From: Clarence Browne Subject: [FANFIC][XOVER][SM-Marvel] Lunar Force 5 1/? Date: Sunday, June 14, 1998 7:26 PM Notes: I know I'm gonna get flamed to death for what I now do.... "So be it!" - Victor von Doom Disclaimers: Marvel Comics characters such as Dr.Strange, Dr. Doom, and Spiderman are copyright of Marvel Comics and are used by me for the purpose of a not-for-profit fanfiction. The Sailor Senshi in their unmodified version is copyright Takeuchi Naoko and are similarly used for a not-for-profit fanfiction. The Lunar Force 5 and Powersurge are copyright Clarence P. Browne Jr. Please seek permission before archiving or using said characters. Stungun (Powersurge's sidekick) is copyright Howard L. Browne and is used here without permission (I'd ask, but I haven't seen him in 2 years). Disclaimer2: There may be a couple swear-words and some fighting, but I guarantee it won't be any worse than what is allowed on TV, so parents can relax.... LUNAR FORCE FIVE Issue #1 Marvel Star Make-UP! Steven Strange snapped out of his meditative trance as he felt a ripple of Ancient Magic come into range of his senses. "Odd," he thinks with a pensive frown. "I'm surprised I haven't felt these entities before... Whomever they are, I feel that they could be very formidable if they pose a threat. I shall have to attempt to keep my mystic eyes peeled now that I know they are out there somewhere....." "Usagi!" Rei shouted. "When I said you should be on your best behavior, I MEANT it! I can't have you embarassing my father!" "Gomen nasai, Rei-chan," said Usagi as she scarfed down her 18th bag of peanuts... "And use ENGLISH!" Rei ordered in frustration. "We are honorary ambassadors to America, so we WILL use their language while we're there!" "Rei," said Ami, "you are being a little more domineering than usual... Are you alright?" "Yeah," added Makoto, "this trip really has you on edge." "Well," sighed Rei, "it has been a while since I've even SEEN my father, since he's so politically involved I can't help but wonder if he had me bring a few friends along because he'd be too busy to see me while we were here in America." "It IS kind of nice, though," chirped Minako. "Flying us with you so you wouldn't be lonely...." "Especially the official request letters he sent to our parents!" beamed Usagi. "I was worried that I'd be going back to that sulfur spring with my family again this year.... Your dad really saved me!" "Only YOU would have such a selfish reason for coming along, Usagi!" glared Rei. "And PUT DOWN THOSE PEANUTS!" "I think I'll check on our friends down below," said Ami as she backed away from the impending rant. "I'll go with you!" blurted Minako and Makoto, as eager to be away from ground-zero of Hurricane Rei as Ami was. "Sure!" said Ami quickly as they hurried off to the luggage compartment. "Tell me again why we're so shamefully treated....," said Luna dejectedly. "I've gone over it a thousand times, Luna," sighed Artemis sadly. "As far as the airline is concerned, we are 'pets' and cannot be allowed in the passenger area. We have to play along or we'll compromise the girls' secret identities...." "Sometimes I actually hate being a cat," murmured Luna. "Bite your tongue!" hissed Artemis. "Besides, we didn't have time to use the Lunar Pen to change our appearance...." "Hi!" said Ami, Makoto and Minako as they burst in to the luggage compartment and shut the door behind them. "Well, THAT can only mean one thing....," smirked Luna. "Rei is really losing it....," nodded Artemis solemnly. "She probably deserves it, though," added Luna. "Well," said Ami, "we're ALL a little nervous about this trip.... Rei even read her fire beforehand, and didn't tell us what it said...." "Really?" said Minako. "She usually tells us what the fire prophecies to her...." "Unless it's something she may not be able to stop....," added Makoto. "Something like impending...." Doom walked the halls of his Latverian Embassy in agitation. He was enough in tune with things mystical to know that there were entities of Ancient Magic coming to him - though not much more than that. "Curses!" he spat angrily. "If I knew what was coming, I could more readily prepare to exploit it! There is great power out there that should belong to Victor von Doom, and he SHALL have it!" "Master, the modifications to your gauntlets you requested has been completed," stated Doom's droid valet flatly. "You may inspect them at your leisure." Doom generally used androids for servants because they were generally lower maintenance and much more loyal than his human subjects. He could also blast them to bits when he was unhappy with their performance and not bother with their grieving families.... "Excellent!" chuckled Doom. "I shall do so forthwith!" "Tell