SMST 6D: Ace of Hearts! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 36
Elsewhere…
"Where are you going, Brunhilde?" Lokidis asked, as she sipped her goblet of golden wine, as the First Valkyrie packed her shield and spear.
Brunhilde turns to look at Lokidis.
"Thou know why I seek to return to Midgard, sister," Brunhilde yelled. "Do not think that I have forgotten my former life as 'Akane Tendo'. And you have no right to deny me this."
"I am not, sister," Lokisdis replied, as she set her goblet of wine down. "But remember this: only Sifdis and I can dwell on Midgard, since Prince Baldur has decreed this to be so…after moving New Asgard back to the Golden Realm.
"It is not fair, Lokidis! For every moment of time that passes on Earth, a hundred years pass HERE. I…I forgotten what I used to look like…"
Brunhilde began to weep openly.
"Oh, come here," Lokidis said, as she hugged Brunhilde.
"I miss Ranma SO much…"
"Sisters?"
Lokidis and Brunhilde both turn to face their sister Freya.
"Freya?"
"Prince Baldur makes a formal request for you to stand before him."
Lokidis and Brunhilde both turn to look at each other with wonderment.
A few minutes later…
THUNK!
The sisters enter the throne room, where the rest of the Royal Family was in attendance. "Sifdis," Brunhilde said. She hated the fact that only Lokidis and Sifdis could still make trips to Midgard, while SHE had to remain on New Asgard.
"Brunhilde," Sifdis said with a nod.
Brunhilde then turns towards Baldur.
"Lord Baldur, you wanted to see me?"
Baldur entwined his fingers.
"Is it true that you were seeking to defy my edict, and journey to Midgard?"
Brunhilde grits her teeth.
"I…was considering it, but my sister convinced me the folly of doing such a thing."
"I see. Normally, I would be furious about such disregard. However, you should be pleased with what I am about to say."
"Oh?"
"Brunhilde, we can all visit Earth now," Sifdis said with a smile.
Brunhilde turns to look at Lokidis.
"You knew about this?"
"I knew that Lord Baldur was considering the options," Lokidis said. "I didn't want to get your hopes high, that's all."
"Well, I suppose that was the most prudent course of action, sister," Brunhilde said meekly.
"Admit it, you're upset."
"OF COURSE, I am! I wish you are not so secretive around me."
"Be as it may, Thordis and Ran have requested our assistance, and we shall give it to them," Baldur replied. "Assemble your warriors, for Midgard will need our help."
Meanwhile, back on Earth…
"Our troops are in position, Lord Khyron," said an aide. "We can strike on your command."
"Excellent, Grill," Khyron says, as he sipped his wine. "Soon, I will finish what these Micronians have started-!"
"Actually, my husband shall finish what these Micronians have started," Azonia said with a smirk, as she sipped her drink.
"Grrrr-!"
"And your humiliation will be complete-"
SLAP!
"Oh!"
"SHUT up, woman!" Khyron said, as he rubbed the back of his hand. "A Micronian-lover like you should watch what you say."
Azonia looks at Khyron with a twinkle in her eye.
"A Micronian-lover I may be, but General Ranma Saotome is greater the man you will ever be."
"Why I should-!"
"Enough of this!" Lisa said, as she peeks through her cage.
"Oh, the little one SPEAKS," Khyron said, as he turns towards Lisa. "Do NOT tempt fate."
"This is ridiculous, Commander Khyron," Lisa said. "You were giving an opportunity to leave Earth in peace, or stay here. WHY all this?"
"Why?"
"Yeah, we want to know why," Minmei said. "When I met you, you seemed…nice."
Khyron looks away for a moment.
"My heart was broken, that's why."
Everyone was speechless.
"WHAT?" Azonia yells. "You're doing all this because of HER?"
"Who is 'her'?" Lisa asked.
"The Meltrandi warrior Serene, that's who."
"Oh," Minmei said.
"Dearest Serene…she captured my heart, and opened a new world other than warfare. But…she rebuffed my attempts to cement our friendship, citing that her heart belonged to a Micronian."
