|
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Tenchi Muyo! They are owned by AIC and Pioneer North America. I did not create them, and their use here is strictly for the enjoyment of myself and anyone who gets bored enough to read this. In other words: Please don't sue my poor ass. Tenchi Muyo! Washu sat in the darkness, going over the visions in her mind. It was all true, she knew. She finally knew the truth about herself, about what had happened so long ago. Over twenty thousand years, well, closer to thirty thousand, had passed, and she had never been able to imagine the truth. Her world had always been one of secrets, scientific and mathmatical studies, numbers, figures. Everything had been concrete, and what wasn't was only waiting to be discovered. She had never been able to guess that she'd been a goddess. Her entire existence as a human being had been a lie. Everything she'd thought was real wasn't. Everything that could exist in the realm of fantasy did. She didn't believe that Tokimi was a goddess when Yosho first told her. Now, it was hard enough for Washu to believe that she was her sister. It was hard enough to believe that Tsunami was her sister. The goddess' words echoed in her head. "You always were." She know Washu would do this. Tsunami knew all along that this is what Washu would go to in order to learn the truth. "Lady Washu?" Achika's voice brought her back out of her thoughts. Washu looked up from her position on the... floor. Her legs were pulled up to her chest, her knees wet with tears. "Lady Washu, you must be ready to move on." Washu stood, wiping her face dry with the back of her hands. "This is what has been happening to me, isn't it? My body was reacting to Tokimi's manipulations of the universe." She looked at her hand. "It knew before I did that Tokimi is about to do something." Achika nodded. "Please, Lady Washu. You have to come with me. Otherwise, you won't be able to help Tenchi and Ryoko." "Tenchi and Ryoko? What are they going to do?" "They must face the one like them. The other one born from the blood of the gods." *** Tenchi looked at the planet outside in the blackness. Grandfather had been able to show them a quick, easy way into Jurai territory, one that would bypass any security checkpoints. It was necassary to get to Jurai without anyone who might serve Tokimi noticing. Tenchi had never seen the planet Jurai, before. He saw it for the first time, now, off in the distance. A large, purple planet, surrounded by rings of... logs. How could an entire culture's technology be based on trees? Again, Tenchi figured there were just some things in life he didn't understand. He felt, rather than saw, Ryoko standing next to him. "It hasn't changed a bit," she said. "You can remember what it was like, down there?" He noticed Ryoko shiver. Idiot! "I'm... I'm sorry. I'm so stupid, sometimes." The last time she had been there, she tried to destroy it. Ryoko shook her head. "No, it's all right, Tenchi. I was under Kagato's control, then. Yes, I remember it. It was all I could think about, for 683 years. All I could do was sit in my cave and remember everything I had done, everything that bastard made me do. I saw Jurai's sky, it's forests, it's buildings as they fell around me. The sky burn, the people scream. It was all I could see until..." "Until you saw me. One day, when I was just a baby, and I saw you standing in front of your cave." Ryoko stared at him for a second. "How... but I never told you." Tenchi nodded, and smiled, "You did tell me. Did you know you talk in your sleep?" Ryoko flashed a feline grin. "Why you little..." she laughed. Tenchi loved the sound of her voice. It was rich, beautiful. She looked back at the planet as they neared it. "Ryoko, I'm sor--" "Shutup, Tenchi," Ryoko cut him off. "You didn't break your promise. We're right here, aren't we? And it's going to stay that way. >I< promise." Before Tenchi could move, she reached over and hugged him. "Hey, kids, we need your help, you know." Shadow inturrupted the moment, his smile as cool as usual. "Ryoko, I need you to pilot Ryo-ohki around Jurai's capital city." Ryoko looked at him. "Oh, well then, that'll be easy. And no one will ever spot Ryo-ohki going past someplace like that!" The sarcasm in her voice was thick. Shadow and Tenchi scowled at her. "Just go where I tell you, and we'll have no problems, okay?" Ryoko shrugged, and followed Shadow, taking control of Ryo-ohki. "Okay, Ryo-ohki, get ready!" "Meow!" "I wonder where Ito Gasam went," Tenchi said to himself. He stood in awe as Ryo-ohki broke through the planet's atmosphere. Yagami followed closely behind. The sky was cast in a purplish hue, with stars twinklingabove as they descended. The clouds seemed more like spider webs that clung to the sky. Below them was an endless forest. Nowhere were the buildings and skyscrapers that were so common on Earth. No houses or farm lands dotted the countryside. No great human structures or city rose from the ground. Only trees. A great sea of leafy canopies that rippled in the wind like water. Tenchi struggled to find his breath. Yohso stood next to his grandsom. After so long, he had returned to the home he thought he'd left behind. "It's beautiful, isn't it, Tenchi?" The young man nodded. "I never thought I would see this place again." He couldn't tell if that was a blessing, or a bane. Ryo-ohki came to a stop at a clearing on the edge of the forest. Yagami landed in the field as everyone on Ryo-ohki was transported to the ground. The spaceship shrank down into the cabbit. Ryo-ohki jumped into Sasami's arms, and scurried to a place on top of her head. Sasami giggled, "Thanks, Ryo-ohki." Mihoshi ran out of her ship, holding Mayuka. "Hey, wait up!" She stopped in front of them, gasping for air. Mayuka looked up, entranced by the beautiful sky. Ayeka looked around at the field. "I remember this