Star Trek: Ranma's Story 79 – 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 79
2277 CE: En route to Pollux IV (New Olympus).
The Federation starship Enterprise hummed along, while on its way to "New Olympus", the home of the ancient Olympians. It would be the last official assignment before Captain James T. Kirk's "second mission" ends. Supposedly, First Officer Spock will be his successor, as the Enterprise is taken out of regular service to become part of the classroom structure of "Starfleet Academy". Kirk, in turn, will be bumped back to his position at "Starfleet Operations", with the rank of "Admiral". The rest of the command crew will be given their assignments once the Enterprise returns to Earth.
Starfleet Commander Ranma Saotome was in his room, meditating. Ever since he received a mystic summons from his daughter Rhea, he was concerned about her safety. It was weird to have learned that she and Xena had survived the "calcifying" of the Earth, when magic and mysticism had all but died out. Hyper-science has been the norm for quite some time, and only the most potent in the mystic arts has a chance of even having a normal life. That is why most of the denizens of the supernatural left Earth for other parts in the universe. Some merely immigrated to other worlds within the Sol System, while others left altogether. When the last of the old gods left Earth, when humankind no longer worshipped them, many left their avatars behind (in the form of the Gao'uld) before leaving.
The irony is that even the Gao'uld would leave as well, thanks to rise of the science philosophers known as the "Order of Reason", who would one day be known as the "Technocratic Order"…the creators of hyper-science and the source for the decline in mysticism on Earth. The Technocracy was dedicated to the day when humankind would no longer need to be coddled by greater beings, and thus could walk among the stars as equals among many. That is not to say that they desire a soulless humanity; there were many within that organization that sought a completely Orwellian world. Still, this organization emerged from the "Second Dark Age" of the mid 21st century renewed and revitalized, and charted a course of action that benefited all…though not without a few bumps in the proverbial road.
At any rate, Ranma was thinking how much things have changed since then, especially when he had learned about the final fate of his daughters ten years before…
FLASHBACK!
2267: Pollux IV.
The Federation starship Enterprise received a transmission of a previously unknown planet in the Pollux System.
"Hmmm," Starfleet Commander Usagi Tsukino mused. She was filling for Uhura, who took the afternoon off from Bridge Duty.
"What?" Ranma said, as went over to Usagi. He was placed in charge while Kirk was off the bridge.
"This language looks familiar."
Ranma looks at the code. They have been receiving it all day from the Pollux System. Translating it was not the problem. However, the original script was.
"It looks Manoan," Ranma says.
"You're close. It's Olympian."
"That is curious."
Ranma presses a nearby com-button.
"Saotome to Captain Kirk and Commander Spock. I request your attention."
A short time later in the Conference Room…
"…And we believe that the Olympians are on Pollux IX," Usagi says.
"So, how do you know about this culture so well?" Kirk asks.
"Well, Ranma and I spent a number of years in and around Ancient Greece, and, well, adapted to the times the best we could."
"I see."
"Commander Saotome, what is the threat level that we may face?" Spock asked.
"From my experience, the Olympians are prone to emotionalism," Ranma replied. "And if you get on the bad side of one of their own, you'll end up on the bad side of the rest of them. Or be used as a pawn for one of their reindeer games…whichever comes first."
"Great, just great," Ship's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Henry McCoy says, as he folds his arms. "Just what we need."
"Tell me, what defense do we have against these…gods?" Kirk asks.
"Well, they can be taken down, as long as they are in corporeal form. Many humans have fought them in one way or another. Do you remember the story of one of Athena's champions taken on Ares, during the Trojan War?"
"Yes…Menalaus, correct? I believe it was his wife Helen's love of Paris of Troy that started that war."
"Correct. Personally, I didn't see what all the fuss over some silly girl-"
WAP!
"Love is NOT silly, Ranma," Usagi admonished.
"Ow…"
"Okay," Kirk says. "Then we play by the numbers then. Return to your stations, people. Dismiss."
A short time later, the Enterprise comes upon the spectral form of-
"BEHOLD! I AM APOLLO. FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, I HAVE WAITED FOR THE DAY WHEN GAEA'S CHILDREN WILL REJOIN THE SIDE OF THE OLYMPIANS. IT'S TIME TO RENEW YOUR WORSHIP."
"Um, we would like to meet with you, and all, but we cannot worship you-" Kirk began.
"THEN YOU SHALL BE TAUGHT TO MIND YOUR PLACE."
Suddenly, a giant hand appears. It then grabs the Enterprise.
"Status report!" Kirk demands.
"We cannot move!" Lt. Sulu says.
"We are being held by a mysterious force field!" Spock says.
"Apply more power to the thrusters!"
"Cap'in, I cannae give you more power!" Lt/Commander Montgomery Scott says.
