Leena's voiceover: My, what an interesting group I'm traveling with. But it certainly got more interesting as we sought out passage to the mainland, and then encountered this strange priest who called himself Xellos. Apparently a few of my companions knew much of Xellos, and one of them really didn't like him. I wonder why. Anyway this Xellos said we must split into two groups and enter different portals. I don't know what he wants but obviously it is already becoming an exciting adventure. I just wonder what the Digivice does? <><><> (Opening theme : Chrono Cross Scars Left By Time) We see a book that slowly flips open, then a page lands to settle on the pages below. Then, a voice starts to speak. A deep voice: When was the start of this? When did the cogs of fate begin to turn? Perhaps it is impossible to grasp that answer now, For deep within the flow of time... But, for a certainty, back then We loved so many, and hated so much, We hurt others and were hurt ourselves... But even then, we ran like the wind Whilst our laughter echoed under Cerulean Skies. We see Ash, his hair being blown in the wind as he stands at the front of the Highwind deck. Then we see the Eight Dragon Gods floating in the skies. We see a beam of light lance out in the middle of the ocean, Muu's palace floating in the middle of it. We see Misty slash two monsters and cast a bolt of blue ice at another. We see the Digidestined from left to right. We see Tenchi and Kagato fighting one on one. We see the Lunar Senshi fighting monsters. We see Serge, Leena, Kid, Crono, Lucca, Marle. We see hordes of monsters. We see the Transformed Dragon Armors. We see Tai and the others. We see Ash standing atop a tall tower, looking outwards. We see a giant eye opening. We see the Masamune before it. We see the Digidestined Digitizing. We see the Digimon. We see the Pokemon. We see the Monsters. We see...FATE. We see Lavos. We see Muu. We see Two worlds spiraling as one, with a golden figure overlooking it. We see a strange golden object in the middle of the screen. We see Ken and Muu's face overlapping his own. We see darkness enshrouding the world. We see a shot of Misty on the beach, then she turns towards the screen, holding her hands out, the picture going into the depths of her blue eyes. We see shots of Ash, Misty, Brock, Ranma, Genki, Duplica, Mike and Leena turning around, flames in the background. We see the Highwind entering the light and Ash collapsing, the brilliant white light encircling the Highwind as the picture goes to the Pokemon Cross logo. Magic Tech Productions...... BKN Network 4Kids and Fox Corporation the creators of Tenchi Muyo and Ranma 1/2 and Squaresoft Incorporated Proudly Presents Pokemon Cross the direct sequel to the series Pokemon 152 - ? 2000 <><><> Episode 8 : Future Tense! Rebels Against Destiny! <><><> "By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked comes this way," Mike muttered in the darkness where they had emerged. Up ahead, Ranma lead the group, shining a flashlight back and forth. Soon, they came to a large stone wall. Misty sighed in frustration. "Now what?" she asked. Leena moved towards the wall and felt around it. "When Serge and I were kids," she began, "there were always ruins near the Hydra Marshes. They've been long since torn down. But as kids, we went and played in the ruins, finding secret passageways through the AHA!" Leena crowed triumphantly as she found a small hairline crack in the wall. "C'mon, help me push!" Together, the combined weight of the four was able to push the massive stone doors open. What greeted them was a horrible sight. The land before them was desolate, burned out homes, shattered glass, dead trees, and a multitude of skeletons littering the landscape, many buried in the lifeless soil. Leena gasped in horror while Misty shook her head. Mike took a deep breath and Ranma's expression turned hard. "It's wasteland," Leena said. "Obviously Muu's won." Mike shook his head. "But then, why in the world did Xellos send us here?" "I don't know," Ranma growled. "C'mon, lets go and find some semblance of a human settlement." The group walked in silence, quickly dispatching random monsters and picking up the items they had dropped before the sound of yells and energy blasts were heard. "Someone's up ahead," Mike said, checking the charge on his weapon. "Let's check it out. Misty and I'll take point. Mike and Leena, you two hang a bit back and use the magic that was given to you. Okay, lets go." Crossing the ridge of the hill, there were two people in fatigues, being attacked by a group of ugly mutated soldiers. "Lets do it." Ranma stood up, cracked his knuckles and flipped down from the ridge with a battle cry. The other three followed in a less flashy way, not capable of the same acrobatics of their companion. Ranma found himself face to face with an ugly foot soldier as he delivered a few rapid punches to the face and body, delivering a vicious spin kick that knocked the creature away. "Have a nice trip! See you next fall!" Misty found herself embroiled in a sword fight that quickly ended as she knocked away the blade and brought the hilt down on its head. "Sorry, you lose." Mike and Leena covered each other's back as Mike laid down a barrage of weapons fire and Leena used her Ice Magic to scar the surrounding area. Soon, the mutants had retreated as Ranma grinned and turned to the people, only to find a blaster pointed at them. He raised his hands, the gesture copied by the other three. "Glad to see human trust hasn't changed any," he grumbled. "Who are you?" the man growled as his companion shifted her stance to cover them better. "My name's Ranma Saotome.... we're on a journey and it would be much appreciated if you wouldn't point that thing at me." The man's glare and the blaster didn't move as the pigtailed teen sighed. 