Star Trek: Ranma's Story 78 – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 78
"In the months following the disaster at the Cloud City on Bespin, I went underground. I avoided all contact between my allies, thinking that Usagi could hold the proverbial 'fort' for a while and myself. Initially, I had tried to rescue Leia from the clutches of the Emperor, but I was still too messed up to face him adequately. So, I went to Dagobah for some much needed training…"
Location: Dagobah.
Jedi Master Ranko Saotome was in a state of meditation, as she sat in what she called "The Cave of Insight", where a Dark user of the Force was slain by the hand of the Jedi Master Yoda. She had to build up immunity to whatever she may face, when she confronts the Emperor.
On another note, Ranko, in honor of Leia, chose to remain female while in training. Besides, knowing Palpatine's sexist attitudes towards women were legendary, him being defeated by a "woman" would be "just deserts".
As Ranko continued her meditation exercises, her senses picked up a disturbance in the Force…
"Usagi…"
Ranko gets up, and head for Jedi Master Yoda's hut. Yoda, who was napping outside, opens his eyes when Ranko arrives.
"Visitors, we have," the Master says.
"Indeed," Ranko replies, as she cleans herself up.
"Well, we certainly survived that one, eh, Luke?" Jedi Mistress Usagi Tsukino says, as she pats her apprentice on the back. They were walking towards Yoda's home.
"Oh, we 'survived', alright," Jedi Padawan Luke Skywalker says. "Let me count the ways. We interrupt our training in the deserts of Tatttooine when Jabba the Hutt decided to muscle in on Watto's operations. As a result, Watto, YOUR business partner, gets killed, his manager, your friend, Hoshi gets injured in the process, and some girl who was living with her named 'Padme' gets kidnapped for Jabba's slave pens. YOU get pissed off, and staged a sting operation where you managed to get the help of Han, Lando, Boba Fett, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 and C3-P0 to humiliate Jabba enough to set up an agreement that makes you even wealthier than you have ever been."
"And this is a problem because…?"
"Well, it sounds like something that a Sith would do."
"One, other than my ten percent, all the money I accumulate goes to the war effort, and, two, I like to get 'dirty'."
Luke sniffed the air.
"I'll say."
"Hey! You're the one who made me fall in rancor dung!"
"I knew I heard some racket out here," said a voice.
Usagi and Luke look up to see Ranko standing next to Yoda.
"RANMA!"
Usagi performed a "super-glomp" on Ranko.
"We were wondering what had happened to you…"
"I…was foolish enough to try to get Leia back from the hands of the Emperor."
"You bet you are, jerk."
Ranko and Usagi release each other.
"Hey, kid," Ranko says. "What's with the all-black look?"
"Just being a bit edgy these days," Luke replies.
Just then, Jedi Knight Ami Mizuno comes running up to the group.
"Sorry I'm running behind," Ami said, as she and Artoo slows down to a halt. "I needed to get Artoo tuned up after that mess with Jabba-"
Ami sees Ranko.
"Ranma!" Ami says, as she runs to hug Ranko. "You're okay!"
"Yeah, I am, Ami."
"Here, I am glad you all are," Yoda says, as he wheezed towards the group.
"Master Yoda, you should be careful," Ranko says.
"Nonsense," Yoda says. "End, my days will soon. Need to finish Jedi business, I must."
The assembled Jedi Knights nod in understanding.
Location: Endor.
Meanwhile, a very important person just arrived, via Imperial shuttle, on the newly created "Death Star II".
"Lord Vader, how are things proceeding?" asked Emperor Palpatine, also known as the Sith Lord "Darth Sidious".
"They are preceding fine, my Master," replied Darth Vader. "We have tripled the station construction, so we will be finished on scheduled."
"Excellent. And what of that other matter?"
"I have yet to find my son, or confront his Jedi Master or her colleagues."
"No matter. They will soon come to us. And how is our newest addition to the Sith ranks?"
