Here we go, Chap 3 of AaR! Thanks to my pre-readers, especially Andrew for this
chapter.

Note: I don't own the Sailor Moon characters. Naoko Takeuchi does.
Got it? Steal them, I do. 

BTW: Several people have complained that I have misused/wasted
the Ranma characters in this fic. Here is my answer:

I wrote this fic to explore a big question: WHY is the life of Ranma
and crew so weird? Why does everything happen to them? Also, 
what truly makes the Senshi tick?

Having said that, serious shifts are going to occur in future chapters.
Right now the old memories have control - this will not continue. Just
wait, and I promise it'll work. Ok?

Well, I guess I'll give you the fic now:


Beky Sarver         "Alterations and Revisions"
                           Chapter 3

     On the outside, the ship looked as if it was a garbage scow.
Nephrale wondered if Xalen had lost her mind. Till the hatch
opened, anyway. Revealed were the navy blues and beiges of a
military vessel. The consoles were up to date. It's name plaque
read, "Home I. Dedicated to the fastidiousness of Jarvis."
     The other three seemed as overawed as he was. But they
walked in, the hatch closing behind them. They walked up to the
bridge. There was a central seat, a helm station, a weapons
station, and a few others.
     Saeblin sat in the captain's chair. Pluto raised an eyebrow.
"Who will pilot the ship?"
     Faolin shrugged. "You or me, I guess."
     Pluto seemed surprised by the offer. "I'm a little out of
practice."
     Faolin sat at the weapons stations. Pluto shook her head and
sat at the helm. Nephrale chuckled at the melodrama and took a
seat at the engineering console.
     Pluto began to press buttons, and the ship moved forward
smoothly. Saeblin snorted. "Out of practice, huh? Take us out
that exit hole and hover above the surface."
     Pluto steered the ship out a cleverly camoflaged exit. As
the ship hovered around the exit. Faolin and Saeblin closed there
eyes. One gut wrenching change later, they hovered back on the
path in the Forest of Possibilities.
     He asked, "Where are we going?"
     Saeblin pointed. "Back into the relative present. To
Jupiter's rings."
     They shifted down the path. Then, another wave of nausea,
and they again hovered over the white surface of the Moon. But
this time the Earth hung high in the sky.
     Pluto pushed a few buttons. Then she leaned back. "We should
be there in a few hours. May I suggest we all get a few hours of
rest?"
     Nephrale needed to think. "I'll take first watch and wake
you up if something happens."
     The three women nodded, and walked into the back. He sat in
the central chair, made sure that the ship was on course, then
sighed. So much had happened in the past relative year.
     His last clear memory was a happy one. He and his red haired
goddess had been watching Neptune move through the sky. Uranus'
short day made it seem to move quickly through the night.
     That night, he'd decided to experiment with mercurite to see
if it could interact properly with xanthium and make some sort of
energy. A feeling of musk had entered the room, and he had passed
out.
     He'd awoken in a dark, confining coffin surrounded by dark
energy. Beryl grinned evilly at him. "Now, my King, it is time to
see you use your star powers to serve me."
     Nephrale was well studied. He knew exactly what spell she
was about to cast on him. He would be unable to resist. So he
thought quickly. He chanted under his breath, locking his mage
powers off from an enslaved version of him. He did the same with
his pocket dimension.
     Beryl had traced out the runes, and cast of spell of Utter
Servility. His true self had been locked in a cage inside
himself. He'd screamed, beat at the bars, but he'd been well and
truly trapped.
     And so Nephryte, the conciousless general of the Dark
Kingdom, was born. Beryl had screamed in rage when she'd
discovered that he'd totally lost his mage powers. The ability to
blast energy and teleport that he'd been granted came no where
near his potential. His inner self had exulted.
     He'd fought the Senshi, found out their true identities. And
then he'd found Naru, who had been so much like his love. She'd
treated him beautifully, and had unlocked his spirit. In the end,
he'd thought he'd died for her. He WOULD return to her, if she
would have him. Of course, if she'd accept a turned Negaverse
general, she probably would.
                              *
     Artemis couldn't mistake the looks the looks that Mousse and
Shampoo were exchanging. He chuckled. As they walked into Ukyo's
restaurant, he noticed that there was already a significant
amount of activity.
     Ranma, Akane, and Ukyo were huddled in a corner. Ryoga,
Kasumi, and Tatewaki were sharing tea. They all looked up when
Mousse, Shampoo, and Artemis walked in.
     Artemis trotted over to Ukyo. "You and Ryoga saved Rei
today?"
