Dark Kingdom Renegades/Bubblegum Crisis : Bad Moon Rising
By Mark Latus

Epilogue 1

     The howling had peaked a few minutes earlier becoming a loud purring.
Now that had faded until it was almost inaudiable.  Azurite unblocked her
ears and snarled, "Hasn't she ever heard of self control?" 
     "Probably heard of it", Pyrite muttered as he tried to doze off
again. But Azurite wasn't finished yet. 
     "Explaining that godawful noise to the neighbours ..." 
     "The exterior sound baffles will have kept things quiet."  Pyrite
closed his eyes and sleepily added, "I'll upgrade the interior sound
dampners tomorrow.  Now why not get some rest?" 
     "In a minute."  Azurite got up, pulled on a robe and headed out of
their bedroom.  Pyrite shrugged and dozed off. 
     Out in the hall Azurite sighed.  Forced to live under the same roof
as that ... that nymphomaniac cat woman!  Maybe they weren't in
competition anymore but she still didn't like Margrave.  With good reason,
Margrave was pure youma.  You can never trust a youma.  On an impulse she
looked in Titanite's room.  No saying what she thought of all this. 
     Ti's room was similar to Pyrite's lab.  Every surface buried under a
pile of clutter so it looked complete disorganized.  And yet both of them
could somehow find the things they needed instantly.  It was impossible to
tell what color the walls were because every square centimetre was covered
with anime posters.  Pictures of something called Ranma 1/2 seemed to
dominate.  Titanite was sprawled on her bed snoring slightly.  Azurite
watched until she was sure Ti wasn't faking.  She wasn't, Ti was truely
fast asleep despite the recent bedlam.  "Kid could probably sleep through
an earthquake", Azurite muttered. 
     Azurite sighed again.  Ti really liked Margrave, she had no idea what
that furry bitch was capable of.  She found herself remembering the scene
earlier in the day.  Margrave had woken up following their return to this
world.  She seemed a lot calmer than she'd been last time she was awake. 
     She'd sat quietly while Cal (with interjections from Ti) had
explained things.  After he'd finished she'd said, "So you're all
Renegades.  That explains a few things that used to puzzle me."  After a
pause she'd continued "Then I am the only true Youma in this room.  In
fact based on what you've told me I am the last true Youma anywhere.  Why
didn't you abandon me in MegaTokyo?" 
     Calcite had answered her.  "If we'd left you there before long you'd
have either been shot by either the Knight Sabres or the ADPolice as a
menace. Or wound up getting dissected in a GENOM lab to determine what you
were.  I realize that wouldn't bother a real Youma but as a Renegade I
couldn't ignore the affection I felt towards you from our past together." 
     She'd nodded.  "I think I understand how you feel.  Though, of
course, I don't feel the same way.  Which is the basic difference between
us and our kinds."  She fell silent for a few moments and thought before
speaking again. 
     "So I have the choice of either staying here and living under your
rules or trying to survive on my own.  However you have a peace treaty
with the Senshi which a single rogue Youma won't have.  Should I chose to
stay I am free to leave later at the time of my choosing?" 
     "Yes, but if you change your mind afterwards we don't guarantee
taking you back." 
     "Fair enough.  And I cease all vigilante activity effective
immediately?" 
     "That's right.  Not that you'd have much luck anyway.  1990's Tokyo
is a lot quieter than MegaTokyo." 
     Margrave nodded then said, "I accept your offer of sanctuary for
three reasons." 
     "What are they?", Titanite asked. 
     "First, personal survival.  I couldn't have survived MegaTokyo with
Jadeite, I doubt I can survive here without your assistance.  At least
until I know the limits." 
     "Second?" 
     Margrave rose from her chair and joined Calcite on his.  He didn't
seem inclined to object.  Cuddling up to him she'd said, "Secondly we've
always had fun.  No reason we can't have some more."  Cal hadn't seemed
unhappy to hear that.  Some guys forget way to quick.  She was trying to
kill him not long ago!  That splint on her right arm was there because he
broke it to stop her.  What the hell had he seen while mindsurfing that
made him so forgiving? 
     Ti had looked both embarrassed and fascinated by the two of them so
she'd gone quiet.  So it was left to Pyrite to ask, "What's the third
reason?" 
     Margrave had broken off from Cal and said, "Oh that's the big reason. 
It'll annoy the hell out of Azurite." 
     She was right. 
     Azurite surpressed another sigh.  Well for the forseeable future they
