Ranma - Senshi Assassin

[Konsaki]

Our lips broke apart. My vision finally returned; the wall of white fading to show the night once more. The fire… the Power stayed. More power than I’d ever imagined roiled through my veins, like a seductive poison.

A soft, weak sigh broke the night. “I finally… get to rest…” As the woman closed her eyes, one last breath escaped her lips before she stilled.

The only other words she’d ever said to me were ‘Fight like your life depends on it’ and ‘I’m so sorry”. The space in between these words was filled with moments of sporadic visceral violence and eerie tense seconds of utter tranquil quiet.

She hadn’t lied; I had to pull out all the tricks and techniques just to keep from dying: Ki shots, dirty tricks, using the environment, the Yamisenken and Umisenken… especially the Umisenken. If not for the old man’s hidden schools, I’d be…

I’d be one who was dead instead of the black haired woman cradled in my arms.

Once I figured out the woman’s style, warping from shadow to shadow like a ninja assassin, I only survived by using and adapting the main ‘invisibility’ technique.

Another drop of blood from the hole in her stomach splashed into the pool on the roof. I don’t think my right hand will ever be clean again.

I wasn’t surprised when she slowly faded away into small sparkles of black light, floating off into the dark night sky. After everything else that had just happened, this was nothing.Even her blood had faded away, leaving no trace that she ever existed.

It didn’t matter; I could still feel my right arm jammed through her back; the woman jerking in pain and shock. I could still hear her gasp as I wrenched my arm out, the squelching sound that made me want to throw up. I could still see her blood on my hand.

I was told by an old master when I was younger that in a life or death fight, those fighting could talk through their fists. I thought he was full of crap until tonight.

I never knew her name but I can guess some things. She was tired and was looking for someone able to defeat her. I figure she couldn’t stop or give in, so she found me and if I hadn’t won, she’d have killed me and found another. I guess she’s finally got her peaceful rest.

The only thing I truly know… A Senshi was dead and I killed her.

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So, this is sort of a remake of a previous Idea I posted about Ranma becoming a Dark Magical Girl, but altering it slightly.

Ranma kills an unknown Darkness powered Senshi (tentatively named Shadow), who served as Serenity’s assassin in the Silver Millenium, during a fight to the death. After killing Shadow, the Senshi transfers her power to Ranma but none of the immediate knowledge.

Back story is that Shadow was an unknown Senshi due to standing orders from Serenity as a form of Plausible Deniability. Shadow was ordered to never be seen by the other Senshi. Even her uniform was modified so that any witnesses to her job would think she was a rogue copycat creation.

She never died during the fall of the Silver Millenium and had no way to have her final orders rescinded, so she was forced to spent the intervening time fulfilling those orders to the letter. After centuries and millennia of hiding in shadows and killing with no end in sight, she searched for a way to die that didn’t conflict with her orders. The problem was, one of her orders was to find a worthy heir if death was inescapable, so she had to find someone both able to kill her and held a strong enough moral compass to fulfil the order.

Starvation, sleep deprivation and magic exhaustion left her just weak enough that Ranma was the one to give her a way out.

The other Senshi might not have known about her, but Shadow was still a Senshi and they all felt her death. Being the new queen in the making, Moon also knows someone took her power right after Shadow’s death.

Now, Ranma is having disturbing dreams and trying to deal with the fact that he just killed someone to save his own life. The Senshi are searching for the murderer of their kin and keep getting drawn towards the Nerima ward.

Neither are in the best mood to meet each other.

[Dumbledork]

Haven't seen this Kind of plot before. Could be interesting.

[PCHeintz72]

It really does not make sense to me that the senshi would transfer any power of someone inherently not of them to someone whom has proved he could kill someone of their level. This is not really like Highlander.

Now... I *have* seen something similar to this before, a couple times in fact, the one to come immediately to mind is 'Sold to the Shadows' by Innortal. Sadly he never continued it past the initial setup.

Most other Ranma kills senshi though are due to it being them having targeted him first, like 'In Darkness, In Fire' by Xzero, or where he has to stop them from going too far, like in 'Missing Time' by claihm solais

Having said all that, what interests me far more is not what occurs from this point forward, but how matters got to this stage. I am interested in the prequel, or the prior arc. Ranma gaining senshi powers by killing them in and of itself is not for me a good enough plot point for me to want to continue. Why is he killing them, how did they meet, what crimes did they commit or how evil is he to kill magical vigilantes. Was he contracted by the Government to stop them, was his family affected by their plans, etc...

