Rescue from Limbo
Chapter 1: No Need for Demons!
By claudius
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Except for Kyrrgh, I do not have ownership or creative responsibility in any of these characters. Characters of Tenchi Muyo (by Masaki Kajishima and Yosuke Kuroda) are owned by AIC. This version of Limbo (created by Chris Claremont) is owned by Marvel Comics Inc.
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As I have noted before, this story, Mutants in Gunsmoke and The Kakarrotto Saga are all threads leading to one climatic story. My other reasons for creating Rescue in Limbo are several: it is to explain the reason why Tenchi Masaki and the New Mutants are traveling into different anime worlds. Two, it's to satisfy one major question all my readers may be wondering: what have the Tenchi girls been doing while their favorite boy is hopping dimensions? I wish to confirm that this story is set during Gunsmoke and Kakarrotto; if Rescue appears to be a little shorter then those 20-something paged, multi-chaptered stories, its probably due to the smaller cast of characters, and the time-shifting peculiarities of Limbo.
Here's a timeline I hope will give understanding:
Tenchi the New Mutant (Chapters 1-5: Story A)
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/-------------------------------------------------------\
Mutants in Gunsmoke (Story B) Rescue from Limbo (Story BC)
The Kakarrotto Saga (Story C)
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Twilight (Story D)
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Tenchi the New Mutant (Chapters 6-etc.: Story E)
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Because Washu couldn't enter Limbo through her own means, there was only one other way to pierce the dimensional barriers. Therefore, she hated it when the person signifying that way boasted about her self-importance. "So…" Ryoko remarked with glee, "It looks like the great Washu, the wise and powerful Washu, the same Washu who considers herself the greatest scientist in the galaxy, has to rely on her daughter to save the day?"
Washu took this humiliation in stride (she'll take care of Ryoko later). She explained that since Ryoko had once inhabited Limbo, she might be able to enter it. Her ability to teleport into places she had been present previously might be enough to set her through this barrier that even the scientist couldn't enter. It wouldn't be an easy thing though; Ryoko could teleport from one place to another. Teleporting from one dimension into another was a different matter altogether. Nevertheless, Tenchi's survival was dependent on this risky move. Ryoko was obliged to attempt something she never believed was possible.
Which was very fortunate that it worked. For reasons she never would admit, the Pirate crossed the breach with Princess Ayeka and Mihoshi. Together they would find Tenchi.
Unfortunately, their landing spot left a lot to be desired. The three girls found themselves surrounded by thousands of demons. The dark beings around them were not static, hardly possessing only one form, size, and shape. No evidence was given that any of these hordes' participants were related to each other. There were big creatures as there were small creatures. Some walked on all fours, some walked on two legs. Their heads and limbs were straight, twisted, or a variety of both. Different scales, different colors, different skins covered the varieties. One thing was universal in this horde. They all shared glares of cruel intent on this trio.
Not being the typical damsels-in-distress, Ryoko and Ayeka reacted with a readiness for battle. The Pirate, with her abilities of offense, and the Princess, possessing her own powers of defense, would be a considerable force upon this greater force.
Mihoshi took a less aggressive approach. She walked before the horde, waving her hand for a greeting. The shakiness of her hand showed her fears about doing this. "Uh, h-hi?" the detective attempted some social courtesy with this ghastly audience. "We're looking for a boy named Tenchi. I-It's believed that he could be with your ruler, Illyana Rasputin."
The mention of that name gave a soft mumbling among the horde. They grew restless and uncomfortable by the word 'Illyana.'
"Oh my!" expressed the Police officer. She made a calm aside to her friends. "Guess we got onto the wrong foot." By now Ryoko and Ayeka had had enough of the blonde's naïve approach. Something more in the physical direction was needed. Ryoko and Ayeka instantly triggered on their battle-suits. The space Pirate was in her black and red jumpsuit. The Juraian Princess materialized her pink and black garb, her left cheek decked with war paint. Mihoshi, on the other hand, remained in her police uniform, blissfully unaware of what was happening. It took the sight and sound of a charging Ryoko making a battle roar to convince her of the dire actions. Even so, her confusion remained. "Ryoko, is that any way to treat strangers we hardly know?"
"You fool!" cried Ayeka, forcing back some pouncing critters. "I don't think they want to sit and talk!"
"Oh my!" Mihoshi realized her error. She took out a small cube. The energy discharged from this manipulated square changed her clothing into a skin-tight suit, complete with glove blasters.
With the powers these girls possessed, their small number had the capability in turning the tide of this battle. However, the Demon horde dispersed before a tide was even made. The scattering demons' quick pace convinced the Pirate that there were different reasons besides their presence. "That was…nothing," her words showed the distrust about the reality.
"What are you talking about?" Ayeka jubilantly exclaimed. "They knew who they were facing, which ended their resolve."
Interestingly, Mihoshi took Ryoko's side. "It did look pretty weird how they all left in a hurry."
Slightly piqued about the majority vote, Ayeka gave her protest. "Well, if we didn't send these creatures on retreat, then what did?"