were stuck with her.  She could think of another reason Margrave had stuck
with Cal.  Power.  Youma worship it and Cal had it.  While he hadn't
struck the fatal blow he'd been the leader of the group that beat Jadeite. 
The last of the four generals had fallen to him.  That proved his strength
and as his ... mistress was the polite term, she hoped to make herself
part of the group. That was why she'd sought him out back in the Kingdom. 
She knew he was Magnesite's right hand man and expected him to take over
from his boss someday.  Hell she'd probably had assignations with the
highest rankers she could get on the staff of every youma boss. 
     But when Cal declined to use his power to carve out his own little
empire (which a real youma would) she'd change her mind and look for
someone else. Which would probably hurt Cal because he'd likely have been
dumb enough to fall in love with her by that point.  Hopefully he'd stay
smart enough to realize Margrave based their whole relationship on sex and
personal survival.  If she was a renegade she'd stick with them out of
loyalty, friendship or even love.  But she couldn't possibly feel those
emotions ... or could she?  Was it possible Margrave had Renegade
tendencies? 
     Azurite felt a presence in the hall and turned to see Margrave
heading from Cal's bedroom to the bathroom.  As she did she stopped and
grinned at Azurite.  She whispered, "You never had a chance with him
anyway.  Even if you hadn't chosen Pyrite you couldn't have beaten me." 
Arrogant, stuck up little ...  That bitch one of us?  Not a chance! 
     Then Azurite smiled.  Why should Margrave be the only one to shake
the rafters?  She headed back to their room.  If Pyrite was asleep she
knew a great way of waking him up. 
     The following morning a rather tired Pyrite was in the kitchen having
a cup of coffee with Calcite.  Calcite's bathrobe had flapped open and he
could see his cousin's regeneration factor steadily healing the claw and
bite marks. Pyrite surpressed a yawn and asked, "How long do you figure
this little contest of theirs is going to last?" 
     Calcite shrugged, winced slighly at the stiffness of his muscles, and
said, "No idea.  But we'd better forget the interdimensional studies until
we've improved the soundproofing.  And you might want to get as much sleep
as you can during the day." 
     "I can't decide whether to be very happy or very worried." 
     Calcite sipped his coffee then said, "Look on the bright side, we
have superhuman stamina." 
     Pyrite nodded, "That's true."  He paused to drink then added, "The
problem is, so do they." 
     "Good point."  Calcite smiled, "Still there are worse fates." 
     "Can't argue with that.  Speaking of fate our little attempt to
forsee the future seems to be a washout." 
     Calcite sighed, "I know.  It certainly seemed promising in theory."
Yesterday following their return they'd begun examining the second series
onward of Sailor Moon.  It had been a real disappointment.  While the
first season, at least the parts they'd had time to watch in MegaTokyo,
had been accurate the R series onward were complete fabrications.  To be
fair the early part of R might have been accurate.  They knew that there
had been aliens in Juban draining energy and it had concluded with a
bizarre battle in an apartment block.  But the rest of the series had
Jadeite having escaped from the Dark Kingdom before the end with dozens of
Youma.  After which he spent the rest of the series trying to steal the
Silver Crystal and set up the new Dark Kingdom.  Not surprisingly Jadeite
and his followers were obliterated in the no holds barred battle that
concluded the series.  The S series was the same premise except that now
the villains were based on Egyptian mythology.  The SS used villains based
on the Norse Gods and the Ragnarock legend.  Cal planned to check some of
the battlesites from the R series (which theoretically was happening now)
but he didn't expect to find anything.  It seemed the future remained
unknowable.  Which raised the question, would any of the events depicted
in "Bubblegum Crash" happen in MegaTokyo?  He'd never know.  He'd promised
Sylia they wouldn't return to her world and he always kept his word once
he gave it.  She'd felt it was hard enough keep technology under control. 
The last thing MegaTokyo needed was magic on top of that. 
     Ah well at least Ti would have gained something unique for her anime
collection.  Though it would have to stay hidden as it exposed the secret
identities of all five Sailor Senshi. 
     "So what do we do now?", Pyrite asked. 
     Calcite returned to the present and said, "Enjoy life.  In addition