Then Khyron raises his right fist into the air, after smashing his goblet unto the deck.
CRASH!
"If I can't have my happiness, I shall destroy HERS as a proper Zentraedi! This, I swear!"
Lisa looked at the Zentraedi warrior. Instead of hating Khyron, she felt…pity.
'Oh, Khyron,' Lisa thought. 'You have your duty to fall back to, to escape the loneliness…while I have my duty to make the same escape…'
Meanwhile, somewhere aboard Khyron's ship…
"Nice going, loser," Sasuke said, as he looks about the duct of the ship.
"Sasuke, please!" Renata asked.
"Ah, let them go at it," Genko said with a smirk.
"You didn't have to follow me, you know!" Naruto yelled.
"I only followed YOU because your Mom would have wanted me to look after THEM…who DID follow you."
"Just Hinata," Sakura said, as she yawned. "Who cares what Naruto does?"
"Oh, dear," Hinata said. "I only wanted to make sure that Naruto would be okay…"
"Never mind all that," Ino said. "We're here. So NOW what?"
"I say we should do whatever it takes to stop these guys from destroying the Earth," Naruto said.
"So you can do it with the demon fox of yours?" Sasuke said with a smirk.
"Hardy har, har."
"I hate to say this, but Naruto…is right," Sakura said, but said it in a way of thinking how ashamed she was at saying it.
"Huh?" everyone said.
"Obviously, these aliens attacked the theater for a reason. I don't know what, but we should find out what it is…and then do whatever it takes to stop it."
"Then let's go out there and bust some heads-" Naruto said, as he was about to leave the ductwork.
YANK!
"Hey!"
"Plan, loser," Sasuke said.
"Sasuke is right," Ino said.
"Why?" Naruto yells. "Because he's always right?"
"No, because he's more right than YOU are."
"Grrr!"
"Look, the fact of the matter is that there are more of them than us, not to mention the fact that they are a lot bigger than us," Sakura said. "And it could take too long to find the right place."
"I know," Ino said. "Maybe I can use my 'Possession Jutsu' on one of these guys, and then it will be easier."
"Good plan!" Naruto said. "We take over some guy, and then we're on are way."
"When can we get started, Ino?" Hinata asked.
"Hmmm," Ino thought to herself. She looked through the gate to see a Meltrandi walking about.
"Okay," Ino said, as she places her hands on both sides of her face. "Here goes…NOW."
CHOOM!
"Whoa," Ino-Meltrandi said, as she shook her head. "That's a rush…"
"Ino!" Sakura yells, as she sticks her head through the vent.
Ino-Meltrandi turns to look Genko.
"Huh, you're tiny."
"So is your brain," Genko replied.
"Hey!"
"Knock it off, so we can get going," Sasuke said, as he carries Ino's original body, as everyone hop on Ino-Meltrandi's shoulders.
"Wow, it's a long ways down," Naruto said. "I wonder if I can do a massive jutsus copy on one of these guys."
Sasuke turns towards Hinata.
"Hinata, can you use your Byugun to enhance your perception?" Sasuke asked.
"What are you trying to do?" Naruto asked. "She can only figure out chakra lines."
"Yes, but she also can detect auras," Sasuke says. "We can use her as a radar to search for the greater concentration of soldiers, better than my Sharingan."
"Oh, okay," Hinata said, as she closes her eyes. "Byakugan!"
WHOOM!
The wall of the ship seemed to melt, as she sees the auras of everyone aboard the Zentraedi battle cruiser.
"I see everyone," Hinata said. "Wait…two of the auras is smaller than these aliens."
Sakura turns towards Naruto.
"You don't think a human was kidnapped?" Sakura asked.
"I don't know, but we should find out," Naruto replied.
"Then we should just find these guys and go from there," Ino-Meltrandi replied.
"If you take me to one of these aliens electronics, I can perform the 'object read' jutsu," Renata said. "It will allow me to know more about this ship, so we won't get lost."
"Good idea," Naruto said. "Let's move."
