TRTSS37: Hero! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: Ranma ½, Sailor Moon, Star Trek and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Author's Note: In celebration of the upcoming "Avengers" film, I decided to do a take on the Avengers origin story, set in this continuity for this chapter. I also changed some elements within this series to make the movie fit in this series. As always, C&C are welcomed.
Part 25: "Avengers…No Assemble Required!" (I)
Once upon a time, there was a child born in the realm of Jotunheim, one of the nine realms of the Norse gods of Asgard. This child was unusual, since he was the smallest of the Jotun, denizens who were giants even to the other gods. However, what the child lacked in size and strength, he made up in intellect and cunning...
Named Loki, son of Laufey, chieftain of the Frost Giants, he would turn to mysticism in order to prove his worth to his father, only to be mocked for his efforts. After all, a Jotun was a warrior, and mystics were not. And it was during this attempt to please his father that a civil war between the Jotun and the rest of Asgard took place. Odin, the All-Father of Asgard, led his mightiest warriors against the renegade Frost Giants, who vowed to end the Nine Realms in a blanket of ice. Thus, a war ensued that would still have repercussions even to this day…
Eventually, the war grounded to a halt, as Laufey was slain in battle by Odin's hand. However, as it was customary amongst the Asgardians, Odin took Loki, Laufey's heir, as his own son, so that one day, Loki would become the leader of the Jotun. Unfortunately, Loki was his father's son, and thus would scheme to one day become the Lord of Asgard himself…
At least, that was the tale in one cycle of the Asgardians, for you see, the Norse gods were mere pawns in a much larger game, controlled by those who sit in shadows. And when one game ends, the proverbial board I reset anew, so that same Norse gods would return from the end of the gods known only as Ragnorak, and would begin the cycle of life and death anew. Sometimes, Loki was a hero, a brother to Odin instead of a son to the All-Father…
Mostly, Loki was a villain, who would rather slay all than seek redemption for Laufey's betrayal.
And other times, like now, Loki was a certain Tendo sister who used her wits to pull scams over her brother-in-law…just for kicks.
One night, at the Mishima Zaibatsu headquarters of Downtown Tokyo, up-and-coming young business executive Nabiki Tendo-Kuno was doing some late night paperwork. It wasn't that she was behind schedule as a financier for her company. No, it was that Nabiki always stayed one-step of the competition. But on this night, her focus on normal business would put her at cross-purposes with the criminal organization known as "Shadow Law" (or "Shadowloo", depending upon one's preferences).
"…And in other news, the mysterious box that landed in Antarctica continues to give off an unusual energy signature that has an unknown effect on those individuals who come across it," said the announcer, as raw footage of the alien box is shown. "Scientists, thanks authorization from the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, or 'UNIT', will be given access to the site at the earliest convenience-"
CLICK!
"Not if Mishima gets there first," Nabiki said, as she sets down the remote control handset onto her desk. Truth be told, everyone was interested in knowing what was inside 'Pandora's Box', a named coined after the mythical container that was opened by a silly girl with a curiosity problem, which held both the ills of the world, as well as its hope. Truth be told, the actual Pandora's Box was more than what the stories had indicated, but that was a story for another time…
Nabiki yawned, as she decides to turn in for the day. She knew that her responsibilities to her young child and her husband ought to be more meaningful than her love for business. Still, at least when she does spend time with them, she makes the effort in being a new mother and wife.
"That reminds me," Nabiki said, as she presses her intercom button. She wanted to contact her young boss' "girlfriend" Ling Xiaoyu, who took it upon herself to try to save the Mishima clan from themselves, which was why Ranma, who had significant ownership in the Mishima Zaibatsu, wanted her to mind the finances of the company, something that was almost unheard of, given the fact that Nabiki was both young and a female. A year after taking her place as chief financier of the company, the Board of Directors were convinced by the profit the company was making that Ranma's choice in naming the chief financier of the company was spot on. And since then, Nabiki's reputation as being business savvy, even in the midst of a global economic downturn, was well earned.
"Ling?" Nabiki said into the intercom.
Nothing…
Suddenly, the building rocks, as an explosion could be felt.
"Hmmmm," Nabiki said, as she steadied herself on her desk. She then looked up, as her green eyes (formerly brown, until she embraced her "true" heritage) glowed slightly…
"Oh, dear," Nabiki said, as she straightens herself. "It appears that Jin has a guest…or two…"
With that, Nabiki disappears in a flurry of crows.
Jin growls, as he looks at the one who decided to intrude on his peace and quiet.
"You have a lot of nerve being here," Jin said, as he looked up at M. Bison, the head of the hidden, criminal organization known as 'Shadow Law'. The self-proclaimed master of fighters and mercenaries sneers.
"Of course I do," M. Bison said, as he floated towards the cursed martial artist.
Meanwhile, a girl with horn-like bangs, laced with purple ribbons, smirks, as she placed her foot on Ling's head.
