SMSTSS38: Trail of the Moving Pictures! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a limited story.
Author's Note: This story is strictly based on the upcoming movie trailers that have come out recently. It will serve as an experiment of sorts. If well-received, more chapters can be added later. As always, C&C are welcomed.
Later, that day, Usagi roams the halls of Rivendall. She was dressed in the finest elfin garb, which contrasted with her usual Hobbit wear.
"What a wonderful place, this is," Usagi said, as she scans the expansive hallways and open rotunda. There was to be a meeting between the master of the elfin city soon and wanted to explore the place before heading for the meeting. As she goes about her business, Usagi sees Lord Elrond's daughter heading for the patio area with a book in hand.
"Arwen!" Usagi yelled, as she waved her right hand, in order to get the elf maiden's attention. "Arwen-!"
Lady Arwen stops to turn to look at Moon Princess. She had to remember what her father had told her, in regards to her past…and future.
"Lady Usagi, hello," Arwen said with a smile. "How are you?"
"I'm doing fine, thank you," Usagi said. "I just wanted to thank you and your father for being kind hosts for us."
"Well, Father should be in his study. Why not thank him yourself?"
"Are you sure that's okay?" Usagi asked.
"In spite of Father's…stern ways, he is a softy at heart," Arwen replied.
"Ah, okay," Usagi said with a nod. "So…?"
"Father's study is upstairs with Master Gandalf and Lady Galadriel," Arwen said, as she points towards an area of the palace that was slightly carved into the rock of the hill that Rivendall sat upon. In fact, a special statue had been carved out of the rock, even as Elrond's keep was built around it…
"Oh, okay," Usagi said, as she said with a slight nod. "I'll go see with the Lord of the Keep is up to, and personally thank him."
Arwen nods her reply, even as Usagi turned to walk up to the upper terrace.
'If only I could tell her that she is really a family friend, and not simply a stranger in a strange land,' Arwen thought to herself. 'If only…'
Meanwhile, Usagi climbs up the stairs, she sees Bilbo standing in front of a statue. It depicted a woman, presumably an angel, holding up a broken sword with her "dress".
"Hey, Bilbo!" Usagi said happily, as she climbed to the landing.
"Ulp!" Bilbo said, as he nearly jumped with a start. "Oh, it's you…"
"Of course, it's me, silly!" Usagi said with a smile, as she hugged her friend.
"Um," Bilbo said, as he blushed and sweated. He could feel Usagi's bosom pressing against him from the side…
"What are you up to?" Usagi said, as she straightens herself.
"Just…exploring this place," Bilbo said with a shrug. He had to remember Gandalf's warning about wanting to start a relationship with Usagi…
"But I love her!" Bilbo said, as he stood in Elrond's study, as remained Elrond and Galadirel seated while Gandalf confronted the Hobbit. "And I know she loves me."
"Only a fool would be blind to not notice that, Bilbo of Hobbiton," Elrond said.
"Then why…?"
"The Moon Princess has a different destiny than yours," Galadriel said. She had only learned recently that she and Usagi were destined to create a child together through parthenogenesis, who would one day lead the last remaining fae of Middle Earth to a new home: Arcadia, the umbral realm of the Moon. The Lady of Lothlorien wasn't sure how to react to these future events, which is why she wanted to get to know Usagi better before committing herself to this inevitability…
"Should she accept your offer in marriage, the fate of Middle Earth could become a darken one."
"…"
"My friend, I do not begrudge you for wanting to pursue the Moon Princess," Gandalf said. "Had I been a different person, I could see myself being with her…or any other fair woman…"
Gandalf glances at Galadriel, who turned away slightly, before refocusing his thoughts back to Bilbo.
"One life time of happiness should not cost the untold number of lives that will be lost or not born."
"Usagi…is that important?" Bilbo asked. "Who is she really?"
"Lady Usagi is a goddess who has forgotten who she is, but cannot remember what she is to become," Elrond said. "I knew her back when I was but a child, and fought on her side in many campaigns afterwards."
"And she doesn't remember…anything?"
"No, thanks to a curse from one whose name I cannot speak at this time, for fear of waking his dark spirit too soon," Gandalf replied. "We are not yet ready to deal with him."
Bilbo swallows hard, respecting Gandalf enough to not press the issue.
"We implore you to respect our wishes on this matter, Master Bilbo," Galadriel replied. "The fate of Middle Earth is in your hands."
Bilbo looks down towards the floor. He really loved Usagi, in spite of the fact that she was not a Hobbit. And he knew that Usagi would give up her immortality for him. But…if his happiness means the end of everyone else, then he could not be selfish about his own happiness.
