Disclaimer:  None of the characters of Ranma ½ and Sailor 
Moon belong to me.  I recommend that you don't sue me as I 
don't have the money to even afford a lawyer for 15 minutes.

&&&
Twin Black Phoenix
A Ranma ½ and Sailor Moon Crossover
By Tomas Megerson

Note:  This is going to be dark in some places.  It will 
be extremely dark at times.  If you don't like dark fics, 
then I don't recommend it.

Chapter 1

	The ballroom glowed with a liveliness all its own.  
People gathered in groups to discuss any topic that came to 
their minds.  Others were seated at the tables enjoying a 
marvelous feast that seemed to have been brought about by 
magic.  Queen Serenity's chefs were the best in the Solar 
System.  There were still others that were in pairs on the 
dance floor, getting to know each other as music played for 
their ears.  At one place a Lady would laugh at some 
unimportant joke, while in another a Gentleman would frown 
at an offhand comment made by his partner.  A few of the 
couples sneaked away so they could be alone on the balcony 
and gaze at the Earth that was high in the sky while the 
exchanged vows of love and other such ideas.

	And then there was the one.  The one who was away 
from everyone else, the one who felt like she didn't belong.  
She had only recently come to the Court of Serenity.  It 
hadn't yet been two weeks since she gained the power that 
was requiring her to be present at this ball.  It had been 
on her fourteenth birthday that she had gained the mantle 
of Sailor Saturn, Senshi of the Silence.  She stood alone 
in a quiet corner of the room, being purposely ignored by 
everyone there.  A few of the other Senshi had been over 
to speak with her, but she could tell that none of them 
were comfortable being around her.  But it was better than 
the other nobles.  They were out right scared of her.  All 
because of some thousand year old prophecy.  All because 
some long ago old man said that Sailor Saturn would bring 
about the death and destruction of everything.  There had 
been Sailor Saturn before this point in history, and she 
was sure that there would be one after her.  She wasn't 
going to destroy anything, but no one believed that.  All 
of the nobles and the common folk held her in fear thinking 
that she would kill them all while they were asleep one night.

	She hated it all.  It crossed her mind on more than 
one occasion that she wished someone else bore the mantle she 
now wore.  That someone else was the Senshi of Destruction.  
That she hadn't changed, and that she still had her friends.  
That had hurt her the most.  Her heart tore every time one 
of her old friends would look at her, cast a fearful glance 
and move quietly away from her.  The people that she grew up 
with turned their backs on her and left her in a cold, empty 
void.  None of them realized that they were creating that 
void in her by their actions.  Her world was a dark and lonely 
place.  She feared that it would remain so right up until the 
door to the ball room opened, and two strangers walked in.  
They were both tall, one around six foot and the other a 
couple of inches taller.  Both had night black hair with the 
shorter one sporting a pigtail.  The taller one's was wild, 
but somehow portrayed a sense of style.  As they walked into 
the white crystal room, everyone took notice of them.  It 
had to do with their choice of clothes.  While everyone was 
in bright colors and rainbow hues, the newcomers were in jet 
black.  Their pants, doublets, vests, coats, boots, and gloves 
were all of the deepest ebony.  Looking at them reminded some 
of starring into a void.  The only things that were not this 
emptiness of color was their skin and their eyes.  The 
shorter's eyes were a sapphire blue and the taller's an emerald 
green.

***
	Tomas glanced at Ranma.  "I don't see the target 
anywhere."

	"Neither do I.  He must not be here yet.  Find a way 
to get in position.  I'll start the sweep.  And be careful that 
no one recognizes you.  We don't need to start giving 
explanations on why we are here.  Recall what the Lady said."

	"We are ghosts, unknown to all and controlled by one.  
We answer to one person, but take orders from two.  We are on a 
mission and we will not fail."

	The two then spoke as one, for the last command of the 
Lady was instilled in their very being.  "We are here for the 
future.  We will protect that which must come."  The two nodded 
at each other and moved to different areas of the ball.