me again why we're going to New York, Kiku," sighed the dour passenger. "I TOLD you already, Gabriel," scolded Kiku. "My godfather called me and asked if I would pick his daughter up at the airport. So we're going to pick his daughter up, and kick back in posh style while they're in town." "Geeze," sighed Gabriel. "That doesn't explain why *I* have to go...." "Well, I figured that the Electric Knight could use a change of pace from Philadelphia crime...." "My LAST visit to New York didn't go so well at ALL," reminded Gabriel. "Well, Namor deserved what you did to him, I say," said Kiku. "Imagine demanding a trial by combat when you tried to join the Avengers! You even WARNED him it wasn't a good idea, and it just made him MORE insistant to mix it up with you. Besides, his hair's grown back by now...." "Why can't I *EVER* catch a break?" "You're not going to give me that 'poor old me' routine again, Gabriel Stevens! We ARE going to New York, and we ARE going to ENJOY ourselves if it kills you!" "It just might....," Gabriel grumbled. "What did you say?" "Make a right," he said as he checked the map. "We should get to the airport with 5 hours to spare...." "Ah," sighed Doom as he donned his new gauntlets. "These are excellent! With the new eldritch power transformers installed, I can siphon the approaching mystical energy into my armor and use it as it SHOULD be used. By DOOM." He cackled maniacally at the prospect. "And with the wards I have had set around this cesspool of a city, I shall know the INSTANT that power makes itself available!" "Master," interrupted the android valet, "I have examined the flight, bus and train schedules as you requested, and if it pleases you, I shall present my report on same." "So be it," agreed Doom. "Well, Master," said the android, "there are several interesting leads.... First, a charter plane from Japan brings Ambassador Hino's daughter to New York. She is a Shinto priestess in training, and from a long line of spiritualists and seers...." "Interesting," mused Doom. "Eastern Magic is a mercurial stock, though.... Place her in the 'Observe' category, for now...." "So noted, Master," replied the valet. "Second, an automobile bearing Gabriel Stevens and Kiku Kuno has just gone through a tollbooth entering New York. As your Excellency will recall, Powersurge and Stungun have - albeit unwittingly - foiled several of your Excellency's machinations....." "A dead end there," spat Doom. "Both of those imbeciles are mutants with no ties to the occult. Though it is odd that they come here at all considering they destroyed a good portion of Avengers mansion in a fracas with that accursed Sub-Mariner.... Is there any connection with the Hino girl?" "Apparently, Master, Ms. Kuno is the goddaughter of Ambassador Hino, and though the girls have never met, their families have been friends for generations...." "Move the Hino girl to the 'Observe CLOSELY' category." "So noted, Master. Third, one Doctor Strange has left his home and has boarded a taxi bound for the airport...." "THAT is VERY interesting....," mused Doom. "He generally uses his astral form to observe anomaly. Perhaps he felt he would be discovered? Yes..... Move the Hino girl into the 'Prepare Action' category. There is too much evidence to suggest that she is NOT what I seek, but not enough to suggest she IS...." "A complete lunatic!" fumed Usagi. "Why SHOULDN'T I have a few packs of peanuts? They ARE 'complimentary' and that's the same as FREE." "I am not going to have you embarrass me with your gluttony!" stated Rei angrily. "Stop worrying," said Usagi with a wave of her hand. "Your father isn't going to disown you because I ate some peanuts. I swear you'll be a gray-haired old crone by the time you turn twenty with so much worry." "And YOU might not ever BE twenty!" threatened Rei. "Why did my father even ask you to come anyway? It completely puzzles me...." "Ahem!" coughed the other girls as they came up from the cargo section, hoping to startle Rei and Usagi into silence. As usual, both girls glared at each other in a temporary cease-fire while Ami, Minako and Makoto looked around to see if there was any damage done. "Well, Rei," answered Ami, "I recall your grandfather talking about the four of us over the phone while we were having a meeting at the temple.... Maybe he told your father we were friends of yours who came over to see you alot? I think it was very nice of your father to request we accompany you on your trip...." "But Usagi....," began Rei. "Yes, yes, the peanuts, we know," giggled Mina. "Luckily, no youma has ever dared face Sailor Moon dressed as a peanut - I can see it running for the hills now....." "With Usagi right behind it armed with a salt-shaker!" laughed