     Ukyo went from happy to panicked. "Is she all right?"
     Artemis nodded hurriedly. "She's fine, just a little shaken
up. Her current worldview doesn't include youmas."
     Ukyo sighed, and Ranma and Akane looked curious. The entire
group gathered around a table. Ryoga and Ukyo told the story from
their point of view.
     Kasumi looked concerned. "If the youmas are able to track
the Senshi, we'll need to guard them."
     Tatewaki asked, "How were you able to find Rei?"
     Ryoga blushed. "I'm not sure. I just sort of picked a
direction and ran."
     Ranma shook his head. "It's a good thing you don't go to
school, Ryoga. You have a tough job ahead of you."
     Ryoga looked confused. "You don't mean... actually, that
sort of makes sense. I'll just wander around like usual. Maybe
I'll show up somewhere important."
     Artemis asked, "Do you have communicators?"
     Kasumi pulled out a small crystal and placed it on his
forehead. It melded into the middle of the crescent moon. "Yes.
Now you have on too. Just speak into the air."
     He nodded. "Thank you."
     Mousse spoke up. "We need to find a way to be close to
them."
     Artemis offered, "Ami is in a highschool level computer
class. Could you join it?"
     Mousse nodded. "After maybe an hour of studying. I was a
scholar back home."
     Akane asked Artemis, "Do you know where Hotaru, Haruka, and
Michiru are?"
     He shook his head. "We should ask Sailor Pluto when she gets
back from her journey."
     Ranma nodded. "They could be an important addition to our
fighting force."
     Ryoga frowned. "Ranma..."
     Ranma blushed. "And I'm sure that you'll be glad to see your
daughter as I will be to see Makoto."
     Ryoga nodded. "That's better." They exchanged friendly
smiles.
     Nabiki walked in. "Sorry if I'm late. I've been taking care
of matters at school."
     Akane chuckled. "How bad was it?"
     Nabiki sat down. "If you believe the rumors, Kuno, Ranma and
Akane have become a love triangle, and Ukyo has a crush on
someone."
     Akane's face darkened. "Why, of all the...."
     Tatewaki didn't look terribly happy either. "How dare they
impugn the honor of..."
     Ukyo smiled mischeviously, "the Blue Windbag of Furinkan
High? I can't imagine."
     Tatewaki blushed. "Well, there is that." 
     Mousse sighed. "I don't suppose life could be easy, hmm?"
     Shampoo shook her head. "Never."
                              *
     Serena carried Luna home. She frowned. She'd had that wacko
dream last night, and she couldn't bring herself to talk to
Darien about it. "Luna, do you think dreams mean something?"
     Luna seemed surprised. "Yes, I do. Have you had a nightmare
lately?"
     Serena scratched her head. "I'm not sure. It was more like
one of Rei's visions."
     Luna started probe her mind. "Tell me about it."
     Telepathically, she fell into the memory.

     (A world of shadows. A shadowy woman with an indistinct face
stood on a windy Lunar plane, her long hair blown back by the
wind. She was buffeted by all sides by the gusts.
     On her head sits a golden crown. Its crest is a crescent
moon surrounded by nine spheres. At each of the nine points is a
colored stone bearing the sigil of a planet. A silver chain
securely binds the crown to the bearer's heart. 
     She fingers the golden key that will unlock the crown from
her heart. After a moment's consideration, she places the key on
a chain around her neck, and walks on into the wind.)

     Serena sighed. "Weird, huh?"
     Luna nodded. "It might mean something." It had to be the
crown of Solaran. The woman in the dream had to be the Queen of
the Moon that had taken it with her to her death. "You should
tell me about any strange dreams you have."
     Serena nodded. "Alright."
     Luna smiled faintly. "We should hurry home. Your mother's
putting on dinner early tonight."
     Serena gasped. "That's right! She'll kill me!" She broke
into a dead run home.
     Luna was grinning inside her mind. Serena had memories yet
of the Silver Millenium. She wryly thought that Serena had
probably been told what exactly had happened to that crown. Oh,
well. Mrs. Tsukino was making beef stew tonight.
                              *
     Akane was walking with her friend from school, Yuka, and
Ranma. They were on their way to the reputedly best ice cream
shop in Tokyo. On their way, they heard a voice crying. The three
veered off into a nearby meadow.
     A young elementary school girl was surrounded by five large
boys. She was frightened, her eyes large. Yuka sensed her friend
was about to get violent. "Um, I've gotta to do homework. Bye,
guys."
     Not noticing the departure of her friend, Akane's blood
boiled and she charged in to the group. Tossing the bullies in
all directions, she picked the girl up and jumped up.