place. We're not far from the Royal Palace. But, no one is allowed to come here. They say it is haunted." "But, you have been here, Princess Ayeka?" Shadow raised an eyebrow. She nodded. "Hm. Suprising." He walked to a large tree at the edge of the clearing, the others following. "Lord Tenchi, point your sword at this tree. The master key and I will do the rest." Tenchi nodded, and pointed his sword. Shadow Dog closed his eyes, and silently prayed. The gem in his forehead began to glow, as did Tenchiken. As the light grew, a hole opened up in the trunk of the tree. It opened like a black, gaping maw. "Shadow, what is that thing?" Ryoko didn't like the look of it. It reminded her too much of the cave. Shadow Dog opened his eyes, but the glow of his gem didn't fade. "This will take us below the palace to the City of Twilight. It's our main gate, but it won't stay open for long. Only the master key and my royal blood are keeping it open, so Tenchi will go first, and I will go in last. Lord Yosho, you will have to drop your disguise when we get to the other side." Tenchi looked from Shadow to his grandfather. What was he talking about? "Okay, Tenchi. After you." Tenchi walked up to the... hole, and put his hand in. It didn't feel different. It was more like... the light had just stopped. Tenchi took a deep breath, and stepped through. *** Lord Hikage sank further down into his chair. Things just could not get any worse. The boy was becoming impossible to catch. Either that, or his allies were becoming more incompetent. "Don't worry, Hikage." That song passed in his mind. It was a melody he could not describe, something that transcended everything he knew. "The time will come, soon. You will have a reward for you service. Keep trying. The time will come." "What 'time'?" Hikage muttered under his breath. He opened his eyes, and looked at Mitsuki and Ito. The bounty hunter turned his face away, while Mitsuki stared back, angrily. "Don't try blaming this on me. It's your own toadie's fault that the boy got away. Why did you take him, anyway? D3 should have stopped you before you got out of your chair to take over this... idiot's will." "Is that the strongest insult you can muster, Mitsuki? If so, then shut up." Hikage squezzed his fist, and both Ito and Mitsuki fell to their knees. From the corner of the room, Asagi looked on, smiling in perverse delight. Now the favored ones of Tokimi would feel his pain at the hands of the Lord Hikage Unihasa. "It is the task given to all of us that the boy be taken alive. I want you to go out there and get him, now. I know he's already here on Jurai. All you have to do is follow Tokimi's will, and you'll be led to him." "How...," Ito couched up blood onto the floor. "How could you know he's here?" "Because this is where Tsunami's Guardian would bring her. They've gone below into the City of Twilight." Mitsuki stood, shakily, wanting to draw her gun and kill Hikage right here and now. But her own body wouldn't obey her to do it. She'd already tried it too many times. "What the hell is- -" "Just go below into the catacombs beneath the palace. Asagi will ensure you get there safely. Keep going down. You'll run into them, eventually." "And just how are we supposed to get the boy?" "You don't have to," Hikage smiled. He wondered why he hadn't thought of this sooner. "Just lead him here. Our Lady willing, I will be ready for him." Hikage could already feel something changing inside him. Something deep within his breast stirred, and hissed. Soon, it would be time. *** It was like passing through darkness. Everything was black, there was no light, no air, no feeling. Everything had just stopped, for a second of time, and then he stood on the other side. The chamber was dimly lit, shadowy crags filling the corners and patterning the walls. Ryoko followed after him, then Sasami and Ayeka, Mihoshi and Mayuka, Kiyone, Yosho, and then finally Shadow Dog. Ayeka looked up, and gasped. Tenchi's gaze followed. The chamber was lit by large roots poking through the rock of the cieling, giving off a calm light. Shadow noticed their reaction. "We're far below the surface of Jurai, now. The roots of the Royal Trees reach all the way down here, giving us light. We can't stumble around in the dark, after all." He looked to his old friend. "Yosho, are you ready to draw back your viel?" Everyone looked at the old man. He nodded, and breathed in, relaxing the concentration it required to keep his visage. His form blurred, and then cleared again, showing a strong man in the prime of his life. Everyone, especially Tenchi, stared in disbelief. "But... how... what is this?" "This is Tsunami's doing. She changed my appearance long ago, so that I would be able to stay on Earth and try to live a normal life without causing suspicion among the people. I lived like this for seven hundred years. I guess it's about time I showed you the truth." Ayeka walked up to him, staring at his face. That face she had searched the stars for. "Brother, it's really you. How I remember you." She reached up to touch his face, but he grabbed her wrist, stopping her. "But, why hide this from us?" "There are too many reasons to give, Ayeka. Please, just let us get through this, and I promise we will discuss it." He hugged her, and then joined Shadow. "Lead the way, Seayo." Shadow nodded, and walked out of the chamber, the rest of the group following silently. They walked out into a huge cavern, the City of Twilight laid out before them. Great buildings rose out of and joined into the stone. Archways led from one structure to another, passing under bridges. The buildings rose up from a giant well. The enitre city seemed to stretch in one great pit, with no top or bottom. The great roots of the Ryoal Trees lined the walls of the caverns, bathing the city in a comfortingly cool light. A figure apporached fromt eh far end of the