SMST: Hero Initiative – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 10
Meanwhile…
"Ya-HOOOOOO!" Ranma yelled, as he slid along the slopping branches and vines of the heart of "darkest" Africa. As soon as though the martial arts adventurer was about to fall off, Ranma would leap off, flip, land on another "express branch", and continues to slide.
"Yo, Tarzan!" Ranma yells, as he turns his head towards the rear. He was wearing only his expeditionary shorts and his necklace that had a picture locket attached to it. For his honeymoon, Ranma and his bride Foulata decided to head towards central West Africa to visit his friend John ("Tarzan") Clayton—Earl of Greystoke—and his wife Jane and family. Meanwhile, Allan Quatermain was going to do some R&R by going on safari in Central Africa.
"You can't keep up with me!"
"Ha!" yells the Lord of the Jungle, as he swung to another vine. "Day is not over!"
Jane Porter looks over at this childish display of "one-upmanship" from the vantage point of her treehouse, while rocking her baby boy named Jack ("Korak" was his native name) in a makeshift rocker. Sitting with her was Foulata. Although Jane considered herself progressive when it comes to dealing with issues surrounding race, she was taken aback that Ranma, an Oriental—and a handsome one at that—would willingly marry a black African…even if she were a princess. Still, she was more concerned about how Usagi would feel if she learns that Ranma has taken another wife.
"So how did you and Ranma meet?" Jane asked Foulata.
"Ranma saved my family from my uncle and an evil wizard," Foulata says. "Marrying him was my way of fulfilling a family debt."
"But…Ranma is not the type to hold a person to a life-debt."
"This is true, but I wanted this, not my brother. In fact, the elders were against my marriage, so Ranma proved himself worthy enough for my hand in marriage."
"I see. But…did you know that Ranma was already married?"
"Yes. However, my people allow for multiple marriages. In fact, it is a sign of wealth or status to have more than one wife."
"I see. So you are going with him after your honeymoon?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"As much as I like to see the great world, my place is here in the motherland. And besides, I want to be there to help my brother rule our lands. Someday…I hope to visit the land of my husband's birth. I especially want to meet his other wife Usagi."
"Fair enough. Um, not to pry, but do you want to have children with Ranma? You do know that they will look…different."
"I know. But…I love him, and I want to give my husband strong children."
Jane smiles, as she looks at her young son, who was sleeping.
"Don't we all…"
That night, Ranma was on his stomach while Foulata was treating his back for red ant bites. At the last minute, Ranma rolled into a dive to catch vine, but landed straight into red ant nest.
"Ow!" Ranma winced, as Foulata applied a salve on his back. "Do you have to use so much of that stuff?"
"If you want me to put it away-"
"Nah, I'm just complaining for the heck of it," Ranma replied.
Foulata puts the bottle down on a nearby bedroom stand, and begins to rub the ointment into Ranma's skin.
"Foulata?"
"Yes, Ranma?"
"Do you…have any concerns about marrying me?" Ranma asks, as he attempts to look back.
"No."
"Are you SURE?"
Foulata stops her actions.
"What do you wish to tell me, Ranma?"
Ranma sighs, as he rolls out of bed. He gets up, and leans on the balcony area.
"There is…a different side to myself that very people know," Ranma says, as he looks out into the jungle. The Moon shone brightly that night.
Foulata gets up, and hugs Ranma from behind. She liked the feel of this man's muscles. And in spite of being non-African, Ranma had an aura of confidence that nearly made Foulata and the other maidens feint in delight. Plus, it did help that Ranma, in spite of his rugged, good looks, was fluent in her mother tongue—and other languages as well—and was well cultured. Learning that Ranma is an experienced diplomat of his native land sealed to deal for her, when she decided to marry the foreigner. And yet…they have not consummated their marriage. Did Ranma merely marry her for appearance's sake, or…was he…was he…
"Ranma, if you prefer men to women, I'll understand," Foulata says with sadness.
Ranma turns around.
"What? No…I am NOT gay!"