'Man. Why is it that trust is so hard to get? I outta fireball their heads and... wait, what am I thinking?' "We're trying to stop Muu," Misty said. The woman snorted. "Too late for that missy," the woman sneered. "Muu's won already." "Then why in the world are you still fighting him?" Mike asked, earning the blaster in his face. "Kaitlyn," the man said, "lets hear them out first." He cleared his throat. "My name is Ryan Steele, this is my companion Kaitlyn Star." He grinned ever so slightly, making the best of a worse situation. "Welcome to Cross World City, or what's left of it." "Nice to meet you," Ranma said. "Um, can we put our hands down now?" <><><> ATE : Disorientation Home World: 2003 AD "Man, I hate that," Ash grunted as he picked himself off the ground. "Where in the world are we?" Genki asked, grabbing his hat where it had fallen. "I don't know, looks like a city," Duplica said. "Hey, there's a town map." She walked over to it, followed by the other three. "Welcome to Charterville." "We're in the US?" Brock said, scratching his head, confused. "Could have been worse I suppose. At least it seem we're back in our world. Ash, can you contact the Phoenix?" "Already did," Pikachu replied from his resumed perch on Ash's head. "Auto pilot should home in on our signal within an hour or so, depending on how far inland we are." "Did you try and reach any of the other Destined?" Brock asked. "Richie, Tracy, anyone?" Pikachu tapped the Pokegear he held in his small paws but then spat out a Pikaneese curse, smacking the side of the Pokegear. "The batteries are dead. At least the Phoenix locked in our co-ordinates before it died." "And I left mine at home," Brock groaned. "Just great. Anyone have anything else besides Yen?" "Just G's, and those won't help at all," Genki said, shuffling through the large coin purse he carried at his side. "Unless we wanna find a bank and see how much they give for one Gold Coin." "I suppose that's the best option.... does anyone speak English?" Ash asked. "I do," Duplica said. "Me and Ditto have done a few performances in Hawaii in the past so we needed to learn. I would have thought you three would have learned by now?" The three boys and the Pikachu rubbed the back of their heads embarrassed. "Not really," Ash said, grinning foolishly. "We haven't had a chance to do so." "Great...." Duplica sighed, Ditto echoing her exasperation. <><><> ATE: Awakenings Over the other side of the Pacific, the Phoenix sat in the hanger in the Indigo Island. It was undergoing some maintenance and repairs. Two technicians were inside the cockpit, doing some checking over the Phoenix's computer systems. Then suddenly, he awoke. "YAAAAWWWNNN!" In the cockpit, a red haired man wearing a black-blue mantle and a white outfit materialized in the air. He stretched out his arms, seemingly tired from what seemed to him a long rest. The technicians just stared at him, thinking him an intruder of some sort. "Whaa... where did you come from?" one the technicians stuttered. "Huh?" The red haired man finally took note of his surroundings, and that he wasn't alone. In a quick motion, he leapt back from them and pulled out what could be a lightsaber. "Who are you? What are you doing to the Light Ship Phoenix?" The technicians were frightened. "Please don't hurt us. We are only here to maintain it and keep it running. Who are you?" "The name Kane Blueriver, one of the assistants to the Gurus, the group of scientists who developed this ship, and now part of it's computer systems. It's my job to protect this craft from those who would abuse its power." Suddenly an onboard light on the control panel indicated that someone was calling for the aircraft to fly to a particular location. "What's this? Someone's calling for this ship. Hmm... might as well respond and see who's been using the Phoenix for the past four years." With that the Phoenix's engines started up and prepared for takeoff, scaring everyone outside the Phoenix. "You can't... we haven't finished maintaining..." The technicians' words were cut off as Kane teleported the two people out of the cockpit. With that he climbed into the pilot's chair. "Now, let's see if you are worthy to fly the Phoenix." <><><> Another World: 2100 AD - Rebel HQ "Cross World City is under the jurisdiction of Jadeite," Ryan Steele explained as the four sat down before a large map. The earth was displayed, segmented into four distinct sections. "Most of North and South America with the surrounding Island Chains are under Jadeite's control. The Asia islands and most of Asia is Rizo's. Russia and both Poles are under the control of Wiseman. And most of the seas and the lower countries, Australia, India, Africa, and many others are under Kagato's control, though he rules the space colonies as well." "I see.... what does Muu control?" Ranma asked. "That is an interesting question actually," Ryan said, pointing to the map. "There does not seem to be a specific territory of Muu's, save for the fact that the Big Bad Four are under his control and he commands them from some secret base hidden somewhere on the earth. We've used a cloaked satellite to try and find it but there hasn't been any success as of yet." "I've noticed there's a lot of small blue dots in every area of the world," Misty said. "Are those rebel bases?" "Yes. The biggest one is Haven, the main staging ground of the rebels." Ryan sighed. "Some of our best scientists are there, Egon Spengler, Justin Stewart, my father, Tyler Steele. They are trying to develop powered armor that can help with the rebellion. Haven also doubles as a refuge for the people who want to live in relative peace." Ranma nodded and then thought. "How well equipped are you here?" Ryan sighed. "Not as well as we want. There is a sizable cache of rocket launchers and Blaster Rifles, a blaster for each person here. But blaster energy doesn't come easy since they empty out quickly. Several older weapons like Gunblades, Swords, Lances, Rapiers, Gloves, Claws, Staves and Rods are in storage. We don't have many who can use a weapon like that very easily so I'll have Kaitlyn bring you to the armory to pick up some new weapons." Ryan sighed. "I suppose we can let you all rest before we do so. Feel free to wander the base, there's a medicine/weapon shop on level B2 and a Synthisist on level B3. The Inn