bridge in front of them. Her face was pale, like Shadow's, with long dark hiar flowing down her back. As she neared, there was a gem visible in her forehead, but it was blue, and circular. She waved her arm. "Prince Seayo!" She ran up to Shadow Dog, and embraced him in a warm hug. Shadow returned the gesture. "Hello, Reiko. It's good to see you again." She pulled away from him. "You too, Lord Seayo." She turned to Yosho. "It is good to see you as well, Lord Yosho." Yosho smiled. "I told you last time not to call me 'lord', Reiko. There's no need for it. I gave up my title along time ago." Reiko frowned at him. "It's been seven hundred years, Lord Yosho. You can't honestly expect me to remember a simple order like that." She giggled, and looked at the others. "You've brought visitors with you, I see." Shadow nodded, and pointed at Tenchi, "Reiko, this is Lord Yosho's grandson, Tenchi. These others are Ryoko, Princess Ayeka, Mistress Sasami, Mayuka, Kiyone, and Mihoshi. They are my friends, Reiko. Don't worry abour keeping our secret." He turned to the others. "Reiko is our Captain of the Guard. She's a little paranoid of strangers, so you'll have to forgive her." Reiko elbowed him in the ribs. "You're being unfair, Seayo." She walked up to Tenchi, and hugged him. Tenchi jumped slightly, while Ryoko ground her teeth and growled. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Her energy sword appeared in her hands. Reiko remained unphased, and hugged Ryoko. The demoness looked at the girl, confused. "What the..." Reiko hugged everone but Mayuka and Sasami in turn, causing many cries of suprise. "Kind of a sneaky way to check for weapons," Kiyone commented after her hug. Reiko smiled at her. "My, you picked some clever friends, Seayo." She bent down, and smiled at Sasami. "Hello, Sasami. You're a little cutie, aren't you?" Sasami smiled back. "Thank you, Miss Reiko." Reiko patted Ryo-ohki on the head. "Please, just call me Reiko." She looked at Shadow. "So, this is what took you from us so long ago? You have very strange tastes, Seayo," she teased. Shadow frowned at her. "Reiko, Mistress Sasami is the mortal avatar of Tsunami." The Twilight Person's eyes widened. "Oh, my. That's why she carries so much Light with her." "Reiko, please, we need to gain access to the temple. My mistress is in danger, and there's only one place right now where she can be safe." Reiko nodded. "I see. You need the Chrysalis." She walked away. "Follow me, then." They followed her towards the center of the city, to the center of the buildings that rose up from the abyss. All around them were the Twilight People. They looked as varied as any other race, except for their pale white skin and the gems in their foreheads. Tenchi swallowed a lump in his throat. Reiko kept glancing back at him, and another vien could be seen in Ryoko's head each time. "Um, Ryoko? Please, behave," Tenchi whispered. Ryoko looked at him, a little hurt. "What? What did I do?" Ayeka shook her head, "Ryoko, please. You should know better, by now." Ryoko stuck her tounge out at the princess. "Fine." Reiko led them to a large pillar in the center of the city. It was smaller than the others, supported by large stone archways and stalagtites both above and below it. Bridges connected to openings around the base of the temple. As they approached, other people seemed to move away, until they could no longer be seen. It made Tenchi shiver, slightly. They walked into a great hall. Stone pillars all around them showed depictions of great men and beast, clouds of shadows and darkness, and suns eclipsed by moons and gods. "Wow, it's beautiful!" Mihoshi and Mayuka stared at the carvings. Shadow nodded. "This is our main temple. You are the first outsiders in nearly four thousand years to be here." Reiko led them to the end. Two large, stone doors stood in front of them, without decoration or marking. Shadow Dog walked up to the doors, and placed his palm on it. His gem glowed intensly, but briefly, and the great doors opened. The chamber inside was another circle. On a raised dias stood a large, blue crystal, it's surface shining like water. Shadow had seen it many times before, but even now was still in awe of it. It was so blue. Liek the sky of Earth. "That's it?" Sasami asked. "Yes, this is the Chrysalis Obscura," the voice made everyone jump. They turned around to see an old, wrinkled man standing behind them. His hair was as white as his skin, and the black gem in his forehead reflected the light of the Chrysalis. "Hello, Lord Seayo, Lord Yosho. It has been many years. I wondered if you would ever return." "You were the ones who first told us the legends of Lady Tokimi, Master Takashi," Yosho bowed his head. "You knew we would have to come back, some day." The old man nodded. "Maybe I did." He walked suprisingly swift for his frame. He walked up to Sasami, and looked at her. His gem glowed with a black light, and Ryo-ohki yealped and ran over to Ryoko, hiding behind her feet. Sasami looked back, and the marks on her forehead glowed. Takashi knelt on one knee, and bowed his head. "I thank you, for honoring me with your presence, Lady Tsunami." Sasami nodded. "But, what about my family? What am I supposed to do?" "The Chrysalis will protect you from Tokimi, but you will not be able to communicate. There is nothing in the Chrysalis but silence. Do you truly wish to do this?" Sasami looked at the great crystal behind her, and back to her family. "No, but I will." She turned,and walked up to the Chrysalis. She paused, closing her eyes. "Shadow," she spoke through their link. "Please, guard Tenchi and the others for me. You've already helped me so much. Take care of them." "Of course, Mistress." Sasami stepped up to the crystal. The surface rippled as she moved into it. She turned, looking back one last time, and plunged herself in. She thought she heard her sister