Sailor Moon ST: Hero Unlimited – DS Wynne
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Ranma ½, Star Trek, Justice League Unlimited and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 17: "Free Fall" & "Finale"
65 years into the future…
"Mom, do we have to?" asked 32-year old Terry McGinnis, as he, his younger brother Matt and his mother Mary drove to the Nerima Ward of "Old Tokyo". "I swear, Great-grandmother Ranko always likes telling us 'war stories' whenever we stop by to visit."
"Yes, can't we just SEND her the invitation, or something?" Matt interjected.
"Be as it may, she doesn't get that many visitors," said the red-haired Mary (1/4 Japanese). "Besides, since you and Dana are getting married, it would be nice to invite IN-PERSON. She doesn't get that many visitors these days."
"Fine," Terry replies. "Personally, I would rather be in Gotham 'moonlighting'."
"Well, Gotham can WAIT," says Mary. Ever since she had learned of her oldest son's activities as "The Batman", she was worried about his safety. But if he wanted to be a 'crimefighter'—and Lord knows that Gotham needs a protector—then why should she stand in the way? At any rate, she insisted that she and her sons make the effort in personally delivering the news of Terry's wedding in person, as a means of getting Terry to have a break from his "moonlighting" job.
Soon, the McGinnis family is dropped off in front of the Tendo Compound. It's been some time they were last at the place, since most "family functions" took place at Crystal Tokyo. "Granny Ranko" preferred to stay at the home, since she teaches the family martial arts style—the Musabetsu Kakuto-ryu—at the training hall. So why WOULD she go to another place to teach?
"Mom, why is Granny Ranko, well, always a girl?" Matt asked.
"Don't you remember, dummy?" Terry retorted. "She is LIKE that because, well, she doesn't care which gender she is."
"Actually," Mary began. "The reason why she prefers to be 'Granny Ranko' is because of the fear of scrutiny if it was known that she and 'Ranma Saotome' are, in fact, one and the same."
"Oh, yeah," Matt replies. "I'd be 'pissed off' too, if people found out that I caused a huge earthquake that destroyed Tokyo."
"But that's not fair, Mom," Terry says. "Granny Ranko was the one who was attacked by that Phoenix God 'Saffron'."
"Be as it may, people do not take the time to realize these 'facts'."
"Man that certainly 'suck' to be a girl all the time," Matt says.
"I don't know," says Terry, as he takes his bottled water, and pour some of the contents onto his younger brother's head. "You do look cute…as a GIRL."
"HEY!" Matt-chan yelled, as she knocked the bottle out her brother's hand. "You KNOW I don't like it when you do that!"
True to form, the family curse was active within Matt McGinnis, which activated upon his 16th birthday. Terry was thankful that he escaped the curse. It must be noted that with each subsequent generations, the chances of a male child getting the curse lessens. So with the McGinnis brothers, there was a 12.5 percent chance of getting the curse. Unfortunately, Matt, unlike Terry, didn't beat the odds.
"Matt, Terry, please," Mary says. "Not now."
"Okay, Mom," said the siblings.
A few minutes later…
"Why, hello," Ranko said, as she greeted the McGinnis. She was dressed in her "training gi".
"Hi, Granny," Terry and Matt said in unison.
"Hello, Grandmother," Mary said, as she hugged Ranko. "How are you?"
"Just dandy. I've just wrapped up a class, so just make yourselves at home while I get things cleaned."
Ranko then notices that Matt was a girl.
"Oh, and here," Ranko said, as she reached into the house and pulls out a hot kettle full of water.
"Thanks," Matt replied, as she received and poured the contents over her head…
A short time later, Ranko, over dinner, was telling stories about her days in the Justice League, and how Sailor Moon saved the world from a near-Armageddon…from herself.
FLASHBACK!
Col. Ranma Saotome, in full USAF dress uniform, paced back and forth in the hallway of the White House. It was no secret that there was those within the beltway of Washington D.C. did not like the fact that someone like the martial artist was so connected to the American government. Essentially, Ranma (and his wife Usagi, for that matter) had dual American citizenship, and was frequently "loaned out" to the British government on a regular basis. The Japanese government, concerned about what had just occurred in the past four hours, has implored Ranma to speak to the American government, and present THEIR position on the matter. It was no secret that the arrest of Sailor Moon and the near-destruction of Tokyo has rattled various governments around the world, and has put them on a state of "red alert".
And then-
"You may come in," said an aide.
Ranma nods, picks up his briefcase and hat, with files in hand, and enters the Oval Office. There, sitting with the President, Vice-President and his Intelligence and Security teams was Director Amanda Waller of Cadmus, General Wade Eiling (military liaison to Cadmus), Director Maria Hill of SHIELD, General Jack O'Neil of Homeworld Security…and Brg/General Steve ("Captain America") Rogers.
"Come in, Colonial Saotome," the President said.
"Thank you, sir," said Ranma, as he enters the room.
"Sir, I really insist that…COLONEL Saotome should be placed under arrest," says Eiling.