"So far, I am not impressed," said Juri, as one of her eyes glowed.
"You…won't get away with this!" Ling stammered.
"News flash, little girl: we already have!"
Jin realized that M. Bison displayed a power that could only be countered by his own "Devil Power"…
Suddenly, the air in the spacious office cools, causing those within to take notice.
"Someone is here," Bison said, as he backed away a bit.
"Noticed, haven't you?" the Norse goddess Loki said, as she emerged from the shadows, as she surveyed the scene. Since the end of the cycle of death and rebirth, known as "Ragnorak", Loki Laufeyson was reborn as the mortal girl Nabiki Tendo, and has since gotten used to this reality…
"Who are you?" M. Bison said.
"Someone with a vested interest in Mishima," Loki said, as she pulls put a short-glaive from pocket space. Embedded within the blade was her Orange Lantern power ring, thanks to her dealings with the Controllers, the offshoot of the Guardians of Oa, who were the overseers of the Agents Orange, who has access to orange-colored power rings that can project orange-colored hard-light objects. Loki used the power ring as a focus for her power, rather than as a source for her power. She did not need it, since she was a goddess with a lot of power in her own right.
Not that M. Bison was particularly impressed.
"So, another 'witch', I have to deal with," M. Bison said, as he turned to face Loki. "I had to deal with another witch once…"
Pause.
"ONCE," M. Bison said, as he began to crackle with psycho-kinetic power.
"Touchy," Loki said with a smirk, as she extended her glaive to its full height. "Whatever."
Loki made the first move, by slamming her glaive down on the floor with a thunderous roar.
THOOM!
M. Bison smirked, as he teleported behind Loki, and proceeded to slam his psycho-kinetic fist into her back, only to realize that he had hit vapor, as Loki seemingly dissolved from view.
"Typical thug," Loki said, as she slammed the blunt end of her glaive into the back of M. Bison's head.
THUNK!
M. Bison fell forward, and quickly recovered.
"You have a fighting spirit," M. Bison said, as he stretched rotated his neck. "But even so, you are NOT a warrior."
"Of course not," Loki said, as she rounded on M. Bison. "I'm a 'witch', remember?"
"Of course," M. Bison said. "Unlike you, I also remember that I have a 'partner'."
"Eh?"
"Look out!" Jin yelled, as Juri struck using the power of her eye to slam into Loki' back. So powerful was the blow that the destructive force ran through her core.
"AUGGHH!" Loki said, as she fell forward.
"Humph," Juri said, as she stood arrogantly above Loki. "You don't seem so tough."
"On the contrary, little girl," Loki said, as her eyes glowed orange. "You are sadly mistaken…"
Monsters made from orange energy constructs appeared. Some were Earth-born in appearance, while others were clearly alien.
"Wah-?" Juri said, as she began to back up.
"Even now, I can read your thoughts, mortal," Loki said, as she rises to her feet. "You use cruelty in order to hide your frightened existence…"
Pause.
"Allow me to show you what cruelty really means."
And that's when the monsters attacked Juri. Tried as she might, the psychotic martial artist could not fend off the monsters. Now in the clutches of a facsimile of a dragon, Loki stepped forward.
"Let me…go!" Juri yelled, as she tried to break the dragon's grip.
"Let's see," Loki said, as she smiled evilly. "Should I be merciful, and have your limbs torn from your body, or should I torture you slowly-?"
"ENOUGH!" M. Bison yelled, as he used his psycho-cannon technique to burst through the light construct, grabbing Juri in the process.
"Interesting," Loki said, as she turned to see M. Bison hovering with Juri in his arms, who seemed to have passed out. "From your thoughts, you are not fond of this one."
"I have need of her…services," M. Bison said. He then turned towards Jin, who was now being comforted by his friend Ling. "You're lucky SHE was here, boy. But this altercation of ours is far from over."
With that, M. Bison disappeared in a purple mist with Juri in hand.
"Are you…alright, Mrs. Kuno?" Jin asked, as he was helped to his feet by Ling. He knew much about his employee's true background, including her as the Norse goddess of mischief.
Loki coughed, as some of her energy expelled outward through her lips.
"No," Loki said. "That girl did something to me, and I need some time to deal with it…"
Loki then dispelled the orange light construct, and turned away from Jin and Ling.
"Have someone cover my duties, and inform my husband that I will be…indisposed for a while."
With that, Loki disappears in a hail of crows.
"I swear, she's scares me, Jin," Ling said.
"You and me both…"
Days later…
"Ranma, have you seen Nabiki?" Akane asked, as she entered the living room of her home, located near the campus of the Nekomi Institute of Technology (NIT), where she teaches both Dramatic Arts and Physical Education at the university. She lives there with Ranma and their son Kenma as a means of establishing her own independence, even though they were suppose to live at her ancestral home, the Tendo Estate, as part of her inheritance, from where she is to carry on the legacy of the Musabetsu Kakuto-ryu (i.e. the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts)…
Ranma lowers the sports section of the local newspaper.