cry out to her, but there was only silence as the Chyrsalis pulled her in. Then there was only slumber. No one said a word. Sasami was suspened in the center of the great crystal. Master Takashi stood to his feet. Shadow reached up, and touched the surface of the Chrysalis. It was stone hard, and just as cold. Ayeka's voice was shakey. "Shadow, is she..." "She will be fine, Princess Ayeka. She is safer here than anywhere else." He turned, and looked at Tenchi. "Well, now it's your call, Tenchi. I don't know how we're going to find Tokimi, much less how to face her." Yosho looked up at the cieling of the temple. "I think we should go up, to the Royal Palace." Tenchi looked up. He felt something, like a push. A gentle urging toward... what? The palace? "Tokimi," he whispered the name. He nodded. "I think you're right, Grandpa. Whatever we're looking for, it's up there." Reiko smiled. Ryoko's eyes narrowed at the Twilight person. "Why do you keep staring at him?" She floated over to the girl. "What is it?" "Ryoko--!" Reiko raised a hand. "It's all right." She looked at Ryoko calmly. "I see his power. He carries great strength within himself. Like you do." Ryoko was taken by suprise, and then backed away. She smiled, slightly. "Good enough." Tenchi just shook his head. Shadow cleared his throat, "Well, in that case, we should get going." Everyone but Master Takashi and Ayeka turned to leave. Tenchi stopped, and looked back. "Ayeka?" She stood still, staring up at her sister. "I'm not going with you, Tenchi." "Ayeka, what are you doing?" Ryoko yelled. "She's my sister. No matter what, I have to be here for her." She turned around. Ryoko felt sorry for yelling. She could see the tears at the edge of the princess's eyes. "Please, allow me to stay by her. I... I want to go with you, Tenchi, Ryoko. I want to help both of you, but I can not leave Sasami." "Miya?" Ryoko looked down at Ryo-ohki. The cabbit pouted at her. "Miya meow miya." Ryoko smiled. "You want to stay too, Ryo-ohki? Go on, then." The cabbit smiled, and bounded over to Ayeka. Ryoko took Mayuka from Mihoshi's arms. "Ayeka, please look after her, also." She handed her Tenchi's daughter. Ayeka took the child in her arms. "Of course, Ryoko. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." "Are you sure this is what you want to do, Ayeka?" Yosho asked her one last time. She nodded. "Yes, Brother. I... know I have to be here." "Good luck, Ayeka. We'll be back as soon as we can." Tenchi turned, and walked out of the chamber, the others following him. Ayeka turned to Mayuka. "Wave bye bye, Mayuka." The infant waved goodbye to her father and family as they left. The large doors closed behind them. Tenchi looked at the doors. He couldn't help but feel regret at leaving Ayeka back there. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned around. Ryoko looked at him, smiling. The sight forced him to smile. "Ryoko, before we go, there's something I need to do." "What is it?" Tenchi took a step back from her. "Close your eyes." Ryoko shut her eyes. Tenchi pointed the hilt of Tenchiken at her, and prayed. The two gems in the hilt glowed, and then disappeared. They reappeared on Ryoko's right wrist, and in the neck of her battle suit. Ryoko opened her eyes, and gasped. "Ten... Tenchi? What are you doing?" "It's something I decided I had to do, Ryoko. You need to be at your full power for whatever we're going to face ahead. I trust you, Ryoko. Besides, I wouldn't want you to be unable to be there for me just because I was forgetful about your gems." Ryoko hugged him, and small tear falling down her cheek. "Thank you, Tenchi." "Can we get going, already?" Mihoshi said. "I want to see what Tokimi looks like." Everyone stared at her. "Well, It's just that I've been wondering what she looks like. I just think that she must be very pretty, that's all." The following dead silence was inturrupted by shouting. "Captain Reiko!" A young man ran up to Reiko, bowing in front of her. "You must come, quickly. Some kind of... creature just came through the main gate." "What?!" Reiko followed the man. Shadow turned to Tenchi and Yosho. "I should go help them. This is my city, after all." "Then we'll go with you," Kiyone pumped her rifle. *** She remembered the last time she saw her sister. Tokimi had never looked so sad, crouched over the dead soul. Already, it had begun to fade, pieces breaking off into oblivion. "Tokimi?" Her sister's head rose, bearing so much pain and sorrow that Washu was almost forced to look away. "Tokimi, I know you grieve, but this is too much. You're in danger of losing youself." "You know nothing of what I feel, Washu." She tried to caress the dead man's face, but her hand passed through it. "He was my son. Not like Tsunami's little tree people. I made him from my blood, my soul. He's dead now, and so is a part of me. And it's all her fault." "You're not being fair to Tsunami, sister. Your son gave in to the Darkness. He had to be stopped." Washu gently took her sister's wrist, trying to pull her away. "Please, Tokimi. Let him go. He was gone to you long before now." Tokimi stood, and looked down at the decaying soul. She turned to her sister. Washu almost fell back from the look in Tokimi's eyes. The pain was changing into hate, and the rage of grief. "Help me, Washu. Tsunami took him from me, help me take her children from her. She took my son. She deserves it, all of it and more." Washu let go of her sister, and backed away. "Tokimi, no. Don't give in to your grief. You're losing yourself." "She is already gone, sister," Tsunami appeared behind her. "If you want to destroy me, sister, then do so. I do not blame you for your hate." Tsuanmi walked up to Tokimi, and placed her sister's hand on her chest. "Please. I did not want to kill your son." Tokimi's eyes burned. "What are you doing? Tsunami, what is it that you want? Why do you mock