TRTSS3: The Trans-dimensional Trek! – By DS Wynne

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

Note: This is a multi-genre story.

Part 29

There was a crackle of thunder, even as Senshi of the Universe made her mark.

"Arrrgh!" Ronin and Saffron cried out, as they both felt the blade at work.

Sailor Cosmos continued to cry as she thought back to a conversation she just had a few minutes ago…

FLASHBACK!

"We did it!" Sailor Moon said, as she and her fellow warriors returned from dealing with the crisis at Furinkan High School.

"Are you sure my classmates and teachers are going to be okay?" Akane asked Sailor Moon. "I know that you were able to use your Silver Crystal to change them back, but…"

"Usually, we can change people back to normal if they were changed by magical means," Sailor Mercury replied. "Thankfully, what Saffron did to your classmates and instructors was recent and magical in nature."

"Oh, thank goodness…"

"Great-grandmother disappointed that her transformation was temporary," Shampoo said. "She is relieved to not serve Saffron, though."

"What 's next, sugah?" Ukyo asked aloud.

"Yes, should we not assist Ranma-sama and the others?" Kodachi asked.

"No, this where I come in," Sailor Cosmos said, as she gets up. "MY Ranma is on his way to make a sacrifice, as will I."

"What do you mean?" Sailor Jupiter asked.

"She means to use the Blade of Ixion," Sailor Pluto said, as she faces Sailor Cosmos. "I am correct, yes?"

"Yes, you are. I couldn't ask you to do it, since this world isn't under my jurisdiction, so I manipulated Sailor Moon into formally making the request."

"I could you do that?" Sailor Moon fumed.

"Because, I have no choice. I know that MY Ranma is planning on destroying Saffron for the sake of others. If he does that, he will have killed off a universal force. By doing that, he would have upset cosmic balance. And when that happens, MY Ranma will be taken Beyond the Rim, because he would be seen as violating that balance, with no guarantee of his return…"

Pause.

"Therefore, if MY Ranma has to go, then I will go with him, or die in the attempt to stop Saffron."

There was an eerie silence that wafts through the courtyard…

"Um, Usagi, did you and the other Mamoru love each other, as you love this Ranma?" Tuxedo Mask asked.

"I loved you when we shared a life together," Sailor Cosmos said. "And when you died and was reborn as a woman, I continued to love you, even after I had gotten married to Ranma, which is why I was never opposed to the idea of polygamy to begin with."

"Um, polygamy?" Sailor Mars said.

"What do you mean by that?" Akane asked.

"Let's just say that everyone loves Ranma, and leave it at that."

"Wow," Sailor Venus said. "Ranma married…all the girls?"

"Both Sailor Scouts and otherwise, I believe," Sailor Cosmos said.

"If you think I'm going to share MY Ranma with anyone else, he has another thing coming," Akane said.

"Like I see myself with some dude," Sailor Uranus said.

"Actually, you accepted MY Ranma's hand in marriage because of his girl form," Sailor Cosmos said.

"Oh, I see..."

"So, are you going to wield this mythic blade after all?" Luna asked.

"Out of respect for Sailor Moon, the choice is hers," Sailor Cosmos said, as all eyes turned towards Sailor Moon. "But, yes, that is my intention."

"Why me?" Sailor Moon whined. "Why do I have to make the choice?"

"It has always been about you, kiddo," Sailor Cosmos said. "We are the fabled Moon Princess, after all…"

Pause.

"Trust me to take the burden that you were destined to have."

"So, I was supposed to have the blade?"

"Yes."

"But then…"

"Exactly. I could die from killing Saffron, but it is a burden that I am willing to bear..."

Pause.

"So, please, let me bare that burden."

Sailor Moon swallowed hard, as she nods her head in reply.

"Thank you," Sailor Cosmos replied.

"Um, Other Usagi?" Tuxedo Mask asked.

"Yes?"

"I…I really did die and was reborn as a woman?" Tuxedo Mask asked.

"Yes."

"Huh."

"But you, male or female, will still be my Mamo-chan," Sailor Cosmos said, as she gave Tuxedo Mask a kiss that caused his tophat to perform a summersault.

"Hey!" Sailor Moon yelled. "Kiss your own Mamo-chan!"

"You can always join the fun," Sailor Cosmos said with a mischievous grin.

"Eep!"

"I hope I'm around when Usagi is this relaxed about 'having fun'," Sailor Uranus said, which warranted a gentle smack on her shoulder from Sailor Neptune.

