Sailor Moon ST (Star Trek)
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me…only the concept.
Note: This story takes place after the "Sailor Moon v. Sailor Torag" battle.
Part 25
Later, at the Tendo Compound…
"But Ranma, I only did it for us!"
"Really, Akane? What about the people that had gotten injured because of your jealousy? Was THAT for us as well?"
"How dare you talk to Akane like that!" yelled Soun. Bad enough that some girl has complicated the joining of the two clans, but his would-be son-in-law had no right in chastising his daughter for defending her honor. "She's been there for you since you came to my household, and this is the thanks we get?"
"Stuff it, old man!" Ranma yelled back. Very few times in his long life that he has come this close to hurting someone needlessly. "What I did was not my fault, nor would I consider having a relationship with Usagi or any other person-"
"So, Saotome there are other relationships as well?" quipped Nabiki, who had just returned from getting what she needed to get even with Hoshiko. If all goes well, the Borg Adjutant will no longer be a factor in her grand design. "My, how prolific you must have been."
"Not now, not ever," Ranma replied with a glare. Turning back to his fiancée, Ranma continued. "Akane, I'm just glad that Usagi's friends aren't looking for you."
"You would help your fiancée, right boy?" said Genma. He wanted to do more, like pound the living heck out of his, but he knew that it would be a futile effort.
"…"
"Well?!" yelled Akane.
"Maybe."
"You…you don't love me enough to defend me?"
"First, I don't know if I love you enough NOW, let alone years ago…my time, of course. Second, I don't interfere in another person's fight. That's gotten me in more trouble around here than I care to admit, even before Kuno's latest attempt to get rid of me. And third, if I taught YOU anything, is that you can't use another person as a crutch."
Ranma stepped forward and caressed Akane's cheek.
"Look, I do care about you, more than you can possibly know. But let us look at the facts, shall we? Thanks to Kuno, my body is now ageless, and I have to deal with the consequences. And I've seen more things than I care to remember…thanks to Kuno, once gain. Bottom line, I'm not the same Ranma that you knew. I've matured a great deal, and I am still growing as person inside. Maybe we can get through this, maybe not. All I know is that you are making things difficult for us."
Akane stared in Ranma's eyes, and saw the care within them.
"I'm…sorry. It's just that every time I see HER or her daughter, I just get crazy."
"Well, at least I know you care. Like I said, I don't know where our engagement is going, but I want us to start over. Friends?"
"Friends."
The two hugged each other for a moment. Behind them, both Genma and Soun cheered.
"And you two don't get any funny ideas," Ranma said with a glare.
The fathers wisely clammed up.
"Speaking of Kuno," interjected Nabiki, "You never told us why you haven't aged."
"Well, let's see…
FLASHBACK
"And now, Foul Sorcerer," yelled Kuno, as he brandished his bokken in front of the school campus, "Your end has come!"
"Oh, please," said Ranma lazily, as he cracked his knuckles. "You haven't been a real threat in a while."
"Have at thee!"
Ranma easily dodged the swing, but his cockiness would prove to be his undoing. As soon as he turned around, Ranma noticed a medallion glowing in Kuno's hand. Had he paid attention in class, Ranma would have recognized the Greek symbol for the god Saturn.
"Wha-?"
"This will destroy you! It is the symbol for the Senshi of Destruction. Say hello to whatever devil you see in hell!"
"KUNO-!"
BLAM!
"When the smoke cleared, Ranma was gone.
"What…did…you do to Ranma?!" yelled Akane. She had heard that Kuno was waiting for Ranma to show up, after arriving at school for an early school club meeting. Akane had gone off to school on her own, while her fiancée finished sparring with his father. Having learned what Kuno was up to, she went to see what was going on. Unfortunately…
"I have vanquished Saotome. At last you and the pig-tail girl will be mAAACCCKKK!"
It felt good strangling Upper Classmen Kuno, but it took the calming influence of her scheming sister Nabiki to calm Akane down.
"You should have let me kill that bastard!"
"And get in trouble with the authorities, too," said Nabiki, as both she and Akane left the Nurse's Office. "I'm sure that idiot didn't do too much damage."
"But what if Ranma is really hurt? And what if those bimbos get to him first?"