"Fine," Bilbo said, as he looked up at his hosts. "I will never profess my love to Usagi."
"I'm sorry you have to do this thing, but it is a necessary thing to do," Gandalf said, as he placed a hand on Bilbo's right shoulder.
"Just promise me that you will guide Usagi properly," Bilbo said, as he faced everyone else in the room. "I…I just want her to be happy."
"You have our promise, Bilbo of Hobbiton," Elrond said.
With a nod, Bilbo leaves Elrond's study…
"Bilbo?" Usagi asked.
"Huh?" Bilbo said, as he woke from his daydream.
"I was asking if you want to…hang out tonight, after the feast," Usagi said.
"Um, I can't," Bilbo said, as he slowly backed away. "Lord Elrond gave me clues as to high to decipher the map more. And…I want to take care of that before we set off for the Misty Mountains in the morning…"
Pause.
"You know, busy, busy, busy."
"Oh, okay," Usagi said with disappointment. "Then, I'll see you at the feast tonight."
"Right," Bilbo said, as he grins like an idiot, before taking off running.
Usagi sighed. She had hoped that she was giving the correct signs of being interested in him romantically would pay off by now.
"Maybe, I'm wrong about him," Usagi said with disappointment.
With another sigh, Usagi continued on her way to Elrond's study, where she hoped to thank the lord of Rivendall for putting up with her and her fellow travelers…
The next few days, Usagi, Bilbo and the thirteen dwarves continued their trek towards the Misty Mountains. Unfortunately, due to the fact that they were no longer in the domain of the Elves, they were attacked by-
"GOBLINS!" yelled one of the dwarves.
"HEEEHEHEHEHEE!" screeched one of the goblins, as his war-band attacked.
Usagi took out her bow, and notched an arrow. She rarely used a bow in battle, preferring magic instead, but the surprise attack made it impossible to prepare.
Just as one of the goblins attacked, the Moon Princess let loose a single arrow.
THAK!
"Arrgh!"
By no means, Usagi was experienced in using a bow in battle, but she was an excellent shot nevertheless.
"Good show!" Thorin yelled, as he stabbed a goblin's "giblets". Being of a smaller stature did help matters, but by not by much.
"Bilbo?" Usagi said, as she turned around wildly, as she tried to discern her friend's visage through the pandemonium. "Bilbo-!"
Usagi was grabbed from behind, and fell down.
"Oof!" Usagi said, as her newest Goblin attacker began to manhandle her.
"What an interesting prize you will make, female," the goblin screeched, as he began to lick her face.
Usagi grimaced, as she felt the slime-like tongue on her face. She could also smell the goblin's putrid breath. And while she could feel empathy towards the fact that goblins were once elves who were cursed to be monsters, Usagi was not about to be assaulted in anyway, especially in the way that the goblin had in mind.
"Then, you will soon find out that 'this prize' is something that you can never hope to have," Usagi said, as her eyes turned green. Her strength began to multiply exponentially, even as her emotions began to become turbulent. Thanks to a despot from a possible future, far from Middle Earth, Usagi had been altered into a force of nature.
"KYAHHH!" Usagi screamed, as she shrugs off the goblin from her person.
"Whoa!" the goblin said, as he falls by the wayside.
Everyone else turns to see the lithe-like Usagi grow and change, turning green and muscular in the process.
"KYAHHH!" Hulkusagi roared, as she stood in the midst of the battle site.
"What kind of creature are you?" Thorin asked.
"Hulkusagi is Hulkusagi," Hulkusagi said, as she turned to face the goblin hoard while giving them an angry look.
"Eh?" the goblins replied collectively.
"And Hulkusagi will SMASH!" the Gammazon said, as she rumbles down the field to decimate goblins. "KYAHH!"
"AHHHHHHHHHH-!"
When the battle was over, the dwarf warriors looked around in shock and awe.
"The lass…did it," said one dwarf.
"She did, but is she a lass?" asked another dwarf. "She could be an ogre."
"Hulkusagi is not ogre," Hulkusagi replied with a sigh. "Not Hulkusagi's fault that Hulkusagi is like this…"
As Hulkusagi calmed down, she became to revert back to her normal form…
"I hate having to change," Usagi said, as she wrapped herself as best as she could. Luckily, she was wearing a long dress that covered her larger frame.
"So, explain," Thorin asked.
"A monster who was once a man named 'The Maestro', cursed me," Usagi said with a sigh. "He wanted a wife to rule by his side, but only after he changed his bride to be more like him."
"And you were this monster's bride."