Mihoshi searched around and found out. "Uh…could it be that!"
As the floating Pirate and the grounded Princess turned to share this view, they too shared the Detective's perspective. And what a sight this being was! It was grisly enough to still them for a second. On the ridge hunched this huge behemoth. Its blue skin was the only beautiful feature about it. The size rivaled the three of them combined. The way of its movements was quick and animalistic. Its limbs looked confusing, resembling either arms or legs or tentacles. The head twisted and rotated with its crunched and irregular skull, bearing a dozen eyes- all with a deep intention to do harm.
This larger abomination jumped away from its spot. As the three girls readied themselves for the confrontation, they saw the beast leap right over them. Not finding these women its target, the beast pounced upon its actual objective- the retreating animals. Its appendages grabbed four demons by the skulls, shoving them to the ground. The great impact ended their ungodly existence. A moment later, the creature next went after other demons, ending their cruel lives as well. It ended its massacre with a giant roar of appeasement.
"Oh, those poor demons," Mihoshi tearfully cried in sympathy, getting some obvious reactions from Ayeka.
The beast continued in its destructive work- and Ryoko was in the path. That wasn't much a problem for the space Pirate. If this monster thought she was to be included in its grim harvest, Ryoko knew that was the wrong answer. She sat perfectly calm before the abomination. Since most of the demons had either dispersed or were eaten, nothing barred the path between the hunter and prey. A large empty space surrounding Ryoko further served the animal's purpose to make her its next meal. The beast threw a roar from its garbled looking mouth, than swung its fist in a velocity that could break bones.
Ryoko quickly stopped it with one stretched hand.
"I see you've given me your best shot," the Pirate smiled with eyes full of intent. "Now let me show you mine!"
This 'best shot'- an explosion of energy- hit the creature's face. The result made the abomination crash backwards. It fell flat on its back, glaring at the cause with murderous wishes. Seeing the Pirate lunging toward its position, the creature halted the attack by grasping her within its fist. Still, Ryoko gave little disdain for the dire situation. To prove her point further, something tore through one of the demon's finger- a long golden beam of energy. The beam then quickly moved upward from its stabbing position, tearing through more fingers in the process. Now in freedom, the blade-wielding pirate hovered over the pained creature, brandishing her weapon. She was about ready to plunge the blade into the maelstrom.
However, an energy shield blunted the sword's path, or in Ryoko's point of view, one nosy princess' stupid force shield. Ryoko went straight for the source.
"Ayeka!" the pirate's head whipped her tongue at the Princess. "Can't you mind your business for maybe a few minutes!?"
The Princess only gave a cool aside, acting as if the whole scene was just a game. "We didn't come here for you to have a reunion with your kind. We're here to find Tenchi. Asking this beast may lead us to him."
By the first sentence, Ryoko's face crunched into one especially for the insulted. Fortunately, by the second sentence, she calmed down. She did see the logic in the princess' words; one of the few times such a thing happened. "Then I'll do the interrogation!" She delightfully massaged her hands for the deed.
"No to that, either." The Princess daintily walked with her battle suit. "I will handle this in a more dignified manner."
"Yeah right," slurred Ryoko.
Mihoshi played peacemaker. "Let's handle it this way," she nicely propositioned. "Ayeka can be the interrogator, and you inflict the punishment."
Ayeka and Ryoko proceeded to look at each other in the unpredictable wisdom their police officer friend just presented to the pair of them. Their eye contact caused them to avert their faces from the other.
"Well, that's fine with me!" the two spoke the same words without realization of the other's compliance.
Ayeka walked toward the shield-manacled Demon. "Now, I wonder if you can help us with some information," the Princess nicely offered her words. "Where is your ruler Illyana?"
"Not…Kyrrgh's ruler…shit bag!" the demon gasped with its voice, which sounded like glass being scraped. "Darkchylde…deposed…"
Ayeka shook at the words, her face opening in shock. Her repetition of the word 'Deposed,' showed a hint of surprise, confusion, and guilt. Bearing that in mind, she spoke on, "Tell us…Kyrrgh," she stammered at the creature's possible name, "Where is she and my beloved Lord Tenchi?"
"Not know,"
Ayeka instantly called the name of the punishment.
Just then, the Demon received a change of heart. One could have thought this relent was based on fear justified by Ryoko. That was not the case. The actual reason was a sentence vibrated within its unholy skull. This was the command: Take them to me.
That was all it took for the Demon to change its resistance. Its master's law was what truly mattered. "Relent…relent…relent," the creature repeated.
Ryoko simply sighed at the fact of her actions being no longer needed. "Guess I gave it a change of perspective."
"Lead to…lead to…lead to," the demon repeated.
"To whom?" questioned Ayeka. "Illyana? Tenchi?"
The Demon's answer was neither of those names. "Yuunigata."