me?" Tsunami shook her head. "No, sister. I do not mock you. I can not bare the pain destroying his soul has brought me. Please, stop the pain." Tokimi took a step back, her power gathering around her hand. "Gladly." Washu screamed at them. "No, stop this! This is all wrong. Tsunami, there is no need for this!" She put herself between her sisters. "Tokimi, stop this. Your emotions are blinding you." "No, sister. I see more clearly than ever. Move, or I will destroy you both." Washu drew her power into herself, and released it. This was the only thing she could do. Tokimi whatched as her sisters disappeared from her, forever. She fell to her knees, the destructive forces still begging for release. She shut them off, and screamed. "Washu?" Tsunami called out into the blackness. "Washu, what have you done?" "I did what I had to do, Tsunami. Just as you did." "But I wanted her to kill me. I... I don't want to live with this pain inside of me." "You can't blame yourself for what you did, Tsunami. Tokimi's son had to be put down. He was no longer a man. He'd become a beast." "But I--" "The pain will fade, Tsunami. Pain doesn't last forever." "Why do you always have to be the older sister." "It is what I do. Just as you did what you had to do." There was a long silence between them before Tsunami spoke again. "What are we to do, now?" "I have been considering mortality. I'm curious about it." "And me?" "As I've said to you before, Tsunami, choose your own path. That's what having power means." *** The Bane of Dragons patiently whatched the frightened little men around him. They all bore power, power used by the burning dog-man. He must have found their lair. Why would they bring the goddess-child here? Shadow Dog looked down the chamber, and gasped. "You!" He and the others ran up past the guards. The Bane of Dragons sat in front of the main gate, whatching as they approached. "What are you doing here, demon? How did you follow us?" A deep growl rose from the back of Shadow's throat. "You again?" Ryoko stood next to Shadow, her sword in her hands. "You won't get Sasami. You should have learned from last time." "Were is Funaho's child?" Shadow and Ryoko jumped, slightly. "I have no interest in you. Where is he?" Yosho pushed passed the crowd, and stood in front of the Bane. "What is it that you want, demon? Still looking for your revenge against my mother?" The Bane stood, showing the mark on it's chest. Yosho looked at it, unmoved. "So, you are officially working for our enemy?" The Bane of Dragons grunted in slight pain. "I do not care for your goddess, Funaho's child. If I had my way, I would rend you limb from limb were you stand. But, because I tried to sell my soul for my freedom, and failed, the Lady Tokimi placed her mark upon me. Now, she owns my soul, but not my will." It fell to one knee, and breathed, trying to regain it's strength. "I do not wish to kill Sasami. Tokimi's mark is killing me, slowly. Soon, it will consume my soul." It rose again, filling it's large chest with air. "I do not wish to die on my knees, human. I can... take you to Tokimi's servants on this planet. She may know of my deciet, but they will not." Yosho surveyed the beast. "Why are you helping us, really?" It flashed a fanged smile. "Because of your descendant, the boy," It raised a clawed finger, pointing at Tenchi. "He has much power in him, as does the devil-girl," it's yellow eyes glanced at Ryoko. "I want to see Tokimi die, choking on her own blood. They seem like they could accomplish it." "Fine, if vengeance is what you want, then you'll have to prove good on your word." Shadow turned to Reiko. "Can you lead us to the catacombs above?" She shook her head. "Not with that thing here. You'll have to take the back door up. It's not quiteas far, and you'll go strait there." Shadow nodded. "Thank you, Reiko." He moved past the Bane, feeling along the walls of the chamber. He finally stopped, and pushed. The stone easily gave way, showing a large corridor. "Ryoko, if you would lead the way?" "Why me?" "Because you're energy discharge can give off enough light to act as a torch." As Ryoko tentatively walked up to the corridor, Shadow pushed her in. "Go on, there's no traps." Ryoko shrugged him off, forming a ball of energy in her hand. Tenchi walked up beside her, glancing at the Bane of Dragons. It's eyes made him shiver. He felt the hilt of his sword for comfort. Mihoshi and Kiyone followed, pausing in front of Shadow Dog. "Don't worry," he said. "Yosho and I will bring up the rear." Both GP's looked at the Bane, and followed Tenchi and Ryoko. "Well, Bane of Dragons, do you want your revenge?" The Bane snorted, and crawled into the corridor. Yosho and Shadow exchanged nervous glances, and followed the group. The stone closed behind them, preventing anyway back. There was nowhere to go but forward, now. *** Mitsuki kicked a stone down the corridor. "This is the absolute lowest point in my life," she muttered. Not only did she not have her soul, but she was stuck with the two most incompitent servants a goddess could pick. "Why did you two get chosen to serve her?" "It wasn't Tokimi. Lord Hikage chose us to serve, if you've forgotten," Ito sneered at her. Mitsuki shook her head. "Whatever. You're still imcompitent." Asagi appeared in front of them, startling Mitsuki. "Are you two ready for them?" They nodded in unison. "Good. Just remember the way back to my Lord's chambers, and he will handle the rest from there. I will make sure that there is no one to block the way back." He looked over his shoulder, down the tunnel. "They're coming, now." He disappeared in a small flash of light. Mitsuki held her nose shut, crying out as she almost slipped in a puddle of water. "Why does it have to smell, down here?" Ito's sigil burned on the back of his left hand. It was responding to his anger. "Stop your complaining. This is supposed