Sailor Moon ST: Hero Unlimited 7 – By DS Wynne

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

Note: This is a multi-genre story.

Part 7: "Heart of the Dark" & "Dead Awake"

Location: "Valley of the Gods", U.S.A.

"Come on, Usagi!" Ranma Saotome said, as he scaled up the side of the huge, red colored mesa. "You can do it!"

"Yeah, yeah," Usagi Tsukino said, as she scaled the side of the cliff after him. "You know, when you said that you wanted to go out on a date, I should have asked for clarification first."

As part of their "getting-to-know-each-other-again" date, Ranma wanted to go rock climbing, bicycling and camping in the American Southwest. Right now, the two were rock climbing, using one of the numerous mesas as part of their exercise.

"You know, we CAN fly," Usagi said, as she hefted herself to another plateau.

"But where's the challenge?" Ranma replied. "Where's the adventure?"

"Where's the 'barf' bag?"

"Please, spare me the ridiculous hyperbole-"

As soon as Ranma reached the top of the mesa, he was perplexed at what he saw. As soon as Usagi reached the top, she, too, was perplexed at what she saw.

What the two saw was a mass of nano-technology was consuming the landscape. If unchecked, the nano-tech could consume the very planet itself.

"You know what I'm thinking?" Ranma asked.

"That 'techno-music' is the step-child of disco?"

"Ah, no. I was thinking that a 'Zero-Point' chi-attack."

"Oh, well, why didn't you SAY so, Ranchan?"

"…"

"But before we begin, I'll get a sample of the mass, and have the Atom take a look at it."

Usagi snapped off one of the numerous "needles" that jutted outward. It was moving, until the Moon Princess used tele-mechanics and a bit of programming skill to turn-off her piece. She then placed the sample in a clear sample jar made from adamantium, and then placed jar and all into a pocket dimension.

"Ready!"

"Okay, let's do it," Ranma said, as he and Usagi flew off the mesa, and went back a ways; Ranma and Usagi positioned themselves so that they were "facing" each other. Finally, the two were ready for their attack.

"Ka…me…ha…me…HA!" the two ex-spouses said in unison, releases a powerful energy attack together, from their cupped hands.

FWOOSH!

The infamous "Kamehameha Wave" attack could be used to easily split Earth's moon in half…in one blow. At present, the attack was being used to vaporize the nano-tech in a controlled setting, thereby preventing regeneration and replication.

The two beams met equally, where the nano-tech mass was located. Slowly, and energy sphere was formed. It grew bigger, as it consumed everything in its path. A few minutes later, Ranma and Usagi ceased their attack, but maintained their position to absorb the excess energy, as the "Zero-Point" technique performed its intended duty.

When the smoke cleared, the two rested…by a huge crater.

"Ah, well, that's that," said Ranma.

"You think so?" replied Usag, as she noticed an approaching military helicopter that was landing shortly. She also felt the familar vibration that accompanied a-

RRRING!

It was J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter, and John Stewart…one of Earth's Green Lantern.

"What's going on here?" 'Lantern demanded. "An energy release was registered here."

"Uh, yeah," Usagi said, as she reached into her special pocket, and revealed her sample jar. "There was a potential threat pertaining a 'nano-tech mass' that was threatening the planet. Have Dr. Palmer analyze it to determine its point of origin."

"What do I look like to you?" 'Lantern fumed.

"The person who will give the Atom my samples jar for study. Why do you ask?

Before 'Lantern can retort…

"In the future, let us know what is going on before acting," J'onn says. "Times are delicate as it is."

"I'll say," said an approaching military officer, as he and a combat team. "First, I recently learn that there are two 'Moon Princesses' running around, and now I have witnessed one of them and an associate's display of power. Complicates things, huh?"

At the moment, Usagi was living two lives. As "Usashinko Rantsu", she is a member of the JLU. As "USAF Major Dr. Serena O'Hare" she is out on a deep space mission. As confusing as it may sound, both identities are legally recognized.

"Indeed, General Eiling," Usagi said. "And if you know that much, you KNOW that you can't order me to do anything without just cause."

"True, which is why we will be taking your sample jar. National security, of course."

"Sigh. Of course, general," Usagi said, as she handed Eiling the samples jar.

"I'm glad that you are cooperative, Sailor Moon. Oh, and you will be hearing more of me later."

"Of that, I have no doubt."

After Eiling leaves…

"Usagi, why did you…?" Ranma began.

"I did?" Usagi replied, as she took out another samples jar. "Funny, I still have it."

"You gave him a fake!" 'Lantern says.

"Yeah, so? You actually think that with Cadmus out there, I'm going to hand over an alien technology? Please."

"If you don't mind, I'll give this to Dr. Palmer," the Martian Manhunter says.