"Observe," Vader replied, as he and the Emperor went into one of the launch bays that had been converted into a temporary training area.
Within a large, painted circle, a woman, dressed in black, used her red light saber to fight a squadron of droids. She twirled and moved in a beautiful kata, as each of her opponents fell apart. When the battle was over, the woman turned her weapon off.
"Daughter," Vader said.
"Father," said Leia, the newest Sith Acolyte. In his wisdom, Palpatine felt that it was time to see if a suitable replace for Lord Vader was needed. After all, Vader was getting older, and the Jedi Master Ranma Saotome was kind enough to have created a weapon worthy of being his apprentice…in spite of her flawed gender.
"I am impressed, young lady," Palpatine said with a crooked smile.
"Thank you, sire. I cannot wait until I confront my brother…and the rest of the Jedi scum."
"Indeed."
"Over the course of a week, I went through several exercises with the others, as we all prepared for the next evolution of what remained of the Jedi Order. Luke came a long way from when I first knew him, and had a handle on the ethos and traditions of the Jedi. As a fellow Jedi Master, I was acquired to test Luke on all levels, just to make sure that Usagi had adequately trained him. Amazingly enough…she did. And when Luke passed my own examination, I gave my approval to Yoda, who approved Usagi's desire to give Luke a promotion…"
Location: Dagobah.
Standing around in a semi-circle, was the assembled Jedi Knights.
Jedi Master Yoda raised his green-bladed light saber, signifying his role as a Jedi "consular".
Jedi Master Ranma Saotome raised his yellow-bladed light saber, signifying his role as a Jedi "sentinel".
Jedi Master Usagi Tsukino raised her purple/violet-bladed light saber, signifying her role as a "child of destiny".
And Jedi Knight Ami Mizuno raised her blue-bladed light saber, signifying her role as a Jedi "guardian".
All at once-
SNAP! Hzzzz…
The four Jedi activated their weapons.
Usagi steps forth.
"Jedi Padawan Luke Skywalker, knell," says Usagi.
Luke did as he was told.
Usagi then lowered her 'saber close to Luke's left shoulder.
"By the RIGHT of the Jedi..."
Usagi then lowers her weapon close to Luke's left shoulder.
"By the HONOR of the Jedi…it brings me great pleasure in naming you KNIGHT-
SLICE!
Off goes Luke's Padawan's braid.
"Of the Republic!"
After a few moments, the assembled Jedi deactivated their weapons.
"One more ceremony, we must have," Yoda says, as Luke rises. "Jedi Ami Mizuno, please step forth."
Luke steps back, while Ami moves forward.
"Ami Mizuno, recognize your accomplishments, I have. Proud to call you 'Master', I am."
Yoda and Ami bow towards each other.
"I promise to uphold the traditions of the Jedi, sir."
"Master Yoda died the next day, but I could tell that he was proud to leave a solid legacy behind. On top of that, Usagi and I had to sit down and admit to Luke that what Darth Vader told him about him being his father was true. More to the point, we had to admit to Luke that Leia, the girl whom he had crush on, was, in fact his sister…and that his mother Padme was alive and well at the Rebel Alliance fleet's jump-point. I'm amazed that he took the news rather well. At any rate, with Yoda passing to the Great Beyond, we all packed up to rendezvous with the fleet at Sullust Sector."
Location: Sullust.
After returning to the rebel fleet, the Jedi participated in a briefing. The mission: destroy the second Death Star.
"Man, I hate sequels!" whined Usagi.
"Hush, Usagi," Ranko chided. Even though she has gotten over her depression, she was still worried about Leia.
Afterwards, Lando receives final instructions from Han.
"Now, go easy on "The 'Falcon…'cuz Ami will let me how you do!"
"Look, I piloted the ship long enough to know how she runs," Lando replied.
"Yeah, well…"
"Han, relaxed," Ami interjected. "Lando and I will do just fine."