"Honestly, do you think, after China and the Wedding, that Ranma will find comfort in the arms of another girl? Show some faith in your fiancée. He'll make it back some how."
"Oh, okay."
Elsewhere…
"Uh, where am I?" Ranma said, as he picked himself up.
All around him was a desolate wasteland. He spotted a few plants, so he hoped he could find something to eat. He looked up to see a sun overhead, barely covered by the gray cloud cover. Picking a direction at random, Ranma began his trek. And while he would discover various shrubs, fruits and vegetables to eat, it would be a long time before he came across some life forms. When he did though, he would regret it.
***
Wrrrrrrrr-BOOM!
"AUGGH!" Ranma yelled, as he took shrapnel to his side, as he went into a dive roll.
"Vacuum blade x FOUR!" Ranma yelled, as he let fly another barrage.
For days now, Ranma found himself being attacked by a rather strange creature. It looked like a gargoyle with pieces missing from it, though it moved has though it was fine. It appeared out of now where, and began its assault on him. Curiously, it seemed to know Ranma's attacks, and thus could defend itself. Other times, it seemed rather weak and easy to beat. The first time it appeared to be weak, was after Ranma found it devouring several victims. It was not as though it was a monster per se, so Ranma concluded that the creature was some sort of cannibal. Ranma's martial artist ethics kicked in to avenge the creature's victims. Strangely, it took a few chi-based attacks to defeat the creature. Unfortunately, it had disappeared before Ranma had finished it off.
And so the war went. Ranma would loose track of time, and sleep for that matter.
"Damn it!" Ranma yelled, as he got himself up. Then, he tapped the ground with his index finger.
"Bakusai Tenketsu!"
Another one followed this technique.
"Hiryu Shoten Ha Revise: Hail STORM!"
This revision allowed Ranma to create a tornado filled with jagged rocks in it.
"RRRAAAARGH!!!!!" screamed the creature, as it suddenly tried to form a portal.
"Oh, no you don't!" Ranma yelled, as he chased the creature into its portal. Ranma then found himself in a strange place. However, he could still see the creature, which was apparently fighting a group of people. Looks like they could use some help, Ranma thought to himself.
"Thought you can get away from, eh? Double Moko TAKIBISHA!"
Ranma let off a pair of chi-energy attacks, which made contact.
"RRRAAAARGH!!!!!" the creature cried.
"HEY! Watch it!"
Ranma turned to see a pretty girl dusting herself off the ground.
"You could have gotten me or something!"
"Hey, I don't need some dumpling-headed girl getting in my way!"
"I don't need some wannabe superhero getting in mine!"
"Whatever!"
"If you two are finish, we have a problem to correct!" yelled a man with some sort of laser pistol. He and a few other men were shooting at the creature as it tore through the people around it.
Nevertheless, the two managed to work together. Ranma was VERY impressed of the girl's prowess. He could tell that her youthful vigor belied her skills as a master in her own right.
"You seem to know what's going on," the girl said. "Care to elaborate?"
"It's some kind of creature that devours people. I've been fighting it for years. That's all I know."
"Great. Okay, distract it, so I can take it out with my 'Supreme Moonbeam Surprise'," the girl said, as she took out her sickle.
"What's that?"
"Energy attack."
"I can help!"
"Fine! On my mark…NOW!"
"Moko Takabisha PERFECT!"
"Supreme Moonbeam SURPRISE!"
The energy attacks, along with the weapons fire by the others, decimated the creature. Then, it suddenly exploded.
"Look out!" Ranma yelled, as he shielded the girl's body with his. He could feel the full effects of the explosion on his back. When the dust settled, Ranma could feel something squirming beneath him.
"Uhh…what was that?" Ranma said.
"Hey, do you mind?"
"Alright already…"
The girl in the fancy sailor outfit got up and began dusting herself.
"Hey! You got me all grimy! And who are you anyway?"
"Um…my name is Ranma Saotome. Sorry about that."
"I see. Well, Mr. Saotome, my name is Usagi Tsukino, 'Sailor Moon' when I'm dressed like this. Well, minus the dirt, of course."