"Right," everyone say in unison, before heading off in the direction of the smaller auras, while on Ino-Meltrandi's shoulders.
Meanwhile…
"Sirs, I must insist that I participate in the defense of New Macross," Admiral Roy Folker said over a secured communications line from Alpha Centuari. "I can have the SDF-2 'Megaroad' and as many available ships rendezvous with Commander Breetai's fleet within the hour-"
"Belay that, Roy," Admiral Hayes, the supreme commander of UN Spacy. "The point of establishing your command is to ensure that Earth is NOT left defenseless, in case the Robotech Masters decide to pay us a visit in the near-future."
"Roy, we have more than enough resources to meet the challenge poised by Commander Khyron," said Admiral Gloval. "If we can defeat Dolza's forces, surely we can defeat Khyron's much smaller fleet."
"If that's what you think is prudent…"
"It is," Hayes said. "Your job at insuring the survival of the human species is more important than coming here to defend our position."
"Very well," Roy said, as he adjusted his cap. "Call me if there is any…change. Folker: out."
CHIRP!
"And so the end game begins," Hayes said, as he and Gloval looked out towards the SDF-1 "Macross", which sat at the center of New Macross, Alaska. Preparations were being made to fortify the city.
"By kidnapping both the symbol and the hero of the so-called "Robotech War", the renegade Khyron has made his intentions known."
Gloval turns towards his old friend.
"Donald, we don't have to engage in Khyron's mad schemes," Gloval said. "If…we plan our countermoves well."
"Henry, I appreciate the fact that you do not want to risk my daughter's life, but Captain Hayes knows the risk of being a soldier."
"Risks are one thing, but taking life for granted is something that no sane person should stand for," said a voice from behind.
All eyes turns towards Serene. However, knowing the risks, and knowing that three of her children and their friends, Serene decided to drop all pretense.
"Am I speaking to Serene, the Meltrandi, or General Usagi Tsukino, director of Homeworld Security?" Hayes replied, incredulously.
"Does it even matter at this point, Donald?" Usagi said, as she walks into the conference room. "And for the record, I gave a full report on my activities during my time amongst the Zentraedi, with full approval by my predecessor."
"Yes, the maverick General Jack O'Neill."
"Scoff all you want, Donald, but that report saved more lives on BOTH sides than not."
"Well, how will your insight of yours save the lives of my daughter and everyone else?"
"Donald, Captain Hayes' life is just as precious as the lives of my own children. Plus, I've come to be her closest friend. So, with all due respect, don't be so presumption to think that I would be callous enough to consider her and everyone else a pawn."
"Usagi, it's not that we suspect your intentions in this matter. However, from the rumors we have been receiving about Khyron's reasons-"
"A tactical mistake, Henry. I thought that Khyron could be mollified, but I was…sadly mistaken."
"So…all this is because YOU had a relationship with the alien," Hayes shakes his head in disgust. "Your reputation, as always, proceed you."
"My life choices are mine alone, Donald, but Khyron is now OUR problem."
"Speaking of which, have you come up with a plan?" Gloval asked.
"I have, but the key is getting my husband to confront Khryon over this foolishness. If that encounter is successful, casualties will be at a minimum."
"And if your plan fails?" Hayes asked.
Usagi looks outs towards the SDF-1.
"We'll know after preparations have been made," Usagi said.
"What sort of preparations?" Gloval asked.
"Something that is a bit more…ironic."
Meanwhile, in another section of the complex at UN Spacy CHQ…
"Lady Rantsu seems to be taken her missing children well," Kabuto-onna said.
"The fact that she isn't out for your blood right now is an indication that our kids are alive," Ranko said. "And I'd hope that they remain that way, if I were you."
"Er, of course."
Knowing that Khyron was heading towards the SDF-1 for an all-out assault, everyone and much of UN Spacy—and its affiliates—had converged onto the city. Right now, everyone was preparing for battle.
"This is a good cup of coffee," Ranko said, as she sipped her drink.
Just then, Rick and the gang enter the lounge.
"Captain, we're ready for the assault," Rick said, he held his helmet.
