SMSTSS 7: Hero Unleashed! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, DC/Marvel Comics and the other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 9: "The 13th Labor of Herakles!" (V)
Meanwhile, in the Underworld, Taimu Kyaasori is dragged to the beach, thanks to Wonder Ranko (aka "Wonder Woman IV"). He was coughing incessantly, after almost drowning in the River of Styx, thanks to the dead that swam its waters.
"You okay?" Wonder Ranko asked.
"Why do I feel weak?" Taimu said. "And how come YOU aren't?"
"You are mortal, while I am not, that's why," Wonder Ranko replied.
"But even you can get killed, champion," said a familiar voice.
All eyes turn towards the ghostly apparition of Shadow Athena.
"Friend or foe?" Wonder Ranko asked.
"Friend, if you let me," S-Athena replied, as she moved towards the redhead and her companion. "Hades will be waiting for you, at the end of this leg of the journey, since he knows that you are a threat."
"We just want to restore the realm of Mt. Olympus so that the real owners will return."
"Even so, our shadows will not want to change ownership of this realm," S-Athena said. "However, I can give you what is left of me…"
And with that, S-Athena merges with Wonder Ranko.
FWOOSH!
"Ugh!" Wonder Ranko said, as she nearly doubled up in pain.
"Ranma!" Taimu said, as he gets up to help his companion.
"I'm okay," Wonder Ranko said. "I'm me…I hope."
'That you are, champion,' S-Shadow Athena said in Wonder Ranko's head. 'I give you all of me as a gift. Use it well…'
And with that, the voice inside Wonder Ranko's head fades for good.
"Huh," Wonder Ranko said, as she scratches her head. "That was weird. I feel stronger, that's for sure…"
"What's weird is that that spear, shield and helm just showed up," Taimu said, as he points to the items that sat nearby…
"So they are," Wonder Ranko said, as she examines the items. "Nice…"
"So, we have to fight Hades next," Taimu said.
"Are you crazy?" Wonder Ranko said. "Hades is a lot scarier than his brothers. No, if we are going to deal with the Lord of the Underworld, even if it is his shadow we are dealing with, I want to go in armed."
"Then where are we going?"
"We have to see the Smith God first," Wonder Ranko said, as she runs down a ravine, after pocketing the weapons. "Come on-!"
And, with that, Wonder Ranko and Taimu run down a path. Destination: Hephaestus' Forge.
Sometime later…
As Wonder Ranko and Taimu ran down the path way, there was only one thing that ran in Wonder Ranko's mind.
'What do goddesses want me to be like them anyway?' Wonder Ranko thought. 'I'm a guy, above all things, and just because I don't mind using my girl-body, that doesn't mean I want to join the sisterhood. SHEESH!'
Her eyes wander towards the expanse of the Underworld, otherwise known as the Realm of Hades. In the distance, she could see the brightness, caused by the magma that permeated the area surrounding the base that is Mt. Olympus. Essentially, she and Taimu were in the subbasement area of the realm. From there, one could either head for Tartarus, the realm of the dishonored dead, or for the Elysian Fields, the realm of the just dead. The unfortunate thing is that Hades uses the dishonored dead to create his monsters and undead army…
Supporting the surface were giant stalactites and rocky columns that created the caverns.
"Look at that," Taimu said, as he jogs next to Wonder Ranko, as he points to the falling bodies that were raining throughout the valley.
"I rather not," Wonder Ranko said, as she continued to run down the path until she stops in front of a huge gate. It was covered with vines. Looming over the gate was a statue of Hades, who sat over the gate like he was sitting over it on a throne…
"Looks like a dead end, Ranma," Taimu said.
"OF COURSE IT IS…FOR YOU TWO!" said a deep, booming voice. "AFTER ALL, THIS IS MY REALM!"
"Hades!" Wonder Ranko said, as she looks around. "Show yourself!"