[Spica75]

Ranma kills an unknown Darkness powered Senshi (tentatively named Shadow), who served as Serenity’s assassin in the Silver Millenium, during a fight to the death. After killing Shadow, the Senshi transfers her power to Ranma but none of the immediate knowledge.

Back story is that Shadow was an unknown Senshi due to standing orders from Serenity as a form of Plausible Deniability. Shadow was ordered to never be seen by the other Senshi. Even her uniform was modified so that any witnesses to her job would think she was a rogue copycat creation.

I used Hel as the name for a roughly similar concept, placing it as the "real" name for one of Saturn´s moons(Tethys), but i placed her as a Saturn "minor" senshi instead of a regular (in theory, a lot weaker, in practice not so noticeable).

Base attack "Deathwish"... And a touch attack with potential for instakill of most things.
Secondary ability to cast/create/manipulate shadows and blend into them.

With Miyako Miyazaki (Bamboo Blade) taking the role because her duality felt suitable(and her 4 teammates as other "minors").

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd4 ... yazaki.jpg


Still writing on that story when i can.

Neither are in the best mood to meet each other.

Be wary of overdoing this part. If Ranma has figured out that much of Shadow´s reasons, he´s not going to be confrontational(not more than usual at least, possibly a lot less than usual even). And senshi response hangs a lot on who is in charge the most(if it´s Usagi or Ami, he´s likely to get a chance to say something at least, Rei is the one most likely to jump to bad conclusions while Makoto and Minako can go either way (Pluto should KNOW already, Hotaru is too defensive to just jump in and attack, while the last 2 outers are the ones most likely to attack first and don´t bother with questions at all)), while just that they didn´t know about a senshi will tell them something is odd...
Also, the fact that powers DID transfer, would likely make them look at it very differently, as as far as anyone could guess, their powers wont just transfer to whoever kills them(meaning something special must have happened, and probably intentionally), AND they also don´t know that the one killing was the one getting the power.

Anyway, definitely wouldn´t mind seeing the story.

[Spica75]

Ranma gaining senshi powers by killing them in and of itself is not for me a good enough plot point for me to want to continue.

Unless i´m very mistaken, that wasn´t the plot. He is drawn in by one specific senshi who wants him to kill her and is effectively given her power by the senshi herself, and THEN ends up in trouble with the rest of the senshi because they don´t know the full story.

[Konsaki]

Ranma gaining senshi powers by killing them in and of itself is not for me a good enough plot point for me to want to continue.

Unless i´m very mistaken, that wasn´t the plot. He is drawn in by one specific senshi who wants him to kill her and is effectively given her power by the senshi herself, and THEN ends up in trouble with the rest of the senshi because they don´t know the full story.

Spica would be correct here. The Senshi is the Assassin and she forced Ranma into a battle to the death because the Senshi couldn't commit suicide. Ranma isn't hunting the Senshi.

t really does not make sense to me that the senshi would transfer any power of someone inherently not of them to someone whom has proved he could kill someone of their level. This is not really like Highlander.

No, this wasn't a Quickening.
Part of the Assassin Senshi's 'programming' was that she had to find a suitable heir for her mission if she ever knew she was going to die. Thing is, this isn't the first battle to the death she's forced with people, but it's the only one she's lost with a potential heir. As such, she transfers her power and mission to Ranma after apologizing.

[Crescent Pulsar S]

Sigh. I could argue over a few canonical problems, particularly concerning the transference of status, but it'd be made pointless by whatever justification is used for the sacred cow that is "artistic license." What I'll address, instead, is the premise. It seems to hinge on making Ranma an unknown, potential threat to the sailor senshi, which is part and parcel of many a Ranma 1/2 and Sailor Moon crossover. I can't say that that alone would be interesting enough to catch my interest. As mentioned by someone else (more or less), I would hope that there would at least be a decent background for Shadow, and why she had the duty that she did. It would be even better if that tied into the main plot.

I think Heintz was confused (perhaps?) for the same reason I was, initially: the way that the title is phrased. It could be read either as Ranma being a sailor senshi who happens to be an assassin, or as someone who assassinates sailor senshi.

[Konsaki]

You are right that this story would be kicking some of the SM canon in the teeth but what FanFiction doesn't?

I would hope that there would at least be a decent background for Shadow, and why she had the duty that she did.