"You'll have to go through ME first, Eiling," O'Neil says.
"Sir, he's a member of the Justice League as 'Sailor Helios'," Waller interjects.
"And, he happens to be a member of the Avengers as 'Ronin'," Rogers says. "So Saotome falls under SHIELD jurisdiction."
"With all due respect, Rogers," Hill begins. "He has not been exactly cooperative in SHIELD's attempt to institute the 'superhero registration act'."
"With all DUE respect, Director Hill," replies Ranma. "I DON'T want the government knowing my business…that not related to my duties. And I'm sure that there are plenty of people here, in this room, that wants their privacy respected."
"We just want to make sure that people are held accountable," replies the Vice-President.
Ranma raises an eyebrow.
"Oh, really? Then should the Japanese government hold the United States for the near-destruction of Tokyo?"
"As we have just told the President, it was the Justice League-" Waller said.
"It was NOT the League, Mrs. Waller," Ranma replied. "You think after all these years of fighting for justice, that the 'League—or any other group—would turn on those we all have sworn to protect?"
"Tell me, Saotome, did you come to this realization before or after the Justice Lords fiasco?" Hill says.
"I've always believe in what I've been saying-"
"According to your OWN report, your counterpart seemed to lost faith in his mission."
"And that gets to the crux of my request for this meeting," Ranma said, as he take his files, and placed them on the President's desk. "I have evidence that Cadmus might be involved in illegal activities, including the attempted assassination of my wife Usagi Tsukino-
"WHAT?" O'Neil and Rogers yelled in unison.
"-As well a consorting with a known criminal like Lex Luthor," Ranma finished. "I chose to return to government service, because I saw an opportunity to help enhanced international cooperation. If Cadmus is working WITH Lex Luthor, what am I supposed to do? Sit quietly and do nothing? How do you think this will affect America's image when word reaches the public?"
The President muses for a minute.
"Director Waller, what's the status on the counter-measures?"
"We have launched 'Operation: Damocles' about an hour ago," Waller said.
The President rose from his seat.
"You authorized a strike on the Justice League satellite without MY authorization?"
"We didn't want to take the chances of a Justice League counter-strike, sir," Eiling said.
"Sir, I've should have been informed of this, and I don't even support Saotome's position in the matter," Hill says.
"And my office should have been informed, since it was MY office that approved the building of the present Justice League satellite," O'Neil replied. "And there happen to be military personnel stationed there."
The President then sits down.
"I got too much on my plate as it is," the President says. He then looks up at his security team. "You ALL will have until midnight to resolve this situation, otherwise, someone is going to be hung out to DRY. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," said everyone in unison.
"Dismiss."
As Ranma leaves the Oval Office, Waller goes up to him.
"You have NO right in exposing me like THAT!"
"I have every right to protect those close to me, Mrs. Waller. And I suggest that you watch your back…where Luthor is concerned."
Waller tried to ignore Ranma's words, but couldn't shake the feeling that Ranma was right.
"Mrs. Waller—Amanda—you have known Usagi and I since the 1970s…when we were assigned in Indochina together. You KNOW what type of person she is. If you don't trust ME, then trust the type of person that Usagi has always been."
The African-American bureaucrat ponders Ranma's words.
"Why should I trust you NOW, after that whole 'Justice Lords' fiasco?"
"Simple. If you are going to use that incident as the basis for your choices, then you must remember the 'Moon Princess' factor…or lack there of."
"Alright, I'll play it by ear. What do you 'suggest' I should do?"
Ranma smiles.
Meanwhile, aboard the JL Satellite…"Diana's Hammer SMASH!"
Sailor Diana lowered her charged "Mallet-sama" on top of the foot of one of the clones known as "Long-shadow". Like the original, the clone had the ability to grow ten times his normal height, which, in turn, augments his strength.
BLAM!
Unfortunately, the clones were programmed to register no pain.
"Eeek!" 'Diana yelped, as the giant was about to stomp on the girl with his other foot-
"Thunder Dragon SMASH!"
'Diana swore that she saw a dragon made from electricity shoot out from her friend, "Sailor Jupiter". It hit the Long-Shadow clone, and smashed him against the bulkhead.
"Thanks, 'Jupiter-" 'Diana said, as she turned to see her teammate's eyes.
She gasped.
Sailor Jupiter's eyes were like that of a lizard's.
"Your…your eyes-!" 'Diana exclaimed.
"Heh," 'Jupiter said, as she laughed it off. "My old sempai made me 'Dragon-blooded' by accident."
When a younger Ranma and the crew of the USS Defiant accidentally traveled back in time to the present era, THAT Ranma had accidentally acquired the legendary "Dragon's Fist" from a scroll buried under Mishima land…during a fight with a demonic version of Jinpachi Mishima. Afterwards, during a sparring session, Ranma (who was 'Jupiter's old "sempai" from WAY back) accidentally imprinted the "Dragon's Mark" to 'Jupiter. And over time, the mark grew stronger, enchanting her blood until she became "Dragon-blooded". Aside from a few enhancements of her physical and spiritual self, 'Jupiter was still as normal as ever.
