TRTSS23: Clash of the Ranma! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and others belong to their respective owners…save for Greek lore, that's public domain (although the modern Greeks might have a say about that…no, really, they are that prideful of their heritage).
Note: This is a four-part story.
Special Note: Spoiler Alert! This story will be based upon the updated version of the movie "Clash of the Titans", with my usual twist. You've been warned.
Part 1
"[And here we have the antiquities wing of the National Museum of Antiquates, newly renovated thanks the considerable donation of the Rantsu Foundation]," said the museum director Helena Alexandros in her native tongue.
Lord Ranshin Rantsu merely nodded his head, as he adjusted his glasses. Personally, he preferred beating up super-villains, rather than attend high-end functions with his wife, Lady Usashinko. Although the United States forced the Japanese to abolished the royal title system, save for the Imperial family, exceptions have been made for a select few; the Rantsu clan one of the select few. In reality, it was because of Ranshin (i.e. Ranma Saotome) and his wife Usashinko (i.e. Usagi Tsukino) participation in World War II on the side of the Allied Powers that enabled this to be. Certainly, those that outright supported the Tojo Regime were not part of the exception. Besides, those in the know knew that both Ranma and his wife are Japanese royalty, having been emperor or empress (respectively) at one point or another during Japan's considerably long history, either marrying into the royal family, or just assuming control out right (either to start a new royal line, or serve as interim ruler). Typically, the two did only enough to keep society functioning, not wanting to risk changing the timeline. In fact, the present royal line is blood related, which is why they never felt the brunt of American retribution after the Tojo Regime fell. Had the Americans ignore Ranma and Usagi's request to spare the imperial throne, the retribution that the two would have inflicted upon the Allied Powers would have been severe, which, ironically enough, would have played right into their son Lord Genshin Rantsu's hands. Genshin, who wanted his parents dead for many reasons, one of them for not supporting Japan's imperialism, would have loved to see the horror on his parents face, when they realize that the destruction of the Allied Powers would have meant the birth of a true Imperial Japan by default, and would have forced them to take the reins of power, least the world plunge into chaos, an irony that would have pleased Genshin to no end…
Nevertheless, Ranma and Usagi used their connections and considerable wealth to do charity work, such as donating money to a cash-strap museum during a time of economic turmoil in Greece.
"[Well, my husband and I came to this wonderful land when we were younger, and sampled its treasures]," Usagi said in Greek. "[We simply want to give back what has been given to us]."
There were claps amongst the important people in response.
Later, as the guest milled about the hall, sampling traditional Greek dishes, Ranma was studying some of the artifacts that have been uncovered recently.
"Take a look at this, Usagi," Ranma said, as he sees a shiny object that was set on a stand.
"Is that what I think it is?" Usagi said, as she looks at the object with her "Time Lord" eyeglasses.
"Yep," Ranma said. "That is-"
"The 'Sword of Perseus'," said Ms. Alexandros, in accented Japanese, as she walked up to the couple.
Ranma and Usagi turn around to look at the director of the museum. She was an attractive, blond woman who wore business attire (with glasses) to hide her beauty. No doubt, she wanted to be taken seriously in a male dominated world.
"Ah, Ms. Alexandros," Ranma replied. "You don't have to speak my native tongue. In fact, we can speak English, if you want."
"Well, I simply want to thank my benefactors, personally," the director said. "And please…call me 'Helena'."
Usagi rolled her eyes. Baring the fact that her own physical senses picked up the signs of increase levels of human female pheromones, it was obvious that Ms. Alexandros wanted to make moves on her husband. She didn't care if her husband pursued other companionship, but she was annoyed by women going to HIM.
"Okay, Helena," Ranma said with a smile. He then glances towards the hilt. "This is quite a find you have."
"It was recently uncovered at the site where we believe the myths behind Perseus took place, where he defeated the Kraken that terrorized the city of Argos," Helena said.
"Ah, yes," Ranma said. "Such an interesting story…"
There was a moment of silence between Ranma and Helena.
"Ranma, I'm going to get something to eat," Usagi said, knowing where Ranma and Helena's conversation was going. "Why don't you share some stories of your own with Helena?"
"But-"
"Oh, but I insist, Lord Ranshin," Helena said, as she wrapped her arm around Ranma's.