"Ranma, Usagi…if you have a plan, now is a good time to implement it."
"Okay," Usagi said, as she got up from her station. "Ranma?"
Ranma gets up from his station, and interlocks his fingers with Usagi's. Both began to glow slightly.
"Fascinating," says Spock, as he takes Tricorder readings of his crewmates. "Their energy readings are increasing exponentially..."
"Cap'in! Our…our engine output is rising!"
"Sulu, let's get out of this field!"
"Aye, sir!"
"Chekov, set an alternate course to Pollux IV!"
"Aye, Captin!"
After breaking from Apollo's grip, the Enterprise achieved orbit around Pollux IV.
"Okay," Kirk said, as he gets up. "Spock, Ranma, Usagi…you're with me. Lt. Uhura, inform Dr. McCoy to meet us in the transporter room. We're going down to surface."
A short time later, Kirk's landing party materializes in front of an acropolis dedicated to the Olympian god Apollo.
"Does any of this seem familiar to you two?" Kirk asks.
"Other than the style of the architecture…I got nothing," Ranma replies.
"Typically, the focus of a god's power is the throne," Usagi said, as she pointed towards the throne.
"Confirmed," Spock says, as he took his readings.
"Captain, with everything so pristine, where is the occupant?" McCoy asks.
"RIGHT ABOVE YOU, MORTAL!"
Everyone looks up to see the gigantic form of Apollo standing there, leaning on his own acropolis.
"SO…THE RUMORS WERE TRUE," Apollo says, as he begins to shrink to human size. "But first…"
SNAP!
FLASH!
Ranma was now in his female form, dressed like a Greek goddess.
"Um…" Kirk began.
"Jerk!" Ranko fumed. "It's not like that!"
Apollo whips out a lyre, and begins to play.
"An explanation, please," Kirk asks.
"Let's just say that Ranma had too much ambroisa wine," Usagi sighs. "Dionysus likes to throw a lot of parties, and Ranma got caught up in one. THAT is the result."
TWANG!
"Serves ya right, you jerk," Ranko says, after smashing Apollo's musical instrument over his head.
"Well, then," Apollo says, as he brushes himself off. "Let get to the point. We Olympians need worshipers to survive, and the only way to do so is to get you mortals to worship US."
"Look, while we are grateful for your contribution to Earth culture and all, we do not need gods for our survival."
"Apollo-chan, if that's all that you need, then we can help you," Usagi said.
"Really?"
"We'll help, if it means that we won't have to 'worship' you or your people," Kirk says.
"Otherwise…" Ranko said with menace, as she cracked her knuckles.
"Okay, okay," says Apollo, as he backed off a bit. "If it means returning my people back to this plane…"
"Good," Usagi said, as she turns towards Spock. "I'll need your help on this one."
"Certainly."
"Let's get to work, people," Kirk says, as he takes out his communicator. "Kirk to Enterprise."
"Enterprise here."
"Contact Starfleet and tell them that the situation here on Pollux IV has been resolved."
From that point on, Pollux IV, also soon dubbed "New Olympus". From Usagi's analysis, a pure strain of dilithium crystal, the size of a mini-van, was placed in the center of Apollo's courtyard. A lens was set up to collect the ambient energy of the planet's biosphere. Usagi, Ranma, and the phaser banks of the Enterprise were used to charge up the crystal. Once that was done, an ambrosia tree was planted over where the crystal and the lens would be buried…
WHOOSH!
Once the tree takes root it grows huge, growing to a size that dwarfs an old sequoia tree. The tree was a magic tree that had all kinds of properties, including longevity. With that out of the way, those that have left for the Source could return, and those who were left behind could immigrate to this new world…
END FLASHBACK!Ten years later, there has been trouble afoot. Apparently, the dark lord himself, Lord Darksied of Apocalypse, has sent his minions to steal the ambrosia tree from New Olympus. So, as part of a united front, the Enterprise has been sent to investigate on what appropriate measures the Federation should take. Short of that, Ranma and Usagi were specifically assigned to handle the situation in their "special" way…
Location: Pollux IX ("New Olympus").
"Thank you for coming," Lord Apollo says, as he greeted his old friends. "I apologize for the state of affairs of my home…such as it is."
Kirk and the crew looked around to see the devastating attack on New Olympus. Dead parademons and fellow Olympians were being collected. The once gleaming city was broken and in ashes.
"Tell us what happened," Kirk asks.
Apollo tells Kirk and crew that Darksied sent his minions to steal both the ambrosia tree and the special dilithium crystal. The result has been a lot of devastation, including the near-death of Lord Zeus, who fought the troll like marauder Kalibak to a standstill.
However, even though the Olympians emerged victorious, Hercules was severely injured during the conflict, and his wife, and Ranma's daughter, Xena.
