TRTSS4: In Search of a Paper Moon! – By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.


Part 2


Meanwhile…

In the distant realm of the Norse, the Lord of Asgard spies upon the events on Earth…

"Look at that," Queen Serena-Thordis (or "Usagi", as she is sometimes known) says, as she sees the events surrounding the Tendo Dojo transpire. "What is SHE doing there?"

With her lone eye, Usagi sees a younger version of her husband, Ranma Saotome, interacting with the Queen of the Shikima realm, "Miko, the Lady Blue". The only thing that was occurring between the two was normal, martial arts instruction.

"Maybe she's just lonely, and saw a loophole in your pact with her," says Lady Ukyo-Sif (or simply "Ukyo"), as she steps up to the reflecting pool. From there, all can see what happens on "Midgard".

"Humph!"

"Sister, you should be a bit more charitable," says Princess Nabiki-Lokidis (or simply "Nabiki"), as she sauntered her way into the room that contained the view pool.

"Why should I?" Usagi says. "It's not she has been without male companionship."

"Consorting with her demon minions for pleasure is not the same thing, Usagi. Unlike many of the Demon Lords, Miko WANTS to be loved."

"And WE don't? I haven't been with a man in two centuries. I want to be loved like any other normal woman, too, you know!"

"Hey, now," Ukyo says, as she rubs Usagi's shoulders. "We ALL feel the same."

Usagi turns to face Nabiki.

"Not ALL of us feel the same."

"Hey, I'm not the one who chose to marry, remember?" Nabiki says dismissively.

"I didn't marry Ranchan, and I haven't been with a man either."

"You right…you've been with Usagi."

Ukyo blushed furiously.

"Feh," Usagi scoffs, as she folds her arms. "You and I both know that Ukyo is obligated to be with me, while Ranma completes his 'training journey'. And it's not like we get together all that much anyway."

"That's because the other times are spent with the Enchantress."

"Grrr!" Usagi growled. "My private life is not your concern, so state your business."

"I'm just letting you know that I have business to attend to on Midgard, and wanted to know if you need anything."

Usagi muses for a minute.

"Are you going back as your avatar, or are you using another guise?"

"Another guise, actually," Nabiki says. "My avatar is spending time 'Beyond the Rim' with Kasumi, so I have to use a different mortal seeming."

Usagi looks down at the viewing pool.

"I want you to help the younger Ranma to find the younger ME. They have to be back with Starfleet by the fall of 2360…'common era', of course."

"Ah, the fulfillment of a temporal paradox…got it."

Nabiki bows slightly.

"My Queen, Lady Ukyo-Sif…I bid you both a good day."

FLASH!

Nabiki disappears.

Usagi sighs, as she returns her attention back towards the viewing pool.

"Tempting, huh?" Ukyo says, as she looks into the pool with Usagi.

"Aye, that it is…"

Meanwhile…

"So, how's your new assistant instructor doing?" Hoshi says, as she goes over the finances of the Tendo Dojo with her former husband. In her normal "job", Hoshi Sato was known as "Queen Endymiona the First" of Crystal Tokyo. Crystal Tokyo, along with the United Nations and EarthDome, make up the central power of the Earth Alliance, which is a member of the United Federation of Planets. However, serving as "Head of State" was a part-time job, and Hoshi prefers to tend to the family shrine at the Cherry Hill Temple. Plus, she likes being with Ranma…when he is not pining for Usagi…

Ranma, not really hearing, continues to observe Miko's interaction with some of the female students from his office. Formerly a bedroom, there was a partition that allowed Ranma to see what is going on in the dojo proper…

"Ranma?"

"Huh?" Ranma says, as he turns to face his ex-wife.

"I asked you how your new assistant instructor is working out?"

"Actually, she's pretty good," Ranma says, as he sat down at his desk. "I'm telling you, her husband has certainly did his job in teaching Miko the Musabetsu Kakuto-ryu."

"Do you know her husband, then?"

"Miko insists that I don't, but…every time I brings up the subject, she looks like she wants to start crying. So, I pretty much gave up."

"I see…"

"But anyway, she did complete the ten-weeks of requirements to be a certified instructor, so I will be rewarding her the certificate of completion."

"Well, that's nice of you, Ranma," Hoshi says, as she picks up a datapad. "Hmmm…"

"What?"

"According to Miss Miko's application, her birthday is tonight."

