The Darker Side

Disclaimer:

The characters in this story aren’t mine, they belong to Rumiko Takahashi and other publications… I’m only here so I can practice my writing…lol… I do not own any of the characters and gains no profit from writing this story… so again please don’t sue!… I already have enough problems managing bill payments…..

Warning:

There is OOC’s and Yuri in the future instalments (because of Michiru and Haruka’s relationship and another couple). There will also be a divergence to AU. You have been dutifully warned.

Italics means Thoughts.

“How’s the research so far Stratus?” Asked Ariel as she casually sat on top of one of the laboratory tables. Her long legs crossed and was swinging from underneath her while she filed her nails.

She hated being in the lab. It was so eeire. So clinical. So devoid with any kind of feeling. Just like the person that shared the room with her. She studied him from her peripheral vision. Any woman would have swooned over him. He had long jet black hair that was tied in a low pony tail, with dark blue eyes that was slightly obscured by the glasses he wore. His skin was like porcelain with no blemish to marr his almost too perfect skin. If he wasn’t so damn sadistic she would have fallen for him. But by the look of things he was more likely to be Temperance’s type of guy. She looked around the lab. Though it was clean, you can still feel the pain and agony that was in the air.

Stratus’ favourite past time was creating monsters and minions for their Master. Needless to say most of the experiments were held here. She had once caught the look on his face while he “improved” and altered various experimental “humans”. She almost felt sorry for them. Almost.

Stratus looked up from the file he was reading. In front of him where several holographic monitors. All displaying the different senshi’s. In the corner of the picture there were different readings and scales that rapidly change as each scene changes. He pinched the bridge of his nose, showing his annoyance.

“Shouldn’t you be somewhere else Ariel? Like maybe trying to get the Master’s attentions?” He answered her sarcastically. He knew that will get on her nerves.

“Why? I thought you’d appreciate a more feminine company or is it Temperance’s companionship that you desire?” She replied back.

Stratus merely growled in response. Ariel merely smirked.

“While getting on your nerves is quite entertaining, I am merely here by the order of the Master. The Master wants to know what you have found out so far, with the data I have collected.” She answered haughtily.

“Data you collected?” Stratus raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. Data I collected. Temperance was just there to monitor my progress.” She replied.

“You mean to keep you in line.” He answered.

“SHUT THE HELL UP!” She snapped at him.

Stratus began to chuckle. “Why so upset Ariel? Is it that time of the month already?”

Ariel just growled, then disappeared. Stratus’ resounding laughter filled the lab.

A few moments later he felt another presence in the room. He grinned as he identified just who it was that shimmered in the room. This creature intrigued him while Ariel just annoyed the hell out of him. He would like nothing better than to figure her out.

Why was she on their side? But then again it wouldn’t be fun if she outright told him. It was better to find out for himself.

“You seem pleased with yourself Stratus. I take it you made Ariel’s life miserable again?” Said a feminine voice.

“I couldn’t help it. Besides I know you don’t really disapprove of the way I treat her now do you?” He replied back.

“Your right of course of that assumption. Now tell me what you have discovered so far from the data gathered from the Senshis.” She said. Changing the subject and was suddenly more curious.

“See for yourself.” He replied as he directed her to the holographic monitors. Each displaying the different Senshi.

Temperance studied the monitors. Two figures of course interested her the most, more than the rest. Then her eyes narrowed. The monitor was not displaying the other two senshis. Saturn and Pluto was not in the monitor. Another figure made her frown. It was one of the monitors in the bottom. It was an image of a red headed girl. Her energy readings were higher than the rest. She schooled her features before facing Stratus.

“Well?” He asked her. From intense gaze she gave the monitors. For a moment there, it looked like she was going to destroy it all.

“We are still missing two candidates in the data.” She replied nonchalantly.

“You would know wouldn’t you.” He said to her suspiciously. His curiosity getting the best of him. He wanted nothing more than to figure out why she was there. Why she was with them and not with the enemy? Why was she consorting with them?

Stratus himself didn’t know why their master trusted this woman so much. He didn’t know what really went on during the silver millennium, when the invasion took place. He was in the background during the great battle. In one of the ships, monitoring their soldiers progress and their health status.

He could still remember how their master came back, battered and battle worn. He was in the brink of extinction if it wasn’t for his medical skills. The invasion was only half successful. Destroying the Moon Kingdom. It never should have ended that way. They were suppose to invade the kingdom and make it theirs. Not destroy it. But they faced powerful resistance. The Sailor senshi fought them all the way. Nor did they anticipate that Queen Serenity would sacrifice her own life to save her kingdom rather than admit surrender.

