SMST: The Ethereal Path of the Avatar! – By DS Wynne

Disclaimer: "SM", "R1/2", "ST" and other genres belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.

Part 8

Later that night…

Ranma-onna sat on the porch of the cottage that the elder had lent her and her traveling companions. She looked up into the night sky, as she continued her working in figuring out where she and her family cash-landed.

"Ranma?"

Ranma-onna looks up from her work and turn to face "her" wife.

"What's up, Usagi?"

Usagi was wearing a kimono-like outfit that was good for sleepwear. She practically glided across the floor, as she sat down next to her spouse.

"How come you're still a girl?" Usagi asked.

"Based upon the way Sokka behaved, and based upon the fact that these people are suspicious of us anyway, I rather just remain a girl."

"Well, at least Katara and Aang understands…though Katara is a bit apprehensive to share a bath with you in the community hall."

"I don't blame her," Ranma-onna says, as she yawns. "But she's a good kid."

Silence.

"So, what you got?" Usagi asked.

"Well, I kind of narrowed are location," Ranma-onna says. "We're definitely in the Milky Way Galaxy."

"I could have told you that."

"I know, but did you know that we are in Vorlon territory?"

"'Vorlon'? Why does that name sound familiar…?"

"Remember the Buu problem 10,000 years ago?"

"Ohhhhh…"

"Anyway, we ended up somewhere in their territory, which could explain why they are also known as 'The Preservers'."

"Whatever. So, do we KNOW where we are?"

"Not yet. I still need to narrow down my search…"

"Well, like it means anything," Usagi says. "I wish…the Forge could speak to me again, otherwise I would know exactly where we are…"

The Cosmic Forge was an extra-dimensional entity that grants a fragment of its power to those people with great destinies…as one of many "Cosmo-Knights". In Usagi's particular case, she was destined to destroy the entity known as "Death", one of four (or five, if one counts Death's partner "Hellfire") entities known as the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Besides the entities themselves being dangerous, there were the mounts that they rode to consider…

In the end, Usagi, as "Cosmos Knight Sailor Moon", face Death AND Hellfire…and won on the fields of Mageddon on Rifts Earth. She would continue to possess such abilities until her death some decades ago. Eventually, Usagi would return to life in a new body, but not without her powers as granted by the Cosmic Forge. In a subsequent dream, the Cosmic Forge told Usagi that until she is no longer conflicted with her newly acquired alien heritage…she would be without her cosmic abilities. Still, as disappointing as it sounded to Usagi about losing those powers, she knew that the Cosmic Forge gave her the means to reclaim them. What that entailed, Usagi still ponders to this day…

"Usagi, we both know that the Cosmic Forge has its reasons for not helping us," Ranma says. "Besides, we can manage on our own."

"Yeah, but we're still stuck on this planet."

"Maybe, but the fact is that the Fire Nation has to have some sort of manufacturing center could be of use. Otherwise, that Zuko character would not be traveling in a metal ship."

"So…should we go directly to this Fire Nation and ask for their help?"

"I don't think so," Ranma-onna says. "They sound like your usual world dominating group."

"Then how are we going to fix the ship, then?"

Ranma-onna thinks for a moment.

"We help Aang, I suppose. He goes on about restoring balance in the world as a means of stopping this war."

"Yes, this war-"

FLASH!

In Usagi's mind, she sees a comet, and then, a man on fire…and finally Roku's face.

"Azula."

FLASH!

"Ohhhhh," Usagi says, as she shook her head.

"Usagi, are you okay?" Ranma-onna says, as she comforts "her" wife.

"It's…nothing," Usagi replies dismissively.

Ranma-onna looks at Usagi, but decides not to say anything.

"Okay," Ranma-onna says, as she let's Usagi go. "We better turn in…got a big night, you know."

"Um, sure," Usagi says. "Ranma?"

"Yeah?" Ranma-onna looks up from gathering her astronomic equipment.

