the
defenses of Mage or Senshi, not killing them, but neutralizing them instead.
Problem was that the energy flowing into the Beast's cage wasn't high
enough. Within the scenario's elements, the only way he could bring the
Beast to fruition quicker was a massive amount of deaths occurring nearby.
While not terribly concerning on a personal basis, these things had a
tendency to escalate.

The Wizard considered. Then realized that, in his distraction, he'd sent
Cyprine to entirely the wrong location.

Oh well, she was no longer his concern. He'd track her down and cure her
later. Maybe. But at least he knew exactly what to do about Kaolinite.

---------

Cyprine, one of the Witches 5, who had the ability to seperate into twin
halves- Cyprine and Puchirol - was currently not as calm and collected as
she'd like to be.

Okay, she had felt as if her identity was dissolving into black fog, and she
wasn't an idiot. She'd *heard* exactly what was going on from the
description of that potion she'd been forced to drink.

"Ranmaaa! What are you doing lying there when...?! Oh sorry, you're not
Ranma."

Cyprine, the ruthless, vicious, mean-tempered, self-styled best Witch of the
Witches 5, looked up. Horror giving way to wonder in a moment.

It was the most magnificent figure of a man she'd ever seen. His martial
arts gi was old and worn, beaten by the elements. He was slightly chubby,
but his little Buddha belly merely provided contrast to the rest of his
perfectly tuned body- a Greek god made manifest. He wore a bandana over his
obviously pristinely bald clean head, and wore glasses that framed his piggy
little eyes in a perfect fashion.

Genma was completely taken by surprise as some girl wrapped herself around
him.

As he was repeatedly being smooched, Genma could only protest about his
already being married.

Well, that and smirk about him still having the "old Saotome charm."

------

"Plu... Setsuna-san?" Usagi bit her lip at seeing the woman put a
deliberately calm face and straightened up.

"Sorry, I'm not used to being around other people," said the older woman,
visibly getting herself under control.

Usagi considered for a few moments. "You knew my Momma - Queen Serenity,
right?"

"Yes, I served under the original Queen Serenity. Unlike my future self, who
will serve under Neo-Queen Serenity." Setsuna frowned ever so slightly. "It
was she who decided my training was sufficient for the honor of guarding the
Time Gate."

Usagi had a feeling there was a *lot* being left unsaid on that, but wasn't
sure what. Maybe Setsuna had upset stomach? She kept looking as if something
hurt her. "Oh well, can you help me get my Silver Millenium Mommy and Daddy
together?"

Setsuna was not generally one to facefault. This qualified for such a rare
occurance.

"It would be sooooo romantic!" Usagi gushed. "I mean its not as if anyone
else wants him. I never would have thought that about Ami and Makoto. My
goodness! I hope nobody thinks that about me and Rei-chan. Hahahahaha.
Anyway, do you know anyway I can get the Queen and her Consort together
again, and... Setsuna-san? Why are you lying on the ground?"

Setsuna stopped twitching in order to focus a particularly upset look in her
Princess' direction. "You don't actually have a clue, do you?"

"Eh?" Usagi managed as Setsuna got back up. "Uhm, did I miss something?
Setsuna-san, you're going get a headache if you keep beating your head
against that wall..."

------

Grey wondered why the Chain seemed to want to point at the sky the moment he
started a "Search For Danger" routine. As a result of that and similar
problems, he'd had to banish it for now and forego the translation effect.

"And here we have the representitive from clan Tendo, a branch of it, I'm
told, but they were the first here." Rei indicated someone very bishonen at
first glance.

"Haruka Ten'ou," said the very tomboyish girl. "So you're this 'Greylle'
person I've heard so much about."

There was a moment of crushing grip, but then it was less so before Grey
could return it properly. "Yes. Sorry. Japanese not goodly. You friend is
not other fiancee is she?"

"Michiru Kaioh," introduced the more outwardly feminine of the two with a
slight bow. "I am merely here as Haruka's friend." Both Ten'ou and Kaioh
smiled at the obvious relief of the American.