is downstairs on level B1." "Thank you for trusting us," Mike said, getting up. "We don't trust you at all," Ryan said, "But you did help us back there. Meet back here after resting up." <><><> ATE : Mixed Feelings "It's such a dreary world Eevee," Mike said as they wandered the place. "But some of them seem to be having fun." "I cook good food!" One person, a strange creature with no discernable gender said. It had a long red tongue that hung limply from its open mouth. It also wore a strange chef's outfit as well. The men and women who were around the table were laughing. "Man, Quan cooks the best food!" one man said, taking a big bite of the food set before him. "Mmm, s/he really knows s/he's spices!" "I guess people do make the best of it," Mike said as Eevee made a confirming sound. <><><> ATE : What's A Synthisist? "Wow, those are some nice weapons," Misty said, looking over the items in question. "Can I buy this one?" The man shook his head. "Nope, that's only for display. Give me a Rapier and a Mythril Dagger and I can Synth the weapon for you." "Synth the weapon?" Misty asked, confused. "You don't know about Synthisists?" The man asked, blinking. "Wow, where did you come from? There's been Synthisists all over the place since 1000 AD." "Um... I've been traveling and training.... in the mountains... yeah, that's it!" The man just looked at her strangely and shrugged. "None of my business. So, if you want, fifty G's will get you the Dagger. Buy it from the weapon/med shop upstairs, come back and I'll make it for 500 G. Okay?" "Thank you sir!" Misty said, bowing. <><><> ATE : Card Games "Ha!" One man shouted, slapping down a card. Two magical numbers appeared and the cards changed color. Then, the rest of them flipped over into blue as the other man groaned. "A Perfect Game!" "What's going on?" Ranma asked a nearby man who watched the pair play cards. "Card Freak Gon is really cleaning up his opponents!" One of the men said. "Anyone who challenges him is out of their minds!" Ranma shrugged. "Looks complex." 'Heh, this game makes the Pokemon Trading Card Game look simple.' he thought. <><><> ATE : Cooking Lessons Leena wandered into the kitchen when suddenly, the Qu known as Quan appeared before her. "What you do in kitchen?" "Ack!" Leena jumped back suddenly. Then, Quan chuckled. "Is good reflexes. I Quan, chef of place. You is?" "I'm Leena," she said. Quan looked at the Frying Pan she held in her hands and nodded. "Is good. You on path of Gourmand. Quan like you, give you this." S/he produced a large kitchen utencil and Leena blinked. "A Giant Fork?" she asked. "Is traditional weapon of Qu," Quan explained. "Give Frying Pan, take Bistro Fork." Leena took the large weapon and said, "It's light." "Is good, but come with randomizing damage. All fork do so." Quan rotated his large tongue. "You come, I teach Blue Magic." Leena groaned inwardly. 'What have I gotten myself into?' <><><> "Here's the Inn," Ranma said, flopping down onto the bed provided to him. In came Mike and Eevee who flopped down on the bed beside him. "It's amazing how people can make the best of things here in such a decimated place," Mike said. "Yeah, that's true enough." "Hi guys!" Misty said, walking in, holding a large double bladed staff. The pair blinked as Ranma asked, "The hell is that?" "It's called the Ogre. It's really cool actually." "Okay...." Then, Leena stumbled in, looking a bit green. "What's wrong Leena?" Mike asked. "I've been learning Blue Magic," Leena said, lurching into the bathroom, dropping the Bistro Fork on the ground. A retching sound was heard accompanied with a flush of a toilet. She came out, still looking a bit green and said, "Did you know you have to use an Eat Technique to learn Blue Magic? Sure some of those monsters were good and all but Quan said I had to learn as much as I could." She crawled into bed and groaned. "Wake me at the next attack." "You've been eating Monsters?!" Mike said, aghast. Misty and Ranma weren't better off, gaping as well. "What in the world for?!" "Urk.... Blue Magic Training. You Eat a monster through a magical technique and you can use a new technique. I've learned Angel Snack, Mantra Magic, Bad Breath, Goblin Punch and Mighty Guard already...." Leena buried her head in her pillow. "I have to Eat almost every type of monster to find new techniques." "Ergh, talk about your indigestion. How in the world did you get stuck learning that crap?" Ranma asked. "Quan thought I was on the road to becoming a Gourmand. He gave me that giant fork and taught me how to Eat creatures Magically. I think it was designed for Qu's only to learn." She turned green and dashed out of bed, slamming the bathroom door behind her. "Aw man, that's disgusting," Mike groaned. Misty only sighed as she laid her weapon on the side of the door. "Wonder if I can store this in subspace?" she muttered to herself as Leena went into violently ill heaves once again. <><><> Hours later... "You guys are from a different world and a different time as well? That's probably the most absurd thing I heard!" Ryan said, as he and a few men escorted the Digidestined down the hall. "Hey, you guys been fighting Muu for a long while. Why don't you have an open mind?" Misty retorted. "..." "That's what I thought." Ryan sighed as he let the group into the war room. Strategy Meetings. Something he hated since his days as the Blue Trooper. But with some reluctance, he turned to the first man, William Cranston on his right. "Hello Ryan. What's with those four?" "They intercepted one of Muu's patrol teams. Whoever they are, they claim to be fighting Muu as well, although from another world and time." "Quite interesting." "Anyway what do we have exactly on Muu's big bad four? These four want to be filled in as much as possible?" William made a motion as if to push up a pair of glasses before he cleared his throat. "As you know, Muu's big bad four include Jadeite, Wiseman, Kagato, and Rizo. The first two, Jadeite and Wiseman, are enemies of the infamous Sailor Senshi over a hundred twenty five years ago. Jadeite has two right