"Yes," Usagi said. "Well, at least that was his intention. Oh, managed to change me into being like him, but a noble warrior rescued me before the Maestro could officially take me as his wife. But…it was too late to cure me of my curse…"
Pause.
"If…if you all feel uncomfortable being around me, I can summon Gandalf to replace me," Usagi said sheepishly.
For what seemed to be an eternity, there was silence amongst the group…
"Well, monster or not, you still are a woman…to me," said one dwarf.
"Certainly!" said another dwarf, as he began to stroke his chin. "In face…I might have seen something 'interesting' under that dress of yours."
"I'll say," said another dwarf jokingly. "In fact, based upon what I saw myself during your transformation, me thinks fairest Usagi might have been sporting her own…dwarven beard."
"Would you stop being such a pervert?" Usagi said with annoyance. "Gawd, that's all you guys think about."
"Well, we ARE dwarves you know," said another dwarf, as everyone burst into laughter.
"I'll speak for all of us, maiden warrior," Thorin said. "You can always fight by my side."
"Thanks, Lord Thorin," Usagi said, as she smiled for moment, before a thought popped into her head. "Wait, where's Bilbo-?"
And so, the fair Moon Princess and her band of dwarves searched for Bilbo of Hobbiton, not knowing that the hobbit of the Shire was about to change the destiny of Middle Earth forever. But, that was a tale to be told next time…
2. "Of Gods, Aliens and Men" (tie-in to the "Prometheus" trailer).
Sometime in the late 21st century, a lone voice could be heard in the vast of deep space, which should be impossible.
"I was wrong," Usagi could be heard. "I tried to use others to get Ranma back, but I was WRONG to do so…"
The pounding sound of horns blared in Usagi's mind, as she desperately activated the alien machine within the great ship. It began to lift out of the deck, as the communications array was being aligned.
"This is Dr. Usagi Tsukino, director of the Weyland-Yutani's 'Project: Prometheus' program," Usagi said, as she coughed. Already, she could tell that the alien infection was taken over her biological systems.
"I am still unfamiliar with the translation mechanism, but I will have to do best with what I can," Usagi said, as she programmed the alien ship's warning beacon while remembering the events that led to this moment.
A week ago...
"Ma'am, I believe we have a signal," said the black man, who was the captain of the SS "Prometheus", which was a brand-new vessel assigned to Dr. Tsukino's assignment. He had his doubts about taking on such a dangerous assignment into the so-called 'Uncharted Territories' with no apparent payoff. Still, whatever far off alien world that he and his crew can fine, everyone will certain get a commission.
'Heck, maybe the planet can be named after me?' thought the black man, whose name Carl Janek.
"Good," Usagi said, as she leans forward while nodding her head. She was looking at the telemetry data, while pressing the onboard ship intercom. "Dr. Shaw, are you getting this?"
Down in astrometrics, an attractive scientist went over her data with an immaculate dressed man.
"I have, director," said Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, a xeno-linguist, who first discovered the proverbial Rosetta stone that allowed her to translate the Monolith on Io's data stream. "Signals are strong and steady, ma'am."
"Roger that. Keep me informed. Tsukino: out."
"Well, it seems that congratulations are in order," said a man who monitored the holographic display. He was the ship's astrometrics specialist…
"I couldn't have done it without your help," Shaw replied. "And if my discovery pans out, that could help humanity heal its old wounds, so to speak…"
In spite of the schism between Earth and its Terran Colonies—thanks to the Lunar Gate Disaster, the Second Robotech War (i.e. the Robotech Masters invasion of Earth), World War III and the Third Robotech War (i.e. Invid occupation of Earth), the Fourth Robotech War (i.e. the betrayal by the Haydonites, or "Children of Shadows")—relations amongst the children of Man were quickly normalizing, which would not have been possible had it not been for the Rantsu Foundation's sponsorship of Dr. Zephraim Cochrane's "Warp Drive Program" in the 2060s. Upon the success of the program, first contact with an alien species was made possible, this time with the Vulcans. Due to lingering fears of contact with aliens, and due to constant wars caused by alien invaders over the years, there was lingering apprehension, and even outright xenophobia, mostly in the form of the "Terra Prime" terrorist group, that had sprung up after an agreement between humans and Vulcans was reached…
Still, hope springs eternal, and space exploration was something that could help humanity get over its own insecurities, something that only Wayland-Yutani, the provider of such pursuits, could sponsor.
"Dr. Tsukino is really the one to thank for all this," said Shaw's partner, as he stares at the holographic display of the unknown star system. "Let's just hope that this mission is a success…"
Tbc.