     The bullies looked murderous, but the sight of Ranma
casually twirling a dagger in the air and paring his nails with
it convinced them that they wanted to be else where.
     Akane lowered the girl to the ground, and stepped back. "I
don't think they'll bother you again. I HATE bullies."
     The girl brushed herself off. She spoke in a quiet voice.
"Thank you."
     Akane stepped back in shock. "Hotaru?"
     The girl looked up in surprise. "That's my name. How did you
know?"
     Akane choked. "Hotaru, I'm your... I'm your mother. Don't
you remember?"
     The girl's face was serious. "That's silly. You can't be my
mother, you're too young."
     Akane began to cry, facing her own daughter's rejection.
"But I am. Your FIRST mother. From a long time ago."
     Hotaru seemed very confused. "What are you talking about? I
have one mother." Her voice softened. "She's dead."
     Akane felt the world spiralling in on her. Her own daughter
had forgotten her. Depression built. Life wasn't worth living...
her anger rose. "Traitor!"
     Hotaru blinked. "Huh?"
     Ranma put a restraining arm on his betrothed's arm. "Akane,
don't do this. She hasn't recovered her memories yet." He turned
to the girl. "Don't go far, okay?"
     Hotaru nodded, and Ranma led a tearful Akane away. They had
walked for a few seconds when Ryoga appeared on the scene.
     Ryoga saw the tearful Akane and leapt to all the wrong
conclusions, reverting to his modern self. "Ranma! What have you
done to Akane?"
     Ranma also fell back into his younger self. "Hey! I didn't
do nothin'!" He paused for a moment, and his whole stance
shifted. "Its Hotaru. She doesn't recognize Akane."
     Ryoga blinked, "Oh my god. Lets go then."
     Not knowing where they were going (or why) Ranma and Akane
followed Ryoga down the street.
                              *
     The four stood together on the bridge as they closed on the
rings of Jupiter. They were headed for the spot on the map that
Xalen had provided.
     The space around Jupiter was rather empty. Most astronomers
didn't consider it to have rings at all. But from the meteorites
passing by the hull, there was some debris.
     Saeblin snorted. "Well, of course it isn't here anymore.
Let's start scanning."
     Pluto activated the ship's sensors. She smiled. "It hasn't
drifted far. Had not Xalen given us those maps, searching could
have taken a week."
     Nephrale smiled. "An admirable woman, indeed. Well, shall we
go?"
     Faolin chuckled. "We're on our way to the docking hatch
now." 
     Nephrale blushed, and the three women laughed at him fondly.
A few minutes later, a thud echoed throughout the ship. The four
nervously made their way down to the ship's hatch.
     The door opened into a green slab of solid jewel. It spoke
in a stony voice. "Mage identification required. Lunar royalty
identification required."
     Faolin tried reasoning with it. "We need to know who we need
to bring to obtain access."
     "List restricted. Mage required. Lunar royalty
required."
     Nephrale stepped forward and tapped his black staff on the
ground. "I am Nephrale, First Mage of Uranus and King Consort."
     "Mage Nephale is registered dead."
     Nephrale snorted. "Do I sound dead? Can't you do an identity
check on me or something?"
     "Record correction. Star Mage Nephrale alive. Lunar royalty
required."
     Pluto's shoulders slumped. "We don't have one."
     Nephrale nodded. "We need Princess Serena. But we've come so
far!"
     Saeblin shushed them. "I am a member of the Lunar royal
line."
     If it was possible, the stone voice sounded confused.
"Identify."
     "I am Saeblin, Queen of Merce. I was adopted by Queen
Serenity in C.M. 500 under a Hostage bond."
     Nephrale and Pluto stared at Saeblin in shock. She blushed.
"Well, I am."
     There was a faint whirring. "Identification accepted." A
piece of paper came out of the rock. "List released."
     Saeblin shrugged and closed the hatch. She pulled out the
list. "That beauracratic little bunch of bolts!"
     Faolin was concerned. "What does it say?"
     Saeblin grimaced and examined it. "Some of these look fairly
possible, but where are we going to four more mages from? And
that's just the beginning."
     Pluto inserted a word of reassurance. "Let's get back to the
others. Perhaps Xalen has found the people we need."
     Nephrale nodded. "Let's go." Nothing could keep him from his
Naru for long.
                                   *
     Mousse examined his clothes. His voluminous robes had been
replaced by tyical American garb. He gripped his textbook. He'd
read and memorized the entire thing already, but it was a good
security item.
