D.B. is sitting on a beach, sipping Pina Coladas and enjoying the sun,
watching the waves go by as he taps at his computer.
D.B.: Well. Elsa asked for it, so now she gets it. Today I shall choose to
have as my dutiful assistants...hmmm. (D.B. looks through his list of
characters available to help him in his MST. He shakes his head in
disgust.
Then an idea occurs to him. You can tell it's not a good one since it's
only a twenty watt dimbulb that has lit above his noggin. He types in a
few
words and...)
A huge, repulsive, sailing vessel (in only the loosest terms) with the
nameplate "The Worthless Piece of Shit" floats up. The gangplank lowers
and
a cute Japanese girl, about sixteen and wearing blue shirt, black pants,
and matching blue and black striped bandanna wanders off the ship and next
to D.B.
Akiko: This doesn't look like the bridge.
It's Akiko Yoshida (Ryouga Hibiki's cousin).
Akiko notices the way her name is spelled.
Akiko: Try again. That's Aki. Not Akiko.
D.B.: Sorry. (Tries it again.)
Aki: Better. You of all people should know how much I hate that. Why
choose
me anyway?
D.B.: Some people said they liked you, and since you aren't slated to
appear again for a few more chapters, I decided to let you out early.
Aki: Awww! How sweet. (Blows kisses to the people who liked her) Who's
helping us today?
(Ryouga comes a stumblin' by)
Ryouga: Where'd Ranma go? I was fighting him and he ran away.
D.B.: Try you took your eyes off of him and got lost. Anyway, since you're
here you can help me with my first MST.
Ryouga: And if I refuse?
D.B.: You end up falling into Spring of Drowned Eunuch and get splashed
with
Chiisuiton.
(Ryouga agrees to help out)
Aki: Cuz! (Hugs him in a backbreaking embrace which only Ryouga or the
Juggernaut could withstand)
Ryouga: Aki. (Hugs back just as hard)
D.B.: Enough pleasantries. On with the fic.
> Well, time to introduce another character to the cast.
> Anyway, since you're probably wondering what Lavender
> and Apollo's jobs are ,
D.B.: Not really
Aki: Nope.
Ryouga: Couldn't care less.
>take a peek at the Alternities series
> that will come out in awhile. All of them will include in their
> prologue Lavender,Apollo and other mysterious denizens
> of the shadowy world where they live in and give you an
> idea of what their job is.
D.B.: Ah. It's a plug. Now I'm going to have to browse her page more
regularly.
>
> Disclaimer:
D.B.: Almost forgot. I don't own Ryouga. Aki's mine, more or less.
> All SM characters owned by Naoko Takeuchi.
> Lavender, Carlyle, Apollo and other originals
> are mine. If you wanna use them ask permission
> first.
>
> C&C and MSTs are encouraged and wanted !
Aki: And here it is?
>
> Heck, If it weren't illegal I'd pay for an MST ! ~_^
D.B.: Why should that stop you? A little larceny is good for the soul.
Aki: Exactly why are you doing this anyway?
Ryouga: Yeah. It's not like you know anything about SM
D.B.: I like Sailor Moose
Aki: Moon.
D.B.: Whatever. I happen to know a lot about them. I read a webpage and
I've seen the first two episodes. And I've read everything DDFA wrote
about
it, so I think I have a pretty good grasp on the characters.
(Aki and Ryouga sweatdrop)
>
> Thanks to D.B. Sommer for introducing the concept of Queen Pandemonium
> and her Obsidian Tokyo in Shampoo 1/2 Chapter 14 and letting me use The
> Seer.
(Aki and Ryouga stare suspiciously at D.B. who sweatdrops)
Aki: Now it all makes sense.
Ryouga: Sort of a 'I scratch your back you scratch mine' deal, eh?
D.B.: Can't help it if the lady's got taste.
>
> -----------------------------------------
>
> Lavender # 5: A Path Not Taken
D.B.: That would sort of be a path that takes you two to where you really
want to get to, right?
Aki and Ryouga together: SHUT UP!!!
>
> -----------------------------------------
>
> Philosophers say that a person has equally the same capability to do
good
> as to
> do evil. That for every good act that person could perform there is an
> equally vile
> act that the person could perform.
>
> For example, if a doctor can heal with his skill in medicine a doctor
can
> also kill
> with this skill.
>
> Take that principle and take someone who could possibly heal the world
> and create
> a Utopia and you have the basic premise of the place that stands at the
> place where
> Tokyo used to stand.
D.B.: The two ' places' and stands' are a little close together. You might
want to change the second place with 'location' and second stand with
'be'.