"Since when did Ranko make 'Captain'?" Ben asked.
"Since I put my foot up your butt?" Ranko replied.
"Sheesh!" Ben asked. "I was just asking…"
"Congratulations, Ranko," Max said. "That'll mean more responsibilities."
"No kidding…"
"So…where is Serene?" Miriya asked.
"She's behind you," said a voice.
All eyes turn towards General Tsukino, as she and Admiral Gloval walk into the lounge.
"Sister…?"
"Wait, what's going on?" Ben asked. "Why is Serene dressed…like a senior officer?"
"That is because 'Serene' is 'General Usagi Tsukino', director of Homeworld Security," Gloval said. "While she cannot get into the details, General Tsukino only ask of you for your trust."
"That's a tall order," Rick said. "But…I'm game."
"So we all are," said Max.
"So, I guess I have to salute you, huh?" Ben said snidely.
"You've been doing that anyway, if you know what I mean," Usagi said.
"Ma'am, can you get on with the reason why you are here?" Ranko said with annoyance.
"Certainly, Captain," Usagi said, as she activates a holographic projector.
CHOOP!
"As you know, Captain Hayes and Lynn Minmei were kidnapped, along with Lady Azonia…and my children."
"WHAT?" Miriya said. "You have had a child?"
Usagi turns towards her "sister".
"I had a life before being 'Serene', you know," Usagi said. "Nevertheless, your mission is to intercept Khyron's flagship before his attack forces arrive. Fail…and UN Spacy forces will have to strike back, regardless of the consequences."
The holographic generator creates an image of Khyron's ship.
"Intelligence indicates that Khyron's 'guests' are being held at the observation area of his command center, most likely out of a sense of confidence. Confront Khyron there…and stop him."
"How?" Rick asked.
Usagi turns towards Ranko.
"That will be Captain Tendo's call to make."
"Whatever happens, I have faith in you all," Gloval said. "You all are Earth's only hope now."
"We'll do our best, sir," Ranko said.
"Right!" said everyone.
And thus, the fight was ON.
An hour later, Khyron's forces attacked.
BOOM!
RATATATATATATATAT-!
Aboard the SDF-1, Admiral Gloval commands the defense parameters.
"Sir!" Vanessa said, as she directed Operations. "We're taking on multiple hits on all sides, but our Veritech and Destroid squadrons are holding the line."
"Good," Gloval said, as turns towards Kim. "Fire all batteries to cover our pilots."
"Yes, sir," Kim replied.
"Sammie, is Captain Tendo's team in position?"
"They should be, sir!" Sammie said.
"Good. Kim, prepare the Reflex Cannon."
"Sir?" Kim asked.
"I want to be prepared, just in case, even with our considerable advantage."
Meanwhile, floating in front of the SDF-1, Sailor Cosmos waits while closing her eyes and sitting in a lotus position. The Mythical Weapon known as the Mjolinir floated in front of her, while her Moon Staff was in her left hand.
'Ranma, it's up to you, now,' Sailor Cosmos says. 'Otherwise, I might be forced to do the unthinkable.'
With that in her mind, Sailor Cosmos' eyes open. Her right eye was her normal blue, but her left eye was that of Orochimaruko's. She would need considerable power to mount an adequate defense, so she taped into her inner 'Snake Lady' in order to access the power of the legendary 'Midgard Serpent'. Such a move was risky on my levels, but it was a chance that she was willing make.
Meanwhile…
"Yes, the battle proceeds nicely," Khyron said.
"You are being foolish, Khyron," Azonia said.
"There is still time to stop this, Commander," Lisa said. "And…I know how you feel."
"Really, now?" Khyron sneered.
"You do?" Minmei asked.
"Yes, I DO. I know what's it's like to love from afar, but feel that my duty is the only aspect of my life that is worthy of returning my love."
"Humph!"
Meanwhile, Naruto and his party arrive to the Bridge.
"Naruto, isn't that Minmei?" Renata asked quietly.
"Say, you're right," Naruto said.