Makoto. "Alright, alright!" pouted Usagi. "No more peanuts, okay?" "Okay," nodded the others emphatically. "I wonder how long until we arrive in New York?" mused Ami, now that the fight was over.... "Two hours, eh? Thank you," said Dr. Strange dressed in civilian clothes. He slowly walked away from the airport information desk already deep in thought. "As far as I can tell from the Ancient One's listings, the Hino clan is a strong sect of mysticists spanning thousands of years... I must be careful. The very NAME Hino means 'of fire' in Japanese, and they are reknowned Masters of that Element. Argh! If only I could be sure of what they intend...." "Gabe, did you see that?" whispered Kiku. "Huh? What?" Gabriel replied as he looked up from his magazine. "S'matter, Kiku?" "Some creepy old guy was asking about the Hino plane arrival...." "So?" "SO!? What if my godsister is in danger? What if he's some nutjob with a murder-bent?" "I think you need medication...." "What did you say?" "Er.... Calls for some investigation. You stay here and I'll check him out..." Gabriel then got up and went after the creepy old dude in order to humor his sidekick and get away from her for a while. "Geeze!" He thought bitterly. "I bet Robin never bugged Batman like this.... Oh well.... Lemme see.... Creepy old dude at three o'clock! Better duck into this bathroom and go into stealth..." With that he pushed into the lav and ducked into a stall for the moment it took for that familiar tingle to cross his flesh to signal his Invisibility had kicked in. He checked the mirror to be sure he was invisible and then re-emerged from the bathroom. "Cool! He's still there.... Maybe the kid was right about this guy...." The telephone ringing finally got him up, and he answered it groggily, "Parker residence...." "PARKER! Do you know how long you kept me waiting before you answered the phone?" demanded the ever-angry J.Jonah Jameson. "Have you suddenly decided that you don't need to work?" "Jonah? It's four in the morning....." "Harrumph! Sloth is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, m'boy! Just got word that Ambassador Hino's estranged daughter is coming into town on a charter due at six A.M. Figured a good human interest spread on page four would be a good idea, and since you asked to do other assignments than just those Spiderman ones you usually foist on me, I decided to give you a shot. Now, if you don't WANT it...." "Alright. alright, I'm up, I'm on it....," sighed Peter Parker sleepily. "Could use the dough...." "That's a boy!" chuckled Jonah. "Word is that Ambassador Hino has even more pull than Osborne, so do this up nice, and there could even be nothing extra in that little envelope you get...." "Don't you mean SOMETHING extra?" "Not if SOMETHING is a PINK-SLIP!" shouted Jonah as he hung up the phone.... "Sheesh!" exclaimed Peter as he got out of bed.... "Somebody got up on the wrong side of his coffin...." "Master, the chamber is prepared as you requested," stated the android valet obsequiously. "Excellent! It has been a while since I last communed with the spirits, but it is the best way to test the mettle of the Hino girl's power...," considered Doom slyly. "If I may, Master," began the android, "what if this Hino girl has no power?" "She should have ample protection from Strange, if she doesn't. But Doom's instincts say she DOES, and so I must gauge it before I prepare to steal it for myself!" "What of Powersurge and Stungun?" "I can only pray that they don't accidentally kill the Hino girl in a clumsy attempt to protect her... It is too early in the game to involve myself personally - but woe to those two if they foil Doom again!" Kiku sneezed. "Hmm.... Must be someone talking about me," she thought. "I hope Gabe can find out what that old creep wanted with my godsister and get back here soon.... The prospect of meeting her has me ready to scream. I haven't been this nervous since I transferred to Temple University from Japan...." "Is this seat taken?" asked Peter Parker sleepily. "GAH!" jumped Kiku in surprise. "Who are you?" she demanded. "Peter Parker, freelance photojournalist," Peter yawned. "My publisher called me an hour ago and gave me this assignment..." "What assignment?" demanded Kiku icily. "Duh? Take pictures of the Ambassador's daughter, silly." "You want to take pictures of Rei? Why?" "Rei, huh? I guess you know her, then...." "She's my godsister," explained Kiku. "And I don't know her, I just know her father...." "Who would be Ambassador Hino, right? Your godfather? Geeze, I thought *I* had an extended family." "Answer the question!" hissed Kiku angrily. "Why take pictures of Rei?" "Human interest, m'dear....," answered Peter sleepily. "Word has it that the Ambassador hasn't even SEEN his