	Ranma moved along the wall toward the windows.  His 
eyes traced up and down the walls looking for hidden panels 
and secret doors.  There were far more than he would have liked.  
(This entire place must be honey coned with passages.  We have 
to be careful if we want to pull this off right.)  His gaze 
swept the room to take in everyone's place.  (None of the 
Senshi are near the queen.  Not good, don't they have any 
discipline.  They have a job to do and they're enjoying a 
party.  How pathetic can they be?)  He then searched around 
for his partner.  Ranma spied him heading across the room to 
a dark corner.  (Why is he heading there?)  Ranma looked 
closer and smiled slightly.  (Well, Sailor Saturn is here.  
That's a surprise.  I've got to admit Tomas came up with a 
good plan this time.  I can't wait to see how it plays out.)

***
 	Tomas started to move toward Queen Serenity when he 
felt a set of eyes on him.  Sweeping the room with an intense 
gaze, he saw a slight shadow in a dark corner.  Looking 
closely, he realized who it was.  (The princess of Saturn is 
here, huh.  Since she took up the mantle I didn't expect her 
to be.  And she looks lonely.  Well, I can solve that.)  A 
slight smile crossed his face.  (It will be easier to get to 
the Queen from across the dance floor.)  He watched with an 
amused air as he saw her eyes widen as she realized that he 
was heading straight for her.  When he got within a few feet 
of her Tomas gave her a sweeping bow fit for any of Royalty.  
"Would you like to dance, Lady Saturn?"  Tomas rose from his 
bow to gaze at her with his green eyes.

	Saturn found herself lost within their depth.  His 
eyes sent a shiver through her as she saw something deep within.  
It was something that she was sure she wasn't supposed to see.  
It was death.  But it was not directed at her.  All that was 
directed at her was concern and respect. There wasn't any fear 
showing.  That was something she hadn't seen since the mantle 
came to her.  Without even making a consious decision she nodded 
and took his out stretched hand.

	Tomas smiled as he led her on to the floor.  (Well, all 
is going right so far.  I just hope the Lady is right about this. 
I'd hate to waist the night with at this damn ball.)  As the 
music picked up he led her through one of the less complicated 
dances that were currently popular in the Inner System.  His 
training by the Lady had been very complete and he could act in 
almost any social situation.  The key of the dance that he had 
chosen is that it maneuvered him near Queen Serenity.  In the 
space of three minuets he was in place for the operation to begin.  
(Now all we need is the guest of honor to make this party complete.)

	Saturn felt as though she was floating through the air.  
She had never thought that she could dance so gracefully.  She 
had been an indifferent student of formal dances while on Saturn 
even though she was the princess.  This was different, though.  
The young man who had asked her to dance was graceful beyond compare, 
but she knew that he was somehow making her look like she was as 
well versed in the dance as he was.  The first song came to an end, 
and a second started.  She was surprised that he didn't stop the 
dance but had it flow into something completely new.  

	Tomas on the other hand, was completely indifferent to the 
dance.  He had just spied the target.  Using a set of hand signals 
they had developed over the years, Tomas directed Ranma to the 
unlucky fellow who got their attention.  He wasn't much to look at, 
a plain sort of face with deep brown hair and pale skin.  Not that 
his looks meant much to the two aside from identification.

	The attack happened almost to fast for Tomas to see it.  
The dart gun was up and aimed at the Queen in lees then a second.  
Tomas shoved Saturn to the floor and dove between Serenity and the 
assassin.  Even as the dart penetrated his shoulder and pierced the 
joint his hand raised to point above the man's head.  "BLACK 
FIREBALL!"  A giant ball of black flames sped from his hand to slam 
into the arch above the assassin and collapse it before he could 
dive through.

	Ranma, moving at the same time Tomas did, sprinted at the 
assassin.  Three of what appeared to be glowing claws appeared from 
his hand extending to almost a foot in length.  He reached the poor 
fool just as the man turned from the ruined doorway.  The three 
claws slid into the man's stomach and appeared on the other side.  
Ranma then shot his hand up as if hitting with an upper cut slicing 
through numerous vital organs and finally the mans head.

	Immediately after the man dropped Ranma began going through his pockets 
in a search for identification and something more.  Tomas, with the dart still 
imbedded in his shoulder came up to him.  "Well?  Is it on him?"

