SMST5C: Hero Ultimate! –By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 37
Meanwhile…
Wonder Woman (IV), Achilles, Herakles and Amadeus Cho walks into the Atlantic City casino dressed in business attire. However, Wonder Woman, Achilles and Herakles were in mortal guises. As a result, Wonder Woman disguised as a super-model named "Ranko Tendo", Achilles was disguised as "Lt. Jose Alvarez" (US Army Special Operations), and Herakles was disguised "Hong Tanaka", a sumo wrestler-turned-bouncer.
"Okay, guys," said Wonder Woman, as she and the others stop at the inner gate of the casino. Remember: do not EAT or TAKE anything while we are here. The last thing we want is to be permanently 'guests' of Ares."
"That is all well and good, Agrippa," Achilles said. "But to get to the real underworld, we will have to go through HIM…"
Aegis points to Charon, the boatman. Instead of the robed, skeletal figure that he has been depicted in myth and lore, he appeared as a-
"Why does Charon look like a 'carnie'?" Cho asked.
"He is the vendor we would have to pay for admittance," Herakles said. "And this is 'Circus, Circus', after all…"
He then turns towards Wonder Woman.
"DO you have any money?"
"What?" Wonder Woman yells. "Nobody told me that I would need to bring money along!"
"Perhaps we have something that Charon would want?" Achilles said.
"Hmmm…"
"Wait, I have it," Cho said as he points towards Wonder Woman. "You have the means for us to allow us down into the Underworld."
"How?"
"Of course, your earrings," Achilles said. "They are gold, no?"
"These were my daughters, after she had died, and after I took her place as Wonder Woman."
"Exactly," Cho said. "That makes them priceless, because of their unique heritage."
"Give it up, friend," Herakles said. "Take on for the team."
Wonder Woman groused, as she removes the earrings. She really hopes that wherever Diana was, Wonder Woman hopes for her speedy return.
"There, let's do this…"
After paying Charon, and after traveling on a boat ride that resembled the "Tunnel of Love" (a fact that Herakles mentioned to Wonder Woman, which resulted in him getting belted in the stomach by her), the four arrives at a third gate. However, it was guarded by a giant, three-headed dog named-
"RRROOWRL!" Cerberus growls, as he lowers one of his heads.
"Wow," Cho said with shock. "Can you imagine the amount of 'poop' Cerberus makes?"
"I prefer not to, young friend," Achilles said.
"There, there," Wonder Woman said, as she pats Cerberus heads.
Cerberus wags his tail, as he licks Wonder Woman's face.
SLURP!
"Ew!" Wonder Woman said, as she whipped the dog droll from her face. "Yuck!"
"He seemed more tame these days," Herakles said, as he scratches Cerberus behind the ear.
"Small comfort…"
Once pass Cerberus, the four travelers enter the casino pit area. There, Cho realizes something…
"Wait, these are dead superheroes and supervillains!" Cho exclaimes.
"Well, we are in the land of the dead, after all," Achilles said.
"Wait, isn't that Captain Marvel?" Cho said, as he sees the legendary Kree warrior, not the former possessor of the magical sextet of SHAZAM.
"By the halls of Mount Olympus, you are correct!" Herakles said.
"So, THIS was the replacement of my old champion?" Achilles said.
"Yes, for a short time," Wonder Woman said. "The 'original' Captain Marvel, his Marvel Family, his allies and Fawcett City itself were trapped in a material known as 'suspendium', and hurled into space. Luckily for us all, the mad genius Dr. Sivana, enemy of the Marvel Family, his family and his fellow villains were also trapped in this big ball of suspendium."
"But Dr. Sivana escaped, right?" Cho said. "'Cuz, I met him with other kidnapped scientist on Koey Koey Island, thanks to the Apocalypian super computer 'Father Box', otherwise known as 'Egg Fu'."
"Correct. The second Captain Marvel—the Kree Mar-Vell—and I rescued the Marvel Family and the others, not knowing that Sivan and company were with them."
"Ah, so the great Agrippa the Horsemaiden can make mistakes, huh?" Herakles said mockingly.
"Yes, on the same level that a certain scion of Zeus once made back in day, no?" Wonder Woman said mockingly.