"Good, uhm, this is enough mess," said Grey, stumbling over the words. "No
offense please."

"We've already started turning people away," Rei said, and then followed in
very quick Japanese because she knew the boy couldn't make much out of it.
"Since he just became quite wealthy, it seems some have come here attracted
simply to that. He doesn't know himself yet, and Ami feels that if he *did*
learn about it, he would actually become more paranoid - feeling that he was
pursued only for money."

"I can see how that would work," agreed Michiru, "though keeping secrets
from him is not conducive to further trust."

Rei switched back to a level of Japanese she felt Shard-san could follow.
"And over here is the matriarch of Clan Saotome, who informs us that there
is no daughter of her clan for you to marry, so that's another one down."

"Ah, thank you very much, Saotome-san." Grey smiled at the woman. "While
sure am i that your daughters would be a treasure, my head over am i."

Nodoka bowed, then went to go admire more of the katanas being held by the
various samurai guarding the place. Besides, she'd heard some girl claiming
to be a Saotome had shown up and she wanted to confront the little
money-hungry tramp that sought to drag HER family's name further into the
ground.

"By keeping it to one member of one family, and those with ties of honor or
to this prophesy, we're keeping it from becoming a complete circus," Rei
said to Haruka, hoping it was true.

Grey nodded, trying NOT to think about Queen Serenity or what effect HER
presence would cause. "Not that most interested. i just young gaijin, yes?"

"So," Haruka said, looking at a nearby board. "That's the competition?"

The board was a chalkboard, scrawled with names. As they were in Japanese,
and perfectly legible kanji, it took everyone a moment to realize that Grey
was trying to figure them out.

"This mean 'water'?" Grey pointed to the kanji. "And this is the letter 'no'
so - Ami? What these numbers mean?"

Rei opened her mouth, trying to figure out how to politely say that it was
odds being set by one of the local girls - a Nanami Jinnai who was
apparently with a camera crew.

"It's a Shinto thing, relating to the religion. As an outsider you wouldn't
be expected to understand," smoothly lied Haruka.

"Ah," said Grey. He wasn't sure if he believed the crossdresser, there was
something awfully smug about the girl. Not to mention he was getting a
danger sense reading off of her and the green haired girl.

"Kisaragi Honey," pointed out Rei to the befuddled fellow. "In Japanese,
remember first name given is family name. If we were writing this in English
it would be reversed. Aino Minako. Natsume Nuku Nuku Atsuko, Kino Makoto,
Tono Maya, Meiou Setsuna, Tendo Haruka. Sorry, Haruka. I'll get them to
correct that later. Ukyo Kuonji was of the Katsuragi clan, and she's left -
apparently her honor is more personally involved with the son of Saotome. As
for the Shinobi clan, we don't even know which clan, they're being secretive
about it."

"How very like ninja," murmurred Michiru.

"They've included a couple of other names here because they insisted, but
it's nothing really." Rei shrugged. "Hotaru considers you her sempai, and
Morrigan Aenslad - I'm not too sure what to make of her (other than a
bonfire)."

"Well, then. What's this about a dating contest?" Haruka smirked again from
the way the American scowled at the phrase. That was *one* he obviously had
learned.

"Not counting the two nights he's already scheduled something for, each of
the fiancees gets one date with him to determine if there's anything even
possible between them," Rei explained. "It was something Setsuna-san came up
with. No interference from any of the others, and it's otherwise completely
left up to the girl in question what they're going to do, as long as its
just a date."

"Two scheduled nights?" Michiru raised an eyebrow, elegantly, of course.
"The Concert tomorrow, perhaps?"

"Yeah, that's one." Rei had no idea why Shard-san shuddered at the mention
of it. "The other is some get together over at the manor."

"Saturday, Edwards' manor," Michiru smoothly put in, nodding. "I should have
guessed that as a foreign student here that Shard-san would have been
invited."

"Yeah, I... HEY!" Rei yelled at where Nanami was writing extra names up on
the board. "I am NOT a fiancee! Get my name off there!"