hand men under him, Kunzite, and Zoiscite. They too were enemies of the Sailor Senshi." Ryan nodded as JB asked, "How do you all know that?" "Because I used to work with those three under Beryl's command, the one who sent us against the Sailor Senshi." another person responded. The man walked out. He had long auburn hair that was tied in a ponytail and was dressed in combat fatigues. "Nephrite, nice to see you back." Ryan said, nodding to the man who nodded back. "As am I. It is hard to recover any information these days." He cleared his throat. "Anyways, the reason I'm not your enemy now is that I was freed from my evil bond to Beryl by a young girls love. In the end I was killed by Zoiscite." "Huh?!" was the general consensus as Ryan held up a hand to silence the room. "Yes, we were all killed, but I was the only one freed from Beryl's influence, and Jadeite was placed under Eternal Sleep for failing to kill the Senshi." JB nodded. "That explains how he's alive today, but not the others." "That's another story. Anyway, according to our sources, Wiseman led the Dark Moon Family, the group who fought the Sailor Senshi after Beryl. He's supposed to be destroyed as well. And there's Kagato, a former associate of Washu, the universe's greatest genius, who turned criminal over a couple of ten thousands years ago. He was supposedly killed by members of the house of Jurai, who was living on earth as normal humans. And finally, there is Rizo, a mystery in himself. All we know that he's used to be in charge of searching for the Gorn Nova, before Kagato took that job." "Wait a minute, the Gorn Nova?!" the Digidestined said together, blinking. "You heard of the Gorn Nova? Do you know what it is?" Nephrite asked of the group. Misty nodded. "I believe that is what the Mazoku call Gourry's Sword of Light." "You mean that Gorn Nova? Yeah... like Slayers Try, the Gorn Nova being one of five weapons created by Dark Star." JB threw up his hands. "This is so bogus." "JB," Ryan said. "Hey hey hey... Slayers isn't real, so is the Gorn Nova. He must be referring to something else." William adjusted the pencil that stuck out from his ear. "It must be some kind of device someone code named it." "Hey, for your information, the Slayers world is real. In fact the events actually occurred ten thousand years ago in this world and our world as well," Ranma declared. The three of them blinked as Nephrite shook his head. "I know, I was there," he said with some resignation. "Naga was such a pain in the rear. She thought I was Lina Inverse." "...." the room said. "That can't be true." "But it is. How did you think we got here? By time and dimensional travel. That how we learned of the Slayers existence." Ryan cleared his throat. "Anyway, if it is the Gorn Nova, why is Muu looking for it? The Gorn Nova was taken back to its home dimension at the end of Slayers Try if the stories are true. Something must be up..." He stood. "How long ago since Muu started searching for it?" "According to the records I believe, he began immediately after he regained his body. But unfortunately nothing says if he actually found it or not." "You've done well Nephrite. If this Gorn Nova that Muu's looking for and the Sword of Light of Slayers are one and the same... we must find out if Muu has acquired it or not." <><><> ATE : Flight Plans "Whadda mean you don't trust us?" Ash exclaimed. He and the others surely didn't expect this of all things to happen. The Phoenix did arrive, but apparently there was a hidden sentient computer system inside, one who wasn't happy that the ship was used for the last four years. Kane Blueriver, the sentient computer system in question, crossed his arms. "I can't be sure you're going to use this ship for it's proper use." "For the love of Mike," Brock groaned. "Isn't there any way we can prove were not going to take out a small city?" Duplica turned to see a monster then begin it's rampage through the small town. She raised an eyebrow. "Offhand, if we beat that monster to a pulp, will that help?" Kane shrugged. "We'll see." Genki cracked his knuckles. "Someone's toast." With that, the four leapt at the comic book monster, it's eyes bugging out with shock. <><><> ATE : Oops "So.... how do we explain this to Professor Oak?" Biggs asked the other techs who sat around the docking bay. "You asking me? Not my fault you chickened out," Wedge said gruffly. "Oh man, the boss isn't gonna like this," Biggs groaned. "Got that right!" A hand came down and whapped the pair on the head. "You two are in enough hot water this time." "Aw man," the two techs groaned in unison as Cid dragged them out the docking bay door. <><><> ATE : Past Tense "Whoa, check this one out." Ranma, Mike and Leena leaned over Misty's shoulder as she brought up a recorded archive file. "It says here that during the year 2003 AD, Muu purged the world of anyone who was open enough or could wield magic." "I wonder why he wanted to kill everyone who could use magic?" Leena asked. "I don't have a clue," Mike said, "But I'm sure that's why there's no one here carrying elements." "The majority of elements are scattered around the world, or completely destroyed I would suppose," Ranma mused. "This is all very strange actually." The four shared a long silence. "If this isn't bad enough, take a look at this," Misty added, as she pulled up another file. It was an old newspaper article dated back in the 1970s. The groups stood in shock as they saw what the article was about. "Cousin Ash's parents in this world... and three of the Sailor Senshi... dead?" Ranma exclaimed. "Man... no wonder this world is messed up!" Mike remarked. <><><> "You're were AMBUSHED?!" "Sorry master Jadeite, but we didn't know where they came from. Not only that we needed to report to you about one of them." "And that is...?" "One of them seems to be a mage whose powers, if fully developed, can make him a dangerous threat." Jadeite placed his hands on this chin. This was certainly new. "Ready the Youma Mage forces. We must put an end to these rebels and hunt down this budding magic user at all cost!" "Yes, my