SMSTSS 41: Of Gods and Hulks! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a two-part story.
Special Note: This story ties into the "Hulk" story arc called "Mayan Rule", in which the Mayan Gods return in preparation for the end of the world, and the start of a new one…THEIRS.
Author's Note: As always, C&C are welcomed.
Part 1
It was December of 2012, and Usagi Tsukino was getting ready for when the Gathering, a time when the last of the Immortals would face each other, in order to choose one, via combat, to face the Guardian of the Source. And, whoever defeats the Guardian would win the fabled Prize…whatever that is…
"Ha!" Usagi said, as she thrust her sword before twirling about to counter a strike by a phantom opponent.
In recent years, Usagi had came across an artifact known as "The Stone of the Immortals", which has been said to grant immortality to a mortal, while granting an immortal the strength of ten immortals. Usagi had been made an Immortal, by preventing the Hunters—those who target Immortals, and other supernaturals, in order to prevent the dispensing of the Prize—from claiming the stone for their own purpose…
"Ulp!" Usagi said, as she performed a back flip, before crouching into a pretend sword block.
Unfortunately, becoming an Immortal had made her a target. After all, an Immortal gets more powerful by taking another Immortal's "Quickening", which is the power of the Immortal. This power grants an Immortal his or her phenomenal regenerative abilities, and is what allows an Immortal to gain a defeated Immortal's knowledge and strength. Thus, it is not unheard of that even a relatively young Immortal has the sum power, and experiences for that matter, of hundreds of Immortals, some of which have existed at one point for eons. Unfortunately, it was by way of the sword, vis-à-vis decapitation, that one acquires another's Quickening. Thankfully, in recent days, another process—called the Jettison—could be used to share one's knowledge and strength, while giving up one's immortality. With this information shared amongst the Immortals all, some Immortals have been willing to give up their Quickening, rather than defend it. In a few cases, the Jettison was willingly used, with person knowing their Quickening could be used by others more suited for "The Game"…
Usagi then thrust out a leg to perform a sweep, before twirling into a ready sword stance.
In Usagi's case, if someone were to gain her Quickening, that Immortal would not just gain her knowledge and strength, but also her powers. In fact, there were a segment of Immortals known as "Externals", who also possessed the Quickening, and who also can get stronger from the Quickening of other Immortals, super-powered or otherwise. This is why the Watchers—a group who observe, but never interfere in, the activities of Immortals and other supernaturals—were particularly anxious. Bad enough if a less-than-scrupulous Immortal gets a Prize, but what would happen if an outright supervillain Immortal gets the Prize? All hopes were now pinned on Usagi, and other like-minded Immortals, on winning the Prize, since the alternative was unthinkable…
"Yah!" Usagi said, as she completes her kata. With one fluid move, Usagi sheaths her blade.
CLACK!
"That was wonderful, Takahito," Miya Asuma said approvingly. Miya was invited down from Shintao Taito to the city of Tokyo to help her train for the Gathering.
"I agree, Usagi," said Tenchi Misaki, who came up from Okayama to help train Usagi as well.
"Although, I'm surprised you're not having cousin Ranma helping you on this, considering we're using the Tendo Training Hall…"
"Well, you know Ranma," Usagi said with a shrug. "He tends to be so over protective to the point of wanting to step in my fights, even after all these years."
"That's because you are a beautiful creature, beloved," Miya said. "Who wouldn't want to protect you from harm?"
"Er, um, huh," Tenchi said, as he broke out in a sweat. He knew that Miya was very protective of Usagi, as evident by the initial cold chill he received when he first met Miya.
"Um, right," Usagi said. "Anyway, I want to get as much training as possible at home, before I take my training abroad."
"But…with your superpowers and all, I would think that you would have an easy time defeating your opponents," Tenchi said.
"Well, both Ranma and I have special bracers that we use," Usagi said, as she points to her own pair which sat on a folded towel. "We purposely wear them all the time, save for Universal threats, in order for us to never be more powerful than our opponents. That way, we never get sloppy when it comes to gaining experience."
"And Ranma?" Miya asked quietly. "Where does he fit in all this?"
"I'll meet up with him when I swing by the United Kingdom," Usagi said. "Until then, I will travel for a couple of weeks on my own…"
Pause.
"It's hard to believe that I will fight some of the greatest swordsmen—or women—who have ever lived," Usagi said, as she felt the hilt of the late Connor MacLeod's "Dragon Sword", which was given to her by Connor's cousin, Duncan, upon Connor's death. It felt right that she would compete in the Gathering using the sword of an old friend, and once lover…
"Uh-hum?" Miya said, as she smiled slyly.
"I said SOME, not ALL," Usagi replied with a smile. "Trust me, for every good fighter there will always be one who is better."
"Does that include me?" said a voice from behind.
All eyes turned towards Mamoru Chiba, who was stopping by to take Usagi out to lunch.
"Oh, it's you again," Miya said, as she smiled while gritting her teeth.