	Ranma pulled out a piece of paper and glanced over it.  He 
nodded his head and glanced at the other black suited young man.  
Reaching up he pulled the dart out and made a quick gesture over 
the area it had been in.  "Poison's neutralized.  Joint's repaired.  
You'll be fine, if a bit sore.  And we got it."  Tomas merely nodded 
in thanks and agreement.

	By this time the Senshi had recovered from their shock and 
moved toward the two.  Both ignored them as they didn't think of 
them as any type of threat to their mission.  After a few minuets 
of this, Uranus got annoyed and decided to let them know about it.  
"Who are you and just what happened here?"

	Tomas spoke in a quiet voice.  "Back off Uranus, if you know 
what's good for you."  Angered at this her hand went forward to turn 
him around, only to find herself smashed against the wall and a ball 
of black fire held less than a foot from her face.  "Attempt to 
touch me again and I will kill you.  I take no pity on the weak 
such as yourself."

	From across the room another voice called out.  "Enough!"  The voice was 
stern, commanding, and hard.  The ball of flames disappeared and both boys in 
black stood and came to attention facing the Senshi of Time.  As one they spoke 
out.

	"Lady Pluto."

	She walked up to them and stood there for a moment looking 
them over.  Finally she broke the quiet.  "Very good.  I will see 
you at home."  She raised the Time Key and both young men vanished 
into the light.  Serenity raised an eyebrow but said nothing.  "It 
is a long story, Your Majesty, if you have time."

	"Please, Pluto, begin."

***

	Ranma and Tomas were lounging in a specious room.  They were 
each seated in a comfortable chair in front of a wooden desk.  They 
had changed out of their Formal clothing and were in loose jet black 
fighting clothes.  Tomas had his feet up on the desk while Ranma's 
were under it.  There was a soft snoring from both of them 
indicating sleep.  Pluto sighed as she stood in the doorway.  (I 
know I told them to relax while here in my palace, but this is 
ridiculous.  They should never be this relaxed.  And putting his 
feet on my desk!  Just who does Tomas think he is?)  Sighing once 
more, she moved to sit behind her desk and sat down.

	Ranma was the first to awaken.  Looking at Pluto for a 
moment, he reached over and tipped Tomas's chair.

	"Hey!  What the hell did you do that for?"

	Ranma sighed.  "Get up, Lady Pluto's here.  And you 
shouldn't put your feet on her desk."  Tomas picked up his chair and 
sat back down.  Pluto looked at the two before starting.

	"What went wrong in there?  This was supposed to be a silent 
mission.  Tomas, you were to spot the target, and Ranma, you were to 
capture him, ALIVE.  What happened?"

	"Well, Tomas here decided to change the plan.  If he had 
gone with what we agreed to this wouldn't have happened."

	"Hey Ranma, I did my part!  How can you complain that I 
enjoyed myself some too?"

	"You were dancing with Saturn, and then you threatened 
Uranus.  We weren't supposed to be near ANY of the Senshi.  We've 
been exposed!"

	"Hey, all they know is that a couple of guys who work for 
Setsuna stopped an assassination attempt by some unknown guy.  They 
didn't get our names, so why does it matter.

	Pluto gazed over the two.  She didn't want to do this, but 
the Queen had requested.  "I have your next missions lined up for 
you.  These are at Serenity's request, so don't complain."

	Ranma raised an eyebrow.  "What do you mean by missions?  
That's more than one."

	Pluto looked them over.  They were her greatest pieces of 
work.  Relaxed when not threatened by anything and deadly serious 
when on a mission.  Each of them had two different people inside.  
"The two of you are going to be split up.  It will most likely last 
until the Reckoning.  There may be a mission or two that will 
require both of you, but it is unlikely.  Ranma, as soon as were 
done here you will be getting on a flight for Saturn.  Queen 
Serenity has informed me that the people of Saturn are growing 
worried about their Senshi.  We all know the Prophecy and they 
fear that it is beginning to take place.  You will stand watch 
over Karinna until I say otherwise.  You are not to let her know 
that you are there if at all possible.  I have had you enrolled 
in her current school as an exchange student from here."