lord." <><><> "Here's the Armory," Kaitlyn said, opening the heavy door. "Inside are several weapons for you to take. You can take any Elements, Potions and other such medicinal vials that you find." She then left the four as they started to prowl around the room. Ranma picked up a stave as he peered closely at it. "Hey," he said, earning a look from the others. "It looks like there's some sort of magical ability inside this weapon." Misty blinked as she removed the Ogre from her back and peered at her own weapon. "Same here. It says.... Thievery here." "Perhaps these are abilities we can use later," Mike said, testing out the new gun on a nearby rotted suit of armor. It sheared open nicely as he nodded. "Very nice." "There doesn't seem to be anything for me here," Leena said, stuffing a few water elementals into her pack. "Hey, Phoenix Downs." Suddenly, a pot rattled as Misty jumped back from it. "What in the world?" The pot rattled again and a muffled "Kupo" was heard. Mike picked up the lid as a white creature bounded out of the pot. "Thanks for letting me out of there, kupo!" "A Moogle?" Misty said in surprise. "It seems that there are quite many things in fiction that are real and we don't know about it," Mike added. "What's a Moogle doing here?" Leena asked. "I've heard of them but I never seen them before." "We Moogles are Fairies. We can't die, we're immortal. And most Moogles, once finding a nice place to live, settle down there for a long time. Kupo po po." The Moogle then withdrew a small carved flute and a letter. "This is a Moogle Flute. It'll call Mogou wherever you are. He runs a very convenient Mogshop for medicine and he sells Tents for you to sleep in whenever you're traveling on land. And I have a favor to ask." "Shoot," Ranma said. "I need a letter delivered to Atla. Can you do that for me?" "Where is he exactly?" Leena asked the Moogle. "He's in Crystal Tokyo, in Home World. We Moogles can also travel through time and space to visit our fairy counterparts. Kupo." "Crystal Tokyo?" The four chorused. Suddenly, an explosion rocked the room as Ranma grimaced. "An attack. You'd better get to safety Moogle." "My name is Kupo. Just remember that, it'll come in handy some time." Kupo then dashed out the door followed by the rest of the group. Mike grabbed a nearby man carrying a submachine gun. "What's going on?" he asked. "Jadeite has launched an attack! We're mobilizing the forces on the front lines!" Suddenly, a ball of energy appeared from the roof and then coalesced into a black robed figure with a pointy hat and burning yellow eyes. "KILL!" It bellowed, launching a gout of flame at the five. The man screamed as he was incinerated in an instant. Suddenly, the monster vanished in a deep red light as Ranma stood behind it, his stave pointed offensively at the monster, flames still burning off of the wooden surface. "C'mon, there's still more out there who need our help." With that, he turned and ran along with the others down the hall. <><><> "The War has been won," Rizo said, walking up behind the blonde general. "So why Jadeite, why do you continue this pointless attack?" Jadeite smirked. "I'm just doing my job, and that's to eliminate those rebel scum. Besides, did you feel it? A powerful presence?" Rizo nodded. "Yes. It seems one of another so-called powerful "magic users" that Muu absolutely hates has appeared." With that Rizo made no other comment as he melted into the shadows. Jadeite snorted. "Fool. He lets his opponents come back to attack him again and again. And he doesn't care for a fact that there is a potential threat against the might of Muu." He then looked at a troop of Youma Black Mages. "MAGES!" He bellowed, earning their attention. "Converge on the town center! We will destroy them all with a single blast!" "General," said a voice. Jadeite turned. "May I be of some service?" "Not yet Beatrix," he said. "You will take care of the vermin who opposes us last." "As you wish." Beatrix sighed. As the most skilled person in the former Arcadia Dragoons Lineage, she had no choice but to serve Jadeite when he came and razed Viper Mansion. She hated it with every bone in her body as it defied the code of honor she possessed. <><><> With a flurry of red light, the five attacking Youma Mages disappeared to the flurry of attacks. Misty then removed a potion from her bag and took a long drink of the stuff. "How many more people have evacuated?" she asked Ranma. "I lost count after seventeen," he admitted as he took down a few more with another fire attack. "There's no end to these guys!" Mike complained, loading his weapon. "And it's just gotten worse." The four looked up to see a woman in a dress and armor with a metal eyepatch on her right eye. "I am Lieutenant Commander Beatrix of Jadeite's Army. I have been ordered to fight you." "This is madness!" Leena protested. "You're a normal human being!" "I am one of the Four Devas of the Arcadia Dragoons since the beginning of General Vipers Devas!" Beatrix announced. "I.... cannot disobey General Jadeite." "As you wish." The four lined up as they stanced. Beatrix then pulled a sword from her belt. "We're not gonna go easy on you even though you're human." Misty warned. "Good. Let's begin." (BGM : Utah Saints "Mortal Kombat Theme") "If that's what you want gal. Mouko Takabisha... REVISED! CHI STORM!" With that Ranma lobbed chi blast after chi blast at the warrior women, who quickly dodged them, and started charging for Ranma. With a cry, Ranma rushed forwards, his staff whirling. The pair danced about, trading blows, wood to steel as he then sidestepped to allow Misty come in with a downward slash of her double bladed weapon. Beatrix parried the twin attacks as she rolled away, her sword biting into the ground where Mike had previously stood. Mike drew and fired a few rounds at her feet. Beatrix then leapt high into the air as she gathered energy into her weapon. "CLIMHAZZARD!" She shouted, bringing the weapon down in the middle of the group, a blast of golden energy shooting out from her weapon. The four yelled in shock as Leena threw