>
> All around destruction could be seen. Lands blasted by magical energies
beyond
> comprehension surrounded the twenty mile-wide structure at it's center.
> The black
> clouds made it as dark as night and occasionally lighting would flash,
> highlighting
> the obsidian towers that comprised the structure with their eery light.
Ryouga: It reminds me of Cleveland.
Aki: And it's "eerie"
>
> This is the center of a world gone to hell.
>
> The capital of the most bloodthirsty,merciless and cruel empire in the
> galaxy.
Ryouga: It is Cleveland!
>
> This is Obsidian Tokyo.
Ryouga: Well, I guess it's not all that bad then.
>
> At it's very center was a tower, ebony black , constructed of obsidian.
> It was
> the highest of all the structures in the city, as it reared in defiance
> against the
> heavens. It was like a gigantic insult, thrown straight at the Almighty,
>challenging
> Him to destroy it.
Aki: Sort of like a gigantic middle finger.
Ryouga: Hey! Ranma told me that meant I was number one.
>
> This is the heart of the darkness.
Ryouga: I thought you said it wasn't Cleveland.
>
> The festering seed of evil on the face of Earth.
>
> Here ruled the most cruel tyrant that Earth has ever known.
Aki: Bill Gates?
>
> Here Usagi Tsukino rules with an iron fist upon her throne of skulls.
D.B.: Which is offset by the lovely rose colored mother of pearl inlay
which adorn the marble and alabaster floors. It just cries out, 'Yes! I'm
a
psychotic dictator that has killed billions for no other reason than I
didn't like the fact they were breathing the same air I was, but I still
know how to decroate a room with vibrancy and taste.'
>
> But no one knew her by Usagi Tsukino anymore.
Aki: They now just call her 'The Bunny of Love'.
>That name was gone a long
> time ago and you would not see a trace of the old Usagi on the face of
the
> cold-hearted despot on the throne. The last one who had called her Usagi
> was
> fed to the unholy abominations who lived in the Abyss,beneath the
> Obsidian
> Tower,
Ryouga: So that's what she did to the lawyers.
>millenia ago. No, this was not Usagi Tsukino. The entire universe
> knew
> her only by one name.
>
> Pandemonium.
D.B.: She looks like a combined three pandas? (Bonus points if anyone
actually knows what obscure show I'm referring to.)
>
> The one bearing that title sat upon her throne inside the tower. She
wore
black
> revealing robes, showing off her sexy figure as she sat one leg crossed
> over the
> other,
D.B. and Ryouga drool in anticipation to see if she'll uncross her legs
and
if she's wearing panties. Aki smacks both of them for the bad Basic
Instinct parody.
> a haughty expression on her face. Her throne was ivory white and
> was
> made from skulls, each bleached white and bound together by tendons of
> preserved muscle.
D.B.: Nice touch.
>
> Her attention was currently on the form before her.
>
> It was could be best described as something akin to a small troll. But
> closer inspection
> would reveal it to be human, only that this was one who showed signs of
> great age. The
> frail exterior showed signs of torture and hunger but the light in the
> old one's eyes still
> burned bright.
>
> ' Well, Lo Shen, do you really still insist on fighting ?' said
> Pandemonium , venom lacing
> her voice. ' In a few months your Amazons will be finished. Your people
> have put up a good
> fight for a few millenia , but our little game has finally bored me.
> Surrender and maybe I'll
> let your people live.'
>
> ' And what ? Become your mindless slaves, evil one ?
Aki: Well...yes. But you'll get to wear neat leather outfits and dog
collars. I'll
use whips and you can call me queen. So being a slave will be fun.
>We will fight. We have fought for
> two thousand years and we will fight for far longer until we see you and
> your abominations
> dead !' spat Lo Shen. She seemed to be straining against invisible
bonds,
> trying to reach
> the Queen.
>
> ' Ah, such bravado in one so young.
D.B.: Y'know. Right about now Lo Shen should be feeling pretty good about
that particular comment. How many dried up looking elders get accused of
being young?
> Did you think that you were old enough and skilled
> enough to challenge me ? You are one thousand years too early, Amazon !'
> Pandemonium
> said contemptuosly following her remark with a maniacal laugh. Lightning
> crackled and
> the thunder rumbled,
Ryouga: "I am the Blue Thunder of Obsidian Tokyo"
>the shadows framing the Queen of Earth in their darkness. ' For
> your decision, I think it would be nice for you to see the destruction
of
> your Amazons as
> Mars flays their flesh while they still breathe ! Guards, return her to
> her cell.'