"IN TIME, LITTLE CHAMPION," Hades chortled. "BUT YOU HAVE TO COME TO ME! THAT IS…IF YOU CAN GET PASS MY MINIONS-!"
Suddenly, armored minotaurs appear from the shadows.
"Finally, some action," Taimu said, as he takes out his Cronus Keyblade.
"Recovered?" Wonder Ranko said, as she takes out the Sword of Olympus from pocket space.
"Yeah, I just needed my second wind."
And, with that, the pair went to work.
Afterwards, suffering very little in the way of cuts and bruises, they moved along the chain towards where the shadow of Apollo, the God of Light was imprisoned. Apparently, he did not want to fight in the war against the Titans, and thus was punished. Unfortunately, his imprisonment was being guarded by a gorgon. Incidentally, the original gorgon, Medusa spawned children of her line, before succumbing to death.
"Skreeee!" the gorgon screeched, as she attacked.
"Remember, do not look at her gaze!" as she threw a rag over her eyes.
Taimu just puts on one of his tinted sunglasses.
"Got it," Taimu said, as he raises his Keyblade.
At the last minute, he turns and strikes the gorgon down.
"Ayie!" the gorgon screeched, just as Wonder Ranko uses super-speed get behind the creature. She then forms an "Aura Blade" around her hand, and-
SLICE!
"Ayie!" the gorgon screeched, as the rest of her body jumped and wiggled away…headless.
Taimu relaxes a bit, before seeing another gorgon leap from the side of platform that they all were standing on. Taimu sees this.
"Ranma, look out-"
Just as the second gorgon struck, Wonder Ranko shows off the first gorgon's face to her sister.
"No-!"
FLASH!
Automatically, the gaze of the first gorgon turns the second gorgon to stone. Now frozen, the second gorgon falls into a heap, shattering in the process.
CLATTER!
"Man," Taimu said, as he takes off his glasses. "I didn't think you would do that to a female."
"You know, you're right," Wonder Ranko said, as she scratched her forehead. "Why'd I do that anyway?"
Pause.
"Oh, well," Wonder Ranko said, as she tosses the head of the first gorgon over the side of the platform. "We have much work to do."
With that, Wonder Ranko leaves a perplexed Taimu behind.
Soon, they come upon Shadow Apollo, who appeared to be chained up. However, Black Vines, the same ones that obstructed the way into Hades' Lair, was also present. They were blocking Wonder Ranko and Taimu from getting to Apollo.
"Thank you," S-Apollo said breathlessly. "You have saved me…"
"We come because only the Bow of Apollo can open the entrance into Hades' lair," Wonder Ranko said.
"Yes, I know. But Hades mocks me by having my bow next to me while I am chained."
"That is too bad, man," Taimu said.
"Not quite," Wonder Ranko said. "Only the Fire of Hades or his minions will release him, if the Bow is of no use to us."
Pause.
"Ah, screw this!" Wonder Ranko said, as she used her mighty strength to rip out the vines; she also ripped out the structure around the area that held Apollo down.
"Yeaargh!" Wonder Ranko yelped, as the vines faded from her hands revealing chemical burns on her palms. "It's like I was touching poison ivy…"
"That is why you need my Bow," S-Apollo said. "Please, let me go, so I can give it to you."
"Taimu," Wonder Ranko said, as she motions Taimu to free Apollo.
"Right," Taimu said, as he used his Key Blade to strike the bonds that held Apollo.
CLANK-CLANK!
"Thank you, champion and companion," S-Apollo said with a gentle smile. "You have done well. My Bow…is yours."
As Apollo hands his bow to Wonder Ranko, the wounds on her hands heal.
Sssss…
"Hey, look at that," Taimu said.
"Yeah, I can see," Wonder Ranko said, as she looks at her healed hands.
"Good luck on your travels, champion of Olympus," Apollo said, as he steps back. "But beware of this: some gifts carry a heavy burden."
With that, Apollo disappears.
FWOOSH!
"I wonder what THAT was all about?" Taimu asked.