"Lt. Commander Tsukino, is everything alright?" said a man, as he walked forward. Ranma could tell that the man, based upon his demeanor, was in charge of the situation. "Dr. McCoy can be summoned if you need anything…"
"I'm fine, Captain. Oh, where are my manners? Ranma, meet my commanding officer Captain James Kirk. Captain, this is Ranma Saotome."
"Hello, Mr. Saotome. I'm pleased to meet you."
"Um, thank you, Captain Kirk." Ranma was getting uncomfortable with being called "Mr. Saotome", though his growing hunger was bothering him. "Um, do you guys have anything to eat? I'm starving!"
"I don't see any problems with that. Kirk to Enterprise," Kirk said, after flipping open his communicator.
"Scotty, here."
"Stand by for two to beam up."
"Standing by."
"Miss Tsukino, would you do the honors of escorting Mr. Saotome back to the ship?"
"Certainly, sir. And I'm sure Mr. Saotome can tell his story in all this?"
"Only if you call me 'Ranma'. 'Mr. Saotome' was my pops."
"Certainly…Ranma Saotome," Usagi said wink.
"Kami…meatball-headed tomboys…"
"And the rest is history," Ranma said, as he sipped his tea. "From then on, I knew that my life would change for the better…with some exceptions of course."
"Boy, stop drinking like some girl," Genma said with a glare. He was determined to unnerve his wayward son.
"Dad, I can out drink YOU anytime, anywhere," Ranma said with a smirk, as he sat down his cup. "Besides, my taste have been refined over the years."
"You still haven't explain why you haven't aged," said Nabiki.
"Well, after my medical examination aboard the Enterprise, it was determined that when the creature exploded, it's temporal energies bathed my body, thus rendering my body immune to normal time. Later, I would find out that the creature itself was a denizen of the fourth dimension, though I wouldn't find this out for another hundred years."
Just then, Ranma's watch beeped.
"Ranma here."
"Ranma, we have the results of the examination," said T'Sara. "And bring Hoshiko with you. I'll need her and Ami's assistance."
"I'm on my way."
"Ranma where are you going?!" said Soun. "Genma, tell your son to stay with Akane."
"Soun's right, my boy. You have no business being around that other female. Your place is with Akane-"
"If…if…if you are able to, tell Usagi that I'm sorry," said Akane, as she picked up the tea tray to take back into the kitchen.
"Thanks, Akane. I appreciate it," Ranma said, as he gave Akane a peck on the cheek. Akane merely stood in shock for a moment until Ranma left the dinning room.
"Akane, how can you be so cavalier about your fiancée?" yelled Soun.
"I-"
"Daddy, haven't you been paying attention?" Nabiki said, as she faced her father. "As long as Akane is willing to give Ranma the benefit of a doubt, she might have a chance with Ranma."
"Hmmm…you might have a point. Alright, I won't say anything on the matter."
"But Soun-!" Genma began.
"Thanks, Nabiki," Akane said, as she continued on her way to the kitchen.
"Soun, how can you say that?"
"Genma, old friend, let's try it Ranma's way. At least for now."
"Humph!"
"Now, turn this way. Go with the flow."
Hoshiko had recently begun teaching Kasumi her mother's fan dance using tai chi as the background. It was the least she could do as a way of thanking Kasumi fort making her feel welcomed. Thus, in the Tendo dojo, the sounds of Chinese opera can be heard.
"Now sweep the fan into a smooth arc…good. You're picking up the lessons real nicely, Kasumi."
"Thank you for your kind words, Ho-chan," Kasumi said happily. "I guess I haven't lost all of Father's lessons to time."
"Hoshiko!" Ranma said, as he peeked his head inside. "We need to visit your mom."
"Coming father," Hoshiko said, as she stops to turn off the music. "Be sure to practice before our next session, Kasumi."
"I will, and thank you, Hoshiko," Kasumi said with a bow.
"You're quite welcome," Hoshiko replied likewise.
"So, what's up father?" Hoshiko said, as she and Ranma left the compound.
"Daughter, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I think…"
"You're speaking normally. Does this mean that you're no longer the Borg Adjutant?"
"No, but I suppose that being around imperfect people tend to color one's disposition."
"…"
"Father?"
"Nope, you're still Borg, I guess. But, anyway, your sister T'Sara has news of your mom's condition. Plus, she wants you and Ami's assistance in devising a possible remedy."