>
> Creatures clearly constructed of obsidian moved to fullfill their
Queen's
bidding.
>
> Lo shen trembled in anger. She knew that there was no chance, but better
> to die on your
> feet than live on your knees, Great Grandmother Xian Pu would say.
Ryouga: Along with, Woda Airen.
D.B.: And capitalize 'Shen'.
>She had one last
> chance to spite Pandemonium, she knew that the next time she left her
>prison she would be dead.
>
> ' I curse you Pandemonium of Obsidian Tokyo ! I curse you in the name of
>my ancestors !
Aki: Shampoo, Cologne, and Antibacterial Soap. I...why are you laughing,
Pandemonium?
> May their spirits hear me and bring you your doom, Queen of Death !' Lo
>shen screamed
D.B.: Again capitalize 'Shen'.
> in fury as she was dragged away, letting her aura flare as she broke
free
>from the invisible
> bonds holding her and leaped for the Queen.
>
> A coruscating beam of black energy blasted from where the Queen sat and
> smashed into
> the Amazon elder, sending her flying to the far wall. She was still
> breathing, though weakly
> as she slid from wall to the floor.
>
> ' Impressive light show, young one. But not enough.' Pandemonium smiled
> haughtily at the
> still figure as it was carried by the two obsidian servitors. ' You are
D.B.: ...carried off... sounds a little better. IMO
>lucky I'm easily flattered.
> I let you live because you called me Queen of Death.I kind of like that
> title.
Aki: But not as much as Queen of Soul.
> Now back to
> your little rathole, you wrinkled prune.' she said as she waved the
> servitors away and they
> vanished into the shadows.
>
> Pandemonium relaxed on her throne. The feel of cold bone soothed her
skin
> through the thin
> cloth. ' Mmmmmm....'
(Ryouga develops a nosebleed.)
Aki: C'mon. She didn't even show some skin. I can't believe you looked at
my breasts and didn't pass out altogether.
Ryouga: You're my cousin! It's different.
>
> ' Your majesty , the expedition has returned.' A cold and silent voice
> said, coming from one
> of the corners encompassed by the shadows. A flash of lighting and one
> could momentarily
> see the black robes that melded so easily into the darkness.
>
> ' Tell the leaders to report here immediately.'
>
> ' They're already here.' Another flash of lightning and one could see
the
> two robes flanking the
> formerly solitary shape.
> ' Then let them report.'
>
> Two shadows detached themselves from the darkness. One was taller than
>the other, yet the smaller one had the
air
>of command about it that one immediately knew it was the leader
Aki: That and the "I'm with Stupid" t-shirt she wore.
> in the pair.
D.B.: Might want to use ...of the pair.
>They bowed before the Queen then they both stood ramrod
>straight.
D.B.: Something about having two "they"s so close together sounds a little
off. You may want to rework that sentence. Possibly:
They both bowed before the Queen, then stood ramrod straight.
>
> ' Jurai is nothing more but a ball of ice hanging in the void, your
>Majesty.' The smaller one
Aki: Oh my God! They killed Tenchi! YOU BASTARDS!!!
> said in a proffesional sounding voice.
Ryouga: Proffesing professionally?
D.B. I think she meant "professional."
Ryouga: Oh.
>
> ' Their tree is nothing more but a lightning-blasted stump now.
Ryouga: Oh my God! They killed Tsunami! YOU BASTARDS!!!
>The entire Royal Family is dead.
D.B.: Oh my God! They killed Kenny! YOU BASTARDS!!!
Aki and Ryouga develop sweatdrops.
D.B.: (explaining) I'm sure someone in the Royal Family was named Kenny.
> I killed all of them personally.'
D.B.: I wanted them to know I cared enough to do add that personal touch.
> The taller one added. From the tone of her voice you would think
> she was talking of a picnic.
Aki: Where the ants pick the flesh from the dead. Brrr.
>
> The Queen smiled, a smile that would make even the toughest soldier soil
his pants.
Ryouga: Sir Robyn would fit in nicely then.
>
> ' I have chosen well in enhancing your powers. But, you have no more use
of the enhancements
> now that you have finished with your mission. Return !' She commanded
imperiously, holding
> out the palm of her hand. Dark energy swirled around the two figure and
> the tendrils moved to
> the Queen's palm forming into a ball of pure malevolent energy. The
black
> robed figures staggered
> for a moment but immediately regained their composure.
>
> ' Since you have done so well, I decided to give you a vacation.
