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.


Part 50: "The New Avengers!" (III)


Meanwhile, Loki, using Lokidis' connections, was able to deduce to location of a vault where rare ores are kept…

"It appears that we might be able to open a portal to other worlds…and dimensions," said Dr. Selvig, who had been originally assigned to perform research on the Cosmic Cube.

"Ah, yes, Uru metal, to stuff of legends," Loki said, as he made sure that he was impeccably dressed with a mortal suit and tie. "And you say that you can refine the ore to contain the cube?"

"Yes," Selvig replied. "We had used Vibranium to open the portal, but for what you need, you need something more stable to hold the cube in place."

"Very well," Loki said, as he turned towards Hawkeye the Archer, who had been "turned", thanks to Loki's magic. "Are the preparations been made?"

"Yes, sir," Hawkeye replied, as he hands Loki a small metal case. "All we need is the eye print; we'll do the rest."

"The modern technology is impressive," Loki said, as he "pockets" the case. "Shall we begin our little operation…?"

Loki then turned towards a containment unit, which was located in the center of a Rune circle.

"Let's see how well these mortals will do, other me," Loki said, as he looks at Lokidis, who was slumped over.

Lokidis looks up at her former self, and smirks.

"You'll fail, former me," Lokidis said breathlessly. "Lord Ran, and our sister and brother will stop you with our allies."

"We shall see," Loki said, as he walks away…

"Loki is on the move," said Assistant Director Maria Hill, as she received the communiqué from Berlin. "Apparently, he, Hawkeye and his men has crashed a museum charity event in Berlin, and is threatening the civilians."

"Why would this…Loki do such a thing?" Rogers asked. "Could it be that he is after an artifact?"

"It's possible," Stark said, as he used JARVIS to call up a complete manifest of that the National Museum of Berlin had on display and in storage. "Bingo."

"What?" Banner said, as he looks up from his work. He was going over Dr. Selvig's research in order to determine how Loki could benefit from it…

"Uru metal," Stark said.

"Uru metal?" Ranma asked. "How did the museum have it?"

"I gave them a sample," Usagi said, as she continued her own research.

"You did what, sister?" Thor asked.

"Brother, the mortals did a favor for me, when I traded Uru metal for the original formula to create 'Berserkers', which was found at an archeological site. I am glad that neither they nor anyone else knew what they had…"

"Ah, I see…"

"What are these 'Berserkers'?" Pym asked.

"Berserkers were warriors dedicated to Odin," Ranma replied. "But, more to the point, they were the equivalent of today's 'super-soldiers'…"

Pause.

"Unfortunately, as the name implies, they were blood-thirsty, even for Vikings," Ranma said.

"Sounds like they are like Steve, but crazy," replied Janet.

"You wouldn't be far off," said Director Nick Fury, Jr, as he enters the room with Agent Coulson. "I do believe that the formula to the super-soldier serum is based upon the 'potion' that created these Berserkers."

"What?" Rogers said, as he turned towards Usagi. "Is this true?"

"Dr. Erskine had discovered the significance of the tablet, and perfected it with my input," Usagi replied. "Unfortunately…you know what happened afterwards."

"The assassination of Dr. Erskine on behalf of the Red Skull," Steve said. "I still remember that day well."

"Nevertheless, we believe that in order for Cosmic Cube, it will be necessary to create a harness that could hold the object in place," Dr. Banner said.

"And, unfortunately, Dr. Selvig knows how to create such a device," Fury said. He then turned towards Coulson.

"Are our agents in place?" Fury asked.

"They are, although they are hesitant in taking on our…compromised agents," Coulson replied.

"Compromise or not, Loki cannot be allowed to get that ore," Fury said. He then turned towards Tony Stark, who was chatting up a low-level female agent.

"Stark, if you can kindly bring yourself to pay attention to the mission briefing…?"

"Hmm?" Stark replied. "Yeah, well, sure."

"Sure what?"

"You want me to use my connections on the charity circuit to secure last-minute invitations at this function you speak," Stark said nonchalantly.

"That would be helpful," Fury said.