"Eh," Wonder Ranko said. "I just roll with it."
"So, we go to Hades' Lair to get to the Hephaestus?" Taimu asked.
"No, for that, we have to go to the very foundation of Mt. Olympus itself: The Judges of the Underworld."
"Eh?"
A short time…
"Wow," Taimu said from a distance. "I am impressed…"
At the base of the giant "Chain of Destiny", which was being held in place by three giant, metal automatons, was rooted into a raised pedestal. Next to it was a reflecting pool where a young lady was wading into it while looking deep into it with contemplation.
"It is impressive, man," Wonder Ranko replied. "It's what connects this realm with the Earth realm. Break it, and this place could be lost."
"Yaaaahhhhh-!" said a body, as it fell.
"Me thinks that is not a bad thing," Taimu said, as he looks over the ledge. "So, what's next?"
"We awaken the judges in order to get to one of the portals to Hephaestus. Unfortunately, it'll mean fighting more monsters."
"Really?" Taimu asked.
A short time later…
"WIND SLICER!" Taimu said, as he blew pass a cyclops, slicing him into pieces.
SLICE!
"Arrrgh-!"
CRUMBLE!
Taimu looks around, and begins to relax. All over the ground were dozens of monsters of various types.
"Do the gods just…grow these guys on trees or what?" Taimu complained.
TAK!
Wonder Ranko stabs the ground with the tip of the Sword of Olympus.
"Quite complaining," Wonder Ranko said, as she then points towards a column of light, one of many that dotted all over Mt. Olympus. "Get cleaned up while I consult with the judges."
"Yeah, yeah…"
Using Athena's knowledge, Wonder Ranko steps on a golden dial that sat between the base chains…
CHUNK!
Immediately, the arms of the three kings, the Judges of the Underworld, move away from holding the great chain.
WHOOOM-CHUNK!
The end of the chain is raised, exposing three yards of unvarnished metal that seemed to glow. It was still connected to the base of the foundation of the Underworld. The eyes of the statues glow with blue power…
"WE THREE KINGS—AEACUS, RHADAMANTHUS AND MINOS—WILL RENDER JUDGMENT UPON YOU, RANMA SAOTOME, IZANAGI OF ONOGORO, AGRIPPOS OF ITHACA, AGRIPPA OF OLYMPUS," said the voices of the three statues in unison. "WHAT SAY YOU?"
"I choose the path to Tartarus, so that I may seek the wisdom of Haphaestus," Wonder Ranko said, as she stood proudly.
"ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE EARNED YOUR PLACE IN ELYSIUM, WE SHALL COMPLY WITH YOUR WISHES."
And, with that, the Gates to Tartarus give way.
"Alright, let's do this," Wonder Ranko said, as she moves on.
"Hey, I just got freshened up!" Taimu complained, as he runs after his companion.
After going through more inane obstacles, they reach the lair of Hephaestus. Unfortunately, standing in the way were iron sentries, who carried big hammers.
BAM!
Taimu, nearly squashed, leaps out of the way, throws a black, energy sphere at his opponent.
FWOOP!
The black sphere embeds itself into the metal automaton's chest, before the entire body caves in on itself.
SSSSSSSSS-swoop!
"I love 'Gravity Grenades'," Taimu said with a cocky grin.
Meanwhile, Wonder Ranko dodges the attack by the second metal automaton, before snatching the giant hammer from its grasp.
SNATCH!
As the automaton tried to recover, Wonder Ranko utterly smashed its body in one swing.
SWING!
BAM!
"Come," Wonder Ranko said, as she tosses aside the weapon, before running down the grand hall.
"But…didn't you see that…?"
Soon, they arrive at their destination.
"Lord Hephaestus," Wonder Ranko said, as she looks up at the deformed, giant god.
"Oh, I have visitors," said Shadow Hephaestus said, as he lurches around. "What do you want?"
"I seek your help to restore Mt. Olympus to its glory…"
Tbc.