D.B.: Have fun as you enjoy your vacation in the Hellpits Resort below
Obsidian Tower. Stay within the luxurious suites where you get to listen
to
Lynn Minmei's greatest hits over and over again until you are nothing more
than a dribbling fool. Akane Tendo will cook all your meals, and remember,
there's a 10 percent discount to all Dark Senshi that have killed over two
billion people in the last year.
>You may have any one of the slave planets to pick from to
>...indulge yourselves. Enjoy.' With that she dismissed the two with a
wave
> of her hand.
>
> If Pandemonium could see into the cowled robes of the smaller figure as
it disappeared into the
> shadows, she would see a smile. A smile that could match her own.
>
> *************************>
> A single shaft of light could be seen in the room. It was large enough
> for a man to fit in.
Aki:(doing a D'lenn impression) I now call the Grey Council to order.
>He was
> dressed in black, from the opaque sunglasses to the shiny leather shoes.
D.B.: Never trust a guy who wears sunglasses indoors.
> A coat of smooth
> midnight black cloth reaching to the man's knees swirled from a breeze
that seemed to come
> from nowhere.
D.B.: Who cut one?
Ryouga: Sorry.
> A black staff decorated with veins,claws, skulls and other exotic design
> and tipped
> with an onyx held in a monstrous hand was held in one black-gloved hand.
> His white hair contrasted
> with his youthful face as his hair swirled with the wind. The circle
that
> the light cast held back
> the darkness.
>
> ' She is becoming more dangerous. Her power and her expertise are
growing
> that she can break the Treshold.
D.B. (raised eyebrow) Treshold? Or is it Threshold?
> She must be stopped and she must be stopped now !', the angry words of a
> young
> man echoed from the infinite darkness.
>
> ' If that is the case, the Executioners must be sent.' Another voice,
> this time of an old man
> responded from the same darkness.
>
> ' No.' The man in the light said simply.
D.B.: I think it would be:
'No,' the man ...
>
> ' And why not ? She is a threat. Even the ones whom we chosen have
fallen
> before the will of
> Pandemonium.' The young man's voice said.
>
> ' The ones you have chosen did not have the guts or the resolve to do
> what had to be done.'
>
> ' Are you saying that we were stupid in our choices ?' Another voice, a
>young woman echoed
D.B.: There are no stupid choices...
Aki: ...just stupid people that make choices. Now do you understand?
> from the dark void.
>
> ' No, my Lady.Yes, they were noble,courageous and all that heroic
>poppycock.
Ryouga: Duhuhuh. He said poppycock.
Aki: NO BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD IMPRESSIONS!!! (Headbutts Ryouga into
unconsciousness)
>They were _too_
> heroic for their own good. Hell, the last one you chose could have
destroyed if he had been a
> hell of a lot sneakier.
D.B.: The two 'hells' here, along with the next one, feel a little too
close together. You may want to change the first exclamation to something
else and change the second hell. Maybe.
> But, noooooooo. He just had to go the heroic way and storm the gates of
> Hell !
Aki: What did you expect when you draft Duke Nuke'em as your champion?
And what did that get him ? He got freeze-burned, flash-fried,
electrocuted, incinerated and
totally obliterated to his base atomic structure in five seconds flat !'
D.B: He ate Akane's cooking?
Ryouga: (recovering) How dare you slander Akane's cooking! D.B. PREPARE
TO--"
D.B.: Hook you up with Gosunkugi if you don't mind your manners.
Ryouga shuts up.
>
> ' And what do you propose, Carlyle of the Gate ?' A child's voice
entered
> the discussion.
>
> ' The Guardian of Time for that Timestream was able to feign corruption.
Aki: She said she was a close friend of Bill Clinton's.
>She has survived. She
> also knows of my existence. She will help.'
>
> ' Ha ! Time, Carlyle ? What is that to Pandemonium,who can cut off the
Time Guardian's power
> with a blink of an eye ?'
D.B.: And make men's heads turn with a swing of her hips.
>
> ' A plan, my lord. One of Pandemonium's Ladies still has the chance.
Already she has gained
> Pandemonium's trust enough so that she will not be continually
> mindscanned. And she has
> the power , the intelligence and most especially, the ruthlessness to
> execute the plan.'
>
> ' It would be simpler to send the Executioners.'
Aki: And not much of a fic of you did.
>
> ' A chance, my Lord.
D.B.: You didn't capitalized the first "my lord." but are capitalizing
this
one. You may want to capitalize both.
>A few months at the best. Pandemonium still has a year to break the
> Treshold. I will take a hand personally in the plan. Lavender has
already
volunteered to help.'
> ' Then let it be so.' A booming voice suddenly erupted. ' One chance.