daughter since she was five.... Think of me as providing your godfather with some clippings for his album in case he decides not to see her for another twelve years or so...." "Well.... In that light, I guess it's okay," shrugged Kiku. "Hmmm.... I can't seem to shake the feeling that I've SEEN this old guy somewhere," thought Gabriel. "Probably Avengers Mansion," said Dr. Strange without looking up from his magazine. "I recall you made quite an impression." "Yeah!" thought Gabriel. "It was probably at Avengers Man-.... He can SEE me?" "No, but I can SENSE you," replied Dr. Strange. "Sorcerors tend to be overcautious, and Sorcerors Supreme supremely so. You are here about the Hino girl, yes?" "Yes," whispered Gabriel. "How did you know?" "You COULD say that I have eerie magical powers that make me aware of it," said Dr. Strange. "But the sad truth is I can't help but notice that your sidekick is carrying that big sign with 'REI HINO' written on it. I figured there couldn't be two Rei Hinos so I took a wild stab...." "Listen, about that Avengers Mansion thing...," said Gabriel. "It was an accident, I know," chuckled Dr. Strange. "You clamped Namor in some chokehold..." "The taka-hajime," corrected Gabriel. "Yes, and he figured you wouldn't be as strong as he was in the water so he flew the both of you to the pool and dunked you both... But it backfired...." "Well, it was pretty early in my career, and I wasn't sure that water wouldn't 'short-circuit' me, so I threw an electric shield around me in desperation. Luckily, or unluckily, my invulnerability to electric attacks is a conductive type, plus I have the body armor only slightly less tough than the Thing's hide..." "Actually, according to what I got from the data, you're STRONGER than Namor...." "Maybe, but I'm not as strong as Thor...," conceded Gabriel. "He's who pulled me off Namor." "Yeah, he would've interceded sooner, but he was too busy laughing...." "It was really that big a disaster, huh?" "Let's just say that nobody mentions the name 'Powersurge' when Namor's around...." "Ahem!' coughed Gabriel nervously. "So why are you here incognito, Doc?" "I sensed the arrival of a powerful Ancient Magic, and decided to investigate it... I believe that it is this Rei Hino that possesses it, or at least possesses SOME of it, so I decided to check her out and make sure she wasn't some kind of maniac that wanted to destroy the world." "There aren't REALLY such maniacs, are there?" asked Powersurge. "Yes!" cried Doom as he opened a portal to the Unknown. "I now call forth a denizen of the Dark Beyond to do my bidding! Come forth, spirit, that Doom may bind you to his will!" "Cheese and crackers! Can you tone down the melodrama a few notches?" requested the denizen of the Dark Beyond. "I still have a headache from my last appearance in this plane...." "Come forth, spirit, and state your name to Doom!" Doom commanded. "Okay, I'm gonna assume the melodrama isn't for the sorcery," sighed the demon. "That can only mean you are REALLY a pompous egomaniac.... My kinda boss! G'day, there, Doom..... Name's Sy'm. Occupation: Purple People Beater." "Sy'm?" asked Doom incredulously. "weren't you destroyed during that 'Inferno' brouhaha a few years ago...?" "Int'restin' story there, Doomsy.... Y'see, we Denizens of the Dark Beyond are basically pure energy, and as anyone can tell you, energy can't be destroyed. Min'ja, I did get DISPERSED like nobody's business, and it took your little summoning thing to give me a mind to re-coalesce, so I guess that means I owe yez.... What's th' job?" "There is this girl...." "Always is, I find," nodded Sy'm. "Do continue...." "Rei," whispered Usagi. "What does your dad look like?" "The usual... Average height, dark hair like mine with a little gray at the temples, bushy moustache, very serious-looking...," replied Rei. "Do you think THAT's him?" asked Makoto as she pointed to someone who matched that description. Rei looked, and assessed what she saw.... Four people, one man that matched the description of her father was flanked by a VERY large man in a work-out suit who was obviously his body-guard, another man with a camera, and a dark-haired girl holding up a very large sign with 'Rei Hino' printed on it in English and kanjii. That was enough for Rei.... "PAPA!" she yelled as she dropped her bags and took off at a dead run. "So, Dr. Strange," said Peter Parker conversationally, "what brings you to this neck of the woods? Druid convention?" "Actually, Mr. Parker, I have someting of a 'spiritual interest' in the young lady the rest of you are here to meet...." "What SORT of 'spiritual' interest?" scrutinized Kiku levelly.... "Kiku, we've been through this TWICE already," sighed Gabriel. "The Doc thinks that your godsister