     He walked into the magnet school. Three doors up on the
right. The room was full of chatting student. He approached the
teacher. "Godai-sensei? I'm a late entrant."
     The teacher smiled pleasantly. "Take a seat near the front.
Welcome. I hope you like the class."
     Mousse sat down, and realized a girl a few years younger
than he was studying in the next desk. He took in the blue hair.
She looked up. "Hello. My name is Ami."
     Ami! His heart soared.
     He chuckled. "I'm Mousse, a new student."
     She seem puzzled. "Mousse?"
     He blushed. "I'm Chinese. It's actually Mu-Tse, but Japanese
people can't pronounce it."
     She spoke in lightly accented chinese. "Welcome to class,
Mu-Tse. Are you interested in computers?"
     He nodded. "Quite. I find them fascinating."
     She smiled and reverted to Japanese. "Perhaps we'll be
friends."
     As the teacher started class, Mousse's heart was full of
pride. This WAS his daughter Ami. And she was so smart! He
participated in the class to his utmost, and it quickly became a
contest of the brains between the two of them. She grinned, and
stepped up her answers, while he demonstrated his considereble
creativity.
     After class was over, Godai-sensei pulled them aside.
"Mousse, Ami, I appreciate your input, but in your efforts to
outshine each other you are making it impossible for the rest of
the class to learn. I have to ask that you stop such childish
behavior."
     Mousse and Ami both blushed. Mousse nodded. "Yes, I'm
sorry." 
     Ami agreed. "Pardon me, Godai-sensei. I won't do it again."
She turned to leave.
     Mousse stopped her just outside the door. "Ami, you're very
smart. Would you like to study together?"
     She smiled. "I'd like that." She scribbled something down.
"Here's my phone number and address."
     He pulled a business card for the Nekohanten out of his
pocket. "These are mine. Come by any time for ramen, on the
house." 
     With that they parted. As Mousse walked off, he reflected
that the night had been an incredible sucess. His mind was
focused on memories of Ami's childhood.
     With that meeting, the two parts that were Mousse found a
common ground. King Mercury loved his daughter Ami and was glad
that she was prospering. He also saw great opportunity to learn
in this new world. The Chinese Amazon named Mousse had made a
friend. The two shook hands congenially, stepping together and
becoming one.
     The newly unified Mousse saw past and present events in a
different light. But his purpose was sure. He would keep his
promise.

     (Mousse frantically went through every medical book ever
written. But it was to no avail. The disease had never been
cured. There were 250 recorded cases.
     Finally, he came upon one ancient tome with an answer: the
Golden Galaxial Crystal. It bonded to its owner, healing them in
the process. However, if given away the original holder would die
of its loss, whether they'd been sick to begin with or not.
According to all reports it had been implanted in the sun to keep
its powers away from humankind.
     Anila walked in, supported by a servant. "Mu-Tse?"
     He turned to her, picked her up, and sent the servant away.
They sat on a couch in his study. She looked deep into his eyes.
"Mu-Tse, I'm dying. I... don't have long."
     His eyes filled with tears. "My love, I have searched for a
solution and found only one: the Golden Galaxial Crystal. But it
is unreachable."
     Anila stopped him. "Husband, I do not wish to die with my
debt of honor unfulfilled, but I am unable to stay in this world.
Will you accept it?"
     He nodded. "Anything, my love."
     Anila sighed. "When the animal breeder woman layed a child
in my arms, she asked that I care for it and see it through to
adulthood, for she was dying as I am now. That baby I took as my
own, and you adopted as the heir princess. Will you see her
through adulthood?"
     Mousse nodded. "Of course. She is my daughter.")

     With that, Anila had died peacefully. Mousse had been taking
care of Ami ever since. And she WAS his daughter, in every way
that counted. 
     Mousse continued home, sure that all was good in the world.
                              *
     Ryoga, Ranma, and Akane jogged along the road as he
unerringly led them to Luna. He found himself in Juuban again,
about five blocks from where he and Ukyo had found Rei. He stood
in front of a nice two level ranch. "This is the place."
     Ranma looked, puzzled, at Akane. "How are you going to go
get her?" 
     Akane bit her lip. "I'm not sure."
     Ryoga chuckled. "Hide." He ambled up the front door and
knocked. A pretty dark haired woman opened it. "Hello?"
     He put a hand behind his ear and yelled, "EXCUSE ME, I'M
LOST. CAN YOU HELP ME?"
     The woman covered her ears from the volume. "You're in
Juuban. Where are you trying to go?"
     Ryoga yelled back, "I'M TRYING TO GET TO TOMOBIKI. WHERE IS
THAT FROM HERE?"