"But-"
"Have fun!" Usagi said, as she turns to leave while chuckling to herself at her husband's predicament…
"Fine," Ranma said with defeat. He then turns towards Helena and smiled.
"Hello, there."
"So, let me show you the rest of the artifacts in the new wing as your personal guide?" Helena said with a mischievous smile.
"Um, sure," Ranma said. "Lead on."
And, with that, Helena leads Ranma to a more secured and less public area of the museum wing…
Twenty minutes later, Helena shows Ranma a bedroom, recreated with authentic furnishings.
"And I am especially proud of this room, Lord Ranshin," Helena said, as she closes the oaken doors behind her. "I wanted to recreate it exactly how it was back during those days."
"Wow, you really went all out on this," Ranma said, although, in the back of his mind, there was something familiar about it…
"I like it, Helena."
"I'm glad that you do…Agrippos," Helena said with a sultry expression.
"Huh?" Ranma said sharply. "What did you say?"
"Come, now," Helena said, as she takes down her hair bun to let her hair flow past her shoulders. "Don't deny that you are the immortal hero Agrippos the Rider?"
"Agrippos" was "he of horses" in Hellenic Greek.
"Look, how can I, Ranshin Rantsu, be this…Agrippos guy?"
Helena points to a mural featuring Ranma slaying giant scorpions, dressed in the classic Greek style of art. At his side was Usagi with a long-bow.
"And, if I am not mistaken, your wife's name is 'Kounelia the Merciful'," Helena said with confidence.
"Kounelia" was "she of rabbits" in Hellenic Greek.
"Um…"
"Look, do not take this the wrong way, but I am…a fan of your exploits," Helena said, as she began to unbutton her blouse, while Ranma backs up towards the bed. Well, it was HIS bed, but still, in the back of his mind, he heard the phrase, "It's a TRAP!"
"My…exploits?"
"I'm referring to all the literature on you, sung by poets mostly," Helena said. "At first, I thought the verses were referring to Eros, the Olympian god of sexual love and beauty, but the name Agrippos kept popping up alternately within the text. Most scholars believe that the Agrippos was Eros confidant, alias or even lover, but it is my belief that Agrippos refer to not him as a god, but as an immortal hero; a demi-god or godling who could be classified in the same vein as the heroes Scarlet Pumpernickel, Zorro or any dashing man who rescues the fair maiden from the beast that attempts to devourer her, literally or figuratively."
Pause.
"I KNOW that you're Agrippos, Lord Ranshin. As a student of Classical Greece, I want to experience everything that is the ancient way..."
Helena places a hand over her heart.
"Make me feel as Aphrodite did, Lord Ranshin, when you and her made love in Gaia's bosom."
For a long moment, Ranma simply looked at the woman…
"Fine, yes, I am Agrippos," Ranma said with a sigh.
"Yes!" Helena said excited.
"But for the record, I was NEVER Eros' lover…not that I care about that sort of thing, one way or another."
"So the gods are…real?"
"Unfortunately, they are, although referring to 'gods' as extra-dimensional beings or aliens or whatever is a more accurate description," Ranma said. "Still, no matter what you call them, they can be a bunch of jerks, if you ask me."
"So, you know them…personally."
"Unfortunately, yes," Ranma said, as he sits down on the bed. "I was there from the beginning, when Zeus warred against his father Cronus out of revenge for trying to kill him in order to prevent a self-fulfilling prophecy from occurring. Ha! Shows them what the Fates know…"
"And you and Kounelia? Where did you two stand in all this?"
"Against Cronus, but only because he had involved me in his affairs by attacking me as part of a distraction to allow one of HIS allies to kidnap a friend of mine: my wife."
"You mean, Cronus kidnapped Lady Rantsu?" Helena asked.
"Well, she wasn't my wife at the time, but, yeah."
"Oh, dear," Helena said, as she sits next to Ranma, before placing a hand on his lap. "I'm sorry about that."
"Eh, water under the bridge," Ranma said. "But…are you sure you want to…do this? I mean, you are respectful director of one of Greece's premier museums, and I am-"
"A legendary hero and lover," Helena said with a grin. "I want that very much. And, I activated the sensors, so we'll know if something happens."