is some sorta Ancient Hoodoo, and he wants to check her out to make sure she isn't dangerous...." "PAPA!" came a shout from the distance that the four of our heroes ignored. "You see, Kiku," explained Dr. Strange patiently. "The Hino Clan is famous in the mystic circles for their complete Mastery of Fire and Spirit. Naturally, such power could very well be possessed by your godsister, since it follows a hereditary chain from one generation to another.... Naturally, I have to evaluate the danger such power may present to the general public and make a decision from - WHOULPH!" Strange was cut off by a full body tackle that would make ANY highlight reel in the NFL, and was all but smothered by furiously happy kisses. Without a word, Parker kept snapping pictures.... "ACK!" cried Kiku, horrified at what had happened. "Rei-chan? Rei-chan? REI!!" "Oh papa!" gushed Rei as she contuinued her assault. "Papapapapapa!" "REI HINO!" screamed Kiku. "YAMERU!" "Ne?" said Rei crossly as she coldly eyed Kiku. "Nihongo soretomo Eigo?" asked Kiku. "Eigo... That is, English," replied Rei. "Now I am in America, I must speak English to make my papa proud!" "Fine," said Kiku. "But THAT is NOT your papa...." "GAH!" yelped Rei. "Then who is he? And you?" "I am your godsister, Kiku Kuno. Your father asked me to make sure you arrived safely.... The man whose chest you are sitting on is the venerable Dr. Steven Strange. The photographer is Peter Parker, and the man currently rolling on the floor laughing is my partner, Gabriel Stevens." "Well, Doc," laughed Powersurge, "I think she's already PROVED she's pretty damned dangerous, just not in the way you thought she'd be...." "And to think, she was worried *I* would embarrass *HER*," sniffed Usagi. "Hush!" said Makoto crossly. "It was an honest mistake... She hasn't seen her father since she was little!" She adjusted Rei's bags, which she picked up along with her own when Rei took off. "Hi, everyone!" said Ami and Minako as they arrived with Luna and Artemis on their shoulders. "Did we miss anyth - Yipe!" exclaimed Minako. "Apparently we did," sighed Ami. Rei blushed considerably. "Y-young lady?" coughed Dr. Strange. "If you would be so kind as to allow oxygen free access to my lungs, I'd be in your debt....." "Oh NO!" gasped Rei as she leapt to her feet. "I am SO EMBARRASSED!" "Well, if what your tall friend said is true," smiled Peter Parker, "you really shouldn't be.... Your FATHER should," he pronounced as he reached down to help Dr. Strange. "What do you mean, to say such a thing?" demanded Rei. "Seen it all the time," shrugged Peter. "Busy dad leaves his kid to grow up without him... Trust me, compared to what I've seen girls in your situation do, what you did was minor-league. In fact, I'd say....," he trailed off as he looked around suddenly. "What? What would you say?" asked Usagi, genuinely interested. "Something's coming," said Peter levelly. "I feel it, too," agreed Rei. "Something BIG...." "Apparently I wasn't the only person to sense our Miss Hino's approach," sighed Dr. Strange morosely... "I smell a stinky cigar!" frowned Usagi crinkling her nose. "Gimme a break, wouldja?" exclaimed S'ym with his hands on his hips. "This is the finest cherootie that they had at the shop downstairs.... Wouldn't even take MONEY for it.... Bah! Newyawkahs!" He looked around a little and then clapped his hands together. "SO! Which one'a youse is Rei Hino?" Total silence, save for some screaming on the lower level that usually marked S'ym's passing. Everyone looked at S'ym, then at each other, then back at S'ym.... "C'mon, wouldja?" demanded S'ym impatiently. "YOU! With the sign!" "Eeep!" replied Kiku. "Which'a dese here folks're Rei Hino?" asked S'ym. "Eeep!" replied Kiku. "Plan, anyone?" asked Peter. "No? Then let me suggest one.... SCRAMBLE!" Everyone thought it was a good plan, and the crowd scattered.... "Oh, f'r the luvva....," sighed S'ym. "I jus' woke up, people! I don't FEEL LIKE chasin' ya around like we're in some Scooby Doo cartoon. Just gimme Rei Hino, and I won't havta hunt you down and kill ya one by one! Deal? C'mon! Limited time offer!!" S'ym's only response was the pitter-patter of nine people and two cats running like mad. "FINE! Be that way!" huffed S'ym. "Let's do the chase-thing then.... I'll be 'IT' and you'll be 'sorry', okay? DEAL!" To Be Continued.... "It's hard to say I'm sorry..... "It's hard to make the things I do undone...." 'I Want You Back' by the Backstreet Boys, I think.... Well, that's chapter one, folks..... Direct all responses to this post, or E-mail me, I don't care. Just keep the responses semi-sane, okay? Oh, you can also reach me by ICQ # 136776674. bigcbrowne@earthlink.comNOSPAM Remove the anti-spam to mail me okay? Ja ne!