     She pointed. "Walk that way for five miles, and you'll find
the district entrance."
     He nodded. "THANK YOU. I'VE BEEN EVERYWHERE EXCEPT LUNA." He
walked away from the door and down the street a little ways. Then
he joined Ranma and Akane hiding in the bushes.
     A few minutes later, a certain black cat jumped out of the
window. She padded out and waited on a branch. Ryoga snuck up and
tapped her on the shoulder. "Hello."
     She nearly fell of the branch, but then she jumped into his
arms. "May I congratulate you on your performance?"
     Akane smiled. "You did great, Ryoga."
     Ranma nodded. "You're a pretty good actor."
     He bowed. "Thank you. Now, we should get going."
     Luna turned to them. "What do you need?"
     Akane pulled out a small crystal and embedded it in Luna's
crescent moon. "Well, there's your communicator, a gift from
Kasumi. But we're here on more serious business. I've found my
daughter, Hotaru. She doesn't..."
     Ranma took her hand. "She doesn't remember her mother."
     Luna nodded. "I'll be happy to help. Where is she?"
     Akane led the way, sensing her daughter's presence. "Come
on, I know."
                              *
     Xalen stood in the forest of time. She looked at the path.
It was oscillating between a myriad of directions. All of the
possibilities were joined at one spot in time.
     If she read the situation right, all of the various would
meet at approximately the same time. This would cause another
earthquake in time, and Faolin and Saeblin would be freed from
the path. But where it would go after that... only Deos knew.
                              *
     Artemis heard a voice in his ear. "Artemis?"
     He recognized the voice. "Yes, Ukyo?" he whispered.
     She seemed to smile. "Something going to happen. Get down to
Ucchan's as soon as possible."
     He nodded to himself. "I'll be there soon."
     "See you soon!"
     He mentally waved. Well, Mars' queen *used* to be somber.
She was brighter this time around. He shrugged and walked
downstairs. "Mina?"
     She looked down from her music video. "Yeah, Artemis?"
     He jumped to her lap. "I'm going for a walk. Goodnight."
     She looked at him, concerned. "What's wrong Artemis?"
     He looked pleadingly at her. "I just want to go for a walk."
     Mina returned to her video. "Okay. See you later."
     Artemis walked out of the house through the cat door. He
winced as he remembered that the Minako of another millenium
would have cared more. Then he shook such thoughts out of his
mind and headed for the restaurant.
     When he walked in Ukyo, Shampoo, and Nabiki were sitting at
a table. He joined them. "What's going on?"
     Nabiki's usual poker face was filled with worry. "Akane and
Ranma have disappeared. They took Ryoga with them. Mousse hasn't
got back. Kasumi hasn't gotteni nto contact with me after saying
she was going to get some fresh air a few hours ago. The time
travelers searching for the Emerald haven't reappeared. Xalen has
been gone for days. And now Ukyo's getting a feeling that
something's going to happen."
     Artemis nodded. "I've been on edge for the last couple of
hours, too."
     Shampoo frowned. "Mousse should be back."
     "So I am, beautiful one." Mousse stood with his shape
outlined by the light. He walked up, paternal pride evident all
over his face. "She's great! She's nice! She's smart! She's
pretty!" 
     Shampoo gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "If Shampoo not
know better, Shampoo think Mousse had another girl."
     He blinked. "Oh, no. I was talking about Ami."
     Shampoo laughed. "Shampoo know. Shampoo happy Mousse found
daughter."
     He saw her tearful expression and hugged her. "We'll find
Mina, Shampoo. I promise."
     Tatewaki wandered in. "Greetings."
     Artemis looked at him, concerned. "Are you all right? You
look beat."
     Tatewaki smiled weakly. "I came upon a youma."
     Ukyo pulled him into a seat and set a cup of tea before him.
"Drink. Why didn't you call for help?"
     He chuckled. "I didn't think I needed it."
     Nabiki frowned. "You should call in help next time. We can't
afford to lose anyone. Especially not you."
     His eyebrow raised. "If I was foolish, I'd call that an
expression of affection from Nabiki Tendo. Impossible."
     She smiled. "I may have come to think fondly about you,
after knowing you these years."
                              *
     Hotaru sat, alone, in a park near to her father's lab. She
was skimming stones across the surface. This particular park had
many flat rocks ideal for the purpose.
     "Hotaru?" she heard a voice ask.
     She looked up. The speaker was the blue haired girl who had
rescued her from the bullies earlier and had proceeded to burst
into tears. She smiled hesitantly. "Thank you for helping me
earlier."