"And this place?"
"It won't officially open until next week. Relax."
'Who would have thought I would get a fangirl," Ranma thought to himself, as Helena moves in for a kiss.
"Wait," Ranma said, as he gently grabs the back of Helena's head. "I'm going to be in the driver's seat."
Helena's heart fluttered, as Ranma began to seduce the woman. She began to purr, as her mind goes back into the past while Ranma begins his story…
FLASHBACK!
Kounelia knitting together the fishing nets, for the next day's catch, when she heard someone shouting coming from the beach.
"What could it be?" she said, as she runs to beach. She had been living on the Isle of Cyclades for a while now, in an effort the advances of a certain sea god. Every time she gets into the water, Kounelia had to be wary of Poseidon's "presence". Still, being a woman with mortal needs, she did go native, taking a husband in the process…
"Honey!" said her husband Diyctus, as he brought over to her and the rest of the village a woman and her baby. "Bring the blankets!"
"Yes, of course," Kounelia said, as she did as she was told. Spyros was a fisherman, but was the brother of the king of Cyclades, Polydectes. Apparently, being a "king" meant being the one with the biggest house on the island…
The woman and her baby were comforted, as Diyctus' brother and his entourage arrives.
"What is this, brother?" Polydectes said with interest.
Diyctus looks up from his position, where he and his wife were feeding the woman and the baby.
"Her name is 'Danae'," Diyctus said, as he rose to his feet. "And the baby is-"
"His name is 'Perseus'," Danae said. "I am…this boy's nurse."
"Who are his parents?" Polydectes asked.
"He has no parents," Danae said sadly. "At least not anymore…"
"What happened?" Diyctus asked gently.
"I had been hired to be this child's nurse, while traveling between cities, when our ship was caught in a storm. Only I and this child survived by sealing ourselves in a waterproof coffin that was reserved for royalty."
"Oh, dear," Kounelia said, wondering why Danae was not telling the truth, at least according to what her senses were telling her.
"Well, perhaps my brother and I can serve as host to you and the boy?" Polydectes asked.
"I am agreement with that, brother," Diyctus said. "What shall we do about the boy? He will need a father and mother."
Danae looks at the baby boy in her arms with an air of sadness…
"You are married to her, correct?" Danae said, as she motions towards Kounelia.
"Yes, newly married," Diyctus said with a proud smile.
"Then you and your wife shall be the parents of this child," Danae said. "I shall continue to nurse this child."
With that Danae hands the child over to Kounelia, not knowing that the wife of a fisherman was a legendary figure herself…
The years go by, and baby boy grows up to be a young man. And while Diyctus teaches the boy the family trade, his mother teaches Perseus other things.
FFFFF-FFT!
THWANG!
"Nice one, Perseus," Kounelia said, as she watches her son practice with his mother's bow and arrow. She was heavy with child, but still made sure that Perseus can learn to fish…the Amazon way.
"Thank you, Mother," Perseus said, as he goes over to retrieve his arrow. "But I still don't know why I have to learn this. I mean…fish with a bow and arrow?"
"Ah, but how will you be able to eat without a net?" Kounelia asked with a smile. "That is also why I teach you to use the spear."
"So, you were really an Amazon?" Perseus asked, as he sits down next to Kounelia, before getting some water to drink.
"Well, I was adopted into the sisterhood by the immortal queen Hippolyta herself, with the blessing of Antiope hers sister."
"Oh, I see…"
"My son, remember that family is not always about being blood related," Kounelia said. "It's also about where your heart lies…"
Kounelia touches Perseus' lightly on his chest.
"What does your heart say, Perseus?" Kounelia asked.
"That I belong here, Mother," Perseus asked.
"As long as you know where your heart lies, you will never go astray."
With that, Kounelia hugs the young Perseus.
"Now," Kounelia said, as she broke the hug. "Now, I'll teach you how to fish with a sword."
"Mother!" Perseus whined. "I just want to be a fisherman like Father."
"Son, I'm just teaching you all the methods to fish…the Amazon way, of course."
Perseus merely rolled his eyes.
Tbc.
Next Time: Tragedy strikes, a heritage is realized, a would-be hero gets a mentor (hint: "Wild Horse"). See then!