"Sorry to interrupt," Ranma began, "I need to speak to Hercules…NOW."
Kirk looks at Ranma, and nods.
"Very well," Apollo says. "Follow me."
Ranma is escorted to the Healing Temple, where Rhea the Sorceress is tending to the sick and injured.
"Father!" Rhea says, as she runs to her father's arms. "You've come!"
"Of course," Ranma replies. "I wish that I could have come sooner…"
Ranma turns to see Hercules lying on a bed, obviously injured badly.
"May I…?"
"Of course," Rhea replied. "Just be careful not to disturb him to much."
Ranma nods and sits down by Hercules' bedside.
"Hey, pal," Ranma says.
Hercules manages to open one of his eyes.
"Hello, old friend," Hercules says with a grunt. "I apologize for my present predicament…"
"Hey, you should have seen some of the injuries that I tend to get."
Hercules tries to get up.
"We have to get…my wife back…"
"Easy fella. I know how you feel-"
"You do?"
"Yeah, I do. Xena IS my daughter, mind you."
"Oh."
"Know this: I promise you on my honor that you and yours will be avenged."
"Thank…you…"
"Father, he needs rest now," Rhea says.
Ranma nods, and gets up.
"Take good care of him."
And with that, Ranma leaves the temple.
A short time later…
"Absolutely NO," Kirk says.
"Sir, I need to do this," Ranma replied. "And if the Enterprise is involved, Darksied will think that the Earth Alliance will have violated the non-aggression treaty with Apocalypse. And if Darksied has my daughter, no amount of regulation or orders will stop me from going after HIM."
Kirk sighs.
"Alright, you have 48 hours, and nothing more."
"Thanks, sir."
Ranma turned to leave, only to see Usagi standing there. Usagi, who wanted to go with Ranma, was told by Ranma to stay put for the time being.
"Ranma, I-"
"If I don't make it back, I just wanted to say that I have always loved you."
And the two close friends share a hug.
And with that, Ranma performs an "Instant Transmission" technique…
ZAP!
…And disappears.
Location: Apocalypse.
The home of the dark New Gods could never be accused of not being hospitable. In fact, a visitor to Apocalypse is always invited to stay…forever. Apocalypse and Za'Ha'Dum are equal in the promotion of darkness in the universe.
In a little known section of "Armaghetto", a meeting is taking place.
"Thanks for the cup of coffee, Himon," Ranma says, as he takes a sip.
"You are quite welcome, old friend," Himon the Renegade says, as the white-haired man pours himself a cup as well. "I'm surprised that you are here."
"You know WHY I'm here."
"Ah, yes. Your daughter, you seek."
"Yes. Xena, my daughter, she is."
"Are you afraid that Xena's past life will come to the fore?"
"How can that happen? It has already happened. It was weird that the 'Warrior Princess' would be reborn as my daughter, but I've raised her to avoid the darkness that had consumed her previous life."
"Unfortunately, Darksied's lackey Desaad seeks to recreate enough traumas in Xena's new life to return her to type."
"And I'm not going to let THAT happen. Lord Darkseid KNOWS that."
Ranma could remember when he first met the dark lord. He and his old crewmates aboard the Serenity had come across the dimension that contained both Apocalypse and New Genesis, vis-à-vis the Rifts. It was one experience that he did not want to experience ever again, as he was stripped of his male form at the hands of Desaad, and he (now she) and her friends were brainwashed into becoming "Furies". As "Wild Child", Ranma wrecked enough havoc that brought the attention of Highfather and the other denizens of New Genesis. Wild Child fought the New Genesis war god Orion to a standstill, until Mister Miracle, a former denizen Apocalypse, discovered the cure to restore Ranma back to normal. Ranma wanted to get revenge on Darksied for what he did, but not even he could take on the dark god. So that was that.
Until now, that is.
"If you are going to storm Desaad's lair, then you will need help…"
A few minutes later, Ranma and Raker, the Green Lantern of Apocalypse, sneak past the hunger dogs, as they patrolled the streets of Armaghetto on their huge dogs.
"I don't see why we can't just walk the front door," Ranma says, as he wraps his cloak around his body.
"We will, Ranma," Raker says, as the blue-skinned alien surveys the scene. "I will create the distraction, while you go on to retrieve your daughter."
Ranma nods.
"Well, here goes nothing…"
Raker lit up the sky with his GL power ring, attracting the attention of the hunger dogs.
"GO!"
Ranma nods, as he heads straight for Desaad's lair.
Desaad was not an impressive looking man. However, what he lacked in physical might, he made up for it in sheer depravity. He is the "go-to-guy" when it comes to torture or information extraction. In Xena's particular case, Desaad was trying to reshape her perception so that she could one day be the feared "Warrior Princess" of old.