"But…why haven't we made love yet? Is it…because I am Black?"
"No, it's…well, I might as well SHOW you."
Ranma takes a nearby pitcher of cool water, and pours water from the pitcher and into a cup.
"Watch," Ranma says, as he faces his wife. He then pours the contents of the cup over his head.
Foulata's eyes bugged out, as her "husband" changes into a very attractive girl.
"What…what are you?" Foulata says, as she steps back a bit. "Are you a…Changeling?"
"Heh," Ranma-chan says with mirth. "Not exactly. What you see…if my cursed form, which I got when my father and I foolishly went to a field of cursed springs for 'training'. My father fell into one spring and becomes an animal, while I fell inn another spring…and became THIS."
Foulata cautiously steps forward…and squeeze one of Ranma-chan's breasts.
"Why does everyone need to do THAT just to get proof of what I'm saying?" Ranma-chan says, as she shakes her head.
"My…apologies," Foulata says, as she lets go. "Is this…permanent?"
"The curse is, but thankfully, hot water can be used to resort my rugged good looks…"
"So, we have to wait until we get some hot water for you to be normal?"
"Yeah," Ranma-chan says, as she pulls out a hot teakettle from seemingly nowhere, and pours the contents on her head. Right before Foulata's eyes, Ranma is restored to normal. Although Ranma does not need to use water to alter his form one way or another, he did so in this case for the sake of Ranma and Foulata's discussion.
"Where did that kettle come from?" Foulata asks. "Are you a magician, too?"
"Well, I started out trying to find cures for my curse," Ranma says, as he puts the kettle aside. "However, along the way, I learned how to perform 'parlor tricks' so to speak, like slight of hand."
"Oh, I see."
Silence.
"But I wanted you to know the truth about me before we move forward with this relationship…if we DO move forward," Ranma says. "I'll understand if you want to leave-"
"Shhhh," Foulata says, as she places a finger on Ranma's lips. "I don't want to leave you, Ranma. Had you been a homosexual, I would have still remained by your side."
"Wow, you are…quite open-minded."
"When it comes to affairs of the heart, I have to be, my love."
Foulata takes Ranma's hand, and pulls him to their bed. Ranma wraps his arms around the woman, and falls onto the bed with Foulata on his chest…
Later that night, Ranma is still awake, even after "being one" with Foulata. The martial artist and adventurer looked down on top of his wife's head, as she continues to rest. Since it was her first time as a lover, Ranma had to be gentle with Foulata. With Usagi, however, more times than not the bed Ranma shares with her needs to be replaced every so often. He did wonder how Usagi, as open minded as she was, would deal with yet another co-wife.
Meanwhile…
With Vlad Tepes "on vacation" to England, the elders of the Sabbat wondered what contingencies Count Dracul may have left behind. The Sabbat's philosophy is simple: vampires are to behave as vampires, with humans as a resource. Making up the core of this group consists of the Count's clan, Tzimisce clan of Eastern Europe, and another clan known as Lasombra. Lasombra primarily call the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), Italy and the areas in between. And while the Tzimisce clan is known as flesh-crafters (called Vicissitude), the Lasombra are manipulators of shadows (called "Obtenebration")…and of people. It is said that strongest of these vampires can call upon the power of the Abyss (known as "Oblivion" in magi lexicon) to consume targets completely. The two clans formed as a way to counter those vampire clans—called the Camarilla—who wanted to dwell amongst human. Feh. Why should a superior species feel the need to be equal to a human?
At any rate, the Darwinist-minded Sabbat decided to send someone to pay Castle Dracula a visit…
"Lilly," Usagi says, as she looks out into the open space. "Why is there an army at our doorstep?"
"Hmmm," Lilly says, as she scanned the area. "Looks like the rumors were correct."
"And that is…?"
"Count Demitri Maximoff of the Zeltzereich has been sent here to claim Dracul land…as a test by the Sabbat."
Usagi listens, as she continues to stare out into the darkness. Although there were plenty of human ghouls, there were a few horrors—such as fiends, werewolves (from the local "Shadow Lords" tribe) and monsters (created as a result of flesh-crafting experiments)—below.