"What?"

"When do we leave?" Artemis said, as a streak of light passes over head, while heading towards the direction of the battle between Saffron and the others.

"Usagi?" Sailor Cosmos asked.

"Go ahead," Sailor Moon said, as she looked down.

"Can we come, too?" Akane asked.

"I don't see why not," Sailor Cosmos said, as she raised her Moon Staff. "Everyone: SAILOR TELEPORT!"

With a flash, everyone at the Hakawa Shrine disappears…and was gone.

END FLASHBACK!

"Ranma, are you okay?" Akane said, as she and her so-called "fellow fiancées" go to Ranma's said.

"You look like hell, Ranchan," Ukyo said.

"I'll live," Ranma said grimly, as Kasumi bandages his hands. "Other Ranma: not so much."

"Ranma-sama!" Kodachi said, as she looked to see what was going on.

"Sailor Cosmos is killing husband!" Shampoo said, as she attempts to go over to the Other Ranma.

"We have to save him!" Ukyo said.

"No, let them be!" Akane said.

"But-"

"What is Other Usagi doing?" Ranma asked.

"She is destroying Saffron, while Other Ranma has contained the Phoenix avatar's essence within him," Sailor Pluto said somberly. "The result will mean a permanent end to Saffron of the Phoenix Empire, even at the cost of the Other Ranma and the Other Moon Princess' life."

"The Other Usagi will die?" Ranma said.

"She was not destined to possess the Blade of Ixion; only her counterpart was."

Sailor Cosmos lets go of the blade, as Ronin began to float towards the air. Then power erupts outward before shooting towards the heavens….

"Amazing!" Soun said, as he looked on with fear and wonder.

"It's…beautiful," Genma cried. "What power-!"

The final crescendo was when a bird made from fire began to shoot upward.

"What's that?" Nabiki asked.

"That's the Phoenix, in its pure state," said a voice from behind.

All eyes turned towards a bald, bearded alien. He was dressed in robes and had the look of aged wisdom about him.

"Who are you?" Ranma asked.

"I am Lorien, the first of many," Lorien said. "And I am here to restore cosmic balance."

Meanwhile, Ronin's body fell to the earth, only to be caught by Sailor Cosmos.

"My darling," Sailor Cosmos said, as she cradled Ronin. Already, the effects of the Blade of Ixion, as her energy levels began to rapidly drop, as evident by her reverting back to normal. She looked up to see the Phoenix screeched.

"I forgive you," Sailor Cosmos said.

The cosmic entity screeched again, before taking off to the stars, having no more connection with Saffron. After all, Saffron was only the avatar of the Phoenix, one of many, in fact.

"Is he okay?" Ranma said, as he and the other surrounded Ronin and Sailor Cosmos.

"I don't know, maybe not…"

With that, Sailor Cosmos slumps over, as her life continues to leave her.

"What're we going to do?" Sailor Moon said, as she freaked out.

"We wait," Lorien said.

"Just WHO the hell are you again?" Ranma said, not really trusting this alien.

"If Sailor Cosmos is the senshi of the Universe, then I am its tinkerer," Lorien said. "My role is to keep universal balance, so that the Universe can continue from beginning…to end."

"And you were here because…?"

"Had Ranma Saotome destroyed the Phoenix as he originally intended, I would have to take him 'Beyond the Rim'; had the Moon Princess trapped the Phoenix, as she intended, instead of forgiving the Phoenix, then I would have take her 'Beyond the Rim'."

"What is that?" Akane asked.

"It's a place where those who ascended beyond mortality go, for violating universal balance," Lorien asked.

"In other words, exile from Earth," Tuxedo Mask said. "Or, it's the equivalent of jail."

"I don't want to go jail!" Sailor Moon said in fright. "I'm too gentle!"

"Sailor Moon, don't," Sailor Mars said with a groan.

"Well, we ain't gonna to let ya take him or her," Ranma said.

"Um, he does not speak for the rest of us," Mousse said, before being smacked by Shampoo. "Ow!"

"Do not worry," Lorien said, as he kneels by Sailor Cosmos and Ronin. "The Phoenix still lives, and so…I believe that my old friends deserve to be rewarded…"

Lorien draws out the entropic energy from Sailor Cosmos' form, before dispelling it with an audible popping sound. He then snapped his fingers, as a blue flame appeared on his fingertips. From there, he blew the flame, which jumped into Ronin's head…

"Now watch, as the miracle of rebirth begins," Lorien said, as he stood up, and stepped back.