to possess the element of suprise. They'll hear your whining." Mitsuki wanted to yell at him, but didn't. He was right, which only made her even angrier. They had been walking for so long, already. Tenchi thought that they'd never get to the palace, but felt... something as they had traveled upward. Something like... distortion. They'd been transported up as they traveled. It didn't suprise him. The planet was probably riddled with the Twilight People's gates. The Bane of Dragons mumbled something under it's breath, and then stopped. "Hold." Everyone stopped dead in their tracks, and looked at it. It smiled, showing gleaming fangs. "They are near. Tokimi's servants are very close, now. They hope to suprise us, in these tunnels." It grunted, and clutched it's chest. The mark glowed, burning. Tenchi felt a small pang of sympathy for the beast. Tokimi's power was killing it, just as she'd destroyed Azusa's sanity. He couldn't imagne what that must have felt like, but didn't want to. Ryoko turned around. "Well then, we shouldn't keep them waiting." The group moved on up the corridor. A faint light could be seen up ahead, but it was too dim to make out any features beyond. Ryoko closed her hand around the ball of energy, forming her sword. Tenchi could feel something ahead of them, just like when he felt Mitsuki coming towards Earth. He activated the blade of his sword. Ryoko looked at him. "Tenchi?" "I can sense them, too." Ryoko looked back up the tunnel. Two shapes moved out of the shadows. Kiyone pumped her rifle, and Mihoshi drew her gun. Even with only a little light, it wasn't difficult to make out their faces. Ito Gasam turned his hand into energy. In the yellow light, Tenchi could see his face twist into something between a sneer and a grin. Mitsuki's forcefield flashed with anger. "Tenchi Masaki. I told you we would meet again." He held out his hand, and the energy blast shot at Tenchi. The triangles on his forehead, the marks of power, glowed, and the engery blast was deflected off of the Light Hawk Wings. It came back at Ito, and fizzled out as it hit Mitsuki's forcefield. The bounty hunter laughed, and he and his partner fled towards the light. "Ha! Catch us if you can, Masaki!" Ryoko growled, and flew after them. "Ryoko, wait!" Tenchi was too late to stop her. "Dammit!" He ran after, followed by the others. "Ryoko, stop! It could be a trap!" Ryoko slowed to let them catch up, but still kept going. "I know that." She dodged another one of Ito's energy blasts. The ground next to her exploded upward. The whole group broke through to the light at the end of the tunnel. It was dim, thankfully. Yosho looked around, recognizing the place almost immediatly. "This is one of the chambers below the Royal Palace. This is where dead knights are prepared for burial." "Then it looks like you were right about someone in the Palace being one of Tokimi's servants," Kiyone said. Yosho nodded. Shadow had a bad feeling that he knew who it was. "No," he thought to himself. "I can't keep thinking that. I killed him, I know I did." He didn't bother to look around, instead heading for the doorway. "We need to keep going. They're leading us into a trap, but we have no choice if we want to find Tokimi." They walked out into a hallway. Ito and Mitsuki stood at the end. Ito's laughing echoed down the hallway, grating on Mitsuki's nerves. The bounty hunter was enjoying this too much. "Still with us, Masaki?" "Why don't you come over here and face us, Ito Gasam?" Shadow erupted in black fire, changing into his hound form. He growled, deep. Ito frowned at him. "Sorry, I can't oblige, just yet." He threw another blast of energy at Shadow's feet. The ground exploded in font of him, sending dust and rocks into his eyes and throat. Shadow coughed, and followed as they proceeded. Ito's annoying laugh led them up through the halls of the palace. Ryoko looked back at Yosho. "Hey, Yosho, where are all the guards? We haven't seen anyone since we got here." He nodded. "I know, Ryoko. They obviously don't want anyone interfering." They ran up stairs and through halls, past darkened chambers and dead guards. Yosho couldn't help but feel a chill as they chased their enemies. It was as if a cloud of darkness had fallen over the entire palace. Something had smothered the life out of it. Asagi patiently sat in the corner of the office, whatching his master. Lord Hikage stood in front of the looking out at the setting sun. As the light bathed Hikage's face, Asagi could see >something< wrong. Something that jsut shouldn't be. Hikage's face... the flesh seemed to move. It rippled, as if it was the surface of water, or it had a life of it's own. Or there was something underneath it. "Master Hikage?" Hikage's face twisted into a familiar, wicked smile. "Don't fear me, Asagi. I can feel the blessing of our Lady Tokimi descending upon me. Time draws near." He looked down at his left fist, opening and closing it. The sigil on the back glowed, pulsing with Hikage's heartbeat. He could feel it growing stronger. Something he couldn't explain, but at the same time he knew intimately. "Master, I can feel them approaching. They will be here soon." Hikage nodded. "Yes. They will fight, and die." "Sir...?" "Don't interfere, Asagi. Your own usefulness has ended, but you have served me well. You may leave with your life, when it is all over." Asgai bowed his head. "Thank you, Master." *** "I did not sign up for this crap," Mitsuki cursed. She could hear them, now. The boy and his friends were catching up. What the hell was that monster with them? She'd never seen it before, and neither had Gasam. Whatever it was, Mitsuki didn't want to get near it. They came to the end of the halls, stopping in front of Hikage's chamber doors. Ito pushed on the door. It didn't budge. His eyes widened. He pushed harder. It still wouldn't move. Mitsuki groaned in annoyance. "Out