TRTSS4: In Search of a Paper Moon! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "SM", "R1/2", "ST" and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special note: This story takes place in the year 2360, eight months before Ranma and Usagi attends the Starfleet Academy.
Part 3
Meanwhile, back in the future…
When the so-called "Fifth World" era came about, the gods and legends of old receded further in the minds of Humankind. For one, Humankind began to outgrow the "need" for gods. That did not mean that religion and spirituality went away, but rather that Humankind began to find the maturity to do what is necessary to evolve beyond its petty norms. In fact, one day, Humankind will evolve to become like the gods themselves, as they collectively moved beyond the cradle that is called "Earth"…
But that day was a million years away, and the gods of the Fifth World were here.
One such god, Nabiki-Lokidis, the Norse "goddess of magic and mystery" (since her daughter Randis took her place as the Norse "goddess of mischief") never truly left the Earth realm (called "Midgard" by her fellow Asgardians) behind, when Queen Serena-Thordis chose to return the Norse back to their ancestral home. The goddess left behind her avatar, an "exemplar" named Nabiki Tendo, to tend to her Earthly affairs. This would go on until the death of her mortal sister, Akane Tendo, murdered by the agents of the Romulan clandestine office known as the "Tal Shiar". Stricken by grief, Nabiki and her older sister Kasumi left Earth behind for "Beyond the Rim", in hopes of finding Ranma Prime. Ranma Prime, an Oracle and god/dess in his/her right, had long since left the Universe as a part of his "training journey"…with only as the immortal "Lorien the First" (the first sentient being in the Universe) as his guide. As result of Nabiki's departure, Nabiki-Lokidis began to take a more active hand in the affairs of Earth, by assuming a human guise…
Alynna Nechayev woke up from her sleep, in her home in the heart of her beloved St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. The snow was light, as the Sun rose over the horizon.
"Humph," Alynna says, as she took a look at her body. "To think that I have to use a 'flesh suit' that is radically different from my own…or even my avatar's…"
As far as the Universe was concerned, "Alynna Nechayev" was found at the local orphanage while still a baby. Although the child was deemed ethnically "Russian", there were not genetic matches found. No one knew who the baby girl's parents were. In fact, some were worried that the child could have been an "Augment", since the girl's physiology was "perfect". However, the girl proved to be not significantly better than an average child, so a Russian Starfleet officer and his wife were allowed to adopt the girl as their own.
And the rest was history.
Over the years, Nabiki-Lokidis, as Nechayev, worked her way up the ranks of Starfleet, and only recently has she been promoted to "Vice Admiral". Her duties now consist of overseeing operations within Starfleet Intelligence, which is not that different from her role as the head of the clandestine organization known as "Section 31"…though there were more oversight involved…
By early mid-morning, Nechayev was dressed, and was eating her light breakfast over the latest reports within Starfleet Intelligence.
"Hmmm," Nechayev muses, as she looked at the reports. Only recently have more detailed reports of Usagi Tsukino's "apparent" demise have been forth coming.
"This cannot be right," Nechayev says. "There wasn't any matter residue found at either transporter sites…"
With a sigh, she made a note to contact the one person that knew both Ranma and Usagi, and could prevent Ranma from going on a rampage that could cost countless lives.
With that done, Nechayev tapped into the communications network on a secured line.
"Operator?" Nechayev began. "Connect me to Ambassador Spock's office…"
Meanwhile…
Miko sighed happily, as she returned to her apartment in Nerima. In the year 2060, Nerima is one of the few prefectures that have kept its early 21st century sensibilities, thanks to the efforts of Crystal Tokyo.
After entering her apartment, Miko receives a surprise…
"MIKO, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" says a short, black clad 'shinobi'.
"Gah!" Miko replies.
BONK!
"Ow," the little shinobi yelled, as he rubbed his head. "That hurts!"
"You shouldn't have startled me like that, Nin!" Miko yells. "And besides…you brought me out of happy memories."
"So, have you and Master Ranma…?"