As Ronin and Sailor Cosmos began to glow a golden color, a fine, golden mist began to pour and float from their pores and mouths.

"What's happening?" Sailor Moon asked, as she held unto Tuxedo Mask.

"They are regenerating," Lorien said with a smile.

As the pair began to float into the air themselves, they're body erupt with golden energy, causing them the jerk about.

"Uh?" Ranma said, as he covered his eyes.

When the light died down, Ronin and Sailor Cosmos gently floated down to the ground.

"Man, I feel good," Ronin said, as he stretched his limbs. He then turned towards Sailor Cosmos.

"Hey, there," Ronin said.

"RANMA!" Sailor Cosmos cried, as she hugged her husband.

"Hey, no more tears, babe," Ronin said.

"But-"

"We made it, once again. So, no more tears?"

"Okay," Sailor Cosmos said, as she sniffed.

Ronin then turned towards Lorien.

"'Sup."

"Ranma Saotome, you continue to surprise me," Lorien said. "But tell me, did you know that your actions would have brought my attention?"

"Maybe. I did know that you'd come after me if I took out the Phoenix Force."

"Ah, I see…"

Lorien then picks up the fallen Blade of Ixion.

"Such a dangerous weapon should not exist," Lorien said. "So I will have to put you into a black hole…"

"But the blade's creation was authorized by the House of Serenity," Sailor Pluto said.

"And I allowed the House of Serenity to create it in the first place," Lorien said. "But do not worry; if the Moon Princess has a need of the blade, I shall retrieve it…"

Lorien turns towards Sailor Moon.

"Is that okay-?"

"YES!" Sailor Moon said quickly.

"Thank you," Lorien said, as he made the Blade of Ixion to disappear. "Well, since all's well that ends well, I suppose…"

Lorien then turns towards Ranma again.

"In future, do be careful. You might not have a second chance."

"With you hanging around, I'll certainly remember that advice of yours," Ranma said with a smirk.

"Right, be seeing you…"

With that, Lorien disappears.

"That was interesting," Nabiki said. "But who is going to pay for all the damage?"

Everyone looks around to see a destroyed neighborhood.

"Oh, my," Kasumi said.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Sailor Cosmos said, as she raised her Moon Staff. "This baby can do more than just heal people…"

As Sailor Cosmos began her work, Ranma turns towards Ronin, who was now back in his normal state.

"Um, Other Ranma…"

"Yes?" Ronin said.

"Thanks for showing me that I can be a better person," Ranma said.

"No problem kid," Ronin said. "But if you really want to thank me, do me a favor."

"And what's that?"

"Kick Kuno's arse for me, for nearly getting me killed."

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing," Ranma said, as he cracked his knuckles…

A week later…

We're off to wrap up the story…of our lives," Sailor Cosmos said, as she and Ronin, with a repaired costume on, prepare to jump through the modified stargate. There was still work to be done pertaining to the Sailor Chaos and her paramour Retainer, not to mention the threat poise by the Dark Princess, the avatar of Entropy. Certainly, they will need to rescue the time-lost Nerima Wrecking Crew from the alternate worlds while rescuing Orchestra from the wrath of Requiem the Chaos Bringer. But after dealing with the godlike Saffron on Earth-1, everything else was a piece of cake.

"Man, I can't wait to get home," Ronin said.

"And I can't wait for you two to leave," Rei fumed while blushing furiously. "I mean, really. You and 'Dumpling-head' have had marital relations every night since staying here at the Hakawa Shrine."

"Hey, I'm in love with my husband, you know!" Sailor Cosmos said in a huff. "It's not my fault that you are jealous."

"I'M NOT JEALOUS!"

"Sure you are…"

"Hey, don't be a stranger," Ranma said, as he and Akane were present to say good-bye.

"And good luck," Akane said, as she held Ranma's hand. "And thank you for helping us with…the others."

"Not a problem," Ronin said, referring to the fact that he had successfully helped Ranma and Akane with their relationship, by playing cupid. So, now, Ryouga was with Ukyo, Mousse was with Shampoo, and Tofu was with Kasumi. He was even able to get the Kuno siblings hooked up, Tatewaki hooking up with Nabiki—a miracle in and of itself—while Kodachi was paired off with Gosunkugi, who proved himself capable of dealing with Kodachi's abuse.