"Well, then, I guess I shouldn't disappoint the team."

"Too late," Ranma said.

"I didn't hear that, Saotome."

"Then get your ears checked-"

"Ranma, don't," Usagi said.

"Yes, don't," Fury said. "In fact, Bunny, you're field leader for this outing."

"Um, sure?"

"What about me?" Ranma said.

"Oh, I have something in mind that would suit your…unique talents," Fury said.

Ranma raises an eyebrow.

Later that night, in Germany…

"So, Mister Stark, welcome to our function," said the director of the Paragon Museum of Berlin, as he greeted Tony Stark and his…date. "We were surprised that you would be interested in this event, after turning down our invitation."

"Well, I do have to pick and choose which places I want to do events," Stark said. He then turned towards his date.

"But the lovely Lady Cassandra Smith-Saotome insisted that we go to this one," Tony said, as he wraps his arms around Ranma-onna's waist, before palming her butt slightly. He then gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Isn't that right, dear?"

"I wouldn't want to miss this for the world, Tony," Ranma-onna said through gritted teeth. The alias "Lady Cassandra Smith-Saotome" was created after a freak accident involving a certain traveling Time Lord and a trip one billion years into the future. The result was that "Ranma-onna", the girl-guise of Ranma Saotome, had merged with wealthy socialite, creating a new personality that was hedonistic in an "absolutely fabulous" way. Since then, Ranma-onna has worked to rein in this new aspect of his personality, which is why it took much will power on her part to not deck Tony in the jaw, sleep with him, or both…

"Ah, that is good," the director said. "Now, if you excuse, I will attend to the other guests…"

"Well, phase one is complete," Tony began to say, before he felt his hand being squeezed…hard.

"Ow!"

"You better be glad that I am under orders to participate in this operation, in this manner," Ranma-onna said quietly.

"You think I like to flirt with a transgender type?" Tony said protested. "I mean…I wouldn't necessarily kick you out of bed back when I was a raging alcoholic, but I am strictly all-business."

"See that you stay that way," Ranma-onna said.

"Humph!"

During the course of the evening, Ranma-onna mills about the guests, consisting of the rich and powerful. Technically, she was both rich and powerful, but Ranma-onna never took to the lifestyle the way his wife Usagi did…

"My, you look lovely this evening," said a familiar voice.

Ranma-onna turned towards her wife.

"I could say the same thing, Usagi," Ranma-onna replied.

"Ranma, don't call me that," said Usagi, aka "Dr. Serena Von Mondkinder", a well-known medical practitioner trained in both esoteric and advanced medicine. Most people did not know that Usagi's alias was the result of an adventure involving time-travel, vampirism and "brainwashing" by the Nazis. Since then, Usagi has worked hard to redeem the horrors she had unwittingly caused before her husband Ranma freed her, including doing a lot of charity work…

"I AM undercover, you know."

"Yeah, I know," Ranma-onna replied. "So, where's your date?"

"I didn't have one, Ranma," Usagi replied. "I went 'stag' with Janet and Donald, remember?"

"Janet" was the sprite-like superhero known as "The Wasp", while "Donald" was "Dr. Donald Blake", the mortal form of Thor, the god of Thunder…

"Oh, yeah," Ranma-onna said, as she careened her head towards the Wasp, as she chats with a few media types. "Well, at least SHE is having fun…"

Meanwhile, in a non-descript van, the Black Widow and Captain America, along with the rest of SHIELD, were observing the situation that was taking place within the museum.

"What's the deal between Ranma and Stark?" Captain America asked.

"Well, it's long and complicated, but, basically, their rivalry involves Usagi," Black Widow replied. "And…that's just the tip of the ice berg."

"Oh," Captain America said. "I can't wait to hear the details…"

Meanwhile, back inside, the person of SHIELD's interests decides to make his presence known.

"What a surprising occasion," said Loki, who was dressed in a stylish way, as he walks up to Ranma-onna and Usagi.

"Loki," Ranma-onna said, as she prepares for battle.

"Tut, tut," Loki replied. "I DO have my men spread all over the place. I seriously doubt you would want to start a scene.