"What?" Ranma asked.
"I asked if you have seen Nabiki," Akane said, as she sits down near of her husband. "Kuno called and said that he and the kids haven't seen her for a while, and Kasumi and I are worried…"
Pause.
"And since you tend to sleep around on me-"
"Whoa, whoa, WHOA," Ranma said, as he frowned. "First, I haven't 'slept around' on anyone for a while now, since I decided to be faithful to only those who I am presently married, or am betrothed to, and that doesn't include Nabiki. Secondly, I've way too busy lately with stuff to have affairs. But to answer your question: no, I haven't seen her."
"Are you sure?" Akane asked.
"Positive. Besides, Nabiki tends to be secretive about her activities, and I don't like being around her long enough for her to pull a scam on me, like she usually does."
"Then…why do you allow her to handle the family finances?" Akane asked.
"It's because Nabiki likes making money more than causing mischief, that's why."
"You're right about that…"
"You know, I know who might know where Nabiki went," Ranma said, as he stood up. "Where's Kenma?"
"He and your mother are still at the park."
"Okay. We're going to Asgard."
"Wha-what?" Akane said, as she blanched.
"Well, yeah. I know you don't like dealing with the Norse, especially after-"
"It's just that I never feel like myself after I change," Akane said. "It's like wearing another person's clothes, only worse."
"Alright, fine, I'll go on ahead then," Ranma said with a sigh. "I'll keep you in touch."
Ranma then turns to leave…
"Wait, I'll go," Akane said.
"Are you sure?" Ranma asked.
"Yes. If something happened to Nabiki, then I want to be there for her, no matter how I may feel."
"Okay, then, let's do this…"
Ranma then places his right index and middle finger on his forehead, even as he reaches for Akane.
"Take my hand."
"Okay," Akane said, as she hesitantly takes her husband's hand. "I'm…ready."
"Okay, here we go…"
FLASH!
At the entrance of Asgard, where the Bifrost Bridge began, Lord Heimdall stood silent, ready to serve as the first line of defense to the golden realm…
"He and the lady of the Valkyrie arrives," Heimdall said with an amused look, as Lord Izanagi the All-Father, aka Lady Ran the Storm Bringer, appeared with his companion before the Watcher. Due to the nature of the cycle of Ragnorak, and perhaps due to the nature of his Jusenkyo curse, Izanagi had been born the Norse goddess Ran, who had a secret affair—disguised as a warrior god—with the moon maiden Manidis, daughter of Odin, who would become the All-Mother Thordis, Lord of Asgard, after the end of the cycle of Ragnorak.
"We are here," Izanagi said, as he stretched his limbs. He turned to Brunhilde, who was checking her body out.
"Beloved?"
"I apologize, my husband," Brunhilde replied. "Even all this time, I am never used to change from mortal to goddess."
"Give it time," Izanagi said, as he turned towards the Watcher. "Greetings, noble Heimdall."
"Greetings, my lord," Heimdall said with a nod. "And, yes, I was expecting your arrival."
"Oh?"
"You wanted to know the fate of the Mischief-Maker, no?"
"What has happened to Loki?" Brunhilde asked.
"I can answer that," said a young maiden, as she suddenly appeared from behind Heimdall. With the appearance of a teenage mortal girl who looked like she was into Gothic culture, the maiden wore a simple green dress, and wore her hair loose and long, but immaculately so. But what was most striking was that the dark-haired girl's face was similar to Ranko Tendo's…but much colder.
"Who?" Brunhilde asked.
"We never really met," the maiden said. "My name is 'Leah Ransdotter'."
"Oh, really," Brunhilde said, as she glances towards Izanagi with scorn. "Who is your mother, if I may ask?"
"My lineage consist first of Loki the Trickster, then Hild, Lord of Hel, and then Hela, goddess of Death," Leah replied. She then turned towards Izanagi.
"Father, great-grandmother needs to see you," Leah replied.
"Alright," Izanagi said with a nod. "Lead the way…"
Later, at secluded infirmary, the Trickster goddess was found bed-ridden.
"Sister, why did you not let me know this?" Brunhilde said, as she held her sister's hand.
"I didn't want you or anyone else in a state of weakness," Loki said with a sigh, as Leah gently washes her great-grandmother's sweaty brow. "Maybe if I had let you and Izanagi know what had happened, you two might have stopped him from unraveling everything I have done to redeem my past."
"Who are you talking about?" Izanagi asked.
"When I had gotten injured, one of my previous incarnations manifested itself, and promptly disappeared…"
Pause.
"I can recover, with the help of my great-granddaughter, but you have to stop the Loki that I once was, before all of Midgard is befallen with tragedy..."
Pause.
"Promise me, my Lord. Promise me that you will stop my terrible sin from undoing what good works that I have done."
"You have my promise, Loki," Izanagi said, as he leans over to kiss the Trickster goddess on the forehead. "So says the storm bringer!"
Tbc.