Only one, then the
> Reaper leads her Executioners for the Reaving.'
>
> Murmurs of assent from a multitude of voices came from the darkness.
> Carlyle smiled slightly.
>
> ' Why are you doing this Carlyle? Saving that dimension is a lost cause.
> Why not send in the Executioners now ?' asked the young man's voice,
over
> the din.
>
> Carlyle smiled wryly into the darkness as he raised his onyx-tipped
> staff.
>
> ' Sometimes the only causes left fighting for are the lost causes.', he
Aki: Especially if you enjoy losing.
>said as he disappeared
> in a flash of dark power.
>
> ' Carlyle is getting more theatrical with his exits, I see.' , a woman's
> voice said from the
> darkness.
>
> There were a few moments of blessed silence before a child's voice said
> whimsically.
>
> ' When did he start watching Jimmy Stewart movies, anyway ?'
D.B.: "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Right?
>
> *************************
>
> Lo Shen was an Amazon Elder of the Joketsuzoko. Amazon Elders don't
> surprise
> easily. To see a very surprised look would take something earthshaking.
Ryouga: Like winning the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.
>
> The person before her was more than that. That one of the most important
beings in the
> universe was almost as short as her was also quite surprising.
Ryouga: Good things come in small packages.
Aki: No, they don't. (Gives a knowing wink)
Ryouga: Pervert.
>
> Azure robes in the style of the old Japanese shrine maidens that her
> Great-grandmother
> told her about. A cowled robe hiding the upper part of the face,
revealing only hints of what
> would be a beautiful face. Delicate hands clasped, asif in prayer. With
D.B.: Seperate "as if"
>her aura sight Lo
> Shen could see an aura of age and youth with a pervading sense of sorrow
> enveloped the
> figure. She knew who this was. Her ancestors told of her only in
D.B.: I think 'spoke' would sound better than 'told'
>whispers. Sometimes she
> herself doubted the tales of The Seer and how she had helped guide the
Joketsuzoko. But
> one cannot dispute what one sees.
>
> ' Lo Shen, Descendant of Xian Pu, hear my words. The Powers have heard
> your plea. But for
> vengeance to be done, you must live.'
>
> ' And if I do not ?'
>
> ' Then your people die and Pandemonium will live, spreading her evil
>across the stars.'
Aki: Think of it. Barney music played throughout the cosmos. Galactic
suicide would be less painful.
>
> ' Then my people are dead. See my wounds ! Already I am dying ! ' Lo
Shen
spat. ' I cannot
> survive unless I receive healing. And that is not something you can do.
> All you have is words.
> Now leave me if that is all you have to say.'
Aki: I have one more thing to say. Bitch.
>
> ' That is where you are wrong.' The Seer moved with sureness and grace
> putting one delicate
> hand on the Amazon's hurt body. A weak blue glow lit the room as flesh
> and bone knitted
> themselves.
>
> Lo Shen looked up, surprised. Some of the hurt was gone and she felt a
little nourished.
>
> ' I thought you were not allowed to interfere ?' She asked her
benefactor
> as she removed her
> hand and started to move away.
Ryouga: There's now a "don't ask, don't tell" policy involved with Fate.
>
> ' Sometimes the time for words is over, and the time for action begins.
> You _must_ live, Lo
> Shen. Or all is lost.' The Seer said as she walked to a corner and sat,
> keeping Lo Shen
> company in her dark prison.
Aki: Got any cards?
>
> *************************
> The Guardian of Time stood imperiously before the Gate of Time.
>
> The dark-robed figure it was blocking was not impressed.
>
> ' I said let me pass.'
Ryouga: ...Go and collect two hundred dollars.
>
> ' The Queen did not notify me of an action to use the Time Gate.'
Aki: And you don't have a hall pass from Pandemonium either. Sorry.
> She
said firmly. She was
> strangely not dressed
D.B.: Might want to put 'strangely' at the start of the sentence.
> in a sailor fuku. She was wearing a gray dress
> unifrom reminiscent
> of the Generals of the Dark Kingdom.
>
> ' I will say this again and I will not repeat it. LET. ME. PASS.'
>
> ' And I say once again - OOF !'
>
> ' And I said let me pass.'
D.B.: You said you were not going to repeat it!
>
> ************************
>
> Moments after the robed figure disappeared into the Gate, a black-clad
> staff-wielding figure
> walked out from the thick mist. ' She's gone. You can stop playing
> possum.'
>
> Pluto let out a groan of pain as she lifted herself up from her prone
> position on the floor.
