Ranma woke up.
She groaned, and put a hand to her face. They got her, all right... probably made her into their little sexslave, ready to...
“This sucks!” she screamed, then closed her mouth. Maybe she wasn’t some obedient sexslave... she flexed a hand experimentally. She was cybernetic, that’s for sure... but the controls she'd been expecting weren't there.
The programming’s changed, Ranma; not sure why, yet a voice spoke in her mind - Usagi’s, to her surprise. For that matter, this doesn’t look like the Tokyo I remember... even though the positioning system has us on the outskirts of it. She felt a mental slap on the head. Now be more careful. You’re broadcasting to all of us - and it sounds like screaming.
Things have changed Setsuna’s voice replied. To what extent, I’m not sure... the Time Gate will need to be rebuilt before I can know the full extent of what happened. She let out a deep breath. Whatever happened... we’re the only ones here from our timeline.
Ranma opened her eyes and looked around, ice-gray orbs scanning the world. The place had the look she’d seen on television, footage of cities ravaged by war: bombed-out buildings, empty streets, the lingering stench of death. The others around her - Rei, Makoto, Usagi, Setsuna, and Nabiki - looked around, a touch of fear in their eyes. This wasn’t home, but it was too much like home to be comfortable.
Suddenly, an alarm rang in Ranma’s head; all eyes, including her own, turned to the same direction. Her display showed a distant image in infrared through the maze of houses and people - a hostile, she realized, to the Senshi’s point of view. The Senshi among the group gave it another name:
“Youma.” Usagi turned to Ranma. “I understand your disagreements with us; you don’t have to fight here. These are our ancient enemies; you may sit back if you wish.”
Ranma did what came naturally - she leapt onto the roof. “I am a martial artist, Usagi. I will act within that code - whether it be for you or against you.” She was about to follow them there when she noticed something on the edge of the horizon. She tried to focus her eyes that far, but couldn’t make out the details.
Usagi, wait! she called out with her mind. The other stopped; Ranma projected what she saw to them.
A wail of despair rose across the communications channel, followed by a gasp; Usagi and Setsuna didn’t take the news well. The others merely questioned as the group came back together around Ranma.
Setsuna was the first to speak. "That... is my worst nightmare - and the Queen’s. That is the castle of Queen Beryl - mistress of the Dark Kingdom, and ruler over Shadow Tokyo."
Ranma blinked. "Shadow Tokyo?"
Setsuna nodded. "It means that, in this timeline, Beryl defeated Usagi - and enslaved the world. The reason why the obedience programming is gone is because, in this world, there IS no possibility of Crystal Tokyo."
Ranma shrugged. "No big loss - especially considering what YOUR kingdom would have been like."
A feral growl came from the Senshi; grey eyes slitted in anger at her comment. "The world is in darkness because of that... that bitch!" Rei hissed. "That’s what we were fighting against!"
And that is what you almost created, Ranma replied, purposely using the communications channel. A world of false happiness and cybernetic chains. You’re just like them - only the methods are different.
"ENOUGH!" Nabiki’s cry cut through the discussion before any further words could be said. Ranma... you have reason to be angry. I have reason to be angry - and I am, now that I’ve snapped out of it. But the past - even the imaginary past - is done. What matters is what we’re facing now. And... from what I see, we’re facing a world of agony. As much real pain as the false happiness Usagi’s regime would have created.
She let out a mental sigh, and looked back at the Senshi. I’m the only one who can convert others, as far as I know. I’ve put it on a failsafe; if Usagi or Setsuna or anyone else tries to hack in, it self-destructs - and nobody will be converted ever again. Her eyes narrowed. That’s my guarantee that you won’t screw with me now like you screwed with me before; if you try anything like that ever again, you will regret it. She gave a nod. But, Ranma... we have to fight this. You can see the pain of this world; it needs to be rescued.
"Yeah..." Ranma replied. "Doesn’t mean I have to like it, though..."
See other episodes by Nightelf
(Posted Fri, 03 Jan 2003 11:09)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.