	Ranma's face twisted with disgust.  "Yuck, school?  I've 
already gone through your college courses, why do I need to go to 
high school again?"

	"Because the person you are assigned to watch over will be 
there for seven hours everyday, and you are too young to be 
assigned a position in anything else in the school.  Don't worry, 
you should be fine."

	"I suppose that you have a cover identity for me?"

	Pluto looked him square in the eyes.  "I did not have 
enough time to do anymore than set you up to get past customs.  
You're going to have to handle the rest yourself, Ranma."  A smirk 
crossed her face.  "Maybe you should have paid better attention when 
those computer lessons were given?  I wish that I could be there 
to watch you try to hack into Saturn's computer database.  It should 
be interesting,"

	"Excuse me for interrupting, Setsuna, but why did you choose 
Ranma for this and not me?"

	"Because of two things, Tomas.  First, it would have been 
near impossible to clear your weapons for the Saturn Customs Agents. 
The second was your little dance with Saturn.  She is much more 
likely to remember your face than Ranma's if she even saw his.  I 
have another job for you?"

	"Oh, and just what is it?"

	An evil look came across her face.  "You've been assigned 
guard over Princess Serenity."

	"WHAT!!!"  Shock was written all over his face.  Ranma, on 
the other hand, was cracking up.  "Why am I supposed to watch over 
her?  That's the Inner Senshi's job!"

	"Your not the only one who is upset by this, Tomas.  The 
Queen has also requested that I remain at the palace with you.  
She doesn't feel that you alone are capable to guard her daughter 
even with the Inner Senshi there.  I was barely able to convince her 
not to strip the Outer Planets of their Senshi as well for her extra 
guard duty.  The attack earlier has seriously shaken her up."

	Ranma was still chuckling at the thought of Tomas at the 
Court of Serenity.  "Well, I guess that going to school won't be 
so bad after all.  At least I won't have to sit through boring 
palace balls and functions.  And I won't have to put up with any 
of the other Senshi, either.  I really feel bad for you, Tomas."

	Pluto sighed.  She was going to miss the banter of her two 
wards, though she had stopped thinking of them as that a long time 
ago.  They were the only friends that she truly had, and the only 
ones she could fully trust.  When the three were alone, all shells 
were dropped and they all relaxed.  Now they were going to have to 
be on constant guard.

	"The two of you go get packed.  Tomas, we're leaving as soon 
as Ranma's gone.  I want you in your full battle gear.  You're going 
to be presented to the court, and I want to make a lasting 
impression right from the start.  Ranma, I'll see you off."  The 
two got up gave her a small bow and left.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

	Ranma gazed out the window of the transport as Pluto dropped 
away.  (Such a barren place.  It's a wonder that anything can even 
survive this far from the sun.  It seems so black and lonely here 
in space.  I'm going to be so far from home.)  After the atmosphere 
was breached Ranma released his safety straps and headed toward 
the cockpit.  Upon entering he approached the captain of the vessel. 
At the sound of foot steps, the captain turned and saluted his 
passenger.  Ranma returned it lazily.  "Captain, could you clear a 
long range terminal for my use?  I need to make some arrangements 
for when we arrive on Saturn."

	"Of course, My Lord."  He turned toward the communications 
man.  "Lieutenant, clear out so our passenger can use your 
equipment.  He has business to take care of."  The Lieutenant 
obediently moved from his main station to a back up one over by the 
weapons command.  Ranma, in turn, took over the console.

	(Now, lets see what I can do about getting somewhere to 
live.)  He started typing into the console bringing up a listing 
of available apartments in the Shallang district of the capital.  
(Hmm, that's nice.  Two bed, full bath, and a kitchen.  Oh, that 
one's just as good.  I wonder, what would be the best?)  He 
continued to leaf through until one caught his eye.  (Here we go!  
One bed, full bath, full kitchen, a mile from the palace and a half 
mile from the school.  It'll do nicely.  Now lets see ... THAT MUCH!)
The price of the apartment shocked Ranma so much that he started to 
mumble out loud.  The pilot, who was close enough to hear a bit, 
only caught some stuff about extortion and that he was glad he 
wasn't going to be paying for it. The price of the apartment shocked 
Ranma so much that he started to mumble out loud.  The pilot, who 
was close enough to hear a bit, only caught some stuff about 
extortion and that he was glad he wasn't going to be paying for it.  
(Well, I've got a place to live now, so I can worry about other 
things later.  Getting through customs will be a breeze.  Have more 
than enough clothes, though I need to pick up a uniform for school.  
Man, that's disgusting, me in a school uniform.  I don't need to 
stick out, though.)