of my way, you idiot." She pushed him aside, and raised her left hand. Her sigil glowed as she summoned the power Lady Tokimi had given her. Mitsuki pushed against the door with a force that should have shattered it to splinters. It didn't even scratch the varnish. Mitsuki's face turned ashen. "What... what is this?" She slammed her fist into the door, ignoring the pain that shot through her arm. "Hikage! Open this door now, damn you!" She pounded her fists against it. Ito made no move to stop her. He looked back down the corridor, waiting for their pursuers to catch up. "It's only a matter of time before they catch up to us, Mitsuki." Tears ran down the sides of her face. How could this happen? "Damn it, It's not supposed to end like this." She turned around just as Tenchi Masaki and his friends turned the corner. Mitsuki could only see red. "It's all your fault." Her voice made even Ito jump. Tenchi stopped cold in his tracks. The woman, Mitsuki, looked directly at him, her eyes burning with hate. "It's all your fault, Masaki! If Tokimi wasn't so dead set on getting you, I wouldn't be here!" She screamed, and flew at him, her forcefield glowing. Kiyone jumped in front of Tenchi, and let loose with a burst of auto-fire in front of Mitsuki. In her blindness, Mitsuki reflexively backed away from Kiyone's fire, dust and stone rising up from the gournd in front of her. She glared at Kiyone. "What are you doing?" Kiyone met her eyes. "You've gone too far, Mitsuki. You've lost your mind." Mitsuki screamed, and charged again. Kiyone threw down her rifle, and hoped her gut feeling was right. She held her ground, and as Mitsuki charged her, she slammed her fist into the woman's stomach. Mitsuki fell to the ground, coughing. She looked up at Kiyone. "Wha...?" Kiyone kicked her across the face, sending her across the chamber into the door. "Your shield may have blocked energy weapons, Mitsuki, but I was hoping it wouldn't stop a good, old-fashioned punch." She walked up to Mitsuki, Mihoshi covering her with her gun. Kiyone knelt down in front of her. She couldn't smile at this, no matter how much she hated Mitsuki. The renagade GP was a broken person. "I was right, too." She pulled a pair of handcuffs out of her pocket, and put them around Mitsuki's wrists. Ito looked on, disdainfully. "I always knew she was too pathetic." He formed his right arm into a blade of energy. "So, boy, do you think you can take me, again?" Ryoko bared her fangs, "What's there to think about?" She threw a blast of energy at Ito. He changed into a blast of energy, moved to the side, and changed back all in the space of a second, and dodged Ryoko's blast. Shadow Dog circled around him as Ryoko threw another blast. Ito evaded it, rushing at Shadow. He swung his own energy blade at the hound. Shadow Dog jumped back, trying to find an opening. He swiped at Ito with his claws. The energy blade cut across the hound's arm, leaving a bleeding wound. Shadow yelled, and jumped back, balancing back on his remaining three legs. Ito ducked as three more energy blasts came at him, and brought his blade up to block Tenchi's sword. The power of the blades crackled in the air around them. Ito pushed Tenchi back, and swung. Tenchi's sword met Ito's blocking each attack. Ito fell to the ground as Shadow pounced on him, holdng the bounty hunter to the ground. The black fire burned Ito's flesh, and he gritted his teeth, trying not to cry out. His energy sword turned back into a hand, and Tenchi stood above him, the blue blade of his sword pointed at Ito's neck. Yosho walked up to them, looking down at the bounty hunter's left hand. On the back of it burned the sigil of Lady Tokimi. "Ryoko, I need you to do something." "What is that?" He pointed at Ito's hand. "You see the sigil on his hand?" Ryoko nodded. "Cut the hand off." Everyone looked at him in suprise. "Granfather, what are you--?" "Trust me, Tenchi. I have to know if this will work." He looked at Ryoko. "Be sure to use enough power to cauterize the wound. You may have to cut it slowly." Ryoko nodded, her sword forming in her hand. He gems glowed as she cut through Ito wrist, lopping off the hand. The power bruned the flesh, searing the flesh shut. Ito screamed as a bright light erupted from his eyes and mouth. Shadow changed back to his humaniod form, and jumped away, clutching his arm. Tenchi moved away, shielding his eyes from the light. When it was over, Ito laid his head against the ground. "Tokimi?" He whispered, calling out to the name. He couldn't feel it, anymore. Her will... it was gone. "She's gone. I can't feel her, anymore." He closed his eyes, falling into slumber. the hand next to him burned away in a small, blue fire. Tenchi stared at the fallen man. "Grandpa, what... what happened to him?" "I think I was right. If Lady Tokimi's sigil can be cut off, then her grip on the person's soul is also cut off. Shadow knelt down beside the man, feeling for a pulse on his neck. He nodded. "You may be right. He's alive, but we won't know for certain if he really is out from under Tokimi's power until he awakens." Shadow looked at the door in front of them. What were they trying to get to? "Kiyone?" Mihoshi's voice carried worry. Her partner stood over Mitsuki with her gun drawn, pointing it as Mitsuki's head. "Kiyone, please, calm down." Kiyone's hand shook, slightly. "Kiyone? Are you... are you all right?" Tenchi asked her. Everyone looked at her. Tears formed at the edge of her eyes. "You don't know... how much I've hated her. How much she's done to me." Mitsuki stared up at her. "What are you waiting for, Kiyone? Kill me, now. I promise I'll kill you if you don't. I've hated you, too. I've always hated you. That's why I tortured you out entire lives. Don't you remember, when I beat the hell out of you? When I used your first partner as a human shield? Now's your chance to get back at