He mentally shook his head. This time they will be successful. This time they will triumph. It had been a long time coming. Their plans are nearly complete. They’re just missing one more piece. Then they will revive the Dark moon kingdom on Earth.

Temperance refused to answer his double edged question. She knew everyone was suspicious of her motives for being there. But her motives were for her and her alone. She wanted revenge. She wanted vengeance. She wanted justice to be served. She made a pact with the devil and she will honour her deal as long as they honoured theirs. Their master knew her quest for revenge and had recruited her. Her loyalty was for her master alone. She didn’t need to get along with everyone, as long as she can fulfil her desire for revenge. She didn’t need friends nor allies. After all she had them back then and look what happened?

Her face contorted into rage and anger before being replaced by a neutral one. Soon the senshi will suffer. She will get her revenge. She would have fulfilled her duty.

Instead of answering Stratus, she began to head out of the lab. Leaving him to wonder all he likes about where her loyalties laid.

“Very interesting. Interesting indeed.” He told himself. As he watched her leave. He was unaware however that as Temperance walked out of his lab, she flicked her fingers and a disc appeared in front of her. She smirked at this before waving her hand in front of it making it disappear.

She had manage to create a copy of the data Stratus has compiled without him noticing.

“So she’s still lives after all, well I better fix that wont I?” She told herself as she smirked. She made a mental note. Telling herself to arrange a meeting with a very old acquaintance in the near future. Everything is falling into place. It’s just a matter of time before the truth is revealed. The past uncovered. She couldn’t wait to see the look on the senshi’s faces when their own sordid past is revealed to them. Nor when she sees them defeated before her.

Unknown to her in one of the corridors, hid Ariel’s form.

“Just who precisely is watching who?” She whispered to herself as she watched Temperance form walk down the corridor.

It has been a week since the encounter at the Bus Station. Ami by now had fully recovered and now watched a very irritated looking Nabiki trying to land a punch on a very arrogant Ranma. To Ami’s relief there had been no reports of further attacks. She was amazed to find out however that her cousin had kept up her katas. She was sure that Nabiki had completely stopped practicing their family’s art after her Aunt Kimiko passed away. Apparently she kept it up, but from the look of things she only did so to maintain her figure by the taunts Ranma kept giving her.

“Your movements are too slow and you leave yourself wide open.” Ranma would point out to Nabiki. Every now and then he would tap her, where she had left herself open for his attacks. Rather than actually hit her, he opted into just tapping her since she didn’t have the same resistance and built of a normal martial artist.

Nabiki gritted her teeth. No matter what she did. Ranma had found a way to disconcert her or find flaws in her defences and attacks. She found herself irritated about the fact that she had gone so sloppy. She actually thought she was pretty good, but so far it didn’t look like she was capable of defending herself at all.

Ranma just danced around her every attack. Not taking her seriously at all.

“You may perform flawless and graceful katas, but without any knowledge on how to apply them in actual situation you might as well be fighting shadows.” Ranma pointed out to her.

In truth, Nabiki was pretty graceful and agile when he had asked her to show him how much of the art she knew. She performed them flawlessly and perfectly. Until he had asked her to spar with him. Within minutes her skills where reduce to basically nothing. Her knowledge of the arts only extend to keeping herself fit by the look of things. And he was right.

Again Nabiki had to control her temper.

Damn him! How can he make it look so easy? He had all his life training with his idiot of a father! She didn’t! He can’t expect her to be in the same league with Akane!

“Maybe you should cut down on eating so much junk food.” Ranma taunted her.

That does it!

“HOLD STILL YOU ARROGANT MONKEY!” Nabiki shouted at him in pure irritation.

Nabiki finally lost her patience and began to attack Ranma with more fervour. Nabiki was not used to be lectured about mistakes. She was not use to being criticise. Though she prided herself as being a calm and collected person who think things through first before committing any actions, being around Ranma and his mouth can incite even an angel’s wrath!

She now understands why her sister would sometimes send him to LEO! He has no control over what he says because his arrogance and his mouth controls him!

“YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS SAOTOME!” She threatened as she tried to land hand on him.

Ranma just dodged Nabiki’s lame attempts to get back at him as he jumped around her, further infuriating her. He was secretly glad that he got under her skin. She showed much more potential when provoked. He just hopes that her anger will not blind her, but rather work with her to her advantage. Unlike Akane who’s emotions control her capabilities. Ultimately blinding her and making her unable to grow and mature to become a more competent martial artist.

Ami just shook her head. While she was astounded by Ranma’s fighting capabilities, she was also astonished by his arrogance. His chauvinistic nature towards the opposite sex can clearly be seen. She had to restrain herself to reproach him about his treatment of her cousin.