up her arms. "Mighty Guard!" The attack hit them with punishing force as they braced themselves. Suddenly, Leena cried out as Beatrix's weapon slashed across her chest, only the protective magical barrier saving her from grievous harm. Mike then started to fire. "Leena!" he shouted. But then, Beatrix was in his face as she delivered a powerful punch into his face. "I'll get her! Staryu! I choose you!" Misty's starfish Pokemon appeared as she shouted, "Tackle attack!" With a "Hyia!" the Pokemon knocked the woman back into the wall. Beatrix grimaced as she swung her sword, the hilt of it smashing against the polished surface of the Pokemon. Staryu groaned as it slid down onto the ground. "Oh no Staryu!" Misty shouted. "Come," Beatrix said, mustering all the dignity she had. "Face me." Leena and Mike stumbled to their feet. "I have enough Magic left for one last Mighty Guard. We'll have to hit her with everything we have." She threw up her hands and the protective barrier formed around the four. Mike nodded as the four got into spellcasting stances. Mike crossed both arms and then pushed them out with blue light flaring about him. "Water Gun!" Misty clenched both hands as she spun about, pointing her hand at the woman. "Ice Beam!" Leena thrust both hands out. "Ice Barrage!" "Fireball!" Ranma exclaimed, pushing out one hand wreathed in flames. 'Beatrix, you're trying to throw the fight. I cannot let that happen.' Beatrix sighed but relented. "Yes General. I will obey." In a move of incredible acrobatics, she leapt over the attacks, charging her sword. "CLIMHAZZARD!" Then, it was all over. <><><> CRACK! BOOM! The sound of thunder and lightning crackled over the battlefield, as dark storm clouds covered the sky. Rebels everywhere were scattered all over the field, either wounded, unconscious, or dead. Amongst the debris the four Digidestined lay, unconscious. Out of the mists, a figure came. Dressed in a Dark General's outfit, with blood red hair, and a cold glare in his eyes. He looked over the scene of battle, and smiled. "Humph. This is the fate of those who challenge Muu. They seek to end the darkness?" He turned to see the unconscious bodies of the Digidestined. "They aren't a threat at all, yet they think they can win?" Then it began to rain. The figure's eye widened as the pig tailed person transformed, changing from male to female. From black hair to red hair. The figure, intrigued by the change, began to examine the person. Upon finishing his magical examination, something clicked in his mind. "Could it be? Has that time come? After so many millennia... you have finally appeared? The one tied to the forces of chaos?" The figure laughed. "Oh yes... if so... we are going to have fun. This surely must explain Muu's great hatred." With that he headed of, walking towards a three-headed red dragon that snarled at him. "Oh, you are still here, waiting? That is so unlike you." Growl. Snarl. "Yes, of course. As for now, you are under my control. I do not understand why he revived you, but for now I'll humor him. But again, you know I have the power to destroy you. You've been destroyed once. Cross me and you'll be destroyed again." The dragon, growling before submitting, allowed the figure to get on his back. With that the two flew of into the sky. Minutes later, Jadeite arrived on the battlefield, only catching a glimpse of the departing dragon. 'What are you really up to Rizo?' he thought as he walked up to the prone figures of the Destined. After locating Ranma, he turned to a couple of nearby Youma Mages. "Take her. This is the one," he ordered. With that the Mages took the unconscious and now female martial artist away. Jadeite thought to himself, 'Of all the chances, she matches the profile. That means she must be given no chance to live.' <><><> "Ugh...." Ranma felt a cool cloth dab at his(actually her) forehead. "Where am I?" "Shh, you're in Jadeite's Castle." Ranma tried to focus on the person helping her. His voice was calm, soothing. "Where's... the... others?" she asked. "They are fine. Drink this. It will help you recover." Ranma did so. As her vision cleared up, he found a concerned blonde man peering down at him. "What?" the girl asked. "My name is Zoicite." Ranma struggled to get up from the dungeon cell bed but Zoicite placed a hand on her chest, forcing her down. "You need to rest." "You're.... one of Jadeite's men...." Ranma said. "Why are you helping me?" "Not everyone is evil," Zoicite said. "Some are just misguided, some.... have their own agenda. Now sleep." He placed a small herb inside a cup and raised it to his lips. "Drink this. It will help." Ranma did so and was soon fast asleep. "Sleep well kid. Tomorrow will be a day to remember well." <><><> ATE : Breaking And Entering The next day... "Weapons?" "Check." "Elements?" "Check." "Magic?" "Check." "Pokemon?" "Check." Misty nodded. "Giant force of Rebels behind us?" A resounding, "CHECK!" was heard as she giggled. "Okay people, lets move 'em out!" With the word, the huge force of rebels stormed the path towards Jadeite's palace. <><><> "Babying the captives again Zoicite?" Kunzite asked as the blonde came into the room. "Yes," he replied, setting down the bowl of water, long since warmed. "If Jadeite catches you," Kunzite warned but was silenced by a look from the younger man. "That fool doesn't know what he has here. He has gotten to deep within the role of a fool, that he believes himself to be invincible." Zoicite turned and looked out onto the horizon. "Look at the sky Kunzite, there's no life out there. Just empty grey clouds. The land, all of it, gray with no life. It's what we hated back in the Dark Kingdom, and I hate it still." Kunzite laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We'll stop this madness sooner or later Zoicite. When that young charge of yours regains her strength, then we will know what to do." "If she does turns out to be the reason that Muu started the Purge, she must be aided if possible." A polite knock at the door startled them out of their reverie as Beatrix opened the door. "Master Kunzite