"NO…Ranma was the perfect gentleman throughout the evening."
"But you were gone all night!"
"Nin, in this day and age, humans can travel anywhere at any time. So, for us, Ranma and I spent the evening together…all over the world."
"That does sound romantic actually," Nin says.
"Aye, it was," Miko says with a sigh. "And the sad thing is that Ranma…is not really MY Ranma."
"AND LET'S MAKE IT THAT WAY, MIKO," says a booming voice.
Miko and Nin were on immediate alert, as the two went into a fighting stance. Miko was tempted to shift in her "true form"…
"Who is speaking to us?" Miko demanded.
FLASH!
A familiar face appears, dressed in normal clothes for one who appears to be a young woman. Save for the eye-patch over her left eye, Miko knew this person.
"Usagi?"
"YEAH, IT IS," Usagi says. "AND I AM TELLING YOU TO-"
"Could you turn down the volume a bit?" Miko asked.
"Sorry about that," Usagi says, as she cleared her throat. "It's been ages since I took on a mortal guise."
Although the women appeared to be normal, their respective auras revealed their true guises.
Miko Mido was really a demon lord, who purview consisted of pleasure and other forms of vices. She has been ruling the Shikima Realm as "Queen" ever since the Sixth Age of Man came to a close.
Usagi Tsukino was the "All-Mother" of the Norse gods. After sacrificing her left eye to become the supreme goddess of her pantheon, Usagi and her people left Midgard behind to allow Humankind to chart their own destinies.
"You should visit more often," Miko says, as she relaxed a bit. "As you were saying…?"
"I don't want you to have a relationship with THIS Ranma, Miko," Usagi says. "You could end up altering key events of THIS Ranma's life."
Miko wanted to retort, but tears began to brim in her eyes.
"Oh, Usagi!" Miko cried, as she went to hug her "co-wife". "I…I miss him SO much…"
Usagi patted Miko on the back.
"I know, Miko-chan," Usagi says. "I miss Ranma, too."
Usagi notices the "ecchi" stares that Nin was making.
"Miko, could you tell your retainer to buzz off, or something?" Usagi asks, as her eyes glowed. Thunder could be heard in the distance.
"Oh, yes," Miko says with a sniff, as she broke their hug. She then turns to face Nin.
"Could you fix us some tea, please?" Miko asked.
"Sure," Nin says, as he hops off to the kitchen.
"Look, let's talk this Ranma thing over, okay?" Usagi says, as she stroke Miko's tear-stricken face.
"Really?" Miko replies.
"Yes. Look, we and a few others agreed to NOT interfere in THIS Ranma's life, but I'm sure that some sort of…modification of our original agreement can be made…"
Meanwhile…
Ranma sighs happily, as he performs his personal workout routine in the Tendo Dojo. He decided to cancel today's classes (except those that the students could access through the holodeck network system, if they prefer). He wasn't sure how he felt at the moment, due to the fact that he was torn between a wife he hasn't seen in sixteen years…and a girl who seemed to fulfill his needs as a friend.
Or maybe more…
"No, I can't do that," Ranma says to himself. "I have to have to believe that I will see Usagi again…"
Meanwhile, back in the distant past…
Lord Elrond of Rivendall had thought that with the defeat of the dark lord Sauron, peace would return to the land. Instead, Middle Earth has been wrecked with violence, as the old ways and laws become undone. Worse, there have been rumors that his people's "dark cousins"—The Drow—have being making unusual moves of late. How they will affect the future, no one—not even Lady Galadriel—knew, which is why he asked those old veterans of the war of the One Ring to
"My lord," says a chief servant of Elrond, as he bows. "The Dark Ones have been spotted on our border."
This bit of news alarmed Elrond. Were the Drow planning on attacking his kingdom?
"Inform our guests of this development, and have them meet me at the gate with our best men."
"Aye, sir."
An hour later, Elrond, King Aragorn of Gondor, Prince Legolas and Lord Gimli the Dwarf stood with a regiment of soldiers and Elvin warriors.