"Excuse please," Grey said to the two remaining. "Really need find Ami.
Think she plenty mad. Sorry."

"Well?" Michiru asked after the boy was out of earshot.

"A date, eh? Well, that would definitely serve to get him alone." Haruka
considered. "Though maybe we ought to spy on him when he's out on those
other dates, just in case he gets attacked."

"Or he's out with someone weak that could be ignored as a bodyguard?"
Michiru considered. "Innocent lives might be endangered."

"You said yourself that the winds surround him. If he's the crux of the
danger, then no matter what, he must be taken out. Oh, I meant..."

Michiru smirked at Haruka's unintentional double meaning despite the
seriousness of their conversation. "We'll just have to bide our time
otherwise."

Unnoticed was the addition of the name "Katsuragi Eudial" to the blackboard.

----------

Eudial, unlike most of the others present, was a bit older than a Japanese
student. She'd been a teacher drawn to Mugen High School by its "innovate
technical approach to education." Besides, the pay was good.

Then she, like most of the others, had run into Professor Tomoe and been
recruited for the Deathbusters.

One of her former students, Mimette, had been drawn to the Professor's plan
by virtue of being crazy. Eudial had originally been attracted to the
strange combination of magic and technology. Until seeing it, Eudial had
discounted magic as ridiculous children's fantasies. People who believed in
magic were simply unable to deal with cold harsh reality, that had been her
attitude.

Then she, like the others, had been dominated by the Darkness - the seeds of
which lay in the vast majority of mortal souls. But for her, the impossible
to resist lure had been her own scientific curiosity.

When the SRU Wizard had stepped in, he had cut their ties to Pharoah 90.
Each of the Witches 5 had suddenly realized that they had been working
towards world destruction - which would likely have included their own
demises. He had left the corruption, but that was beginning to fray in a
couple of cases. In Mimette's case, she had always been crazy but it hadn't
always been a violent sort of crazy. In Eudial's case, she admitted she'd
always been a little petty and vicious, and prone to forget the means as she
tried to get to the ends.

Eudial had been picking apart the layers of corruption in her own mind,
using the power from her love hotel energy tap to further clean out the
muck. Not everyone was doing likewise. Villuy and Cyprine were as vain and
arrogant as ever. Mimette was still buggier than a wasp nest. Kaolinite
still had a mean streak a yard wide and a need to prove she could be the
head, uhm, Witch. Terurun - she wasn't sure what was going on with Terurun.
No help there.

Eudial watched the group milling about the shrine and wondered at this. Here
were people touched by magic, though not by the evil version she was
familiar with. There were samurai from ancient times, being interviewed by
The History Channel from the look of it. There were young girls everywhere,
and if Shard-san was as important as the Wizard indicated then Eudial would
not be at all surprised if a couple of the Senshi were also present.

Eudial regarded working for the Wizard as riding the tiger. If he succeeded
in conquering the world, would he share that power? Or would she end up like
that shrine priestess had almost done? That girl had come within a
hairsbreadth of becoming 'Bambi Hino' - a stripper in Roppongi. Only some
outside interference had kept her from being altered, and her past
backtracked to show that that had always been her fate.

Definitely not a career choice Eudial wanted for herself.

Unfortunately, an outright attack or simply trying to vanish were not going
to work. A staged death, maybe. Or if...

Eudial reached into a pocket, touching the flask within. There might be
another way to "accidently" remove herself from the Wizard's ranks and have
it just appear to be poor luck on *her* part. But first she'd need to remove
some of these others, so it looked like she was doing the Wizard's bidding.
Who to hit first?

The member of Witches 5 looked over the crowd. Perfect.

---------

It had taken less than fifteen minutes for Grey to decide that the crowds
were *not* suited for him. He wasn't getting answers, it had been a *long*
and tiring day, and he wasn't too sure he'd be welcomed at the Mizuno
penthouse anymore.