"Of course. I can delve into the Borg ether stream to get the appropriate data."
"Good. Now let's get going."
With that, both father and daughter seemingly "wink" out of existence. Unknown to them, Nabiki Tendo spies a glance of their departure.
"Hmmm…" Nabiki said, as she stepped out into the yard and proceeds towards the family tool shed.
Once inside, Nabiki lifts up a false stone tablet from the floor surface. Underneath was Nabiki's "special" safe, where she keeps her valuables and black mail materials. However, from within Nabiki's treasure trove, Nabiki pulled out a small wooden box. She then pulled out the key that the Amazon matriarch Cologne had given hear at the start of her quest to retrieve the box that Happosai had originally stole from Cologne's tribe. Thanks to Nabiki's contacts, she was able to piece together the clues as to where her find would be located. Of course, it would have been a lot easier if the Founder of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts had remembered where he kept that item. Once Nabiki opened the box, she marveled at what contained inside: an amulet with a stylized lightning bolt with six characters of various Asian origin surrounding it.
According to Cologne, years ago, a legendary Amazon was given a gift by a wandering wizard to defeat a powerful foe that was a mortal threat to the Middle Kingdom. Some say that it may have been a previous incarnation of the Phoenix-god Saffron, while others say that it may have been one of the Yama Kings that wanted to step out of his role from within the Celestial Bureaucracy. Whatever the case might be, the titanic battle rendered the area between Tibet and China proper into the wasteland that it is today, and had cost the Amazon champion her very life. However, before departing for Heaven, this hero imparted her essence into an amulet made by the finest artisans, so that, in the future, the Amazons could have a means to defend themselves. In effect, a user of the amulet will garner the knowledge and strength of not only of the Amazon champion who first created the amulet, but of subsequent users as well.
Centuries after this Amazon's departure from the Earth realm, a young thief had stolen a treasure trove of Amazon treasure- including the "special" amulet. At the time of the thief, Young Cologne, who was the next designated user of the amulet, tried in vain to track the one responsible. Luckily for Happosai, he escaped by faking his death. He would then later chuck his possessions into storage, not realizing what was truly in possession.
And now, "The Sacred Amulet" has resurfaced. As part of the general agreement, once Nabiki has utilized it for her own purpose, she is to return it to Cologne, who would then return it to her tribe. That way, she would be redeemed for loosing the amulet in the first place. Of course, only Cologne knew how to utilize the amulet, so it wasn't like Nabiki could take advantage of the situation.
"I think it's time that we pay a visit to the Cat Café," Nabiki said to herself. Once done, she would be well on her way towards getting revenge on Hoshiko Saotome.
***
"Darkness WAVE!"
"Get moving!" yelled Sailor Venus, as she and the rest of the Sailor Scouts scattered.
BOOM!
Sailor Za'Ha'Dum lowered her palm, satisfied that the Inner Scouts were on the defensive. "3 of 7, 4 of 7, 5 of 7 and 6 of 7, take point. The rest, go after Sailor Neo-Moon."
"What are we going to do?" yelled Sailor Mars. "They're adapting to our attacks!"
"Aw, it just makes them a challenge!" yelled Sailor Jupiter, who was using the speed and strength training technique that she learned from her sensei Usagi to physically hit her opponents."
"Be careful, Jupiter! Attack around them!" yelled Sailor Mercury, who was trying to figure out their foes' shield frequency. "Sailor Neo-Moon, I'm patching the data directly into your mindlink headset."
"Make them go away!" screamed Sailor Neo-Moon, as she dodge the Borg left it right. "I don't have any breathing room!"
"Resistance is futile," the Borg said.
"What THEY said," quipped Sailor Za'Ha'Dum.
The day started simple enough. Naru wanted to open a new checking account at the Bank of Tokyo, when this strange woman showed up.
"Who are you?"
"You'll see…Shadow MAKE-UP!"
A moment later, Sailor Za'Ha'Dum, the Senshi of Shadows, appeared.
"Who are you?"
"If I told you, you wouldn't be able to pronounce it. Damn shadows…"
Naru, who training to assume her friend Usagi's role as the champion of Love and Justice, wanted to go somewhere to transform. But how?