> ' She punches quite well, nowadays.' She said ruefully as she massaged
> her jaw. She felt
> smooth leather on her jaw as Carlyle laid his gloved hand upon the
> injured portion. Moments
> later the bruise disappeared.
>
> ' Thanks, Carlyle.'
>
> ' You are welcome, Guardian of Time.'
>
> The gray general uniform shimmered and Pluto was once again in her black
> fuku.
>
> ' She went through the Time Gate. I hope that she doesn't mess something
> up. Pandemonium
> would realize a shifting timeline and hunt me and her down.'
D.B.: I hope you tell us how she managed to avoid being corrupted and
eluded dectection from Pandemonium.
>
> ' I recalibrated the Time Gate. She will arrive where we need her to be.
> From there none of
> her actions will hurt this timeline. Pandemonium will not notice.'
>
> ' What do you mean by that ?'
>
> ' A friend of mine is on the other side. He will guide her and help her.
We can only hope he
> succeeds in what must be done. And that she is capable of the duty that
> we lay on her
> shoulder.'
D.B.: "Shoulders"
>
> ' Death is lighter than a feather, duty heavier than a mountain.' Pluto
> sighed. ' I just hope that
> your plan works, Carlyle.'
>
> ' It all hinges on her, Pluto. She is the last hope of this reality. If
> she fails, They will send the Executioners. Then you and your reality
are
> lost. Even I cannot change that. All that we can
> do now is wait. Wait and hope.'
Aki: Got any cards?
>
> *************************
>
> Two figures were strolling down the park's shadowed paths. The moon was
> in it's crescent phase, high in the dark sky above the Tokyo skyline.
One
figure
> was draped in a lavender cape and a a simple wide-brimmed hat, obscuring
> the
> face in it's shadow.
D.B.: (doing a Mask impression) Ssssmokin!
Aki: No Jim Carrey impressions either (headbutts D.B.)
>The other was that of a small cat, white fur
> glistening a bit
> in the moon's weak light. Only one of it's eyes was glowing in the
> darkness
> since the other was covered with a dark eye patch,
Aki: Oh, it's the Captain Harlock look. How cute.
>a peculiar item that a
> cat
> would have on his face.
Ryouga: Not moreso than if he had a second nose.
>Another peculiarity was the fact that the cat
> opened it's
> mouth suddenly and instead of a cat's meow,a human voice ,though a bit
> high
> pitched, came out.
D.B.: It's not that odd in a Sailor Moose fic.
Aki: Moon.
D.B.: Whatever.
>
> ' What the heck are we supposed to be doing here, Boss ?'
Ryouga: Can't you guess? What do people do in a park?
Aki: Jog?
D.B.: Mug someone?
Aki: Flash people?
>
> ' Didn't I explain this already a long time ago ?'
>
> ' You forget, Boss. New incarnation, no memories.'
D.B.: If it's a new incarnation, how is he supposed to remember you don't
know?
>
> ' OK. Let's start explaning this again. Apollo, have you heard of the
saying that
> a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step ?'
Aki: Screw him up. Say no.
>
> ' Yeah, Boss, I know.
Aki: Darn!
> What the hell has that got to with this ?'
>
> The figure who the cat called 'Boss' shook his head slightly.
>
> ' Then, little cat of mine, what would you say to the saying
D.B.: ...say to the saying... sounds a little redundent. Might want to
change that around a bit. Maybe "What reaction would you have...
>that a
_thousand_
> journeys of thousand miles begins with each step taken and not taken ?'
>
> ' What ?!?!'
D.B.: And that would be the reaction.
>
> ' Let me explain to your little feline head,
Aki: Just so long as you don't do it with your little human dic--
D.B.: AKI! Behave!
Aki: I don't like condescending people.
D.B.: They're old friends. He can get away with it. Now if they weren't,
it
would sound really condescending.
>my friend what that means. A
journey
> begins no matter if you take a step or not. But the journey is different
> every time
> you don't take a step or take a step. It is a Chinese philosophy that
the
future
> changes with each second, that it is in a permanent state of flux.'
>
> ' Uhhh... Boss, not meaning to say I'm ignorant or something, but what
the fuck
> does that mean ?'
Ryouga: You're ignorant.
>
> ' What if I were to tell you that the world of the future would be ruled
> by an insane
> queen called Pandemonium from a place called Obsidian Tokyo ?'
D.B.: That it's a cool concept.
Aki: Just becuase it's yours has nothing to do with it, right?