My current thought is to have Ranma have some 'dreams' from important events in Shadow's past which explain some of her purpose and how she fit into the Silver Millennium system.

It would be even better if that tied into the main plot.

The main reason Shadow wanted to die was because she felt she didn't have a reason to exist and she was tired of being forced to run on obsolete orders. Her part of the plot is really just to kickstart how Ranma and the Senshi deal with this new change. And no, Pluto has no clue about Shadow as Pluto isn't an all knowing omniscient god being.

The real problem here is that while I have an idea for a main antagonist for Ranma and the Senshi to bond together via fighting... it's kinda suspect. I currently have Gosenkugi getting desperate once he finds out that Ranma defeated a Senshi or absorbed the power of one. This leads him to finding and releasing a sealed demon who basically screws Gosenkugi somehow in an effort to break more demon seals. Due to the release contract, though, the demons concentrate on both attacking the Senshi and kidnap Akane.

So, first act would be Ranma figuring out his powers and dealing with the Senshi. Second act would be a new threat appearing and the good guys have to reluctantly join forces. Third act would be Ranma and the Senshi finding out where Gosenkugi and the Demon leader are and storming the base to rescue Akane and defeat the bad guys.
Yeah, I figure the three acts are a bit rote in story but people use it because it works.

I think Heintz was confused (perhaps?) for the same reason I was, initially: the way that the title is phrased.

Understandable. It's a working title for the idea. If I produce this, I'd probably make a better title.

[PCHeintz72]

Ok, even given that, and I apologize for the confusion over how I interpreted this, most of the statements in my prior post remain true. I'm actually far more interested in reading the particulars of how it came to this. the full blown back drop, the background, the angst. How she became aware of Ranma, the particulars of the pre fight events, etc, than I am reading what will happen now going forward. You will *ruin* this for me if you do not fully develop this and instead attempt to summarize it as a mere prologue or single chapter, as I view it as half the story.

But, he is going to have problems with the senshi though, no matter what... either he quite simply would not go along with their method or ideals, or they would not like an outsider that can defeat them to have that form of power, or would not accept one of their own type going this route...

Additionally, with the comments indicating what the motive was, there is a critical flaw in the logic of her quest... just because someone has the capability to defeat shadow, does *not* make them worthy of inheriting the power. It could have been some amoral drugged up steroid pumping magic using evil overlord that could have won. What would have happened then?

Also, I don't think Ranma would really go for a death match without provocation. I would want to know just what was done to put him in the mindset to go to those extremes.

EDIT: one other thing:

Pluto should KNOW already

Do not over use *this*. It is a bit fanon staple that the timegates must act as some form of Viewing portal giving her peeping tom rights to the universe.

It seems many fans think the time gates act like the guardian of forever from star trek. This is not the case.

In Ranma crossovers, it is a staple of fannon she either knows all because of the time gate or knows nothing and it is a shock she cannot track him personally.

[Konsaki]

You will *ruin* this for me if you do not fully develop this and instead attempt to summarize it as a mere prologue or single chapter, as I view it as half the story

I was thinking of having Ranma relive some of Shadow's memories in first person dreams to give her backstory but only plot important events. Things such as the first 'meeting' with Serenity where Shadow got the job/powers, her final orders which drove her life after the fall, figuring out a way to die and planning out her first attempt and finally her stalking Ranma to determine his moral match until she forces the battle to the death.
Her mind didn't transfer over with the powers but her most powerful memories did, which explains the few dreams.

...just because someone has the capability to defeat shadow, does *not* make them worthy of inheriting the power.

She stalks her potential heir first before forcing the death match.

What would have happened then?

She either wouldn't have fought them or just assassinated them outright for the greater good.

Do not over use *this*.

Already stated that Pluto wouldn't be an all knowing omniscient god; she just controls passage through the gates of time, as per normal canon. It can be funny if done right, like when she and Ranma had a prank war, but most of the time it's just a cheap deus ex machina.

Also, I don't think Ranma would really go for a death match without provocation. I would want to know just what was done to put him in the mindset to go to those extremes.

I can rework what she says to Ranma but as part of a personal challenge, I want to have this all from Ranma's POV, so I can't really display things that Ranma doesn't know unless he finds out after the fact.
More than anything, this is sort of a situation where Shadow's stated her intention 'One of us will die tonight' and Ranma figures out he can't run or hide, so he knuckles down and fights back with all he has. Then he wins.

[Crescent Pulsar S]

You are right that this story would be kicking some of the SM canon in the teeth but what FanFiction doesn't?