"So, what are we going to do?"
"'WE' are not going to do anything. You are."
"ME? Face that?"
"I have to rally my allies to our side, so you and the Father's brides will have to entertain our guests in the meantime."
"Oh, dear," Usagi says. She knew that she couldn't depend on Marishka and the others, but…
"I do have a gift for you," Lilly says, as she presents Usagi a small, antique box. "I was going to wait until later to present it to you, but we have bigger things to worry about."
Usagi takes the tiny box, and opens it.
It was an ornament bracelet with a smooth, ruby jewel as its centerpiece. Touching it, Usagi felt an ancient power.
"What's it called?" Usagi asked.
"It is known as 'The Witchblade'," Lilly says. "Legend has it that two powers of equal strength—one light, one dark—formed a union that resulted in the creation of thirteen of such trinkets. And it will serve as both armor…and weapon."
"I'm surprised that you are not keeping this for yourself."
Lilly raises her right hand and shows off a duplicate bracelet.
"Oh."
"At any rate, you'll need that while I gather our forces," Lilly says, as she turns to leave. "And, please, keep the Brides out of trouble while I'm gone, okay?"
"I will. And Lilly?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
Lilly nods her head, and leaves.
Usagi turns her full attention back to the task at hand. She wondered if she was biting off more than what she can chew…
A short time later, down below, Demitri Maximoff paced back and forth on his stead. Although he was descended from the Kurgans in Russia, his family has made these lands theirs for centuries.
"Igor, have you told those within this manor of my intentions?"
"Yes, master," says the withered fiend. "I was told that the master of the manor would come down to meet you."
"Humph! Like that will stop me from taking these lands!"
As if on cue, the great doors to Castle Dracula open up, revealing a young woman on horseback. Her cape flapped, as she galloped towards her "guests".
"What is the meaning of THIS?" Demitri cried out. "Am I being mocked?"
"No, Count Zeltz," Usagi says. "I am here to represent the interests of the Count Dracul."
"So…you are the Viscountess, then."
"I suppose I am, sir. But regardless, I wish to challenge you in mortal combat. If I win, you leave here peacefully with your army. You win, and these lands will be yours."
"Ha, like someone like YOU have the power to defeat ME! HAHAHAHAHAHA-!"
Usagi growled, as she raised her hand, and flicked the air with her middle finger and thumb.
FWOOM!
An unseen force knocks Demitri off his horse, and into an abandoned stone structure on the premises.
THOOM!
Nearly everyone was in a state of shock, as Demitri pulls himself out of the rubble.
"So be it," Demitri says, as he charges his dark power. For a moment, he demonic, bat form could be seen.
"SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!" Demitri roared.
Usagi calmly climbs off her horse, and smacked it in the rear so that it would return to the castle.
"Okay, I will."
With a grunt, bat-wings sprung out of her back. All of her discipline seems to fade, as Usagi becomes more monstrous. And then, with the touch of her Witchblade, the mystical object begins to spread throughout her body to form light body armor that was black in color. Somehow, the design of her Sailor Moon costume was incorporated into her armor. And, curiously, her clothes seemed to shred in the process, leaving only her "naughty bits" covered strategically. The whited of her eyes changed from red to black, leaving her iris red. Her hair turned white, while her face now had tribal markings etched both sides of her cheeks. Tribal markings also etched her bat-wings...
Usagi then got into a fighting style, with "Mars"—her Atlantean Rune sword—at ready…this time at six feet in length, one foot thick and wickedly curved and jagged. It was not the standard look, but both "Mars" and "Venus" (Ranma's sister sword) and alter their appearance if need be. Subconsciously, she licked her lips with her now pierced tongue. Usagi had a weird expression on her face, not at all dissimilar to one who was equally both bored and satisfied...after being in bed with her husband Ranma.
"Now," Usagi says, as she raised her now huge sword at Demitri. "Let's begin."
Tbc.