"Noooooo-!" yelled the raven-haired goddess. Xena knew of her past. However, being reborn allowed her a chance to start a whole new life without baggage. Now, Desaad was trying to make her become what she did not want to do.
"Why, yes, Lady Xena," said the purple-robed man, as he continued to feed images of war and depravity. "Embrace what you are!"
"I will NOT-!"
Suddenly, Desaad felt a pain in the back of his head, knocking him out.
"F-father?"
Ranma chambered his fists, and went to release his daughter Xena from her bounds.
"Father!" Xena says, as she hugs Ranma.
"Shhh, it's okay. We better get out of here-"
"Not without my property, you will not," said a deep voice.
Xena and Ranma turn to see the Dark Lord himself, along with Granny Goodness and her female Furies.
"You."
"So you remember your master," Darkseid smirks. The giant of a man with the stone visage and red eyes looked practically amused at Ranma's predicament.
"You are NOT my master!"
"You will be if you survive this day. Granny Goodness?"
The heavy-set, white haired harpy cackled, as she flecked her cosmic rod.
"You will have to be taught your remedial lessons, my dear Ranma. Or is it 'Wild Child'? Granny can be so forgetful, these days."
"Well, I haven't forgotten, you old ghoul!" Ranma said, as he pushed Xena back behind him.
"Girls? KILL."
Ranma looked at the incoming Furies, and smiled.
"You know, since you want 'Ranko' so badly, then I'll give her to ya!"
Using Captain Garth's transmutation technique, Ranma, without water, became "Ranko".
"Oh, by the way, I've improved a lot since I've been here," Ranko says, as she cracks her knuckles.
"Hello, sister," said the arrow wielding Fury named "Artemiz". With her cyber-dogs as trackers, no one can escape her hunt. Artemiz shot multitple arrows at Ranko.
Fft! Fft! Fft-!"
Ranko knew that the huntress was an expert markswoman. So she caught the arrows, and threw them right back her and her pets, pinning them down on the ground.
"Ahhh!"
"You'll pay!" said the big-boned "Stompa", as she tried to land on Ranko for a megaton crush.
Ranko grabbed Stompa's foot, and redirected the force and flow of the attack, causing her to fall down a pit.
"Ahhh-!"
"You big meanie!" said the girl named "Malice", as she directed her friend Cheshire, which was nothing more than a row of razor sharp teeth the size of a truck, in Ranko's direction.
CHOMP!
Ranko leaped out of the way, only to be grabbed by the vampire-like "Bloody Mary".
"As I speak, I am draining your energy, my dear," said 'Mary, who was dressed in red leather, and sported a black cape. "And I always liked you for having the same hair color as mine."
"Sorry to disappoint," Ranko replied, as she used her strength to push herself and Mary off the ground, perform a twist, and then body-slammed Mary into the ground…hard.
BAM!
Ranko turns to see Malice come forth with her "pet"…
"Bakusaitenketsu!" Ranko cried, as she touched the teeth of the disembodied Chesire.
CRISH!
The psychic connection between Malice and Chesire caused a feedback that rendered Malice unconsciousness.
"YOWL!"
"Oh…"
Ranko turns to the three remaining Furies , the yellow-skinned "Mad Harriet", the green-clad "Bernadette" and the S&M-clad "Lashina" circled the martial artist.
"I will lick your bones dry!" Harriet says, as she licked her claws.
"After I gut her," Bernadette says, as she cleaned her jagged blade.
"I want first dibs!" Lashina says, as she flicked her metal whip.
Ranko sighed. She didn't have time for this.
"SLEEP." Ranko says, as she tapped directly in the Force.
CLUMP!
As Ranko stepped over her foes' bodies, Ranko faced Granny Goodness.
"My, you've grown powerful indeed," Granny Goodness says.
"Thanks," Ranko said, as she grabs Granny by the collar.
"What are you-?"
BOOT!
"I'll get you…!"
As Granny Goodness leaves for the upper-atmosphere of Apocalypse, Ranko turns to the dark lord.
"I'm leaving with my daughter. That was your intent, all along, when you attacked New Olympus, right?"
"Not quite, Ranma Saotome," Darkseid says. "My efforts was to attract YOUR attention. I wanted to see if you are worthy of being my minion."
"And…?"
"You are more valuable free than enslaved. In this regard, I am facing a paradox."
Darkseid turns his head.
"Leave."
Ranko merely nods, and turns to his daughter.
"Let's get out of here."
Xena nods, wanting to know if Darkseid had another agenda in mind…
A short time later…
"Has Ranma Saotome pass your expectations?" the enigmatic Metron says. Metron, covered in a stylistic blue jumpsuit with white trim, sits quietly in his Cosmic Chair.
"He has," Darkseid replies. "When his son returns to the land of the living as 'Shinzon', he will need his prowess."
Fin.