	Ranma gazed out the view port as the planet Neptune floated 
past in the sea of stars.  Only a few hours left, and he would be 
starting another mission.  (Sigh, I wonder how Tomas is handling 
his end.  It must be pretty boring.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

        Boring was not a word Tomas would have chosen at that 
moment.  He was more inclined to go with his brain turning into 
mush.  The lower court functionary just couldn't get it through his 
brain that Tomas's sword wasn't going anywhere without the wielder.  
(And I thought paper work in customs was bad.  Why did Setsuna leave 
me to deal with this crap.)  Finally he had had enough and leveled 
a stare at the little man who was annoying him.  It was the same 
stare that he had given Sailor Uranus a few hours before.  The stare 
seemed to say 'I can tear you to shreds and the only thing stopping 
me from doing so is the mess you'd make on the carpet.'  A dark 
stain appeared on the functionary's pants, and the man quickly left 
to go change.  Tomas smiled slightly in satisfaction.  It was then 
that the door opened.  His face went hard, showing the warrior that 
lay underneath the young flesh.  A royal guardsman motioned him to 
enter the throne room.

	It was his first time entering the Grand Hall.  As he 
stepped through the door, his eyes started looking for all entrances 
and crevasses large enough to hide a person.  Unlike the ballroom, 
this was well designed.  There was no place that his eyes could see 
that an assassin could hide, and there were only two doors into the 
room.  It would be easy to defend against attacks.  He then swept 
his eyes over the people.

	There were hundreds in the room.  Lords and Ladies from 
every planet were in attendance and there were others besides.  
Tomas was sure that a number of them were rich merchants who had 
gained enough power to be present.  As his eyes moved forward, he 
thanked Pluto for all the training she had given him.  It kept him 
from groaning aloud.  All of the Senshi were in attendance.  He 
ignored the look of surprise on Saturn's face and the sneer on 
Uranus's.  He was better than that.  He looked to gage the other 
Senshi's reactions to his presence.  He could easily see that none 
of them were really happy with him being there, but they could see 
his strength.  He was flowing across the floor with a grace that 
none of them possessed, and his movements were like a tiger about 
to strike.  He radiated power to all those who could sense it.  
Even to those without the abilities of a well-trained warrior, he
 was a sight to behold.

	Tomas's armor was jet black.  It was as though the void of 
a black hole had been melded onto his armor.  It was tight fitting, 
almost skin tight.  Everyone could tell that he had well developed 
muscles.  The armor went up to his cheeks and then across his nose 
so that only the area around his eyes could be seen.  The only 
color upon it were a pair of night blue bracers over the forearms 
of his armor, and a white sword hilt that was over his right 
shoulder.

	As he approached Queen Serenity's throne his mask seemed to 
melt back so that his entire head and neck were bare.  He knelt at 
the base of the raised circle her throne was on and bowed his head.  
"Your Majesty requested my presence."  He was genuinely surprised 
when she gave him a warm smile.

	"So you are one of the Knights of Pluto.  I can tell that 
you a extremely powerful, perhaps more so than even my Senshi.  
Your training must have been hard."

	"It was worth it, Your Majesty."  (What's with this Knight 
of Pluto crap.  I'm not even a soldier, heck Pluto's Military Staff 
doesn't even know me and Ranma exist.  And are they going to be 
upset when they find out.)

	"I requested your presence for an important reason.  Do you 
know what it is?"

	"No Your Majesty, I did not inquire.  It is not my place to 
question your actions.  (At least, not to your face.)

	"I want you to take command of the Planetary Knights.  There 
are two Knights for each planet.  Serenity has informed me of your 
abilities and I feel that you would be able to do much good with 
the position.  Will you take up this burden?"