we'll continue studying the reality fracture.  If we can open other gates
to alternate universes and not be changed as a result perhaps we can find
a better world.  One where we can live anywhere we choose." 
     "Or at least a peaceful world without Senshi?  Just in case they
change their minds about leaving us alone?" 
     Calcite got serious.  "Yes."  He paused to find the right words. 
"While intellectually I realize they had no choice in the matter they
practically wiped out our entire species.  That's nearly impossible to
accept emotionally." 
     "Azure and I feel the same way.  Ti's probably the only one doesn't." 
     "She didn't live in the Dark Kingdom in the same way.  She grew up in
virtual isolation except for our late mother, the three of us and
Margrave. About the only other Youma she met were Magnesite and that would
be rapist I dealt with.  We're still around, now Margrave's joined us. 
>From her point of view all the youma who count are still around."  Calcite
heard the voices from upstairs, it was impossible not too.  "On a more
practical level we'd better get to work on the soundproofing." 
     Pyrite had to agree, "You're right, I suspect it's going to get loud
around here." 
     They could hear Azurite, who wasn't quite shouting, saying, "Where do
you think you're going?  Not only were you in the bathroom for hours the
place is a disaster area.  The shower drains clogged with cat hair,
there's towels everywhere and ... hey you've used all my shampoo!" 
     "My fur needs a lot of attention to stay silky soft.  Can't
disappoint the guy whose going to stroke it.  However did I survive
without blowdriers? Besides shampoo wouldn't help, your hair always looks
like a rat's nest.  And I know rats' nests when I see them." 
     "WHAT!" 
     "Is that shade of blue natural?  If so you're truly unfortunate..
Who'd want a head like a neon sign?" 
     Calcite looked at Pyrite and asked, "Did you feel a breeze?" 
     "Maybe."  This could be really bad if Azure was getting angry enough
to manipulate aircurrents subconsciously.  If it came to a fight the
winner wasn't certain.  Azure had the greater raw power but was a
Renegade, far less inclined to violence than Margrave.  Margrave couldn't
equal Azure's power but had a viciousness Azurite couldn't match. 
     Calcite was getting up to intervene when he heard his sister. 
"Morning Azure, auntie Margrave." 
     "Oh, morning Ti." 
     "Morning kid.  Uh could you drop the auntie, makes me feel old.  Just
plain Margrave's fine." 
     "Sure."  Ti must have been listening because she continued, "How
about a compromise.  I'll clean up the bathroom but I get the next shower. 
I promise I'll leave it fine for you to use Azure." 
     "Ti you shouldn't put yourself out cleaning up for her." 
     "It's ok really.  Margrave's new here and she's learning to fit in.
I'm sure things will go smoother tomorrow.  After all it's a big
adjustment from living on her own in MegaTokyo." 
     "Uh yeah, sure.  Like you said Ti."  Margrave sounded confused that
she was agreeing. 
     "Ok that's settle then.  I'll start cleaning up."  They heard the
bathroom door close.  There was silence from upstairs then two sets of
footsteps returning to their respective rooms. 
     Cal relaxed again and commented, "Blessed are the peacemakers." 
     Pyrite nodded, "Absolutely.  Ti's really matured." 
     Calcite looked amused, "Really?" 
     "You don't think so?" 
     "I think she's still got a long way to go.  It's far to soon to say
that." 
     "Come on Cal!  If it hadn't been for her quickthinking we'd never
have survived.  Even if she doesn't remember it we know what she did." 
     "I don't deny her intelligence or her courage.  I never have.  But if
you think she's miraculously matured overnight and will stop being so
impulsive ... then I am afraid cousin that you are doomed to
disappointment." 
     Pyrite shook his head, "I think you're wrong Cal." 
     "You could be right cousin.  And yet somehow I doubt it." 
     In the bathroom Titanite unplugged the drain.  Her mind wasn't on the
job her body was doing it was on far more important things.  They'd
travelled to the world of Bubblegum Crisis, what other otaku could
truthfully say that? The adults were planning to study the gateway and so
was she.  Perhaps every anime series had its own world.  She could visit
the worlds of all her favorite series.  Really meet her favorite
characters, get authentic souvenirs and autographs from them.  None of her
fellow fans would believe her but she'd know it was real and that was what
really counted.  This was going to be great. 
     That's one view.  "This was going to be trouble" is another. 