"Do you…regret marrying me?" Usagi asked.

"Why would you say something like that?" Ranma asked.

"It's just that…we us not being able to…you know…"

"Usagi, I married you knowing that there could be a chance that you and I won't be able to be either lovers or parents. And besides, you heard what Doctor Briefs said. The treatments to thin out your blood will take time to have an affect. Just be patient."

"Okay. Sigh, sometimes I wished that I did use those Dragonballs selfishly."

"But we both know that you wouldn't."

"Yeah…"

Silence.

"Usagi?"

"Yes?"

"Since…we're both girls, and since we're trained in the ways of the Bene Gesserit…"

"But Ranma, you…want to do this? I thought you weren't into that sort of thing."

"Normally, I'm not, but if being male prevents me from sharing an intimate moment with my own wife, then I rather be a girl forever."

Usagi smiles.

"If this is going to be done, we have to find a place away from here."

"We have that nice beach to use. And I do believe we still have our tents to use."

Usagi smiles.

"You're on, mister."

The next day…

Ranma-onna and Usagi return to their cottage, where the see the others getting breakfast. Usagi was carrying two packages, while Ranma-onna was carrying one.

"Hey, guys," Katara says. "Where did you go last night?"

"Ah, we decided to camping," Ranma-onna says, as she laughs it off.

"And we certainly did THAT," Usagi says, with a wink and a nod.

"Aw, man!" Goku says innocently. "I wish I could have gone camping with you guys!"

"Yeah, it was a nice evening," Sokka says.

"Er, right."

"So, what are we going to do while we are here?" Aang asked.

"Well, I will be teaching some martial arts techniques with the girls, while you can train with Ranma."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah," Ranma-onna says. "And I can teach you how to glide on currents and stuff."

"What about us?" Goku says.

"Yeah, I thought I was suppose to train with you," Sokka says.

"I'll be teaching you today, Sokka, while Goku can learn from Aang."

"Why do I have to sit with the girls?"

"And what's wrong with THAT?" Katara says with gritted teeth.

"Er, nothing."

"Good," Usagi says. "Besides, I think that Suki likes you."

"How could you tell?" Sokka asked.

"A woman knows another woman's heart."

"And then some," Ranma-onna snickered, which resulted in receiving a dirty look from Usagi.

"ANYWAY, you can come, train, and socialize."

"If you say so. But want to make it VERY clear that I do all this under protest."

"Understood," Usagi says. "Oh, and one more thing. Catch!"

Sokka is thrown one of the packages.

"What's this?"

"Well, we stopped by the Suki's place, and were informed that there was a dress code. So WE will be wearing uniforms."

"Okay, I can understand that…"

Thirty minutes later, Sokka was dressed like one of the warriors of Kiyoshi Island.

"How embarrassing," Sokka laments, as he checks himself out in front of the mirror. He then checks his face.

"Usagi, how is my face?"

"You need a bit more eyeliner," Usagi says, as she puts in the final touches.

"GREAT."

"Ah, don't feel that way. In many professions, make-up is a requirement, regardless of gender."

"And you should be honored to be wearing such a uniform," Suki says. "We wear these in honor of Avatar Kiyoshi, who was a formidable warrior."

"A warrior, huh?" Sokka says. "Maybe this isn't so bad."

And then, Ranma-onna, Aang and Goku goes walking by the entrance training hall. They decided to go further inland to train, and would have to go by the training hall to get to a higher elevation.

"Aang, look!" Goku says, as he points to Sokka.

"Ha-ha!" Aang says, as he laughs. "Sokka is wearing GIRLS clothes."

"Yeah, that is kind of funny on him," Ranma-onna interjects.

"RANMA!" Usagi yelled. "You're not helping!"

"Sorry," Ranma-onna says. "Yes, it's hypocritical of me to laugh, but still-"

"Just GO!"

"Heh, yeah…"

Tbc.