"Humph!"

"Why are you doing this?" Usagi said.

"I want my life back, All-Mother," Loki replied. "Yes, I was reborn as your adopted sister Lokidis in this new age of the gods, but I prefer being the old me."

"Speaking of which…where is she?" Ranma-onna replied coyly.

"The 'pretender' is safe in my care, half-goddess," Loki said with a sneer. "And she will remain in such a state until I have done what needs to be done."

"Such as?" Usagi asked.

"Yes, what are you trying to do, brother?" Dr. Blake asked, as he and Janet walked up to Loki.

"Ah, brother, you are looking fine as a healer," Loki said. He then turned towards Janet.

"And, as always, you are the cream of the fashion world."

"Normally, I would take such a comment to heart, but Don asked you a question," Janet replied. "And considering the fact that you are the only one here and all…"

"Oh, but I am not 'the only one here and all', Ms. Dyne," Loki said. "Besides some of your own in my thrall, I have secured allies."

"Widow, did you copy that?" Ranma-onna said, as she touched her earring.

"We hear you loud and clear," came the reply. "We're getting into position."

"And as to what is my ultimate objective, let's just say that I will soon be strong enough to take over Midgard," Loki said. "Only then will I fulfill my destiny a god!"

"We can't let you do this, Loki," Usagi said. "These mortals have the right to self-determination."

"Oh, I know about what YOU have done, All-Mother," Loki said, as his the jewel part of his cane began to glow. "YOU pretend to believe in equality, but you are 'destined' to rule this world in this new age of the gods."

"That's not true!" Usagi said.

"Is it not true that you have many fingers in every mortal government in the world?"

"Well, I-"

"Is it not TRUE that you have a personal army at your disposal?"

"That's not-"

"Loki, back off," Ranma-onna said, realizing that Loki was using chaos magic to enhance his accusations.

"Is it not true that you manipulated Time and Space with your magic to shape reality to your whim?" Loki sneered, ignoring Ranma even as the Trickster gets into Usagi's face. "You call my actions wrong, but you are no different from what I am doing now?"

Pause.

"You, Moon Princess, All-Mother, are really the She-Devil who uses mortals like mere toys!" Loki yelled. "Huh? HUH?"

"NO!" Usagi yelled, as she pushed Loki across the hall and into the buffet.

BAM!

"Bunny, are you alright?" Janet said.

"Heh," Loki said, as he gets up. He then raised his cane, and transformed it into an Asardian glaive.

"Remember, YOU threw the first punch, All-Mother," Loki said, as he wills the museum director to his side.

"What?" the director said, as he was grabbed by Loki.

"No!" Ranma-onna said.

"YES," Loki sneered, as he takes out a SHIELD eye scanner, and jams the instrument into the director's head, forcibly scanning his eye.

"Arrrgh-!"

ZING-BLAM!

Loki was blasted by a concussive blast, letting the museum director go.

"Augh!" Loki said, as he slid across the floor.

Tony lowers his right arm, which wore his right Iron Man gauntlet.

"If there is one thing I hate the most, it's a party pooper," Tony said, even as the rest of the benefit attendees began to back away from the scene.

"How amusing," Loki said, as he gets up. He notices that the eye extracting instrument's LED display read "green", indicating that he had did what he needed to do.

"Now that I have gotten what I wanted, it is my turn to return the favor," Loki said, as he rises to his feet. He then changed his outfit into an Asgardian warrior armor set, complete with helmet and horns.

"Now, shall we begin the chaos?" Loki said, as he tapped his glaive unto the ground.

"Alright, boys," said one of the dinner servers, as he and four other brought out building tools from nowhere. "Let's show these guys what it means to mess with…'THE WRECKING CREW'!"

Like Thor's hammer, the enchanted tools could turn mortals into Asgardians. In this case, years ago, Loki had four construction workers enhanced into being Asgardians minions to do his bidding as "The Wrecking Crew". With an additional fifth member, Loki's minions were a terror to behold.

"Well, at least I can hit something instead of Stark this evening," Ranma-onna said, as she and her team prepared for battle…

Tbc.