"Thanks, Ami," Lando replied with a smile.
"Just be careful, you two," Usagi says.
"Will do, Usako."
"'Usako'?" asked Han.
"Han, don't even go there," Luke replied. "Trust me on this."
Bop!
"I heard that!" Usagi said. "Hey, nothing happened!"
"Beep-Beep-Beee-oop!"
"Typical," Ranko said.
"How scandalous!" Threepio says.
"Yee-OW!"
"Rrrow!"
"Why must I be here?"
At Usagi's insistence, Padme would come along on the mission. She highlighted her mechanic's skill as the reason.
"Now, Padme, it's just that I need you, since Ami will be Lando's co-pilot. After me, you're WAY better than these clown in the use of the tool."
"Hey!" Han yelled with indignation.
Later…
Hours later, after the pirated Imperial shuttle went past the Imperial screens on Endor, the rebel squad made its way through the foliage. And then…
"You know," began Usagi, "I like to get back to nature now and again-"
BLAM! BLAM!
"But this is ridiculous!" Usagi yelled, as she fired her blaster at the Imperial scouts.
"Usagi, cover me!" Luke said, as he hopped on a speeder bike.
"Padme, stay here. Luke, wait for meeeeeeeeee-!" Usagi yelled, just after hopping on the back of Luke's 'bike.
"Usagi-!" began Ranko.
ZOOM!
"Damn."
"Leave it to those two to cause more trouble than necessary," Han said, as he shook his head.
"Why did Usagi insist that I come here?" asked Padme, as she ducked her head.
"I don't know," Han replied. "But she tends to be right about things than not."
After a series of mishaps, involving knocking off more Imperial scouts, Usagi found herself surrounded by furry creatures.
"Hello, little guy…"
Unfortunately, the furry creatures were pointing spears at her.
GULP!
A while later, Han, Luke and the other cadre were being hauled to the camps of the Ewoks. Only the fact that C3-P0 was seen as a god to them prevented its friends' deaths. Ewoks, being small and furry, was a tribal race that lived in trees. And now, Han and the others were about to be the main course for dinner.
"Tin plate, get us out of here!" yelled Han.
"I can't! They won't listen to me!"
"Well, well, well. Look what the cats dragged in. I mean, Ewoks…"
"Usagi! Get us out of here!" Ranko says.
Usagi, wearing a gown, simply chuckled.
"No way, Ranma! Besides, this is an opportunity to test my Padawan's skills.
Taking a cue from his master, Luke concentrated. Suddenly, the protocol droid and its chair began fly about. Believing C3-P0 now, the Ewoks let them go.
Later that night…
"I have to go face my father, Usagi," Luke said. "As long as I am here, I am endangering the mission."
Ranko was to accompany Luke as his "Second", since she was hell-bent in taking on the Emperor himself.
"If you think so, then you have my blessing."
Luke and Usagi hugged each other tightly, unaware that they were being watched by Padme.
"Good luck, kid."
Usagi then turned to Ranko.
"Ranma, I-"
"I know."
The two shared a deep kiss, in spite of Ranma being "Ranko" at the moment.
And with that, Luke and Ranko left to face the Sith.
After they left, Padme comes to the fore.
"You are just letting them go?" Padme asks.
Usagi sighs, as she turns to face her Padme.
"Padme, there's something that you would need to know..."
"The next, the 'Battle at Endor' was well under way. Usagi and Han lead the combined Rebel/Ewok forces against the shield generator, in order to allow Ami and Lando a chance to take out the Death Star II. Meanwhile, Luke and I were escorted to the Emperor's chamber. Vader wanted to turn Luke to the ways of the Sith, but the both he and Palpatine wanted to destroy me outright. However, Palpatine's introduction of his newest Sith Acolyte was an indication that he wanted to make a game out our contest of wills…"
Location: Death Star II
"Tell me, Master Saotome, how did Master Yoda die?" Palpatine said with a smirk.