Epilogue 2

     Pluto surveyed the five figures crossing limbo on their way back to
the world they knew.  Though it had seemed instantaneous to them to her
they seemed frozen in this timeless moment.  Disposing of the wrecked
Boomers had dealt with one major threat to the timeline.  Now it was time
to deal with the second.  Stranding them in limbo would have been the
simple solution.  But the DKR had their parts to play in what would be
coming so that was not an option.  However they could be allowed
foreknowledge of the future. 
     Pluto moved to the frozen Titanite and checked the discreader she
held. It was loaded with the first optical disc.  That was the past and
not a problem.  She slipped the disc labelled R, S and SS from Ti's grasp. 
Now watching these would cause a problem.  Pluto vanished. 
     Having watched her past self vanish Pluto stepped forward.  Her past
self would travel into the future where she would have the discs animation
style analysed so it could be duplicated by computer.  She'd have
fictional scripts for Sailor Moon written then animated.  Lastly the
resulting shows would be downloaded to disc, labelled and brought back in
time.  The same discs she held in her hand. 
     Sailor Pluto stepped up to Titanite again and slipped the fake discs
into place.  Mission accomplished, the future was saved from anime
inspired attempts to change it.  It did leave the question of how the
orignal discs had been so accurate.  Perhaps she would never know, she was
far from omniscient. Maintaining one timeline was enough of a problem. 
Briefly she wondered if possession of the Bubblegum Crash laserdiscs had
altered the future of the other world?  Or was there a guardian of that
timeline who'd intervened to maintain the future.  Or was the DKR's
intervention predestined and the future of that world dependant on it? 
She dismissed the speculation.  Her only concern was the future of her own
world. 
     She looked around and saw past and future trails of the DKR crossing
dimensions.  Sometimes solo, mostly in groups.  Past, Present and Future
were all one in this place.  Even for the guardian of the timeline that
was an eerie concept.  A thought and she had returned to the gate of time. 
Without an observer the moment vanished almost instantly being to brief a
slice of time to notice. 

End. 

Afterword : Now it's time for a short break from the DKR while I finish up a
            much more serious BGC story.  After which it's back to Calcite and 
            gang.
            In case anyone's interested there are three DKR stories left in 
            the current cycle.
            "DKR : Titanite's Bogus Journey"
            "DKR/SM : Thy Kingdom Come"
            "DKR/SM : Decade"
            Up next Titanite takes the spotlight as the one and only youma 
            otaku decides to try finding the world of Ranma 1/2
            Featuring - Calcite vs Akane's fiancees
                        Margrave vs Cityhunter 
                        Sailor Polaris vs the Overfiend (uh oh)
                        and other weirdness.  
             A light hearted piece before Sailors Hermes and Zeus arrive for
             the much more intense "Thy Kingdom Come."

             Want to comment?  Email me at Mark.Latus@MSVU.CA
             Mark Latus
             June 11 '96