"Huh, I didn't know you were into pop singers," Sasuke smirked.
"I'm NOT. I just know because Mom knows her."
"Then what do you call that 'Best of Minmei' CD doing in your case?" Genko said with a smirk.
"Er…it was a gift, okay?"
"Sure, it is…"
"Can I get an autograph, Naruto?" Hinata asked.
"Um, sure, I guess."
"What should we do now?" Ino-Meltrandi asked. "I can't stay in this body forever."
"Let's listen first," Sakura said. "Then we can act…"
"Commander, we can end this," Lisa said. "Please."
Khyron closes his eyes. He then opens them up again.
"No!"
And with that, Khyron slams his fists unto a big red button.
"Khyron-!" Azonia yells.
The main gun of Khyron's flagship opens its maw. And then-
FWOOSH!
A huge energy beam is emitted from Khyron's ship. It cuts a swath of landscape before entering the city limits.
"Sir-!" Sammie said.
"I know, brace for impact-!" Gloval said.
However, just as the beam was about to make it's mark-
"MOON SERPENT PUNCH!" Sailor Cosmos yells, as the Moon Princess performs a classic haymaker punch with the Mjolnir in hand.
FWOOM!
With power backed by the Midgard Serpent, Sailor Moon knocks the beam of death harmlessly into space.
"The beam…was deflected!" Kim yells.
"Sir, I'm detecting an unusual phenomenon," Vanessa said, as she looks at tactical.
"Sir, I see a rainbow enveloping the city?" Sammie said.
Outside, Brunhilde (who rode her winged horse), Sifdis (who rode of the back of her step-son, the mythic eight-legged horse named Selphnir) and Lokidis (who was riding on the back of her son Fenris) leads New Asgards finest to defend the SDF-1 and New Macross.
"Let's show Ran that we have not been resting on our laurels while living on the Golden Realm," Brunhilde proclaims.
"You said, sugar," Sifdis calls out.
"Nyahh!" replied Selphnir.
"Thank you for this honor, Mother," Fenris said.
"Do not thank me yet, son," Lokidis said. "The battle is just starting…"
And with that, the Asgardians begin their fight.
"What?" Khyron yells. "There are MORE?"
"Apparently, sir," Grill said. "I do not understand this-"
WHAM!
"Huh?" everyone said, they see Micronians and a Meltrandi—who had knocked down Grill—appearing on Khyron's Bridge.
"We're here to rescue ya," Naruto proclaims.
"A Micronian child?" Khyron yells. "Show me."
"Okay…"
Naruto quickly forms a series of mudra hand gestures, while tapping into the power of the Demon Fox…
CHOOM!
"Transform!"
POOF!
Naruto was now a thousand versions of himself.
"Now, you're going to get it!" the multiple Naruto(s) proclaimed. "Believe it! YA!"
All the Naruto(s) jump unto Khyron.
"Ah-!" Khyron yells, as he falls down under the weight of all those Naruto(s).
"Here are more of these guys!" Sakura yells.
"No problem," Sasuke yells, as he charges up his Chidori.
Just as the Zentraedi soldiers were about to converge unto the Bridge, Sasuke winks out.
ZIP!
Sasuke reappears in front of the face of the first Zentraedi.
"Chidori…PUNCH!"
WHAM!
In spite of the size of the Zentraedi, Sasuke Uchiha has learned long ago to shatter mountains. So, Sasuke knocking down a giant was no big trick to pull off.
"Wait for me!" Sakura yells, as she leaps off of Ino-Meltrandi, and uses her great strength to knock down another Zentraedi.
WHAM!
A Zentraedi grabs Ino-Meltrandi from behind.
GOOSH!
"EEEEK!" Ino-Meltrandi yells, as she flips her offender overhead, and proceeds to stomp him into the deck.
"You…PERVERT!" Ino_Meltrandi yells.
Hinata uses her Byukugan to attack the pressure points of her opponents, while Renata uses her various snake attacks to incapacitate her opponent.
"Snakes!" the Zentraedi screams. "Get…GET THEM OFF OF ME-!"