"Let me see that," Ranma says, as he takes the pad, and scrolls for the pertinent information. "You're right. I think I'll treat Miko to dinner."

Hoshi raises an eyebrow. This catches Ranma's attention.

"JUST dinner. And besides, Will is going to be in town tomorrow to celebrate his promotion with us, remember?"

"Ah, yes," Hoshi says. "I heard he was leaving Betazed, but I had forgotten that part."

"So WHO is the one not on top of things?" Ranma says with a smug expression.

"It depends on what gender you happen to be at the time, Ranma," Hoshi says with a smile.

"Ha, ha. Look, all I'm going to do is take her out to dinner, and call it a day. In fact, YOU can come along if you want."

"I would love to, but I have to be in Europe tonight."

"It's that stupid meet-and-greet function you've been telling me about lately?"

"Hey, there is nothing 'stupid' about strengthen diplomatic ties."

"Strengthening ties is one thing; listening to all that hot air is another."

"On THAT I agree…"

Later, after the classes were concluded for the day…

"Um, Miss Miko?" Ranma says, as he stops while putting away the mats and equipment.

Miko stops for a moment.

"Yes, sensei?"

"I…was reminded that tonight's your birthday, so I was wondering if you want to have dinner with me this evening."

Miko raises an eyebrow.

"Why, sensei…you're asking me out on a DATE?"

"Um, it's what I'm trying to, well…ugh, I always get tongue tied about stuff like this…"

Ranma clears his throat.

"I'm asking you, as a friend and colleague, if you want to have dinner with me, so we can celebrate both your birthday, and your completion of the instructors program. What do you say?"

Miko smiles.

"It would be an honor to go out on date with you."

"But, I-it's not-!"

"I'm kidding, sensei. You can pick me up at…eight o'clock at my apartment. Okay?"

"Sure."

Silence.

"Um, where do you live again?"

Miko only giggles.

Meanwhile…

Usagi sighs, as she keeps her blanket on her person, while not facing her Drow lover.

"I'm sorry, Barkah," Usagi says, as she looks away.

General Barkah does not respond, as he continues to put his clothes back on.

"Barkah?"

"My apologies for not responding, My Princess," Barkah says, as he stands. "Although I am your most loyal subject, I still have my male pride to consider. May I be dismissed from your presence?"

"You may."

"Thank you," Barkah says, as he turns to leave the Queen's chambers.

Usagi flops back on her bed, while breathing out an exasperated breath. Being a Drow ruler was complicated enough…

'SO, HOW WAS HE?' says a disembodied voice that only Usagi could hear.

"Leave me alone, 'Queen of Spiders'," Usagi says, as she rolls over to face the wall. Although Drow typically lived in underground dwelling, called "The Underdark", Usagi has made an effort to insist that her adopted people consider living above ground…in spite of some of the complications involved."

"OH, BUT I JUST LOVED YOUR PASSION…TOO BAD IT IS FOR ANOTHER MALE."

Angrily, Usagi threw off her covers, and jumped onto the center of her bedchambers.

"You may have been influencing my behavior, but I know who I am! And what I also know is that Ranma will find me…and set me free from your machinations. I WON'T BECOME YOU!"

"OH, REALLY, LITTLE GODDESS? TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF…"

Usag felt a wave of dizziness. When she managed to get her bearings straight, she looked down…"

"No!" Usagi yelled, as she realized that the lower half of her body was now that of a spider's thorax. "NO!"

"OH, YES, LITTLE GODDESS."

"I'm not…becoming like you!"

"YOU JUST DO NOT GET IT, LITTLE GODDESS. YOU ARE AN ASPECT OF ME. AS LONG AS THAT IS THE CASE, I WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I MUST TO MAKE YOU EMBRACE THE DARKNESS IN FULL. FOR NOW, FROM THIS DAY FORTH, YOU SHALL ALSO BE KNOWN AS 'THE PRINCESS OF SPIDERS'…USAGI-LOLTH. HOHOHOHO-!"

Having sensed that Lolth was gone now, Usagi began to cry. It was not the fact that Usagi couldn't resume bipedal form; it was the fact that she began to feel the predatory instincts surfacing. Still, there was the fact that her training as a Bene Gesserit will stave off the urges. However, until Lolth could be dealt with directly, it is only a matter of time before what Usagi is as a person suffers irreparable damage.

Tbc.