	Tomas ignored the mummer of the people around him.  He had 
to have time to think about what he was going to do.  He didn't 
want to be placed upon a spot of authority.  It was his nature to 
work in the shadows when he could.  But he couldn't form a rift 
between himself and the Queen either.  Setsuna had been very 
specific with that before they had arrived.  (I hate this, I really 
do.  This is going to make my life hell, but I've no choice in the 
matter.)  He glanced out of the edge of his eye at Sailor Pluto, 
who slightly nodded.  "I accept, Your Majesty.  I hope that I can 
do you proud.

	"I am sure that you will do just fine, Captain."
---------------------------------------------------------------------

	Ranma sighed as he stood in line at customs.  (I hate this, 
I really do.  Why can't they ever make these things go smoother?)  
He adjusted his pack and walked his two steps forward as someone 
else got through.  (Only four more to go.)  "Sigh."  He checked his 
watch for what seemed to be the hundredth time.  (Wow, I've only 
been in this line for two hours.  I guess its going quicker than 
normal.)


	Finally, after another fifteen minuets, Ranma had made it up
to the customs counter.  He smiled at the young woman as he handed 
her his passport.  (I hope the name Setsuna set me up with is in 
there.  This will be pretty embarrassing if it isn't.)  The customs 
agent handed him back his passport.

	"I have a few questions I need to ask you."

	"Go ahead."

	"Do you have anything to declare while you're coming in?"

	"Yes, I have brought my family katana with me.  I have the 
proper documents if you need them."  (Even though it's marked on my 
passport.)

	"That won't be necessary.  Are you carrying anything given 
to you by a stranger?"

	"No."

	"How long will you be remaining here on Saturn?"

	"Indefinite.  I'll be attending my last year of high school 
here, and I may decided to enter an academy here afterwards as 
well."  The agent went over her information again and then waved him 
through. 

	Ranma smiled as he walked through the halls of the 
spaceport.  Saturn's intense cloud cover gave everything a unique 
lighting scheme that caused him to look at things in a new light.  
He pulled his brown cloak tighter over his clothes.  (No need to 
let people know things that they shouldn't, like my personal body 
armor.  My apartment should be ready by now.  I'll stop by there 
first and get the papers and deeds done with and then go and do 
some shopping.)  His stomach chose that precise moment to make
itself known.  The growling got him some strange looks and he
amended his plans to include dinner first.

****

	Ranma looked around his barren apartment and sighed.  "I
wish the furniture would come sooner than it will.  Three days is
a long time to go without anything to sit on but the floor.  Oh,
well, time to go to work."  Ranma walked over to his closet and
removed a suit of thin black material.

     After removing his clothes he pulled it on.  The suit fit him
like a second layer of skin.  All of his muscles could be seen.  He
then reached beyond what the small closet should have allowed and
removed a harder, though still thin, set of armor.  Pulling this suit
over the previous one, he moved toward his balcony door.  Ranma paused
for a moment and concentrated.  The hard suit, which had been blocky
and ungainly before seemed to flow so that it too fit him like another
layer of skin.  Around his forearms bracers the color of blood seemed
to flow from the blackness.  From his shoulders came a helm that
couldn't be justly called such a thing.  It formed around his head
making him look like a bird of prey more than a man.  From the face,
a pair of midnight blue eyes seemed to open up.  With this armor he
could survive even the majority of the Sailor Senshi's attacks.
Walking to the end of his balcony, he hopped lightly on to the rail,
and then jumped to the roof of the building across the street.
Landing without a sound, Ranma proceeded to head to the palace of the
royal family of Saturn.

Upon reaching the palace he noticed two things.  First, it was lightly
guarded.  (No real surprises there since the Senshi of Creation and
Destruction normally lives here.  You'd have to be a fool to attack this
place.)  The second thing he noticed was that the wing where the Royal
family lived was completely dark.  (That wouldn't be unless they weren't
here.  The servants would make sure of it.  Guess this means I get a
few days with no duty.)  With out the one he was assigned to watch over
on planet, Ranma headed back to his apartment to get some sleep.  After
all, he had school in the morning.

Author's Notes:
There you go, the complete Chapter 1.  Let me hear from you.  I want to
know what you think of it.