I'd like to think that at least some try to maintain the integrity of a series as best as they can, and that anything that can be considered fan-fiction doesn't automatically mean that it will have a degenerative effect on canon. But, that's not really relevant to the matter at hand, and I apologize. I just couldn't help mentioning it right now, because I'm going through a mutative phase as a writer and how I perceive things.

Anyway, as far as your elaborations are concerned, I can get behind the general idea. I imagine that the story would rely more on character interaction and development than special/convenient circumstances. If so, I would enjoy the story even more if that's managed with minimal instances of characters being OOC. (Not that my preference should matter, but still.)

Oh, I thought of a question. Are the abilities/powers of this sailor senshi geared toward assassination, like it would be natural to begin with, or do they just work well enough in conjunction with the user's skill? I was wondering since sailor senshi from that particular solar system, outside of the four guardian senshi, have a tendency to have tools or abilities that make them extra special/powerful. For instance, does this new sailor senshi have a sure-kill attack if it hits its target? I figure it wouldn't be a stretch, or a real problem, since Galaxia could destroy whole planets (or, at the very least, kill all life on them) with her power without consequence.

[Vocaloid]

From what I see here, I agree with PC here in there is so much potential for a prequal. It cries out for it. Flash backs are nice and all, but there seems to be a real meat and potatoes story for shadow here. Please strongly consider this as it would make for a stronger story and give you more readers in this new idea/concept.

[Spica75]

Do not over use *this*. It is a bit fanon staple that the timegates must act as some form of Viewing portal giving her peeping tom rights to the universe.

That was NOT what i was referring to. If Shadow has existed "ever since", well Pluto has as well and from all source material, she seems to be at least aware even if not well informed about pretty much everything.
She might not know that Shadow survived, but she very probably would know that she once existed.

[Crescent Pulsar S]

There's a bit of a dichotomy with Pluto's character. On the one hand, she had always stood guard at the Door of Time, with one of the three taboos forbidding her to leave her post. On the other, she's lived longer than anyone and has seen many eras (or, so Endymion claimed), even though her post started when she was still a child. However, how many eras can you fit in your childhood if you're stuck in the fourth dimension thereafter? Would Serenity even bother to mention another sailor senshi shrouded in secrecy for someone who would spend their days shut in another dimension, if said sailor senshi happened to be present at the time? The same could be said of Saturn as well, who was sealed away and would only appear long enough to use her attack before being sealed away once again.

But, well, that's manga canon. So, y'know... Maybe the anime canon is more palatable to one's tastes or needs.

[Konsaki]

Figured I'd write out some more of this to even see if I could do it in a first person Ranma perspective.
It also gives off the style which I plan on trying to get 'Shadow's' backstory out through Ranma's dreams.

Let me know if the first person perspective and whatnot seems to work. Since all my other stories are third person, I'm just experimenting with this as a challenge.

--

I don’t remember how I got from there to here, guess I was still a little out of it, but the Tendo household stood before me. There was light still shining through the kitchen and living room windows, the curtains blocking me from seeing who was waiting up.

Knowing my luck, it was probably everyone. I guess I should feel happy cause they cared but I just feel tired. Better get this over with.

Walking through the front door I said a quick, “I’m home.”

“Welcome back.” Kasumi responded from the kitchen. “I’ll get you some hot water in a moment.”

I couldn’t help but feel the corner of my lips quirk up for a moment. She didn’t even stick her head out to see me, just hearing my higher pitched voice to know I’m a girl right now.

“Ranma, where were you?!” My fiancée called out, walking in from the living room. Once Akane got a look at me, she stopped and blinked in shock. “What happened!?”

I must have looked worse than I thought.

“Was helping Ukyo out at her place; then got in a fight.” Akane already knew U-chan had come down with a summer cold. Figured I’d help Konatsu run the restaurant for the afternoon; sorta to pay back for the free eats she gives me.

“Saotome, your hair.”

Nabiki. Swell. “What about it?”

“It’s black.”

What? I pulled my braid around and looked at the tip. “So it is. Huh.” It was black, just like when I was a guy. Nice, no more standing out in a crowd due to flaming red hair.

“You weren’t fighting with Ryoga, where you?” Akane asked, crossing her arms with a stern look.

Good to know you care, tomboy. “No, it wasn’t pig-boy, okay? Don’t know who it was; just that she came out of nowhere and wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“You sound like you got your ass kicked, boy. You going weak on me?” Great, there’s the old man walking in now.