>
> ' That's crazy. We both already know that Serenity's gonna rule and it's
> gonna be Crystal
> Tokyo. You told me that after a global ice age...under the cold reaches
> of the yaddayadda
> blahblahblah...And lo warmth was once again felt upon the plains of the
> Earth.' Apollo said
> in a good imitation of Lavender's voice. ' Did you really have to do
that
> in a biblical style ?
> You really suck when you wax poetic.'
>
> ' Don't knock my style ! But let's return to the fact of the creation of
Crystal Tokyo and the
> reign of Neo-Queen Serenity, shall we. Are we ? Are we totally sure of
> that fact, my dear
> little cat from outer space ? You haven't been listening to what I was
> saying. The future is
> in a state of flux. We aren't sure of that. We are sure it is one of the
> possibilities. But are
> we sure that this timeline we follow would not branch out from the
> timestream and form
> another ? Are we sure of that ? Even Pluto, in all her obnoxious glory,
> ain't that sure.'
Aki: Especially with fanfic authors hanging around.
>
> The cat called Apollo was starting to feel his head starting to hurt
from
>discussing
D.B.: Sounds awkward again. Change the first starting to something like
beginning or drop the second one altogether. Something like:
...starting to feel his head hurt from discussing...
> temporal dynamics with his master. So he decided to return to the main
> question.
>
> ' All right, All right. We aren't sure. What the heck does that do with
> what the heck we're
> doing here ?'
D.B.: Double up of the 'heck', but I can't remember if Apollo uses that
expression a lot.
>
> ' It's part of of our job. We're here on something that would make Pluto
> go into conniptions
> if she ever found out.'
>
> ' Then why do it at all ?' asked the Apollo with a feral smirk on his
> face.
All three: ^_^
>
> ' Heh. No matter how much you think lowly of Pluto,
D.B.: Awkward. Possibly:
No matter how lowly you think of Pluto...
or something. That's the best I can come up with at the moment.
>she still deserves a break. I handle this
>so that she doesn't become a nervous wreck by the end of the
> millenium.
> A Pluto that's a nervous wreck is bad for the timestream.'
D.B.: And it would upset Micky too.
Aki: Wrong Pluto. And I thought you said you read some Sailor Moose.
D.B.: Moon
Aki: Whatever.
>
> ' I'll say. So what's the something were supposed to look after.'
>
> ' A step not taken.' said the cat's ' Boss' as he stopped suddenly.
>
> ' Apollo, can your blast take out a high level youma.'
>
> ' Yeah, Boss I think so.' Apollo was on alert, feline senses at the
> ready.
>
> ' OK, I'm not expecting trouble but you better ready a blast and hide
> behind that tree.'
Ryouga: Oh no. Readying a blast and concealing yourself doesn't sound like
you're expecting trouble at alll.
>
> The sigil of Saturn glowed from Apollo's forehead as he moved with
feline
swiftness to
> the tree that his master indicated.
>
> The figure called 'Boss' straightened it's back and called out to the
> shadows.
>
> ' No use hiding , m'lady. I knew you were going to be here. Please step
> out of the
> shadows.'
>
> The shadows responded by letting a part of it cut itself free. Robes of
> darkness
> obscured the figure that faced the new arrival.
>
> ' Why are you here ? If you dare get in my way I'll kill you.' It said
in
> a woman's> voice.
D.B.: Now from Lavender's description, I thought he looked a lot like
Tuxedo Kamen. Perhaps Dark Mercury would ask a question as to why he
appears so much like someone she (presumably) knew.
>
> ' These proceedings would proceed much more smoothly
D.B.: Again the two 'proceeds' so close together sounds awkward.
>if you take the hood
> off, Dark Lady of Mercury of the Court of Pandemonium.' said the one who
> called
> her out.
>
> The figure beneath the robes jolted from shock.
>
> ' How-'
Ryouga: What--
Aki: Where--
D.B.: When--
Ryouga: Why--
Aki: And that just about covers it.
>
> ' Do not ask me. I know. Take the hood off for our meeting to proceed.'
Aki: (doing a Sailor Mercury impression) But it's attached to the rest of
my uniform. I'll have to take it all off if I...oh I get it. You're a
pervert that wants to see me undress. No wonder you're in a park late at
night wearing a kinky costume.
>
> The robed figure complied slowly. One could see the short blue hair and
> the
> eyes with intelligence behind them. She was still beautiful even if
there
> was a
> scar over her left eye.
>
> ' Good.'
>
> ' Are you here to stop me then ?'
>
> ' No. I respect what you did, though you did kill over a thousand
> people. Your choice
> is not mine to judge. I'm here to give you a few guidelines for your
> little jaunt into the
> past.'