"By the way, I KNOw you're training to be my grandmother's replacement. So, by all means, transform. And call you're little girl friends as well. I can wait."
Ten minutes later, the Inner Sailor Scouts were assembled.
"What do YOU want, witch?" asked Sailor Venus.
"I've come to formerly test your effectiveness with your new scout."
"You think you can take all of us?" smirked Sailor Jupiter. She was itching to bust this creep's chops.
"Oh, please. You honestly think I would come alone? Borg Group 7, activate!"
Seven bank employees and customers screamed in agony, as their nano-modifications took place. In their place stood armored Borg warriors.
"Borg? Get 'em."
"Now, what?" yelled Sailor Mars, as she prepared to let fly her fireball attacks.
"We fight," said Sailor Venus. "Guys?"
"Jupiter Wide SPARKLE!"
"Mars Fire UNITE!"
"Venus Light BEAM!"
"Mercury Ice BLADE!"
"Um…Moon Crescent SHINE!"
The attack made their mark, but their foes armor blunted the attacks.
"As you can see, it'll take more than that to do damage. Oh, before I forget…Darkness WAVE!"
A black ball appeared in front of Sailor Za'Ha'Dum's palm. Then, with its release, hurdled towards the Scouts.
"Get moving!"
Now, there was a stand off. The Borg were adapting to the Scouts energy attacks, so now it was time to get dirty.
"Don't let them touch you!"
"Ayeeeee!"
SWISH-plonk!
A single red rose stuck out of one of the Borg's neck, causing it to go into convulsions.
"Don't worry, Neo-Sailor Moon!" yelled Tuxedo Mask, as he came into view. "Have faith in your abilities and in your friends."
"Pretty words," said Sailor Za'Ha'Dum. "But that won't end the conflict."
'Options, anyone?' Minako asked telepathically.
Guys, listen up, thought Ami. Tuxedo Mask, pleas get ready to make your throw at four targets. Neo-Moon, lend your energy to us. The rest of us will lend our energy to Tuxedo Mask's attack.
But I'm not sure if I can-!
Trust in your abilities, Neo-Moon…just like we practiced.
Okay…
"Well, Sailor Splats?"
"Now!" yelled Sailor Mercury.
Fftt! Fftt! Fftt! Ffft! Fftt!"
Because Tuxedo Mask's roses were physical attacks, they easily pierced the Borg shielding, since the Borg are used to energy ones. But then…
BOOM! WHOOSH! BLAM! CRISH!
One Borg exploded, another was engulfed in flames, another vaporized and another still shattered into pieces. In other words, four Inners armed Tuxedo Mask's roses thanks to Neo-Moon. What surprised them was Sailor Za'Ha'Dum's response.
"Bravo. I am impressed. But alas, my job is over."
"Your think we'll let you get away?" yelled Sailor Venus.
"I believe the answer is 'You don't have a choice'."
With that, Sailor Za'Ha'Dum formed a sphere of darkness and let it drop on the floor.
"Be seeing you." And with that, the Senshi of Shadows disappeared.
Ami immediately used her Mercury Scanner to deduced that-
"It's a bomb-!"
BOOM! A series of spikes exploded from within, covering the entire room with its deadly rain. Thankfully, Sailor Jupiter was learning the Jedi arts among other combat training, and thus erected a solid telekinetic wall. Unfortunately, she didn't have as much training in this regard, thanks to Usagi being ill of late.
"Ohhh…" Jupiter said, as blood fell from her nose. Before falling unconscious, she reverted to normal.
"Makoto!" Mina said, as she caught her friend. "Neo-Moon, try healing her!"
"Okay…"
Within Neo-Moon's abilities was the ability to heal both mind and body. Carefully, Naru placed her hands on Makoto's forehead. A light enveloped the two, followed by Makoto returning to the land of the living.
"Ugh...I need to practice more," Makoto said, as she was being helped.
"Look at this mess!" Raye cried.
Around them was death and destruction. Only those behind the Inners were spared.
"We can't continue being on the defensive."
"I know, Raye. I know."
Anne stood on the roof across from the Bank of Tokyo, where she surveyed her work.
"You were told to take care of them."
"Spying on me, Jadeite? I didn't think that was your style."