So far, it seems.
On a side note, Jinpachi was Ranma's old business partner who was killed by his son, Heihachi (Ranma's "present" business partner). The Rantsu and Mishima clans have a love-hate relationship, with the Rantsus having 51 percent ownership of the Mishima Zaibatsu, while the Mishima run the day-to-day operations (the Rantus prefer to manage the humanitarian foundation, the Rantsu Foundation). And only during the family squabbles within the Mishima clan (when the male members end up trying to kill each other during the annual "Tekken Tournaments") do any of the Rantsu step in to secure the corporation's daily operations. Thankfully, such transitions are rare.
"Is it…catching?"
"I…don't know, but lucky me, I guess."
CHOOOOOM!
The lights dim…again.
"Hey, guys, we better check on the power," says Supergirl. "You girls better come with me, so we can check on the power system."
"Right!" the Sailor Scouts say, as they went down to the main power core.
When they got there, they saw several heroes, including the nuclear physicist/superhero "The Atom" (a man who can shrink to the size of an atom) was laying on the ground.
"What's going on?" 'Diana asks.
"Leave him," Supergirl says. "We have to see if Steel is okay."
The girls reach the power core, only to see-
BLAM!
A girl who could pass as Supergirl's older more buxom sister was smashing Steel into the control panel. Already, Steel's armor was falling off.
"YOU!" Supergirl exclaimed.
Powergirl turns towards the three girls.
"So…my dear cousin showed up…with her little friends," Powergirl smirked. "But no matter…dealing with you guys won't take TOO long."
Meanwhile, at LexCorp…ZAP!
"YOU!" Luthor yelled, as he realized that Amanda Waller was destroying his new android body with a high-powered laser cannon. He had thought to take down Batman, when the Dark Knight confronted earlier…only to have Waller come in and destroy his creation. "You ruined EVERYTHING!"
"I hope so, Luthor," Waller said. "You played me just to make yourself a new android body…based upon the works Professor Ivo's 'Project: Amazo'."
"Doesn't matter," Luthor says. "I'll just build another one."
"I don't think so, Luthor," says a voice.
Luthor turns around to see-
"The Justice League," Luthor sneered.
"And Friends!" Sailor Moon shouted out.
Ranma rolls his eyes in disbelief.
"We're taking YOU down, Lex," Superman replies.
"I…I don't think…so-" Luthor began, as he suddenly began to shake violently.
"Arrgh!
Suddenly, certain parts of his body began to split a part, as parts of Luthor's body became mechanical.
"Ewww," the Flash says.
"I'll say," Sailor Moon says, as she observes the mechanical tentacles that Lex produced. "Though I do see some…possibilities."
"Sailor Moon, don't go THERE," Sailor Helios replies. "We get enough of THAT back home."
"I was hoping that I could hide my true form just a few more minutes," Luthor says, as he spoke in a mechanized voice. And then, his lower body opens up to reveal a familiar-looking skull.
"Brainiac," Superman replied.
Brainiac was a Kryptonian probe that gained sentience while in deep space, returned, and stole the Kryptonian city of Kandor before moving on. It had thought that all of Krypton was gone, so it created a world in its own image: Colu. Colu was a low-tech planet that was accelerated to become the technological hub of the galaxy. Upon learning that Superman had survived, and was in possession all of Krypton's knowledge, Brainiac attacked Superman in order to absorb him and the Earth…and has been an archenemy ever since.
"What's…happening to me?" Lex struggles to ask.
"I had secretly implanted a 'nanotech' payload the last time I was HERE," Brainiac says.
"Of course…why would I have survived a direct hit?" Luthor replied.
"So I bid my time until such a time I can achieve full consciousness, while improving your 'animal protein."
"Doesn't matter," Waller said, as she took aim with her gun. "You're going down."
"What SHE said!" said the Flash.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
Lex/Brainiac took a direct hit…only to get back up.
"Oh, crap," said Waller.
"Allow ME," 'Moon says. Over the years, she has grown in power…and the use of that power. Her eyes glowed white. "Moon Healing VISION!"
A beam of white energy was emitted from her eyes…
"Arrrgh!" Lex/Luthor yelled, as they felt themselves being taken apart.
"He…they are resisting my attempts to heal them!" 'Moon says.
"BE GONE," Brainiac says, as he emits a pulse beam.
"Everyone, duck-!' 'Helios began.
BOOM!
Everyone was blown out of the floor, and was now free-falling.
"I got you!" 'Helios said, as she grabbed Batman.
"I don't need help-"
"You wouldn't, if you had actually took up my offer to learn how to fly…BATman!"
"I got you, 'Mandy-chan!" 'Moon said, as she grabbed Waller.
"Princess, you KNOW how I hate it when you call me THAT," Waller smirked.
"Of course," 'Moon said with a smile.
Waller rolls her eyes in response.
Tbc.