>
> ' I know. Don't mess with the past, yaddah, yaddah. Dark Pluto gave me
> the same
> speech before I knocked her out.'
>
> ' No, not that one. You can interfere with the past to a small degree.
> The future does depend on paradox to
D.B.: Perhaps ...does depend on a paradox...? or is it supposed to be
without an 'a'?
> exist. What I'm saying is do not show yourself to
> the current
> Senshi. And do not mess with him.'
>
> ' Him ? Who's him ?'
Ryouga: You know 'him'
>
> ' You are intellegent, Lady Ami. Do not insult my intelligence by
playing
> dumb. I know
> how you started down your path. Do not mess with the events that may or
> may not result
> with his death.'
>
> ' What do you mean _may not_ ?!? They do _lead_ up to his death !'
>
> ' As a I told a little friend of mine earlier, the future is in flux.
>Anything can happen.
Aki: There are still fanfic authors present.
>The
> event that happens is still in the future from this point in time.
> Anything can happen. You
> may only watch, no touching m'lady or you suffer my wrath. And I can
kick
> your ass a
> lot better than Pluto can.'
>
> ' I came here to see him again. I agree to your conditions. May I leave
> now ?'
> she said impatiently.
>
> ' Before you leave. I know of your _special_ needs, m'lady. Here is a
>list.'
Ryouga: Hmm. Lets see. A bicycle seat. Duct tape. and a rubber DILDO?!!!
D.B.: Some needs. Obviously the wrong list.
Aki: Or maybe the right one.
D.B.: Been hanging around Captain Ai lately, have we Aki?
>The man
> said as he pulled out a piece of folded paper. It flew from his hand
into her hand,
with a brief gust of cold wind.
D.B. Nice touch.
>
> ' They are the people you may.... appropriate for your ... appetite.
> Dispose of them
> cleanly, m'lady or as I said before suffer my wrath.'
>
> ' OK. May I _leave_ now ?'
>
> ' Yes.'
>
> Ami set the hood back up again. Mist soon flowed from the ground to take
> her
> away.
Ryouga: Works better than Calgon.
>
> ' I hope you did the right thing, boss.'
>
> ' I hope so, too, Apollo. I hope so too.'
> ________________________________
>
> OK, so begins another arc of the Lavender series !
D.B. And does it look good. Can't wait for more. And like the others said,
I usually don't pay much attention to SM fics becuase I know so little
about them. It's a testament to your writing that it got me hooked.
> And I'm two months ahead of schedule !
Aki: We only wish he was half as efficent. (Gives D.B. a swift kick to his
rear end.)
D.B.:HEY! My chapters are longer and RL is starting to interfere.
> C&C and MSTs are encouraged and begged for !
D.B.: I love to see a woman on her knees.
Aki: If you play you're cards right maybe we can...
D.B.: No. I could never handle your hugs, let alone anything that might
require more force.
Aki:(Looks disappointed) Awww!
>
> If you can figure out what Jimmy Stewart movie Carlyle is refering to
you
> must be
> really old or a movie fanatic like me.
D.B.: Just because I remember all the music from "Boogie Nights" when it
was first run does not mean I'm old. And I don't watch that many movies
anymore, I just remember the ones I saw really well.
>
> Ack ! Already two synopsis lists in backlog.
> Better kick into high gear.
D.B. Well that's it for today.
Aki: Did we do good, "Boss?"
D.B.: You did good.
Ryouga: Does this mean I can get Ukyou as well as Kyoko and beat up Ranma?
D.B.: Would you settle for not getting drunk and ending up in a menage a
trois with Konatsu and Tsubasa?
Ryouga: Yes.
D.B.: Good boy. Now I'll see what I can do. Bye Bye everyone. We'll let
Elsa's credits roll.
All three wave as they board TWPOS and sail off into the sunset.
Aki: (VO as the ship drifts off) Of course I can get us there. I'm the
navigator, aren't I?
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> ' Writers are the torchbearers of civilization. We're set in a corner
only we
> can illuminate.Some of us are searchlights, able to cast a beam into the
> far reaches of the human soul.Some of us are candles , barely able to
> sustain a glow against the darkness. Nevertheless the words I write
> are important, because light is additive. Another's light doesn't
diminish
> my own. Our lights together make us stronger.'
> - (After much paraphrasing and reaaranging) Roger
Martin
>
> ' ... there's a hell
> of a universe next door ; let's go '
> e.e. cummings ' Pity the Busy Beast
Manunkind '
>
> ' How can a person live in a world where she can hear voices only she
> can hear and visions that only she can see ?'
> -
(Paraphrasing)
Shirley Jackson