In a weeks time, Nabiki will be attending the local college of Juuban. It is the most prestigious college, only coming second to Tokyo University. Nabiki was lucky to have made a place there. Her cousin Ami has also began to make applications to Tokyo University as well as the college Nabiki is currently attending.

She was also glad since Nabiki will not be alone at her college. She will be attending the college with Tenoh Haruka and Kaioh Michiru. The Outer Senshi. With the sudden youma activity arising, it will be good that her cousin will be protected when she was not around. Still she wonders what type of being Ranma was.

No ordinary human could stand against a youma, or even a God! But according to Nabiki, Ranma can destroy a whole mountain! Even killed a God once. While Ami remains dubious about Ranma’s strength, she could not deny what he was capable of. She had seen him fight with her own eyes. She has to admit she found Ranma to be quite intriguing.

At Haruka’s Apartment…

Setsuna was meditating. She needed to think about the events that was currently happening. She can feel the tension in the air. Feel the past quickly catching up to the present.

All of a sudden, she felt the temperature drop. A sudden chill ran up and down her spine. She could feel a cold breeze that swept past her long hair. Which was strange since her windows were closed. Though everything she felt was a telltale sign of danger. She did not quake nor did she feel fear. For she knew where she was.

She opened her eyes to only to reveal darkness surrounding her. She knew where she was. She was in the Void of Time. Where time stops as the future is being decided has not been created, leaving it blank and empty. Setsuna only knew one person who can do something like this.

“Come on out Temperance.” Setsuna commanded.

From out of the darkness came her image. Temperance really did look like an angel. Sadly enough she was a fallen angel.

“To what do I owe this untimely visit?” Setsuna asked her. Still guarded but she held an epitome of calm around her.

“It’s nice to see you again Guardian of Time… Or should I say Sensei?” Temperance greeted.

“What do you want Temperance?” Setsuna began.

“You know what I want.” Temperance replied back as she began to approach Setsuna.

“Temperance.. What more do you want? As you can see, they have already been punished.” Setsuna explained.

“They still live.” Temperance pointed out cruelly.

“And so does she.” Setsuna pointed out which made Temperance stiffen. Temperance immediately turned her back on the Guardian of Time.

“It is still not too late. Come back to us.” Setsuna said as she approached Temperance’s back. She laid a hand on her shoulder to show her that she was willing to forgive her. To take her back.

“No.” Temperance replied back as she shrugged off Setsuna’s hand on her person.

“I will not work with the people who betrayed my Ward. My Princess.” Temperance replied back as she turned a hateful glare towards Setsuna.

“Then you know what will happen.” Setsuna said gravely.

“Yes.” Temperance replied back.

“How sure are you that history will repeat itself?” Setsuna replied back, hoping to at least persuade her to change her mind.

“You should know the answer to that. After all you were the one that taught me.” Temperance said bitterly.

Setsuna sighed. She was right. She was after all her apprentice, once in the past.

“So what is it that made you brought me here?” Setsuna asked indicating the place they were in.

Temperance smiled.

“I’m just here to remind you of your duties.” Temperance answered her. Her smirk evident.

Setsuna remained still. She knew her duty. She cannot interfere.

“You forget one thing Temperance…” Setsuna replied back.

“One cannot change the past, but one can certainly change the future.” Setsuna replied back.

“That is exactly what I’m counting on.” Temperance replied back before she disappeared into the darkness.

Before Setsuna can even ask what she meant, she felt herself being pulled back to reality.

When she opened her eyes, she realised that she was back in her room. Setsuna now knows what enemy wanted. The little talk with Temperance revealed that.

But she also knew the amount of danger they will now encounter. It was just a matter of time before the sordid past was revealed and painful truth uncovered. It will tear the senshi apart if they found out. She needs them to work together. Or a new future will occur. Her nightmare will come true.

The Crimson Millennium will become their reality.

Author’s Notes:

So what do you guys think? Love it or hate it?

Sorry about the late posting. I’m approaching my exams and yet again, I will be unable to update my stories. I’ve had so many problems with this story but I still can’t make myself to stop this story. This was my very first story, therefore despite it’s quirks, this story is kinda special to me. Besides the twist is a kicker and I can’t believe I even came up with the idea. The only hard part is actually writing it, especially with no pre-readers, since I’m already having problems contacting them because of my study and work commitments…

So who really is Temperance?

Why does she seem to hold a grudge against the Senshi?

What happened during the Silver Millennium?

And what is the Crimson Millennium?

What was so horrible in the past that Setsuna cannot reveal to the senshi?

All this and much more, please tune in next time for the next chapter till then Please review…

And please be kind... pretty please...

Ja Ne