Turning around, Anne took a long look at her ally.
"If you feel the way you do, why not report me? Then again, that would mean that you couldn't get some of this."
Anne walked towards Jadeite and passionately kissed him. While initially surprised, Jadeite proceeded to return the favor.
"Braxton does not have any power over me. Besides, I AM dealing with the Sailor Scouts…MY way."
"You don't know how dangerous Braxton can be."
"Noted. Now, do you have any pressing business at the moment? There's this place in Hawaii we can stay…"
"Oh. OH! No, I don't think so."
"Good. Let's book."
"What about Braxton?"
"Feh, I'm sure his 'toy' is reporting on us…"
"…Even as we speak."
Braxton looked at the Borg Queen, as both of them listened to the recording the Borg Queen had just made.
"She needs to be punished for her insolence."
"In all due time. However, I need for you to investigate something."
A picture of Serena O'Hare and Darin Chiba, who appeared to have returned from "club hopping", appeared.
"So this is the target. So what?"
"Notice the bio-signature readings between the last appearance of Sailor Moon and the subject."
"They appear to be different. Are you concluding that there's a doppelganger of Usagi Tsukino on Earth?"
"I'm positive, which is why I want you to personally handle this. We'll deal with Anne later."
"Excellent."
Later in the day, Ami has arrived on "The Wild Bunny" to consult with T'Sara over the day's events. She was surprised to see that Ranma and Hoshiko were there as well. Sitting down for tea, Ami retold the day's events.
"And then Sailor Za'Ha'Dum mentioned that Usagi's was her grandmother," Ami said, over tea. "I wonder why she said that."
"Yes, I wonder about that as well," said Ranma, as he went over a simulation program. "Any ideas, T'Sara?"
"And do you have any news of Mother's condition?" asked Hoshiko, who was interfacing with the Borg neural network.
T'Sara, who didn't want to tell any more bad news, sighed.
"I gathered you three together to inform you of Mother's condition. Follow me."
When the group arrived to Sickbay, Ranma, Hoshiko and Ami were shocked to see Usagi's condition.
Usagi was in an immersion tube, suspended in a liquid solution. Various tubes and wires were sticking into her body. Worse, she was loosing her hair, and her skin was blistering.
"Usagi?" said a shocked Ami.
"Mother?" said a shocked Hoshiko.
"Why didn't you say something about this before now!?" shouted Ranma. "Are heartless or something?
"If I mentioned this to anyone else, eventually our enemies will know. Besides, the others don't need this kind of distraction right now."
"Hummph! Fine, but be a little more trusting in the future, okay?"
"Noted."
"So…what is her condition?" asked Ami.
"Usagi is suffering from a cellular breakdown. After years of physical damage and genetic alterations, her body has called it quits. The only thing that has kept her together is her faith in her Star Seed. Unfortunately, sometimes faith is not enough."
"But is there a cure?"
"Yes, but, unfortunately, it involves time travel."
"Oh, great."
"What do you mean?" asked Ami.
"We would need to perform a genetic graft by taking a sample from Usagi's original body."
"But that means we would have to go back to the days of the Silver Millennium!"
"Exactly. That's why I need you, Ami and Hoshiko working on this. That way, we can create some options for us to use."
"And what about that other matter?" asked Hoshiko.
"Yeah, what about that?"
"I'm afraid that our enemy has an ally that is…'family'."
"Come again?"
"Before coming to Earth, I investigated a rumor that the Shadows may have returned to Za'Ha'Dum. Turns out that while that this was the case, it was not to re-establish a base of operations, but to anoint their representative in their absence."
"Okay, so who is this person?"
"Before Aiko…I mean Anna…disappeared that first time, she and John Sheridan were expecting a child. From what I gathered, she was suppose to have surprise him with this news upon her return to Earth, but the Shadows got to her first. In secret, Anna gave birth to her daughter Anne…your grandchild, Abba."
Ranma was stunned. He was a grandfather…again?
"Does Usagi know?"
"No, I did not tell her. If she knew that she had a granddaughter who is after her blood, the news would be devastating."
Ranma simply looked at everyone before going to Usagi's medical unit. He gently touched the container.
"No matter what happens, Usako, I swear that I'll set things right."
Tbc.