Ranko, who was bound by manacles, stared at Palpatine.
"Oh, did I touch a nerve…girl?"
"No, Palpatine, I just wondering why I didn't kill you that first time."
"Humph. You would find out, my friend, that a Sith's weapon is his mind. However, I am glad that you are here to see my latest…creation. Leia?"
Ranko and Luke stared in awe, when Leia came from the side entrance of the throne room. She was dressed in some sort of black, long-skirted dominatrix outfit.
"Emotion is a very interesting thing," Palpatine says. "Her misplaced anger over your apparent betrayal was just what I needed to turn her into my own personal weapon. You, of course, was the 'black smith', but such a lovely creature shouldn't be used for misplaced causes."
"I see now. You want me to fight my own student?"
"Actually, no. You see, I want to first destroy your fellow Jedi's efforts…"
Palpatine waves off Luke.
"And then I will have Vader and his daughter destroy YOU together."
Ranko stares directly in Palpatine's eye.
"Actually, I'm not here for Vader; Usagi can deal with him."
SNAP!
"I'm here to end your reign of terror once and for all…you manipulative bastard!"
Ranko raise his right hand, just as Vader was about to make a move.
WOOOOOM…
An invisible barrier prevents Vader from stepping forward.
"Very well…Jedi," Palpatine says as he rose from his throne. "If I have to deal with you, then I shall."
SNAP! Hzzzzz…
"My pleasure, fool."
SNAP! Hzzzzz…
"Luke, I placed a Force-field around Vader. I don't know how long it will hold, since it will take all of my efforts to deal with the Emperor."
Luke nods.
SNAP! Hzzzzz…
"Ranma, I-"
"I know, Luke. And I'll understand if you need to take…extreme measures."
Luke nods, as he faces Leia…
SNAP! Hzzzzz…
Luke notices that Leia was starting to twirl her weapon…and then she flicked it…
FSSHH!
Suddenly, the lightsaber became a lightwhip.
"What-?"
FSSHH! FSSHH!
Luke avoided the attacks, wondering how such a weapon could have been produced.
"Let's rock, little brother," Leia says, as she initiated her attack.
Meanwhile, Ranko and Palpatine were fighting like mad, having been pushed the fight into the core area.
"You've gotten old, Palpatine," Ranko says, as she went after the Sith Lord. Every bit of training in the ways of the Force, every lesson that Yoda gave her was being used that day. Sure, she knew how to fight, but a true master of the Force was also a master of his or her environment as well as themselves. Had a novice been fight Palpatine, even a Sith Lord of Palpatine's caliber was enough to crush said novice.
But Ranko was Ranma Saotome…and thus cannot afford to lose.
In one quick move, Ranko made a feint, and stabbed Palpatine in the heart.
"ARRGH!"
"THAT was for Master Yoda!" Ranko said, as she plunged the energy weapon further.
When Palpatine stopped moving, Ranko removed her weapon from Palpatine's body. It slumped on the floor.
"It's…over."
As Ranko limped away, she failed to notice Palpatine's fingers moving…
Meanwhile, Vader finally freed himself from Ranko's will. He was about to join his daughter in her fight against Luke, when Usagi appeared…with Padme?
"Padme?" Vader said hesitantly.
"Yes, Ani, it's me," Padme said, as she steps forth. After Ranko and Luke left the shield station, Usagi had revealed the truth to the once queen of Naboo. And it was only after she, Usagi and Han had helped to take down the shield generator that they went to the Death Star II, with the help of Thumper, to confront Lord Vader and the Emperor. "Usagi told me all about it."
Usagi had her lightsaber ready, in case Vader decided to use his. However, Vader drops his 'saber and turns away.
"I…I believe you…the Force tells me so."
Just then, there was a loud commotion in the back.
POW!