“No, I… I won.” I need to clean my mouth out. Never thought those words would taste so sour. It was weird; the old man got an odd look in his eyes when I said that.

“She’d better not be another fiancée.” Surprisingly, Akane was giving the old man a glare instead of me for a change. Well, I’m not going to turn it down.

“She ain’t a fiancee, Akane. Don’t have to worry about her again.” My right hand twitched.

The old man jerked his head towards the bathroom. “You look like shit, boy. Go get cleaned up.”

I guess I looked worse than I felt for him to say that. I just nodded and took the out he offered up. Can’t say a long soak wasn’t looking damn nice right about now.

“Yeah, yeah.” I waved over my shoulder as I went upstairs to get a spare change of clothes.

A minute later I was standing inside the bathroom holding my torn up shirt before me. Could barely see the blood cause of the color but it looked like I took a dive into a dumpster of razor blades. Pants didn’t look much better. The girl in the mirror looked like a bloody mess.

Thing was, there were no cuts. I know I heal fast cause of my ki but I expected to at least show some scabs or something. I’m not going to turn a quick heal down, though.

After seeing myself with red hair as a girl for so long, it looks odd to have a mane of black instead. Thinking about it, worry hitched in my gut. I scooped up some of the hot water from the furo and dumped it over my head.

Twisting around, I didn’t see anything different. Same old me. I let out a relieved breath.

Now to try and get clean.

oO0Oo

“Only speak when asked a direct question. Understand?” A voice to my right directed. The cowl of my hood blocked my sight of everything but the floor.

I nodded as we continued to walk forward, our boots echoing off the mirror polished marble floor.

“She is expecting you.” Someone said ahead of us as the click of a door opening sounded out.

We just continued walking until we reached a specific spot in the room. I knelt to the floor, head bowed, along with the person to my right.

“Your highness.” The man spoke reverently.

“Rise.” The imperial female voice commanded. It was the Queen.

I glimpsed her image, seated upon her throne off the mirrored tile. My heart skipped a beat.

“So, this is this one?”

“She is, my queen.”

“I shall trust you in this.” She stated after a moment’s pause.

I heard the woman who was Queen of everything stand and descend from her raised dais. I kept my head bowed and stood still as I was previously directed.

The Queen, Serenity, slowly paced around me; the light clicks of her footsteps ringing off the stone at her feet. I was being inspected by the Woman herself. If I failed this…

“You have no name.” She stated the truth, I had none. “You have no family, no history, no past… You do not exist. Do you understand?”

“Yes, your majesty.” I softly whispered.

“You are to be my hand in the shadows. Never seen, never known, never acknowledged. Do you understand?” She continued, outlining what I already knew even as she paced around me. Another test.

“Yes, your majesty.” I softly whispered.

“What is your creed?”

“To serve the Queen.” Not Kingdom, not gods, not planet, not ideals; just the Queen.

“And what will you do to serve the Queen?” She asked, stopping before me. Her reflected face was like stone.

“Anything and everything.”

Silence reined in the expansive room. She was evaluating me still.

“Know this; once you accept this, once you become my hand, you will serve until death. Do you understand and accept this?”

A held up hand kept me from answering. “Think well on this, as there is no going back. You will changed; forever after be bound to the Queen. Do you wish to be my Senshi in the shadows?”

I follow her orders to think on this. “It is all I’ve ever known or wanted. I only wish to serve the Queen.”

Queen Serenity turns away from me, back towards her throne and the person to my right steps away as well. Turning to face me just before the steps to her seat of power, she looks me over one last time. “This will not be pleasant.” She informed me in a voice barely hinting at being apologetic. “Do no scream.”

I clench my jaw, prepared to follow my queen’s order.

“Gaaah!” My voice echoes off the bathroom’s tiled walls.

Jerking my eyes around, I try to catch my breath as my heart jackhammers in my chest.

“Just a dream.” I muttered with a breath. Must have fallen asleep in the furo.

Pushing out of the warm water and preparing to dry and dress, I find my mind wandering back to the dream. It seemed so real… more like a memory. Probably has something to do with whatever that crazy woman did to me.

I frown at that thought. Great, just what I needed, more stuff messing with my mind.

I glanced once more in the mirror. Same old me stared back, dressed in black shirt and pants.

Shrugging it off, I decided to get a quick snack and get some real sleep. I was exhausted.