"But promise me that you'll consider being serious with each other, okay?"

"Hey, I'm the one who going to do all the work, you know," Ranma snorted.

"Me?" Akane said. "At least I'm not some self-centered jerk-!"

Just then, Usagi and Mamoru come running up the stairs.

"Sorry we're late," Mamoru said. "But Usagi insisted on getting you two, something to have."

"It's a going away present," Usagi said, as she hands to Sailor Cosmos.

"Oh, thank you," Sailor Cosmos said.

"Well, open it."

"Okay…"

Sailor Cosmos opens her gift, and sees…

"Oh, wow!" Sailor Cosmos said, as she holds up a gold necklace. "It's a limited edition 14 karat gold 'Hello Kitty' necklace, featuring Melody the Bunny!"

"I was…saving money for that, but I wanted you to have it," Usagi said.

"Well, since you're being nice, I'll give you something in return," Sailor Cosmos said, as she fished something out from pocket space. "I wasn't sure if you were coming, so…here."

"Thank you," Usagi said, as she takes the gift. She then opens it and sees-

"Oh, wow!" Usagi said, as she holds up a genuine silver spoon. "It's a limited edition, 14 karate white gold 'Hello Kitty' spoon…featuring Melody the Bunny!"

Usagi and Sailor Cosmos then squeal in delight at having her gifts.

"You, too, huh?" Mamoru said.

"Yep," Ronin replied. "We even have a 'Hello Kitty' house with all her 'Hello Kitty' toys, crafts and gear, and it never seems to end."

"I feel you, brother…"

"You two have to go, if you are to make it to your next destination," Setsuna said.

"The alignment between dimensions is at optimal levels," Ami said, as she monitored.

"Good-bye, everyone," Sailor Cosmos said.

"Later guys," Ronin replied.

"Good-bye!" said everyone, as Ronin and Sailor Cosmos steps into the portal, and was gone.

"You guys interested in getting something to eat?" Mamoru said.

"You're buying," Akane said.

"I know a great place we could go to," Makoto said. "It's by the park."

"Hey, I know the place!" Minako said. "They're pretty good."

"Let's clean up this place before we go someplace else," Luna said.

"First one to finish gets first dibs at desert!" Artemis said.

"You want to stay and help out?" Ranma said.

"Yes, so that I make sure that you don't get any ideas," Akane said.

"Damn it, I'm not interested in anyone…"

As everyone pitched in to clean up the courtyard, Ranma and Usagi turned to look at each other. For a brief moment, the two stared at each other, wondering if they, like their counterpart, will hook up in the future…

And so, that was that.

Ronin and Sailor Cosmos succeeded in stopping Sailor Chaos and Retainer latest plot, rescued the Orchestra and prevented Oblivion from being unleashed unto the Universe. Thus, the good guys won the battle, but the war was far from over...

Later, that night…

"You sure you want to be alone tonight?" Ranma said, as he stopped at the front door of the Tsukino Residence, while on his way out. "I could call Akane-"

"No, it's okay," Usagi said. "We did our marital thing in that other dimension, remember? Besides, Akane misses her husband."

"Okay, but call me if you need anything," Ranma said.

"I will," Usagi said, as she gave Ranma a deep kiss on the mouth. "Now, run along. It looks like the weather is going to get rough for a few days."

"Alright," Ranma said, as he steps out of the house. "Later…"

"And, with that, Ranma left for Nekomi Prefecture, where he lived with Akane, and their newborn Kenma.

Usagi sighed, as she closed the door to her house. Ever since her parents died, and ever since Shingo chose to live on Asgard as Baldr, she was lonely.

"I know," Usagi said. "I'll have a soak while listening to some 'Lite Jazz' with scented candles…and a hot fudge sundae. Yes, that's it…"

Few minutes later, Usagi relaxed in the tub.

"Awww," Usagi said, as she relaxed. "I have the world to myself…"

As Usagi relaxed, she failed to notice a zombie version of HER Tuxedo Mask taking a peek through her bathroom window. He wasn't a gross-looking zombie, but a version that had, gray skin…and black eyes.

'Soon, my love,' said Tuxedo Mask, as he holds up a black rose. "Soon, you will become a BLACK LANTERN…like ME…"

Fin.

Author's Note: That's it. This story goes into the other story, "Blackest Reign, and a Dark Night", which has been completed. See you then…