"Sure, thing."

Unknown to all, a fragment to the nano-tech sample was embedded into Usagi's skin. Previously dormant, the single fragment activates…and grows.

Only time will tell what will happen in the not to distant future.

A week later, in New Orleans, Louisiana…

POW!

The white-skinned, Hulk-wannabe villain known as "Solomon Grundy" punched Sailor Moon into a statue dedicated to one of the founders of the city.

Ow, 'Moon thought. He's definitely a LOT stronger this time around…

While 'Moon was spending time at Dr. Fate's mystic tower, boning up on her test to increase her rating as a magus (and hanging out with her friends Aquaman, Amazo, and Hawkgirl), the construct known as Solomon Grundy was reawakened in its grave by a bunch of D&D posers at Louisiana State University (to get back at the jocks on the college football team). He had died while fighting one of the "Old Ones", who used to rule old Thanagar. He was allied with the Justice League, and one of them, Hawkgirl, was the constructs closest friend.

Well, ol' Grundy was back, stronger and meaner.

"Sailor Moon, are you okay?" Amazo asked, as the gold-skinned android help his friend.

"I guess. Dang! None of my magic abilities are working!"

"As it is expected," said the gold-helmeted magus, as he floated down to the ground. "Solomon Grundy is full of Chaos magic, which is anathema to order-minded magus."

"Then, I will deal with the creature," said Amazo, as he raised his hand, and fired off a solid field of cosmic energy.

"No!" yelled Hawkgirl, as she ran to stop Amazo. Ever since her betrayal, Hawkgirl was hiding at Fate's tower. In fact, she has gone on to place her Thanagarian mace in pocket space, since the material that it was made from, "Nth Metal", can disrupt magic. Since learning of Grundy's return, Hawkgirl came out of hiding to help her friend.

"You can't-"

Amazo creates a separate energy field, to ward of the redheaded Thanagarian.

"I must do what I must," the android said, as he poured on the energy. Unfortunately, Grundy was getting stronger from the experience.

"I do not understand this!" Amazo said. "I must leave here, to determine what is the cause of this difficulty."

And with that, Amazo warps out.

"Well, that was a bust," Aquaman said with a smirk.

"I guess we should do this the easy way," Vixen said, as she got ready to knock over another statue, with her cat-like claws, thanks to her ability to mimic animals in nature.

"That won't be necessary," 'Moon says, as she steps forward. "I guess I'll have to use my full power."

"You mean to tell me that you've been holding back?" 'Lantern yelled.

"Well, gee, I would think that you or Superman would have done something by now," 'Moon replied dryly.

"Usagi, if you are going to do something, please do so," Superman interjected.

"Alright, watch and learn."

A flash of light later, Sailor Moon was transformed into a silver, metallic version of her normal self. In other words, a living "Emmy" statue was in her cosmic form.

"I've been training with Amazo," said 'Moon said. "Thanks to him, I am stronger than ever."

"So, what are you going to do that Amazo didn't do?" Vixen asked.

"Amazo made the mistake of using energy to combat ol' Sol. I'm going to absorb the energy from him."

"That is very dangerous, Moon Princess," Dr. Fate says. "There is no telling what will happen if you do what you are planning on doing."

"That's a chance I have to take."

'Moon then turns to 'Lantern and Hawkgirl.

"John, monitor Grundy's energy signature, like I showed you. Hawkgirl, when John tells you that Grundy's energy output is a negative reading, use your mace to hit him in the head."

"Will he be hurt?" Hawkgirl asked.

"Only his feelings. The rest of you, distract Grundy. Dr. Fate, another pocket universe to put Grundy in. Let's move it, people!"

"…"

Needless to say, the plan worked.

In the end, Solomon was placed in stasis, until further notice, Hawkgirl decides to return to active duty (after Green Lantern and Aquaman convinces her to do so), and Dr. Fate writes up a recommends Usagi for a full promotion to the status of "Archmagus" (for her quick insight in manipulating chaos magic to contain the "Grundy" situation).

However, later…

Location: Tokyo, Japan.

"You okay, Usagi?" Ranma asked Usagi. The two were going out for miso soup at a local joint.

"Yeah, I guess so," Usagi said. "I just have this headache."

"Oh. You want me to take you home, then?"

"Nah, I'll be fine. Besides, I'm hungry."

"All right, then."

As the two go to their destination, a black, reverse Moon crescent briefly appears on Usagi's head, before fading. Time will only tell what will happen next.

Tbc.

Next time: What starts out as an afternoon lunch in the JLU Watchtower, turns out to be an epic journey to the past, present…and future! Be here for "Time, and Time Again", next time on "Sailor Moon ST: Hero Unlimited". See you then!