Luke and Leia, who were faking her "conversion" the entire time, had moved their fight to where the Emperor's "Royal Guard" was stationed nearby. Needless to say, the fight was a short one.
"Father," Leia says, as she and Luke stands in front of Vader. "Your…plan…was a success."
Usagi looks at Leia and then at Vader.
"What…plan?"
"I had planned on deposing the Emperor to end this senseless war. So when my men had discovered Master Saotome in my ship years ago after the Bespin incident. I could have killed him then and there, being in such a weakened state, but…upon learning that I have children, I had a changed of heart."
"So while Ranma trained to fight Palpatine, you were training Leia in the event of something happening you," Usagi says. "If Palpatine got rid of you, then Leia would have been there to take out the Emperor."
"Correct. I was not about to end up like Darth Tyrannus, even if it meant paying for my…crimes against the Republic."
"And thus ends this little show," Ranko says, as she steps forth. "We're even, Vader," Ranko says. She then looks at Leia. "Mighty impressive, Leia."
"Thanks. I'm still mad at you, you know."
"Hey, we all have our faults."
"Well, that's that-" Usagi began.
"WRONG!" said a voice.
Everyone turned to see a limping, withering Palpatine.
"I told you, a Sith's weapon is my mind. And now that I have you all here…I will destroy you all!"
ZAP!
Streams of Dark Force lightning leapt from Palpatine's hands and struck the assembled group.
"NO!" Vader said, as he took on the full brunt of the blast. He stalked over to the Emperor, picked him up and tossed him over the side of the railing.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-!"
BOOM!
"What's that?" asked Lando, from the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. He could see a huge explosion on the surface the Death Star II.
"I'm not sure, Lando," Ami said. "But I don't detect the presence of the force-field."
"Then we're going in!" Lando said, as he, Wedge Antilles and what was left of their attack force began their descent in the Death Star II's central core. They had to wait until Han and his team brought down the shield generator on Endor.
Ami nodded, as she turned her attention to the task at hand. With so many passage ways to navigate, she will have to guide the 'Falcon to the core…with Tie-Fighters on their tail. Ami used her quick reflexes, from years of video gaming, to navigate the various structures. Finally, they made it to the core.
"There it is!" Ami said.
Lando and Wedge fired their main guns at the core, toppling it in the process.
Soon an explosion began to cascade outward.
Back in the Emperor's throne room…
"Man, what a mess," Usagi said, as she surveyed the damage. Thankfully, she, Ranma, Luke and Leia erected a Force-barrier when the emperor blew up. Usagi then helped up Padme up.
"You okay?"
"I am…Anakin!"
Padme ran where Vader was lying.
"Ani?"
Vader slowly grabs Padme's hand.
"I…"
And with that, Vader dies…
"Usagi, you have to do something!"
"I'll…do my best.
Tapping into her Silver Millennium Crystal, Usagi began to channel her energies into Vader's body.
"I have you, Usagi," Ranko says, as she touches Usagi's shoulder. "Everyone, channel your energies!"
Padme, Luke and Leia touch Usagi's shoulders. The love they all shared was enough to sustain Usagi long enough to change Vader's armor into a white version.
Padme steps back.
"Are you…okay?" Padme says warily.
Darth Vader takes off his helmet, and reveals the face of Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker, whose body underneath was restored to normal; Anakin was just as handsome as he was before getting injured by Usagi.
Having healing abilities was handy.
The two shared a touching embrace.
"I…guess I am."
"Well?" Ranko asks.
"Well, what?" Anakin replies.
"Don't you have something to say?"
Anakin sighs.
"I'm sorry for not believing you when you said that Palpatine was a jerk."
"Apology accepted."
With the destruction of the second Death Star, and the death of Emperor Palpatine, the Imperial forces suffered a heavy defeat. Because of that, the Rebel Alliance, by default, won the war.