and Zoicite? General Jadeite wants you in the Main room." "What's going on Beatrix?" Kunzite asked curiously. "General Jadeite is going to execute the captives. And he wants you two to do so." The pair exchanged glances as Zoicite sighed. "I wanted to prove him wrong.... I guess today is as a good a time to do so." Kunzite nodded. "It is a good day to die." The pair strode out of the room and down into the hall where a Youma Mage stood. "Master Jadeite is beyond the hall. He requests the presence of Zoicite. Kunzite will wait here." "Go on," Kunzite urged. "I'll be right behind you if you need me." <><><> ATE : Escape "Hmmm...." Ranma checked the walls of her cell and then looked out at the pair of stupid looking Youma Guards. "I'm telling you the cream filled ones are better than the bear claws!" one of them said. "You're full of it, jelly filled beats them both." Ranma then patted herself down and then found his stave sitting on the bed. "Idiots," she said. Then, an idea formed in her head as she reached up and started to bang on the bars. "Keep it down!" one guard said. Ranma banged even louder, adding her tin cup. "I said KEEP IT DOWN!" Ranma knew she was close. She started to kick the bars in conjunction with the banging. "KEEP IT DOWN!! Oh that's IT! Open the door!" Ranma smirked as she set his cup down, facing the irate Youma Guard. The Youma then punched her in the stomach as she turned around. "That'll teach ya." WHACK! The Youma went down with one hit of her stave. "Charlie?" the other Youma looked into the room and then suddenly, Ranma hit him as well, knocking both of them down. Quickly pillaging them of elements, items and Gold, she sneaked out the door. "Heh, that was TOO easy." WHACK! Beatrix stood over her as Ranma collapsed to the ground. "I'm truly sorry," she said, motioning to the two Youma Mages to carry her out of the room. <><><> Zoicite took a deep breath as he walked into the room where Jadeite stood, a wide smirk on his face. Zoicite swore to wipe that off completely this day as he turned and saluted. "Jadeite." "Zoicite." With that Jadeite motioned for his Youma Mages to bring the prisoner in. Zoicite turned to see two Youma Mages carry in Ranma who looked extremely defiant. His eyes narrowed as Jadeite said, "I want you to execute her. Now." Showing no signs of anger outwardly, Zoicite walked up to Ranma who looked at him. "You again..." she whispered. Zoscite looked in to the eyes of the young Digidestined. The one he was ordered to execute. He silently said to her, "I'm sorry," while gathering a large ball of energy that dwarfed him. Ranma winced, prepared to take the attack that would end her life. But it didn't come. Zoscite turned around and blasted Jadeite instead. Jadeite was knocked back into the wall, making a large crater. Jadeite growled and got up, angered by Zoiscite's treachery. "You dare attack me? You dare betray our cause?" "Let's just say I realized we've been fools Jadeite. We didn't gain anything from Queen Beryl. All we gained was our defeats. What makes you think it'll be any different under Muu?" Zoiscite responded, blasting Jadeite again. "Besides, we were never meant to be loyal to them. Never." Unfortunately Jadeite was able to take every attack as an angry nexus of flaming red energy appeared in his hands. "Shut up you TRAITOR!" With that he retaliated with a huge blast that weakened Zoistice. "For this you shall die along with her!" "Zoistice!" someone shouted. It was Kunzite, bursting into the room, who then faced Jadeite. "What do you think you're doing? Why are you attacking Zoistice?" "He betrayed us. He defied orders, my orders." Kunzite looked at Zoistice. "As it seems," he answered, readying an energy blast. "We were never under your orders!" Zoicite screamed, firing with all of his power at the power mad general, Kunzite's power joining his. "Well then, now you both die with her!" Jadeite shouted, unleashing his power. (BGM : Chrono Cross : The Girl Who Stole The Star) Ranma watched, her body screaming to move. She could hear the screams of the one who helped her. The screams of those who protected her even though she was the enemy. Something within her started to glow with power, filling her body with rage. Standing up much to the amazement of Jadeite who had finished dealing with the two other generals, her body suddenly exploded outwards with electric blue energy and quickly faded to reveal Ranma but glowing a brilliant gold. Her pigtail seemed longer, her hair blowing in the wind. Jadeite gasped as the girl walked towards him, each step slow and sure. "Impossible! What is this power?" Indeed, this girl wielded power, powers greater even than the Sailor Senshi. "This power, will be your downfall," Ranma said in a monotone voice, still walking forwards, dark energy gathering within her right hand. "What is it?" Kunzite asked Zoicite while helping the blonde up. "It's a legendary technique.... I think it's.... Trance." "It is power that can even cleave the souls of Gods! RAGNA BLADE!" With that, Ranma rushed forwards, swinging both hands like she held a sword. Jadeite rushed forwards with his own energy blade. Then, the pair passed each other, Ranma skidding to a halt holding a deep black blade of darkness. Jadeite gasped, threw up blood and then collapsed into two pieces, the halves detonating with a fierce but contained explosion. Ranma stood, still glowing and nodded at Zoicite and Kunzite who smiled back. With that the golden glow faded as well as the energy sword that Ranma made. Seconds after he did so, the sounds of mayhem reached the three's ears as the doors blasted open to reveal the remains of the rebel forces who had miraculously stormed Jadeite's fortress. "Ranma!" The three of them grabbed him in a hug with underlyings of Togepi's trilling. "We thought you were dead!" Misty said, burying her face in his shirt. "Don't do that again baka!" She smiled. "Not a problem." "Wait a minute, this is Ranma? I thought Ranma was a guy," one of the other rebels present at that meeting noted. "Long story you guys, long story," Ranma