As for Genko…
"No small Micronian CHILD will scare ME!" said the Zentraedi, as he was about to stomp of the youngest of the Rantsu children.
Genko quickly performs a series of mudra hand gestures.
CHOOM!
"'Spatial perception is just an illusion," Genko said. "However, a master of spatial perception can change the illusion…into a reality. Sharingan."
CHOOM!
Using the powerful Tsukiyomi style of the Mangekyo Sharingan, Genko sucks her victim into an alternate dimension, before pulling the Zentraedi out with her hand.
"You…grew bigger?" the Zentraedi said fearfully.
"No, YOU became smaller," Genko said with a smirk. "Got the idea from reading one of those 'Willy Wonka' books Mother gave me…"
Meanwhile, Ranko and Rick were heading towards the command area of Khyron's ship.
"We don't have that much time, Rick," Ranko said, as she and Rick battle their way through their obstacles.
"We do, where the love of my life is concerned," Rick said. "Max and the others will protect our backs as long as we need their protection."
"Right," Ranko said with a smile. She knew that Rick's father would be very proud of his boy, for being the man that he has become."
"Ranko?"
"Yes, Rick?"
"Would you be my best man, at my wedding?" Rick asked.
"You're popping the question?"
"Yeah, I figure that it's time to make the plunge."
"Oh, okay. Wait, I'm girl. How can I be your best man?"
"Because you were born a guy…Ranma."
"You knew."
"No, Usagi told me before we left on our mission. I thought it was strange that she would know you so well, when nobody should."
"Ah. You're not mad at me?"
"Naw. It felt weird, but after all this time, why should I be upset?"
Ranko smiles.
"Yeah…"
A few minutes later…
WHOOM!
Ranko and Rick arrive "Soldier Mode".
"Everyone, freeze!" Ranko said.
"We're okay, Ranko," Azonia said, as she sips her wine, while a tied of Khyron fumed.
"Rick?" Lisa said.
"Rick?" Minmei said. "RICK!"
"I'm here, guys!" Rick said.
"Who did this?" Ranko asked.
"I did!" Naruto said.
"No, WE did," Sasuke said. "Believe THAT."
"Humph!"
Ranko sees the other kids, and smiles.
"It's over…and everyone is safe…"
A few days later…
"Well, all's well that ends well," Ranko said, as she looks up at the SDF-1.
"It certainly feels that way," Usagi said, as yawns. "Especially where Khyron is concerned."
"How so?" He's going to be put on trial for his activities."
"True, but Lisa promised to be there for him."
"Now THAT is something-"
"RANMA!" yelled an angry female voice.
All eyes turn towards Brunhilde, as she lands her winged stead named Victory.
"Hey, Brunhilde," Ranko said. "What's up-ULP!"
Brunhilde picks up Ranko, and kisses her deeply.
"Interesting," Usagi said with smile.
"What the heck was that for?" Ranko yelled.
"I don't care what we are now, compared to who we were then, YOU are my husband, Ranma Saotome. And I am YOUR wife, Akane. AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!"
"Um, the Akane I know is short and Japanese, not tall and Nordic-"
"RANMA, YOU JERK!"
POW!
Ranko smashes into a wall, shattering it.
"Ranma, are you okay?" Usagi asked fearfully.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Ranko said, as she dusts herself off. "I was just making sure that MY Akane is here."
"Humph!" Brunhilde harrumphs.
Usagi shakes her head with a smile. She then turns to look at the skies. UN Spacy wants to send an expeditionary force to Fantoma, in order to prevent another war from happening. But for right now, the only thing she cared about was her family and friends. And-
"To be in love," Usagi said happily.
END OF BOOK ONE.
Author's Note: I will take a break from the saga for a while. I'll be back to this thing sometime in May. C&C are welcomed.
Next time: We jump ahead five years to the start of UN Spacy's "Robotech Expeditionary Program", as the crew of the SDF-3 "Pioneer" faces a new threat in the Andromeda Galaxy Cluster…and it's not coming from the Robotech Masters!