SMST: Journey into Mystery! – By DS Wynne

Disclaimer: None of the principle characters and situations belongs to me.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.

Special Note: This story takes place during the events of "SMST: Hero Initiative", and is not intended to be long-term.

Author's note: This story explores the dark, horrific side of Sailor Moon's adventures. Thus, there is a reason for "M" rating. You've been warned.

Part One
The Rantsu Foundation—a special trust of the Mishima Zaibatsu—was founded to sponsor or co-sponsor many humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mostly, it was a front to allow Lord and Lady Rantus (Ranma and Usagi Tsukino respectively) to prepare for the day when the world will literally go the Hell. Or, at the very least, the couple hopes to make the transition from the modern to the future as smoothly as possible. Still, Ranma and Usagi did like using their considerable resources to make the world a better place, if only for a little while.

On this day, Usagi and Ranma were on their way to inspect a planned underwater-generator site in the northern town of Barrow, Alaska. Usagi and Ranma decided to take a trip to see the proposed site…especially after their point person on the project—Hong "Blacky" Tanaka—could not go due to an illness. Actually, Blacky (the retainer of the Rantsu clan) was caught transporting "Triad" contraband (i.e. "Romulan Ale") that Usagi wanted delivered to Japan (for her son Kenshin's wedding), and thus forced the Rantsu to deal with the project themselves. Normally, the two would have waited until the spring season to take the trip, but other obligations would make such a trip on feasible only during the winter. And unfortunately, the trip would take place during the time when it was absolutely dark for thirty days. Still, the extended isolation could give the couple some time for themselves.

"We're almost here, folks," says the pilot, as began his descent. "And I must say that it's rare that anyone WANT to be here during the thirty days of night."

"Well, we don't mind," Ranma says, as he leans over the bush pilot's shoulder. "Besides, the trip will give me some quality time with the 'missus'."

"Ranma!" Usagi says, as she smacks Ranma on the shoulder. "I don't think our pilot needs to know THAT."

"Ah, I understand ma'am," the pilot says. "The fact is, there isn't a lot to do here…even without the thirty days of darkness."

"Well, if all things go well, there will be plenty of economic opportunities in Burrow, and in many other places along the Arctic Circle," Ranma says.

"Well, that's good to know, sir. Hopefully, that project of yours will liven this town."

"I see…"

As the plane begins is approach, a lone Stranger looks up at the plane. Somehow, the man knew that a certain passenger would make things interesting for his "friends".

"Yesssss," the man said, as he continued his work to cut off access between Burrows…and the rest of human civilization…

A short time later, a local sheriff's deputy greets Usagi and Ranma at the small town airport. They had waited for their escort long after their plane had left Burrows. And based upon the curses spewing from the fire marshal, their plane was indeed the last to leave for a while.

"Um, hello," says the deputy. "Um…'ko-ni-chi-wa'. Welcome to 'Barrows', Mister and Mrs. Rantsu."

Ranma looks at the man, and then at Usagi, who giggled.

"Um, we can speak English just fine, Deputy…?" Ranma began, as he extends hand in friendship.

"Oh, my name is Deputy William Bulosan," the law enforcer says, as he shakes Ranma and Usagi's hand. "But folks around here call me 'Billy'."

"Nice to meet you, Billy," Usagi says.

"We weren't expecting anyone to come up here, especially at this time of year."

"Well, time is money," Ranma says. He then sees the fire marshal sulking.

"And what's the story about that?"

"Her?" Billy says, as he turns to see an annoyed Stella Olemaun. The blond woman merely growled before getting back into the deputy's car.

"Long story…trust me on that."

"Ah, relationship issues," Usagi comments.

"Well, we better get back into town," Billy says, as he reaches for Ranma and Usagi's bags.

"Naw, we got it," Ranma says. "But…where can we go and get something to eat?"

Billy smiles.

"I just know the place…"

A short time later, after the Sun sets over the horizon…

"Let's see," Usagi says, as she looks over at the menu from the diner at a sit-down booth. "Pretty standard stuff."

"Yeah, like that'll make a difference to you," Ranma replied.

"So, folks, may I get something for you?" asks the waitress.

"Well, I-"

"You better watch it," yells the Stranger at the counter. "Or you will be the first to GO."

"I'm sorry about that," the waitress says. "We get all types-"

"You are ALL dead meat…like that hamburger there!" the Stranger yelled.

"Ranma, can you take care of it," Usagi says, without looking up from her menu.

"What am I?" Ranma replied. "Your attack dog or something?"

"No, you're my HUSBAND."

"Feh. Fine…"

Ranma gets up, glides over to the counter, and sits down next to the Stranger.

"Um, lemonade, please," Ranma says, as he looks at the counter waitress.

"Um, sure," the waitress says nervously.

Ranma cleared his throat, trying to get used to the Stranger's smell.

"Now, I know that you're doing this…act to intimidate the folks around here," Ranma says. "But…let's not, okay?"

The Stranger turns to look at Ranma.

"So, there's a Ram amongst the sheep," the Stranger snorted. "Not that it'll do much good."

The Stranger looks over at Usagi, while tucking his hand into coat.

The Stranger looks at Ranma squarely into the face.

"You and that 'Jap' wife of yours will be the first to die."

"I see," Ranma says, as he nods his thanks upon receiving the drink, and began to gulp the drink. "Ah, that's good stuff…"

Without giving any signs of movement, and faster than a blink of an eye, Ranma reaches up behind the man's head, and slams his head unto the counter.

BAM!

"You see, that 'Jap wife of mine', is the love of my life."

BAM!

"And if ANYONE-"

BAM!

"-Hurts her-"

BAM!

"-I WILL be-"

BAM!

"-Upset," Ranma says calmly. He then turns his head back towards the man. "Are we in agreement?"

"Uhhhhh…"

"Excuse me," says a voice from behind.

Ranma turns to see the local Sheriff standing behind him. He had his hand on his waist, and being a former policeman, he knew what that position meant.

"You must be Sheriff Olemaun," Ranma says, as he let's the man go, who then fell in a slump.

Eben looks at Ranma with a weary eye. He didn't need any more problems as it is.

"Eben, it's okay," says Stella, as she goes up to her estranged husband. "It was all in self-defense."

Eben looks at Stella.

"Okay, but you have to come with me, so I can take a statement."

"Sure," Ranma says, as he gets up. He then looks down at the man, and then at the Sheriff.

"You need any help with this guy?"

The Sheriff looks at the man that Ranma took down.

"Yeah," Eben says, as he took out his handcuffs.

Usagi looks up from her menu.

"Um, miss, may we have our food to go?"

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of town, an unholy gathering appears.

"Soon…we shall feed," says a pale-skinned man with blacken eyes…and sharpen teeth. "But remember to take the heads after you feed. We do not want any more competitors."

The coven of vampires snarls in agreement.

Tbc.