Ami hadn't been as obvious as that girl in that animated show he'd seen (ie:
no suddenly producing a mallet and crushing him flat) but he could tell. Ami
had been seriously upset with him.

Staying here: intolerable. Returning to the penthouse: unadvisable. (At
least until he figured out *why* she was angry and how to make it up to her.
Perhaps she hadn't been ready to make her relationship with Makoto public?)

The Chain could be used for a number of things. Shooting the Star Arrow up
to the top of one of those red arch thingies, Grey then retracted it while
holding on. Not silent, not fast, certainly not graceful, but effective. He
climbed onto the top of the arch, only to find someone else already there.

"Morrigan, isn't it?"

"Yes." The succubus indicated the crowd. "Ah, wonderful isn't it? 'The roar
of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd' as it was once put. The teeming
throng of humanity, each convinced that they are uniquely right in their
course and method. Most would call me a monster, you know, despite that
there are far more horrible monsters lurking in their own minds."

"Not the first time i've heard similar sentiment." Grey sat down on the edge
of the arch, able to relax a little now that the crush of the crowd wasn't
present. "'Individuals can be intelligent, caring, and wise. A mob has none
of these qualities.'"

Morrigan nodded. "There are times when I tire of humanity, am ready to
return to Makai and forget this mortal existence. Then something new will
pop up to interest me."

"Now what about this mess could interest you?"

Morrigan smiled, showing fangs in the process. "Oh, a convulted love
triangle involving a 10,000 year old monarchy, perverted wizards, magical
princesses facing an enemy who could flatten them like paper dolls if they
managed to convince him they were a threat? For starters? Perhaps the Knight
Of Duty himself?"

"Yeah right." Though Grey *did* examine Morrigan for a moment, wondering how
much to believe. It was hard to take anyone with black wings completely at
face value.

Morrigan seemed to sense his unease, and seated herself nearby but not too
close. "Look over there on that torii. That's that Maya Tono girl."

"Same thing, you think? Uncomfortable with the crowds?" Grey focussed on the
dimly seen lump huddled many yards away. Unfortunately, nightvision was not
one of his gifts.

"Part of my talents as a succubus is that I'm a natural empath," Morrigan
stated. "Not mind reading, but being able to sense something of what others
feel. That girl is confused. She's on completely unfamiliar ground, and
knows that she's largely out of her depth here. As far as martial arts
skills, she's a hobbyist, even though she's the only practitioner of her
family's school of martial arts and its only heir. Her true love and
devotion is the taiko."

"Ceremonial drums, right?" Grey tried to remember the girl. A fairly cute
girl, he thought. Not that *that* was particularly outstanding in this
current crowd. "So why are you including yourself as a member of this? From
what you've said you're hundreds of years old, powerful, and pretty much
used to getting anything you want. You also made a reference to being a
Queen. i've had bad experiences with Queens."

"A Queen's first concern is for her kingdom. Before ANY personal
consideration, before her own feelings or philosophies, her own likes or
preferences, if she is to be an effective Queen, must come the effect on the
Kingdom." Morrigan flipped out into midair, hovering effortlessly. "That's
why I've never gone back. Endless meetings, court politics, courtesans who
are either boring or treacherous, small talk, and the stress."

"Court life in Makai?"

"Ireland. Actually there's damn little difference between the two. Don't
ever get into politics if you can help it, Grey-san. If they're not worms,
they're snakes, if they're not either - they're nastier than most demons
you'll meet." Morrigan gestured around the crowd. "Look at them, these
mortals. They gather around because Great Things are happening, so they want
to participate and feel great themselves. Except that most would rather
watch from home, even if their own lives hang in the balance."

"i dunno," said Grey. "i'm just fifteen. In this life anyway. Nebula was a
soldier, a court guard, and then a wandering knight. Sort of. And that was
in a society 10,000 years ago. What the average Japanese thinks about all
this, i ain't got a clue. Still, you've got to admit this isn't exactly a
normal crowd. Right, Phobos? Deimos?"

"You talk to birds?" Morrigan shook her head, then got a better look at the
ravens. "What are they?"