"Um, hi," Mamoru said nervously.
"Hey," Tenchi said. "Well, I better put away the equipment…"
"I'll fix us some tea," Miya said, as she took a glance at Mamoru, and added the Defender of the Earth on her own personal list of rivals.
"You're ready?" Mamoru asked.
"I will be shortly," Usagi said with a smile. "After I get clean…clean…"
Suddenly, Usagi's mind fogs up, as she hears a voice in her head.
GIVE YOUR ENERGY! WE WANT YOUR ENERGY! YOU CANNOT HIDE YOUR ENERGY FROM US-!
"Whoa," the Moon Princess said, as she shook her head, in order to clear the fog in her mind. "What…was…that?"
"Um, Usagi?" Mamoru said in surprise, as he steps away from the Moon Princess.
"What is it, Mamo-kun?"
"Oh, no!" Tenchi said, as he points towards his cousin's wife. "You've become big, green…and almost naked!"
"What?" Hulkusagi said, as she looks down at her body. Sure enough, she had unconsciously "hulked-out".
"How in the word…?"
"Usagi, put this on," Miya said, as she gives Hulkusagi a blanket. She did not understand why her beloved had transformed, but Miya was going to protect Usagi's modesty.
"Usagi, is that…you?" Mamoru asked.
"Um, wait, I'll change back," Hulkusagi said confidently. "Urgghhhhh…"
Nothing.
"Usagi?" Mamoru asked with concerned.
"I think I need a doctor," Hulkusagi said nervously.
Unfortunately, it was the beginning of a much greater problem…
"Well, how is Usagi?" Mamoru asked, as the "Emergency Medical Hologram Mark 1B" (with the letter "B" standing for "Backup"), stationed aboard the USS "Orchid's Moon" (i.e. "Rantsukino"), continued his examination of the Lunar Gammazon.
"It depends," the EMH Doctor said. "What was Admiral Tsukino's condition before THIS?"
"'Admiral Tsukino'?" Mamoru asked.
"I served as a flag officer for an interstellar, peacekeeping armada, sometime in the future, Mamo-kun," Hulkusagi said. "And I earned every rank to get to the rank of full Admiral."
"I see. Well, doctor, Usagi looked…normal, I guess."
"No, I am referring to actual medical symptoms, such as skin allergies or lesions, not her appearance."
"Why would I have 'lesions'?" Hulkusagi said.
"Considering your colorful past, it is surprising you have not picked up a sexual transmitted disease of some kind."
"Very funny, Doctor…"
"How can you say that about your mistress?" Miya said.
"Unfortunately, I am not programmed to have a traditional 'bedside manner'," the EMH Doctor said.
"As in, 'I never had one'?" Hulkusagi said with a grin.
"Humph. Well, technically, you as 'normal' as ever…if being green, rage monster is considered to be 'normal'…"
"Doctor, can Usagi be cured of this condition?" Mamoru asked.
"Why would I want to be cured of being a Gammazon?" Hulkusagi asked.
"But…you're like this."
"Mamoru, even if I wanted to, I can't be cured of being a Gammazon. For one, my condition is too engrained within my genetic structure. For another, the only way to cure me of being a Gammazon is a complete separation of normal me and Gammazon-me, and you KNOW what happened…"
Pause.
"Besides, I like to cut loose now and again, and I CAN control my transformations."
"But, if we have children-"
"Save for my daughter Liz, none of my children has my condition, other than as a recessive trait, Mamoru," Hulkusagi said.
"So, Chibiusa-"
"Our daughter is normal, for the most part; over-powered and obnoxious maybe, but normal."
"I see…"
"Thanks, Ayeka," Tenchi said, as he completed his cell phone call to Okayama. "Right. I'll remember to bring back some souvenirs. Later."
CLICK!
"Well, Washu has yet to return from her seminar on Jurai," Tenchi said, as he turned towards Hulkusagi.
"I see," Hulkusagi said, as she nods her head. Both she and Ranma have allowed friends and family to take the JSB 'Yamato' from drydock for extensive trips into deep space on numerous occasions, but the Masaki clan has carte blanche since it is stored underneath the Masaki estate, located near a very large lake…
"As far as my medical expertise are concerned, there is nothing I can do," the EMH Doctor said.
"Okay, well, I guess I have no choice but to call in my personal physician on this," Hulkusagi said, as she places her fingers on her temples, and closes her eyes.
"Doctor Bombay, Doctor Bombay; emergency, please come to me…right away…"
"Usagi, what did you do?" Mamoru asked.
"I called in Dr. Bombay."
"He's sounds like a complete quack with that name-"
TING!
A man dressed in Vegas Elvis costume appears.
"What is this?" Miya asked with suspicion.
"You are looking at this year's 'Elvis Impersonator', my dear," said the British man, as he took off his sun glasses. He then looked at Hulkusagi.
"I take it that THIS is reason to cut short my victory celebration?"