me, Kiyone. Go on. Do it." "Shut up, you bitch!" Mihoshi screamed at her. Everyone except Kiyone jumped. Mihoshi had never done that. "Kioyne, please, don't. She not worth it. She not worth any of it." Kiyone looked at Mihoshi out of the corner of her eye, and tensed her jaw. She fired the gun. Mitsuki yelled in pain as the laser cut through her wrist, taking off her hand. Kiyone stood over her, the barrel of her gun smoking in her hand. She threw it aside, and put her head on Mihoshi's shoulders. The two women hugged each other, Kiyone trying not to cry. It didn't work. Shadow knelt down next to Mitsuki, a small black flame appearing in the palm of his hand. He grabbed Mitsuki's left wrist, the blood sputring out into her lap and on his arm. He pressed the black flame against the wound, cauterizing it. Mitsuki yelled again, and hung her head. "So much for goading her, eh?" He threw the woman's wrist down, and stood over her, whatching her hand burn away just as Ito's had done. "Tenchi?" Ryoko tapped him on the shoulder. Tenchi turned around, seeing Ryoko point at the door in front of them. It was opened, slightly. "That wasn't open before, was it?" Tenchi shook his head. "Hmm, looks like we're about to find what we were looking for," Shadow's gem glowed. "Grandpa, please, take this." Tenchi handed his sword to his grandfather. "I have the Light Hawk Wings, but..." Yosho nodded, accepting the sword. "Don't worry, Tenchi. I'll be right behind you." The Bane of Dragons walked up to the door, sniffing it. It rumbled in pleasure. "Yes. She is close. Tokimi... Now, I will have my revenge." It looked back at the others. "Are you ready, human?" Tenchi nodded, the marks of power on his head glowing. "We're ready." Ryoko yelled, "Get on with it, demon." Shadow looked at Mihoshi and Kiyone. "Mihoshi, please take care of Kiyone. We'll be back as soon as possible. I promise." Mihoshi smiled, and nodded. The Bane of Dragons grunted as it pushed the heavy double doors open. "Why won't these bastards turn the lights on?" Ryoko mumbled to herself as they walked in. Through the large balcony windows on the other side of the room, the last streaks of sunlight could be seen painting the sky. It filtered in through the glass, casting the room in a blue glow. They all could perfectly see the man sitting behind the desk, his hands clasped in front of him, his eyes closed, and a smile parting his lips. Shadow growled. "No, you're supposed to be dead." Hikage opened his eyes. They glowed with pinpoints of light. "I thought the same of you, Seayo. A pity you've doomed yourself in your desperate mission to protect you mistress." "Wait, what are talking about?" Ryoko looked back and forth between the two men. "Shadow, what is he talking about?" "He is Tokimi's servant," the Bane hissed, "What more do you need?" Hikage stood. Energies could be seen gathering around his hands and eyes. "My Lady awaits your presence, Tenchi Masaki. Do you want to keep her waiting?" Tenchi's power focused into his hand as a large, white sword. "Why does she want me?" The power around Hikage grew. A howling came seemingly from nowhere, filling the room. The time had come. "Now, you shall see Lady Tokimi. She who's power is absolute." "Ah, to hell with you!" Ryoko shot a blast of energy at the man. It was sucked into the vortex that appeared in front of him. The whirling mass of space grew in front of Hikage, pulling everyone from their feet. Yosho yelled as he slammed into the door, his body pressing against it. "Tenchi!" He whatched as his grandson, Ryoko, Shadow, and the Bane of Dragons were pulled off of their feet, and flung threw the air into the vortex. There was a moment of blinding light. The force threw Yosho back into the first chamber, his hand still gripping the sword Tenchiken. When the light was gone, the office of Lord Hikage was empty. Yosho stared at the deserted room, not wanting to believe it. "They're gone..." "What?" Mihoshi still held Kiyone in the corner of the outer chamber, her partner haveing fallen asleep from exhaustion. "But... but Grandpa... I mean, Lord Katsuhito... I mean..." Mihoshi's eyes strarted to well with tears. Yosho stood, shakily. "Where, where have you taken them, Tokimi?" "To meet their fate." Yosho turned around to meet the deep, fearsome voice. His father stood int he doorway of the chamber, the large sword in his hands. "Just as you will now meet your own, Yosho." Azusa waved his hand, and his wives, Fuanho and Misaki, fell out of the air next to Mihoshi. The detective shrieked at their sudden appearance. "Now, you will pay for abandoning me." *** "She can't do that," Washu said, trying to convince herself. "I saw Tsunami destroy his soul. There is no possible way for her to ressurect it." Achika shook her head. "No, Lady Washu. Tokimi has garnered great strength, since you saw her last. She has been making careful moves to insure this will come to pass. Even though she can not see into the future with the same clarity as Tsunami, she does try." Washu shook her head. "Then why does she want Tenchi so badly? Why Tsunami's child?" "I do not know. But, I fear for him. He is both the key to Tokimi's success and her undoing. We must go now, Lady Washu, if we hope to help him. Him, and your daughter." "Ryoko..." Washu nodded. "Let's go." Author's Notes: Sorry for the yeeha at the end of part 8. I'm getting so excited I can barely hold my pants on! Part ten should be the last part. I thank anyone who's held on long enough to make it this far into the story. If you have any opinions on it, please send them to killersquid@ticnet.com. It's going to get a little harder to squeeze out part ten, though-- Ayeka's come looking for me because of what I did to her Guardians. (sound of banging on a door) |
|
|
Site Extras: Submission Guide | Sign Guestbook | View Guestbook | Subscribe to Mailing List | Cast Your Vote! |
|