"Humph, you cut me to the quick."
"Hey, I consider you one of my dearest friends, but you set yourself up for that one, Herk," Wonder Woman said. "Still, if I wished I could have learned more about the suspendium deal BEFORE Mar-Vell and I mounted to rescue…"
Just then, an African-American man—who wore dreadlocks—dressed in Olympian garb, including a breastplate that had a lion etched on its surface.
"Greetings," said Aegis, as he bows his head slightly.
"You were Athena's champion," Achilles said.
"Man, didn't you die recently?" Cho asked.
"Unfortunately, Lord Hades took his vengeance on Athena by slaying me, and stealing the Aegis," Aegis said.
"Bummer."
"What a bastard," Wonder Woman said, as she cracked her knuckles. "So, let me guess: we take back the Aegis for Athena, huh?"
"Correct."
"How do we get retrieve this artifact?" Achilles asked.
"You will have to speak to the 'pit boss', of course."
"Uncle Hades, of course," Herakles said. "Okay, let's find him then…"
"Very well," Aegis said. "Follow me…"
Aegis shows points to the door, where it was guarded by "Guido-types" (dark suits with sun glasses).
"That way," Aegis said.
"Well, let's deal with 'Uncle Hades'," Wonder Woman said mockingly, as she turns to her companions. "Ready?"
"I am, brother-sister," Achilles said.
"Well, why back down now?" Cho said.
"Indeed, friend," Herakles said. "As it is written, Fate favors the bold."
And with that, the four enter the conference room…
Ten minutes later…
"Fate favors the bold, huh?" Wonder Woman yells, as she, Herakles, Achilles and Cho were strapped on rocks with chains.
"How was I supposed to know we were walking in a trap?" Herakles asked.
"You will pay for this indignation, Lord Hades," Achilles said.
"Really now?" Hades (dark-haired, goatee) said, as he straightens his suit and tie. With him were his demons…and Genocide, who was cracking her knuckles.
"I do not think any of you are in the position to make demands."
"What do you want?" Cho asked.
"Simple: you want this…"
Hades holds up the Aegis, which was a mystical breastplate.
"And I want revenge for what Athena has done."
Hades motions towards Wonder Woman…
"I wonder what I can fetch for you, if I sold you to the demon lord, would I be so inclined…"
"If you think I'm going to let ANYONE touch me, you have another thing coming!" Wonder Woman yells.
"If I recall, you don't have your powers, so long as you are bound by chains," Hades said.
"You know, you wouldn't be such a jerk if Persephone was here-"
SLAP!
"Never speak her name, Agrippa," Hades said.
"What happened to Persephone?" Cho asked.
"In the last of the 'War of the Gods', Persephone, among a few other Olympians, died," Herakles said grimly.
"And yet an oaf like YOU still live," Hades said. He then faces Wonder Woman.
"However, I have a better idea, Agrippa. In the Source lies the consciousness of all gods, including those who no longer exist on this Reality."
"What are you saying exactly?" Wonder Woman asked.
"I'm going to 'swap' your soul for Persephone's, and bring back my wife!"
Hades then turns towards Herakles and Achilles.
"And I will sacrifice you two to gain the power to challenge Ares for the right to rule the Underworld!"
Meanwhile…
Having learned what was going on back on Oa, and with Usagi given a clean bill of health, Ranma and company decided to leave New Krypton early.
"Are you sure you don't want to spend time with your dear mother, Lara?" Usagi said, as she held the hands of her daughter, Power-Woman.
"As much as I might want to go on a 'road trip', I still have a chairmanship in the JSA to worry about," Power-Woman said. "And with Dad gone off to who knows where-"
"-You want to make sure that Earth is well-protected," Usagi said, as she nods her head in reply. "I understand."
"But, hey, as soon as you return, we can have dinner. I'll cook up something nice for you and step-dad, and I can have the grand-kids with us."
"Yes, I would like that," Usagi replied.
Meanwhile, Faora gives a good-bye kiss to Ranma, while Bra was fuming.
SMOOCH!
Faora lowers the martial artist.
"You do know that you are the only male that I am willing to allow to defile my body, Ranma Saotome," Faora said. "Remember that."
And with that, Faora flies away.