answered, relieved that the ordeal was over. Beatrix then stooped down before the small crater. "So, this is the fate of Jadeite," she said, touching the remains of the jacket he wore. "Such is fate to an evil man." Nephrite's eyes widened in shock. "Jadeite's dead?" Zoicite and Kunzite nodded, and glanced at Ranma. "This girl here has great power. Her power defeated Jadeite." Just then, the building started to shake and rumble violently as Ryan turned to everyone. "Get out of the building!" he roared as the rebels fled back down the stairs. The other Destined helped Ranma to the stairs, followed by Beatrix, Zoicite and Kunzite. Suddenly, a chunk of falling roof slammed into the back of Ranma's head, knocking her out cold. "Aw man, not now!" Mike groaned as he and Zoicite carried her prone body out of the room. <><><> ATE : Dreams "Morning Kasumi," Ranma greeted, walking into the room. "Good morning Ranma-kun, did you sleep well?" "Not really. I had the strangest dreams." Akane then walked into the room, Ryoga following her. "Ranma, did you have any strange or unusual dreams lately?" Akane asked curiously as they sat around the breakfast table. "Yeah, kinda." "It'll come to you in time," a voice said. Ranma turned around in the now empty room to see a girl in flowing diaphanous silks, her features inscrutable. "Who are you?" he asked. "You already know." Suddenly, she flared brilliant gold. <><><> A brilliant pillar of light lanced out from the middle of the building. Then a brilliant flash of energy and the tower exploded into nothing. "It's truly over," Ryan said. "We beat Jadeite." Suddenly, a beautiful rainbow shockwave washed over them. As soon as it passed, everyone gasped. The countryside was beautiful once again, bustling with nature, small towns, and in the background was Cross World City with people walking about like they were always going about their jobs. "It's beautiful," Misty said. "Very beautiful," Leena said. "It looks like when we beat one of the Big Bad Four, we can heal a portion of the planet." Ranma nodded. Then, he blinked as he checked his wrist. "My Digivice.... it's gone...." "Oh no!" Misty exclaimed. "Then that means your power has been weakened severely." Mike added. Suddenly, the air shimmered to reveal Xellos who grinned at them. "My oh my, it seems you actually beat one of the Bad Four. My congratulations." "Xellos!" the four chorused. "XELLOS?!" exclaimed everyone else. They didn't expect the legendary Mazoku general/priest to actually exist. "What do you want?" Mike demanded. "Now now, I was only trying to help. But in any case, since Ranma was able to kill Jadeite, his hold on the timestream was destroyed, thus, like a rubber band, it snapped back into place. That means you don't have to travel into the past deal with him then, for he is gone for all time. I wish I could give you more directions and all but time is of the essence. Just find a TV and head home, okay? Bye!" With that, the trickster priest disappeared. "Well that was vague," Lenna huffed. "What do you expect, he is Xellos," Mike added. "I suppose we should head back home then." Ranma turned and found a TV sitting behind him. "Let's go. Digiport Open." With that the rebels and various others stood in shock as Ranma and the other Destined disappeared into the TV. Even with this unexpected victory, more questions than answers were on their minds. <><><> Rizo walked down the steps that encompassed the interior of his base. He has observed the events through time, and was particularly interested in the attack that ended Jadeite's life. "The Ragna Blade, a sword freezing nothingness, derived from the Lord of Nightmares. So... it is true?" As he spoke to himself, he entered a room with a holographic machine in the center. "The Ragna Blade, a spell created and used by her... and in history only her... a child of chaos... the hand of the Lord of Nightmares." The holographic machine soon powered up, displaying a young girl in a strange sorceress outfit. Fiery orange-red hair. Four talismans. Short for her age. And of course, a really flat chest. Lina Inverse. "So... the time is near... your second coming... Lina Inverse." <><><> End Episode 8: To Be Continued <><><> (Ending Credits : Chrono Cross - Magical Dreamers : Wind, Stars and Waves) A shot of a person playing a guitar as the credits roll beside him, a trail of footprints running down the black background. (Shot of a beach, footprints in the sand. Ash and Misty walking down the path.) Directed by Shaun Garin and WarChild Writers : Shaun Garin and WarChild. (A shot of Genki and Mocchi playing. Duplica and Mike having tea.) Music Provided by : Squaresoft, Fox Kids and Kids WB (A shot of Misty, hair waving in the wind.) Concept created by : Shaun and WarChild (A close up of her face, a tear flying off into the distance.) Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi Tenchi Muyo! belongs to Masaki Kajishima (A shot of the night sky as Ash smiles up, a finger upraised. The six Lunar Senshi look up into the sky from atop a hill.) Pokemon belongs to WB. Digimon belongs to Fox. Monster Rancher belongs to BKN Network. All other characters elements, etc, belong to their respective owners. (A slow shot of all eight Digidestined and Lunar Senshi, panning from left to right.) The authors would like to thank Squaresoft for creating Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. (A shot of the Digidestined walking across the beach. A shot of Mike and Duplica sitting on a hilltop, facing out into the sunset.) (C) Shaun Garin and WarChild 2000-2001 (Everyone sticks their fingers out in a Vee pose) The player is revealed to be Ranma who's guitar playing slowly fades out. (Fade out.) (A Magic Tech Production. A Shaun Garin and WarChild Story.) Next time on Pokemon Cross: A Pokemon Convention in Saffron City attracts the attention of many, including the Saffron Gym Leader Sabrina, the Lost Trainer Ryoga Hibiki, and unfortunately the Droid forces of Wiseman. And what, Washu learns of Kagato's villainy in Another World? All this and more in the next Episode of Pokemon Cross.