In the throne room of the former ruler of the Dark Kingdom now sat one pigtailed boy.
But this day was hardly business as usual.
With the Time Gates secured, he didn’t have to worry about surprise interference, though he knew he would have to do something soon. He didn’t doubt that someone like Pluto wouldn’t hesitate to try and gather all the Senshi now and form an assault. But she no longer could view into his kingdom, and thus didn’t know how weak his forces were compared to most of the previous timelines when the Senshi had assaulted Beryl’s Kingdom.
It was small, but it was still an advantage.
He also had other events going for him, an unexpected by-product of Pluto’s manipulations: he remembered.
He remembered being a cocky martial artist who even took down a self-important godling. Though now, he could see how truly weak the Phoenix had been when compared to what the weakened Metallia had been able to do.
He remembered the life of a scientist, who had been using knowledge to try and solve the damage to his body when the Nekoken had been too much for his frail body.
He remembered the studious mage who had faced similar traumas and challenges.
But with those came memories of friendships and betrayals.
Ranma Saotome, Dark Lord of the Negaverse, was a thoughtful man. For the moment, those weaknesses that could affect him now would have to be dealt with later. For the moment, he was more worried about restructuring his forces, biding time, and keeping the Senshi from organizing an assault.
This meant he had to get power and life force completely under anyone’s radar, something Beryl had no patience for. She wanted everything now, no matter what. As a result, she had been doomed from the start to expose her plans to the Senshi.
But Ranma knew the lesson the former Queen had never learned in all her time. “Report,” he said, as the Dark Generals appeared before him.
Jadeite slowly stood up. “My Lord, the devices have been set and are being monitored by the best of those of us who remain. We are gaining enough life energy for day-to-day operations at best, though.”
Ranma nodded. “Will our acts be noticed?”
“No, my Lord,” answered the blond general. “As you have suggested, the places we have hidden the collectors won’t be noticed, nor will their effects, aside from a slight tiredness.”
Ranma nodded. After all, the best place at times to hide was in plain sight. How many would notice something wrong if movie-goers came out of a movie feeling a little tired? A bath house? A house of pleasure? “When we are certain things will remain hidden, I want plans to expand outwards from Juuban and Minato Ward,” he said.
“As you wish, my Lord,” said Jadeite.
Ranma was a bit concerned. Above all, he also knew what and who the Dark Generals were.
But he also knew they would not openly challenge him. But of course, they’d find themselves hard pressed to plan a revolution against him thanks to both the Time Gates and happy youma, who were more impressed with continual existence rather than promises of greatness.
“What of the Senshi, my Lord?” asked Nephrite.
Ranma nodded. “For now, we shall avoid attracting their attention, as well as avoid fights. Beryl’s folly need not be our own. They shall be dealt with at a later time. For now, they are not something we should be openly or covertly antagonizing.”
“So we should run away?”
Ranma glared at Zoicite. “I spared your existence because of your past, Zoicite. Do not think that enables you to openly assault my plans with such pettiness. I would prefer my forces strong and large, not small and scattered.”
The general winced a bit. After all, without Beryl and Metallia, their memories of their former lives had been slowly coming back.
But it didn’t mean he had forgiven them for siding with Beryl during his fight, nor did it mean he was above destroying them if he felt they were more trouble than they were worth.
“The Senshi can pose a credible threat,” said Ranma. “Already, we know Pluto will try and ... guide them ... to attack us for Beryl’s acts. I am already considering several ways of dealing with them before they try and eliminate us. But I will not be seen as the blood thirsty tyrant they will be taught to see us.
“At least ... not yet,” he grinned. After all, he didn’t exactly have proof that these Senshi would support him. Though he did intend to ... gather them to his side. After all, he was about the physical age of the Inners at this point, as well as the Inners being naïve enough that if he listed Pluto’s sins, they would side with the guy they could love, rather than an enemy they could hate.
“I want energy and soldiers, not failed plans and dead youmas! Now go and do as I have instructed.”
The generals nodded before walking out.
Ranma shook his head. “I may have to quicken my plans to obtain the pieces of the ginzuishou sooner than expected,” he muttered. “I fear they may be more Dark General now than the former guard of Endymion.”
“But ... I should keep friends close, and possible enemies ... closer,” he chuckled as he faded from the throne.
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(Posted Thu, 30 Nov 2006 22:35)
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