     The girl was holding a black cat and standing next to a blue
haired boy. "Hotaru, I'm an old friend."
     Hotaru searched her memory. "Didn't you say you were my...?"
     The cat jumped out of the girl's arms and onto Hotaru's lap.
She looked up at her and, surprisingly, the cat talked.
"Remember!" Her crescent moon glowed, and Hotaru felt her mind
began to open.
     She blinked. She was Princess Hotaru of Saturn. She was the
Senshi of Silence. She had friends: Michiru, baby Haruka,
Setsuna, Keglani, Naru. She wasn't alone.
     She looked up and around, petting the Lunar Advisor on her
lap. "Luna?"
     The cat smiled up at her. "Welcome back, Hotaru."
     Hotaru smiled and looked at the two blue haired teens. "Who
are you?"
     The girl broke into tears once more, then wiped them away.
"I'm Queen Akane of Saturn."
     HER MOTHER!!!!??? Hotaru ran to the girl, who embraced her
in return. "Mom?"
     Akane chuckled. "I know I don't look much like myself."
     Hotaru shook her head. "No, not at all."
     The boy looked at them. "Well, I think you're cute, Akane."
     Hotaru examined him. If her mother could totally change in
appearance, and this teen had a loving look in his eyes, then...
"You're King Jupiter."
     He laughed. "Just Ranma, please."
     Luna joined them. "Well, that went well."
     A dark haired boy intruded. "We've been called to Ucchan's,
guys." He looked at Hotaru. "Hey, kid. Been waving that little
knife of yours around lately?"
     She put the facts together. "Uncle Ryoga?" He nodded, and
she ran to him. He hugged her and twirled her in the air. 
     With that, the five made their way to Ucchan's, chatting
nonstop.
                              *
     Faolin activated the Home I's stealth shield. Then she
brought them to a hover beside Mt. Ninhami, not far from Nerima.
"All for Tokyo, disembark now."
     Nephrale walked outside the ship. "Impressive camoflauge
screen."
     Pluto smiled. "A ship worthy of a queen."
     Saeblin concentrated, then started to walk towards Nerima.
Nephale followed, feeling extreme trepidation. What would Naru
say?
     Pluto smiled at him. "She'll love you."
     He frowned. "When did you become telepathic?"
     Faolin snorted. "She didn't have to. Worry is coating your
face."
                              *
     Makoto rose early, made herself a rich lunch and started on
her way to school. She slipped into her seat early, and wasn't
surpised to see Ami was there. "Hello, Ami-chan."
     Ami looked up from her book. "Mako-chan! Good morning. How
did you sleep?"
     Makoto frowned. "Not very well. I had a strange dream, with
this woman in a robe with a green staff with vines all over it."
     Ami looked surprised. "I dreamed as well. Only it was of a
gnomish old man hunched over a bunch of books."
     Serena bounded in. "Hey, I'm not late! Must have been that
wacko dream of mine."
     Mina was two seconds behind her. "Hi guys!"
     Ami turned to her. "Did you have a dream last night, Mina?"
     Mina was shocked. "Yes, how did you know? A man with white
hair, holding a white rod and speaking in a funny language.
Really stuck with me, though."
     Serena's eyes widened. "I dreamed too. A woman with a weird
crown attached to her heart."
     Ami frowned. "Perhaps Rei will know what it all means. She
is knowledgeable about spiritual matters." 
     Makoto looked at her. "Ami, you seem even more smart then
ever today. What happened?"
     Naru ran in, slightly before the bell rang. "Hi, guys."
     She and Serena embraced, then sat down. Ami was blushing.
"Nothing, really."
      Makoto shrugged. As the class came to order, the dreams
completely flew from her mind.
                              *
     Rei felt a strange premonition. She'd always been
spiritually attuned, and she felt that the others were in danger.
So instead of going to her middle school, she headed to Juuban
that day.
     On the other side of the distict, Darien was feeling strange
knowledge. Serena was in terrible danger. He had to find her!
                              *
     In another of district of Tokyo, a number of sleeping
friends were awaking from a sleep over at Ucchan's.
     Ranma stared at the ceiling and tucked his shirt in
frantically. "Makoto! There's something wrong!"
     Shampoo was panicked. "Mina's in danger!"
     Mousse was serious. "I sense something around Ami."
     Ukyo was strapping on her spatulas wordlessly.
     Tatewaki was woken up by Nabiki. He stood up, his face hard.
"Endymion is walking into a trap."
     The others woke quickly. A cacaphony of cries filled the
air.
     "Mercury King Power!"
