When the Smoke Clears by Val

[Chapter 1: Evil Dawning Overhead ]

A dark cloud engulfed the afternoon sky. It rained with no sign of letting up. Washu monitered the strange cloud for the last 3 days but couldn't find anything unusual about it. Although deep down inside she knew it was something more. A knock at her lab door broke her train of thought. About to let the person on the other side of the door have a piece of her mind. She stopped short when she saw the beautiful goddess, Tsunami, step in.

"Hello sister," Tsunami said with a smile.

"Tsunami. It must be something more serious than I thought."

"Yes. That mysterious cloud that has appeared is the first sign of 'her'."

"'Her'? You don't mean!?"

"Yes. Tamusino."

Washu grew silent. The memory of the woman coming back to her slowly. Images of fires and destruction flashed in her mind. For a brief second, Tamusino's face flashed in her mind. The cold eyes full of hate, made her shudder. Tsunami walked over to Washu and placed a hand on her shoulder. Washu looked up at her sister. Concern filled Tsunami's eyes and she sighed.

"Maybe Tenchi can stop her," Washu said, gazing up at the moniter.

"And if he can't? Are you prepared to finish what was started all those years ago?," Tsunami asked with a great sadness in her voice.

"If I have to be the one to end it, then so be it. But let's hope that Tenchi and the Lighthawk Sword can do it."

Tsunami nodded in agreement. The two left the lab to warn the others of the upcoming danger.

Elsewhere...

Lady Tokimi watched her sisters silently through a special orb. She grinned as she thought of the danger that they obviously faced. She eagerly antipaticated the inevitable upcoming fight. A small cough broke the silent air and she glared at the visitor. But her frown quickly turned into a smile when she saw the woman that stood before her. The woman stood tall for her 5' 7" structure. Her hair was black with two bright yellow stripes flowing down her back. She wore a suit that was skin tight, ascenting her every curve. Around the back of her waist hung a thin cloth that covered her butt and some of her hips. In the front, a pouch hung freely from the belt accompanied by a short stick that looked like it would break from one small touch. She bowed to Lady Tokimi and looked at the goddess through her hair's bangs that hung messily in front ofher eyes.

"You summoned for me?," the woman asked, her voice full of great respect for the goddess.

"Yes indeed. I wanted to make sure that you strike as soon as possible. My feeble minded sisters have already figured out who's behind the cloud," Tokimi said, her voice almost booming through the large room.

"So they know I'm coming. That kinda spoils the surprise but the fun hasn't even begun. I shall make my move tomorrow night."

"Very good, Tamusino. Don't forget to destroy Washu's lab in the process. And if necessary, kill the child that Tsunami resides in."

"As you wish Lady Tokimi."

Tamusino bowed once more and disappeared. Tokimi laughed. She soon would be rid of her sisters and she would be the only goddess in the whole galaxy. Actually the only goddess in all the galaxies. She glanced at the orb once more before it dimmed and she herself disappeared.

Back in the Masaki home...

Everyone was sitting in the dining room waiting for the news that Washu had mentioned. Once they were all gathered together, Tsunami and Washu cleared their throats. All talking quickly died down and the sight of Tsunami made them worry.

"As you all have probably noticed. During the last 3 days, a mysterious cloud has hung over Okayama. At first I had no clue as to where the cloud had originated but it's finally beginning to be clear," Washu said and looked over at Tsunami, who quickly picked up where her sister left off.

"Many years ago, a menace plagued many galaxies and dimensions. This evil killed and destroyed anything it came across. Washu and I had tried to stop it many times but to no avail. The evil was so strong that it couldn't be destroyed. Finally we devised a way to contain it. But apparently it has been set free. It must be stopped or this whole galaxy will be destroyed," Tsunami said.

The worry that everyone had, quickly turned to panic. But they all, except Mihoshi who was crying hysterically, managed to calm down.

"If I may, please," Aeka said standing up. "But you said the evil 'has been set free'. Why and who would want to do such a thing?"

"Very good question. Tsunami and I have a feeling it was Tokimi. But the reason why she did it, is beyond me. Even she can't contol that evil," Washu said.

"So what are we going to do?," Tenchi asked.

"Well, we're hoping you will be able to defeat it," Washu said cutely.

"Me? Why me?"

"Because you can generate the Lighthawk wings. Hopefully that will be enough to stop the menace. But if not...," Tsunami said making a small glance at Washu who sighed sadly.

A long silence filled the air. No one moved or spoke. They had a bad feeling about this new 'menace'. Tenchi was scared out of his mind but he knew he had to pull through. For the ones he loved and for the whole galaxy. Ryoko hugged Tenchi tight and said, "You're gonna win! Right Tenchi? For me?"

Aeka shook with anger and lunged at the space pirate, knocking all three to the ground. Ryoko smirked at Aeka.

"He's gonna beat that evil for me!," Ryoko enticed.

"No! He's going to beat it for me!," Aeka shouted growing angrier and angrier.

"For me! You old hag!"

"Wha!!? How dare you!," Aeka's logs began to form around her.

"Girls! Please don't! Someone's goning to get hurt!," Tenchi shouted in fear.

"Hush you!," Ryoko said and a energy ball formed in her hand.

Aeka and Ryoko both blasted each other at the same time. Since they were so close, the blast sent them both flying to opposite ends of the room. Everyone else was burnt and bruised after the explosion. When everything cleared, Tsunami and Washu looked at the wreckage of the room from the safety of their shield bubbles. Half the floor was missing and Mihoshi, Kiyone, and Tenchi were dazed form the blast. Ryoko and Aeka groaned from their spots. Aeka had ended up in the kitchen whilest Ryoko had ended up almost in the backyard. Tsunami and Washu both shook their heads and laughed.

**To Be Continued**