As for Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker, he and Padme moved to Dagobah for a time for healing and renewal. Thus, as far as the galaxy was concerned, only the Sith lord persona is the guilty one. There, they would get to now each other as husband and wife. Only Ranma, Usagi, Luke and Leia knew of this, and made sure that the Dagobah star system was removed from the public records.
Leia renounced the teachings of the Sith, though she kept her "light whip" weapon. Nevertheless, Luke will take on Leia as his apprentice, thus giving him the title Master.
"I am not calling you "master", Luke!" Leia proclaimed.
"Okay, okay!"
As for Han…
"It's okay. He's my brother."
Han looked at Leia in shock.
"Go on and kiss her, flyboy!" Usagi said, as he pushed Han into Leia.
Taking the initiative, Leia kissed Han deeply.
"Don't you love a happy ending?" Usagi said, as she tried to look cutesy
"…"
As for Ami Mizuno, she had left shortly after the victory celebration. As much as they wanted to remain, Setsuna "Sailor Pluto" Meioh felt that they have earned their peace. It was especially hard on Han and Leia, whom they saw the two as family.
"Big Brother, it's okay," Ami said.
"It's not fair, you know," replied Han.
Usagi and the two got together for one last time before Ami went back to her proper time and place. It wasn't a "good-bye"; it was a see you later. After all, the whole point was to insure that Usagi made it through this adventure just fine.
It would be a few years later when Ranma, Usagi and the others felt that it was time to move on. Usagi was confidant in Luke's abilities to rebuild the Jedi Order, Hoshi was glad to be done with the junk business, T'Pol's obligations to Naboo and her now grown children were over, and Ranma was ready for a new adventure.
But first…
"Leia, I just wanted to say that you are the closest that I have to a daughter."
"From what I recall…I am your daughter in a way."
"Huh?"
"Usagi told me what you did for my mother."
Leia hugs Ranma.
"Thanks. I'll never forget what you have taught me."
Meanwhile…
"Well, it looks like this is it," Usagi said, as she hugged her student.
"Where will you go?" asked Luke.
"Somewhere, out there, is my own time and place. I have to try to find a way home."
"I want you to thank you for bringing our family together."
"It was my pleasure."
"If you ever want to set up a business together-" Lando began.
"I know who to call, Lando."
"RRRRRORWRL!"
"I'll miss you too, big guy."
"Beeep-Beeep-Beerp!"
"I agree with R2, Mistress Tsukino."
"I'll certainly remember that, guys."
While Thumper said his guys, in his own special way, Usagi went to Han. Han wasn't good at saying good-byes.
"Han."
"Usagi."
Then they hugged.
"Take care, Han. I have faith in your abilities."
"Really?'
"Really."
And, with that, the crew of the Serenity and Thumper left their friends behind.
"Thumper!"
"Yee-OW!"
"Take us to out of here. Destination: second star to the left, and straight into morning."
"Yee-OW!"
"Well, where do you think we'll end up next?" Hoshi asks.
"Hopefully, Vulcan," T'Pol replies dryly.
"Ranma, what are you thinking?" Usagi asked.
"I'm thinking that I'm going to be fine…"
END FLASHBACK!
Location: Spacedock One, Earth Sector.
"And that was THAT," Ranma says. "We did eventually made it back to Vulcan, but not after a long time. Still, at least Anakin fulfilled his destiny as a true Jedi Knight…even if it took him a while for him to get there."
Uhura sighs.
"Well, they definitely can't blame you for not caring. Usagi is a lucky woman."
"Thanks, Uhura."
And with that, Ranma and Uhura continue their work in silence.
Fin.
Author's note: Well, that's that. I hope that you enjoyed this.
Next time: During the second five-year mission of the starship Enterprise, the forces of evil dark god "Darksied" of the world Apocalypse invade New Olympus…and its up to Ranma and crew to saveXena and Rhea…his daughters by way of the Amazon Queen Gabrielle and Calypso the Sea-Witch respectively. See you then!