     "Mars Queen Power!"
     "Earth Prince Power!"
     "Venus Queen Power!"
     "Jupiter King Power!"
     "Saturn Queen Power!"
     "Saturn Princess Power!"
     "Neptune King Power!"
     "Pluto Queen Power!"

     A ripple, two lightning bolts, two fires, a gust of wind, a
freezing sound, and a crashing ocean waves were briefly seen. A
prince, a princess, and seven kings and queens ran out the door
in the direction that King Neptune led.
                              *
     Saeblin concentrated. "Evil, this way."
     Nephrale tapped his obsidian star staff on the ground,
transforming into the King Consort of Uranus. Faolin and Saeblin
changed into their jeans and leather armor. Pluto was already in
Senshi form.
     They all followed Saeblin hurriedly.
                              *
     Luna and Artemis heard Nabiki's voice in their heads. When
she reported, they both ran as fast as the could for the school.
                              *
     It was the so-early-its-more-like-breakfast lunch period at
Juuban Middle school. Serena was stuffing her face with Makoto's
lunch. Ami was studying, and Mina was flirting.
     Ami looked up in surprise. "Rei? What are you doing here?"
     Rei looked haggard. "Evil approaches!"
     Mina came over. "What?"
     Serena blinked in the other direction. "Darien? What're you
doing here? Not that I'm complaining, but..."
     He stared at her wildly. "We're in danger here! We must
leave." 
     The friends all looked sideways at each other. This was TOO
weird.
     "AAARGHH!" was the cry that met Ami's ears. A huge green
monster was attacking some students. Then he split into five
identical monsters, then each one into five more.
     Ami's eyes widened. "Guys, hide!"
     Most of them obeyed her and ducked under the table. But
Serena ran out. "Naru!!!"
     "Naru? Here?" A woman in dark leather armor appeared. She
looked in the direction of the name being called, and saw a red
haired girl about to be killed by a monster. She stared.
"Dimensional Thrust!" a black portal engulfed the monster, and it
vanished into dust.
     A man in blue and silver armor rushed over and picked Naru
up. A monster approached him. One handed, he drew his sword and
pointed. "Overwhelming Wave!" A huge wave of blue energy washed
over the monster, vaporizing it. He leapt to a nearby branch.
     A man in green and silver armor cried out, "Jupiter Thunder
Storm!" Lightning peppered the area and took out three of the
green monsters. Youmas, Ami's mind said to her.
     Now more of the armored people were showing up. One seemed
very familiar. He gestured with his pen. "Mercury Glacial Double
Entendre!" A double funnel of wind appeared, swallowing up two
more. 
     Ami pulled Serena under the table with the rest. "Don't you
see it's dangerous."
     Serena was in tears. "Those people stole Naru!"
     Rei shook her head. "I don't think they meant any harm.
They're the good guys, meatball head."
     "Mars Fire Inferno!" Blazing flames engulfed two more
monsters. 
     Two women in purple leather armor stood together. One held a
glaive, the other a huge hammer. Together they cried, "Saturn
Silence Spread!" A huge black energy destroyed three more.
     Darien started as a huge volley of red roses pierced three
more, vaporizing them.
     "Venus Shooting Stars!" A storm of stars took out two more
monsters. The warrior who had commenced the attack sheathed her
golden bow.
     But the warriors had been cornered by the remaining eight
monsters, and started to fight with their short range weapons.
Unfortunately, the monsters seeemed nearly invulnerable to
physical attacks.
     Serena looked around. "Someone has to help them!"
     "Earthquake!" cried a woman in brown robes carrying a brown
staff. The earth shook, knocking the monsters over like tenpins. 
     "Dead Scream." An eerie whisper preceded a purple ball of
energy that destroyed another monster. The attack originated
from... a Sailor Senshi? Her fuku was dark purple.
     Two women in armor called out battle cries and leapt to lend
their swords to the fight that was taking out two more youma by
sheer volume of attackers.
     The final figure pointed a black staff. "Centaurus!" A
volley of energy arrows killed the last. That figure... he seemed
so familiar also...
                              *
     Xalen walked over to where the man in aqua and silver
guarded Naru. "Is this Naru?"
     He shrugged. The man with the black staff strode over. "It
is. Awaken her, please."
     Xalen shook her head. "We have to get out of here first."
     With her direction, the entire group disappeared from the
view of the school, Neptune taking Naru with him. Soon they were
safely esconced on a rooftop.
     Naru was obviously terribly frightened. "Who are all you
people?"
     Xalen smiled, touching her reassuringly on the shoulder.
"Remember!"