"The lucky twins. Phobos and Deimos." Grey put his arm out, letting the two
birds land on them. "Nebula thought he recognized you two. Being ravens in
this life must really suck."

"Beats being pigeons," cawed Phobos.

"It's really not so bad when you get used to it," agreed Deimos.

Grey merely looked at the two.

"Okay," Deimos said, ducking her head. "It sucks. At least we can be near
our Princess."

"Who mainly treats you as her pet birds," pointed out Grey. "Even though she
knows better by now."

"Hey, look at that!" Phobos rose up, flapping. If she was glad of an excuse
to change the subject, well, there it was. "That girl looks *just* like
Coral!"

Grey watched the two ravens flee the conversation. It was so hard to accept
black winged folk as not dealing in hidden meanings.

---------

Nabiki Tendo sneezed as she turned away from the shrine.

They already had a Tendo present, though she was *sure* she'd gotten here
before Akane.

Nabiki tripped over some passed out girl with purple hair. "Drunk..."

The girl looked up, her eyes seeming to focus. "...airen..."

Nabiki looked disgusted. A Chinese girl passed out, drunk, near the Shrine.

"W-w-w-wait, you name is?" The girl got up smoothly. "You is?"

"Nabiki Tendo."

The girl stared at Nabiki as if trying to engrave her image in memory.
"...Nabiki Tendo..."

"Yes, and my time is valuable, so don't wapfhg?!" Nabiki found herself
sharing lipspace with a *very* curvy young girl. Tired and completely
shocked by this, not to mention being crushed by *very* strong arms, Nabiki
fainted.

Eudial watched the girl she'd ambushed earlier go running off with the short
haired girl, and nodded. The potion worked as advertised. Now she could go
deal with the fiancees now that she knew what the effects were like.

--------

The Wizard stood ready. A nonmagical deadman's switch in his hand would set
off nuclear landmines if he died, turning Tokyo into a barren crater. Undead
from the Evil Dead (pervert skeletons, and therefore within the Wizard's
preferred modus operandi) would emerge to slay anything that was left.

Ready to go out with a blaze of glory, the Wizard had his preperations
completed.

Somewhere, a Mage finally zagged when he should have zigged and was sucked
up in a column of pink light.

However, nobody told the Wizard until another night had passed jumping at
shadows.

--------

In Nerima:

Akane fumed, her father and herself had been dismissed at the front door
like day old bread. Not that she wanted to marry some foreigner anyway. He
was still a *boy*! Though there had been just a little almost infinitesimal
hope that this boy would turn out to be less a perverted jerk than the boys
at school and less an obnoxious sexchanging idiot like Ranma. How *dare* he
dismiss them after a casual glance!

Soun wailed. Now they'd never get that money. How sad! And his middle
daughter was being fawned over by some Chinese girl. How scandalous! And
Genma had some girl Nabiki's age fawning over HIM! How envious! Errr. How
shameful! And Ranma was eyeing the Chinese girl and hiding a lot. How
strange!

In Kagoshima:

"THAT'S IT! THAT IS ABSOLUTELY IT!" A pink haired girl yelled at her 'Guide'
while bouncing a ball that looked like the head of a cat.

"But, I'm sure that this is the way to Azabu Juuban..." Ryoga stated,
staring as the girl somehow magically altered her clothing.

"PINK SUGAR... HEART ATTACK!"

In Roppongi:

"Where is Bambi?! She's missed work for three days now!"

"Aw, c'mon, boss. She didn't have that much 'talent' anyway."

In Azabu Juuban:

Rei sneezed as she got help cleaning up. The reporters had been chased off
premises. Things were winding down, and they now had a roster for the dating
contest. How it would turn out, that was anyone's guess.

============

In Chapter 12, the last fiancee is introduced. Pluto makes a move. More
enemies. More problems. Some resolutions.

-----------
""The word politics is derived from the word 'poly' meaning many, and the
word 'ticks' meaning bloodsucking parasites." - Larry Hardiman

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