"I'm afraid so, doctor," Hulkusagi said. "Not that I don't mind being a Gammazon, but I don't like the idea of my transformations being forced."
"I see," Dr. Bombay said, as he turned towards the EMH Doctor. "Doctor, it's good to see you again."
"I can't always say the same thing, but in this case, I concur," the EMH Doctor said with a smirk. "Here is the data of my prognosis. You will find that the patient is perfectly healthy, which could be the problem."
"Hmmm," Dr. Bombay said, as he examined the data. "I do agree with your assessment."
"So, is there anything you can do for her, doctor?" Mamoru asked.
"There is always a means to help a patient, my good man," said Dr. Bombay. "The trick is where to start the process."
"Which is…?"
"While there is nothing physically wrong with the Moon Princess, I do detect a supernatural influence on her person."
"Really?" Hulkusagi said. "You're sure it's not, well, the other aspects me acting up?"
"No, I do sense an outside influence at work, something that is powerful enough to trigger your enhancements," Dr. Bombay said, as he snaps his fingers. A medical bag appears in the Witch Doctor's hand.
"Okay, let's get to work…"
Using a magic mirror and other instruments of magic, the witch doctor was able to detect the influence of the Mayan gods, as evident by the scripts that had branded Usagi's spirit, similar to Rune magic. In fact, the script was aligned to allow a drain off of her energies. However, because Usagi had so much, the Moon Princess has yet to feel the effects of the drain.
"And did you experience anything just before your transformation?" Dr. Bombay said, as he completes his examination.
"Well, just before I changed, I heard a voice, which yelled something about capturing Gamma-spawned beings for their energy."
"That would make sense," Dr. Bombay said with a nod.
"What do you mean?" Mamoru asked.
"Gamma-spawned beings are living reservoirs of energy, second only to solar-based beings, like Kryptonians for instance. That is why it is possible for the Moon Princess to remain permanently in this form without any undue effects on her health."
"What do you mean?" Miya asked.
"As our fellow holographic medical practitioner has said, there is nothing wrong with the Moon Princess. But until these Mayan runes are removed, I'm afraid she will permanently remain like this."
"What about my intelligence?" Hulkusagi said. "I mean, I'm lucid right now…"
"That's the only thing that is working in our favor in this situation. You transformed without the normal emotional triggers. However, that could change if faced with a stressful situation."
"So, I can still end up being savage."
"That is correct."
"I see. Well, it's not the first time I was stuck as a savage monster princess…"
"Usagi, no matter what, I will take care of you," Miya said, as she held Hulkusagi's hands.
"Even if it means being locked up in a cage in some lab or zoo?"
"That's not going to happen," Mamoru said. "And I don't want to hear you talk like that."
"I'm glad to hear that," Hulkusagi said. "I would hate be captured by some rogue government agency to be poked and prodded like I am some beast…"
Pause.
"In fact, I was almost forced to mate with a Wendigo."
"What's a Wendigo?" Tenchi asked.
"Wendigo(s) are cursed humans that change into creatures similar to the Yeti and Sasquatch, but are prone to cannibalism," Hulkusagi said. "The people who captured me wanted to see if I was intimately compatible with a Wendigo, so that I could be forced to bear offspring for their 'super-soldier program'."
"WHAT?" Miya yelled in outrage. "Who did that to you?"
"Um, well…"
Suddenly, the ship's claxons rang.
"Computer, what's the situation?" Hulkusagi asked.
"There is unusual activity in the middle of Juuban Park, Admiral," said the ship's computer.
"Can you patch any signal camera signal to Sickbay?"
"Of course, Admiral."
"Patch it through."
A virtual screen pops up for all to see. The familiar Downtown Tokyo skyline could be seen, but there was something else that could be seen…
"Is that…a pyramid?" Tenchi said.
"It's a meso-American pyramid in fact," Mamoru said. Being a civil engineer by training, the Prince of the Earth recognized the style of the giant object."
"It's Mayan," Hulkusagi said.
"Then, there is your source of problems, Moon Princess," Dr. Bombay said.
"Computer, run an analysis on the structure," Hulkusagi said, as she turns towards the EMH Doctor. "Doctor?"
"You're fine…I guess," the EMH Doctor said with a shrug.
"Admiral, I have new developments," said the ship's computer.
"Go ahead."
"The pyramid is trans-locating along the traditional lines of power geomorphically," the computer replied, as additional screens pop up, showing the exact same pyramid, but in different locations around the world. "Furthermore, intense hostilities are being reported within the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico."
"Usagi, what's going on?" Mamoru asked.
"I should have seen this coming," Hulkusagi said.
"Seen what?" Miya asked.
Hulkusagi turned to face her companions.
"The Mayan gods have returned to end the world…as we know it…"
Tbc.
Next Time: While everyone else limits the damage caused by the minions of the Mayan gods, Hulkusagi and the rest of the Incredible Hulks storm the Mayan gods' dimension, even as gamma-powered beings are captured for their energy. See you soon…