     The cats had started at the sight of Uranus Mage. Could he
possibly be...? They were even more suprised when Naru ran over
to him and kissed him.
     Naru broke the kiss and pulled a crown with a golden stone
in it from nowhere. "Uranus Queen Power!" she cried out. A blue
sky appeared around her, and she swirled while her clothes were
replaced with a leather armor and skirt ensemble with the
astronomical sign of Uranus on her forehead and crown.
     Nausea passed over the group.
                                   *
     Luna blinked as they were shifted to the Forest of
Possibilities. "What's going on?"
     New people had just popped out of the woodwork. Kasumi, the
time travelers, Xalen. How could Naru be Queen Uranus? And wasn't
that Nephryte?
     Xalen gestured for silence. "We have serious problems. But,
first, introductions are in order."
     Nephryte stood, and Luna hissed. The man worked for the
Negaverse! He must have noticed her reaction. "I am Nephrale,
King Consort and First Mage of Uranus. I was temporarily enslaved
by the Dark Kingdom, but I'm free now."
     Kasumi stood. "I am Keglani, First Mage of Earth."
     Faolin nodded. "Faolin."
     Saeblin snorted. "Queen Saeblin of Merce."
     Xalen gestured for them all to sit once more. "I am General
Xalen, as you all know. The good news is that we've all been
reunited. None of the time traveling contingent is stuck on the
path."
     There was a cheer. Xalen paused. "The bad news is that
Obsidian Tokyo is now ruled by Queen Serena of the Dark Senshi."
     Luna was struck. Her Serena, bad?
     Saeblin handed a list to Xalen. "We obtained this from the
Emerald. Do you have them?"
     Xalen looked it over. "We need three more mages. Otherwise,
we have them all."
     Sailor Pluto looked at Xalen, choosing her words carefully.
"Jedian has been released from the spell of Servility. We could
rescue him from eternal sleep."
     Nabiki was supported her daugher. "He would be a formidable
ally. The Time Mage had great power."
     Luna snorted. "I assume you're referring to Jedaite. If he
was powerful, he certainly didn't show it against the Senshi. He
was quite weak."
     Nephrale glared. "When we were enslaved, we all managed to
lock are mage abilities away. He was weakest because he locked
the most of his power away. He was the best of the four of us."
     Luna blushed. "I'm sorry. I just haven't gotten used to the
idea the the Dark Kingdom Generals were all once good people, and
can be again. I say we rescue Jedian."
     Kasumi asked quietly, "What are the serious problems you
were alluding to earlier?"
     Xalen smiled gratefully. "We have some time issues to deal
with, and, er, we don't have the 'time' to deal with them." She
paused. "The good news is we should be getting me a Silver
Crystal to wield."
     Luna blinked. "Only a member of the Lunar Royalty can wield
the crystal. Xalen, what EXACTLY were you the queen of?"
     Xalen grimaced. "Actually, I was once the crowned queen of
Luna. Though, believe me, that wasn't my idea. But I never could
refuse Jarvis anything." She sighed. "It must be done. Good
ideas, Setsuna." She considered. "Saeblin has limited use of the
Crystal. But she never held it, so I don't know where we'd get
one for her."
     Luna stammered. "But... how could she use the Crystal?"
     Mousse was laughing. He started quoting from an old text.
"Queen Saeblin of Merce was the only member of an heir's court
that was immediately adopted." He smiled. "The date was C.M. 498,
I believe."
     Artemis blinked. "I had no idea. But how did you know that?
The Crimson Millenium greatly predates the Silver, doesn't it?"
     It was Tatewaki's turn to grin. "King Mousse was the most
eminent historian of his time."
     Artemis blushed. "Right. I should have remembered that."
     Mousse added, "I did have a few Crimson Millenium history
texts helpfully provided by the Triple T."
     Brian blinked. "Triple T?"
     Xalen, Faolin, and Saeblin adopted a pose. They chanted,
"We're the Triple T. You can be one too. 'Cuz messing with the
timestream is the thing to do. Altering and changing, is the way,
so hear what the time travelers have to say: The time stream is
ours!"
     Saeblin smiled. "On a more serious note, we're known as the
Time Traveling Trio, or the Triple T, or just T3."
     Laughter erupted, relieving tension. 
     Xalen nodded, serious once more. "We're all going to have to
time travel, I think. This is my plan." She began to outline a
complex web of time manipulation.



Next time: Ranma heads into the hardest battle of his life! Oops, I mean 
he talks to his mother, *EG* Be there. It may take a bit, I have to 
do more fabricating and less adapting.