"Whoa…" Ranma said.
"Ranma, was THAT necessary?" Bra yelled.
"With Faora, yes."
"Humph!"
"What do you have there, Doctor?" Ukyo asked, as Dr. Tofu Ono loads a few crates onto a Kryptonian spacecraft, with the help of Kryptonian droids. It was decided that Tofu—reluctantly, because of Kasumi—and Hotaru would return to Earth with Power Woman and one of her granddaughters…
"Well, considering that we are on an alien world, I wanted to take plant samples for medicinal purposes."
"Ah."
"Tofu-chan," Kasumi said, as she comes over to her husband.
"Yes?" Tofu said.
"I just wanted to let you know that I bought some things from the local gift for when we return to Earth," Kasumi said with a mischievous smile, as she presents a box from a lingerie boutique shop called "Fred-Ric's of Kandor". "Considering your birthday and all…"
Tofu's glasses begin to fog up.
"K-Kasumi?" Tofu stuttered.
"Kasumi, isn't having that suppose to be…improper?" Ukyo said with a raised eyebrow.
"Amongst a company of guests, yes, but amongst family…"
"Ah, I see…"
Just then, Hotaru and Lana Wayne (aka "Power Girl Red") come flying in. Hotaru received the gift of flight from a faerie named "Tinkerbell", while Lana, the oldest of fraternal triplets—and granddaughters of Power-Woman—flew because of her Kryptonian heritage.
Power Woman looks up.
"Ah, there you two are," Power Woman said. "You guys are ready to go
"Well, I'm all set to go, Grandma!" Lana said.
"I wish I can stay longer," Hotaru said. "Being here is SO fun…"
"Well, we'll see next time, " Usagi said, as she turns towards Lana, her great-granddaughter. "My, how you've grown…"
"Nana!" Lana yelled with a furious blush, as she covered herself. Everyone was starting to notice how mature all the Power Girls were getting.
"Dear, it's a burden we women of the House of El has to deal with," Power-Woman said. "So don't be embarrassed."
"Especially since you inherited your 'blessing' from ME," Usagi said with a wink and a nod.
"Humph!"
Tofu takes hold of his wife.
"Kasumi-"
"I know, you do not want me to go, but it important that I do so, love," Kasumi said gently.
"Is that why you bought the lingerie?"
"Maybe…"
Tofu then takes Kasumi's face in his hands, and then gave her an intimate kiss…
Afterwards, Kasumi smiles at Tofu.
"That is sort of improper, kissing in public," Kasumi said. "But I like it."
Tofu smiles. He then turns towards the direction of Ranma.
"Ranma?"
Ranma turns towards Tofu.
"What?"
"I expect you to keep Kasumi safe, you hear?" Tofu said.
"I do, and I will, Doc," Ranma said. "Count on it."
And so, the Ranusagi departs for the Vega System at trans-warp speed. Within its bowels are Ranma Saotome, Usagi Tsukino-Saotome, Ukyo, Kasumi and Bra.
"Well, if all goes well, we should be in the Vega Star System in a few hours," Ranma said, as he double-checks the vectors.
Suddenly, the ship is rocked by energy blasts.
"What's going on?" Bra screams.
"Checking," Usagi said, as she went over her sensors. "I don't believe this…"
"What is it, sugar?"
Usagi turns towards Ranma.
"We're being attacked by the Kree, Ranma."
"Oh, my," Kasumi said.
CHIRP-CHIRP!
Ranma looks at the communications panel, and activates the receiver.
BLIP!
"This is Ranma Saotome of the SS Ranusagi."
BLIP!
A Kree soldier appears on a virtual screen.
"This is Feu-Dall, of the KSS Supreme," said the Kree. Most Kree are blue-skinned humanoids. "We know that you have the goddess of the Skrulls. If you do not surrender her to us, your ship WILL be destroyed!"
Ranma blinks his eyes.
"Okay, please stand by," Ranma said, as he deactivates the communications line.
BLIP!
Ranma then turns towards Usagi…
"You have any idea what this jerk is talking about?" Ranma asked, even though he already knew the answer…
"Well, you see, um, yes," Usagi said with hint of embarrassment, as she began her tale…
Tbc.