"Fine day to pick up a blade," Gimli chuckled.
"This does takes us back, eh?" smiled Legolas.
"Aragorn, you need not stand with me," Elrond says. "This is my realm…and you have an obligation to my daughter."
"And it is because of that, that I stand by you," Aragorn says. "Besides, I need the practice. Being king has somewhat dull my sword arm."
"Let us hope not for ALL our sakes," Elrond says. "Although, considering the sorcery of my cousins, I do wish Gandalf the White had been here sooner, rather than later…"
Sure enough, the Drow, led by the Princess of Spiders, arrive with her guard, most of whom were apparently female. Due to the time of day, they were all covered in cloaks…
"They…seem friendly," Gimli says.
"Trust not the Dark Ones," Legolas says. "Their sword is as sharp as their wits…and sorcery."
Aragorn leans over to Elrond's side.
"What say you, sire?" Aragorn asked.
Elrond wanted to rid the world of this infamous creature, the Princess of Spiders. It was said that she was the avatar of Lolth herself, and was powerful enough to slay a Balrog in her own right. And over the past few cycles, the Princess of Spiders has been amassing more control over the Underdark. And in Elrond's life experience, they can only mean one thing: a prelude to the creation of an empire. And if that happens, so reasoning goes, it's only a matter of time before the children of Lolth turn their eyes upon the rest of Middle Earth…
"Follow my lead," Elrond says, as he trots his horse forward.
"Aye," Aragorn says, as he trots his horse at his friend's side.
The Princess of Spiders sees this, and halts her royal guard. She signals them to stop. And then, she turns to her Captain.
"Wait here with the others, Thalice" says the Princess of Spiders.
"But My Lady-"
"Do as I say."
With that, the Princess of Spiders trots her horse to meet with the Lord of Rivendell and the mortal king of Gondor. When she arrives at the spot, she could already feel the hate emanating from these two.
"You, Princess of Spiders," Elrond says. "State your business in these lands."
"…"
"We expect no trickery on your part," Aragorn says. "You may be female, but I will slay you like any other monster."
"Then accept this as proof of my sincerity," the Princess of Spider replies, as she tosses an object at Aragorn.
"Aragorn-!" Elrond says with alarm.
"Wait," Aragorn replied, as he catches the object. He then takes a look at the object…
It was a jeweled leaf.
And then something clicked in the head of the king of Gondor.
"Where did you get this?" Aragorn demanded.
Elrond looks at the artifact. He then realizes what it meant.
"Yes…only a select few were given these. Which corpse did you steal this from?"
The Princess of Spiders sighs.
"I would implore the Lord of Rivendall and His Majesty the King of Gondor give this one time to discuss this matter…in private. I…do not want my shame to be known by others of the Fellowship."
Elrond and Aragorn look at each other.
"I will allow it, but your warriors are NOT welcomed on these lands."
"Then I shall allow myself to be taken in…as hostage, if need be."
Aragorn continued to examine the woman. His skills as a Ranger were conflicted. And yet somehow, he knew to trust this Drow…
"Very well," Elrond says, as he turns his horse. "Follow me, but do so carefully."
"I understand, my Lord."
Soon, the Princess of Spiders was alone in a stone coven near the outskirts of the main citadel. It was here, that the Fellowship of the Ring was first formed. These days, it had a canopy covering it.
"You wanted to speak with us in private?" Elrond asks.
"Yes, why this…reclusive behavior?" Aragorn asks.
Meanwhile, Legolas and Gimli were trying to spy on the situation from the brush.
"Well, what is it?" Gimli asked, as he tried to tiptoe to a secured location.
"I'm trying to sir, good sir," Legolas says.
The Princess of Spiders sighs, as she removes the hood of her cloak.
"No…" Elrond say in shock. In spite of the woman's slightly altered features, he knew who this person was.
"Um, hi?" Usagi says with embarrassment. "Have I got a story to tell…"
Tbc.