===
Having understood the persuasive abilities of Ryoko, Kyrrgh played their guide in this realm gone mad. Ryoko, Ayeka, and Mihoshi were given the offer of transportation. Acting like the Princess she was, Ayeka accepted it with good grace. However, her grace quickly crumbled once she got a look at the transportation: A chariot made out of the huge skull of a demon. The scalp was removed, but the facial bone structure was still present on the front. The wheels looked normal enough, save for the small demons crucified upon it, their arms and legs nailed on the spokes.
Princess Ayeka was speechless. This was a moment for Ryoko. "As you said, your highness," the pirate emphasized that title with ridiculing effect, "let's take their offer."
Ayeka's face crunched into that of anger. Not willing to let Ryoko get the victory, she pretended a nonchalant manner. She stepped upon the worm-ridden floorboard of this ghastly chariot with stoic ease. Mihoshi, however, decided to enter the vehicle with emotion. She boarded with meek words of distaste. Ryoko just floated upon the vehicle, keeping her feet afloat over the vermin. Deciding to take her advice, Ayeka projected a shield floor for both herself and the blonde detective.
Kyrrgh breathed a roar of command. Suddenly, long-limbed demons not of similar shape, but exactly of size and appendage materialized from the ground. Harnesses also flashed upon their bodies, these links all connecting to one leash that hooked into the skull chariot's mouth. The demon itself leapt upon the back of the chariot as some sort of footman. Ryoko did not like having this giant abomination hovering over her. "One wrong move…" decreed the pirate.
With a final roar, the chariot rushed from its still position. The three girls practically lost their roots to the cart, ramming against Kyrrgh, who stood as erect as a stone. The wheels rotated with quick ferocity, its prisoners gasping with agonized squeaks. The demons of burden galloped in a super-speed that the passengers thought was amazing yet disturbingly inhuman.
The area around them swirled and blurred as if it existed for only one second. It was a ride as fast as it was dangerous, as exciting as it was scary, as efficient as it was unnerving. At any rate, it gave them a look at the realm. Ayeka and Ryoko remembered this realm from their last trip. Their return saw that Illyana had given no changes to the realm. It was still weird, unusual, and ghastly. It was barren of life and heart.
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For anyone unknown to the history of Tenchi and his family, the company of passengers in this chariot would strike one as impossible and surprising. Yet, fate had placed these different girls together: The Pirate who attacked the planet Jurai, and was chased away by its Crown Prince. The Princess who followed her beloved prince to Earth, with her sister in tow. The Detective who tried to track down the Pirate's superior. All ended up inhabiting a primitive house belonging to a boy named Tenchi Masaki.
As strange as their meeting was, it was even stranger that such a close co-existence could continue for such a long period of time. The year and a half they spent together was a definite sign in cementing their relationships. At the beginning, the relations these aliens shared were based on one link- Tenchi. Remove that root, and they would probably all go their separate ways. That was what was considered originally. But the time they spent together had broadened their narrow connections, growing new ones. Though some would never admit it, the indefinite absence of one of their female members (be it Ryoko, Ayeka, Sasami, Mihoshi, or Washu) would be a possibility none of them could actually realize, nor casually accept.
However, that did not mean Tenchi's importance to them was no longer valued. The Princess and the Pirate's love for the Juraian Prince was still great, and precarious enough to feel worry over the strength of Tenchi's affections for them. Illyana Rasputin certainly was a problem in that regard.
From the start of the meeting with that girl, Ryoko's mind always targeted Illyana as the cause of some mischief, such as today's problem. What could one expect from a witch who lived in this nasty dimension?! She never believed for an instant that Illyana had given up on Tenchi. That kiss she gave him to save his soul was enough evidence for that. If Ryoko, in her own theory, could never think of relinquishing the boy after a moment like that, than neither would that witch.
Despite her righteous nature, Ayeka couldn't help but share the pirate's jealousy. True, Illyana helped save her family, saved Tenchi's life and his soul, and aided in the defeat of Kagato. Those were great reasons for Ayeka to trust her…if not for that kiss! Of course, Ayeka decided not to expose her doubts and feelings openly, desiring to wait for the moment when her fears or trust would be proven true.
Mihoshi's motives were different. She felt no jealousy of Illyana (not that she knew about it), nor did her heart pain over Tenchi's disappearance. The simple fact that Tenchi was in trouble was more than enough for the detective to go with her friends.
During the trip, the girls saw no communication made from Washu. The little projector that was their tie to the scientist was embedded upon Mihoshi's watch. It summoned nothing but static. Washu was right about having trouble getting into this dimension. It was true that Ryoko could have decided to phase back to Washu to give information as the scientist had ordered. On the other hand, it was also true that Ryoko wanted to see Tenchi's welfare. Finding out her love's whereabouts took the greater priority- mother be damned!
Ayeka was glad that her sister decided not to accompany them. The girl appeared to have some wariness about crossing the dimension. Ayeka wondered if this shyness had anything to do with Tsunami, the Juraian goddess that existed with her little sister.
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Eventually, the speed of the chariot slowed, reaching a point to stop. The area before their faces was wide and almost empty. The exception to this rule lay in the end of the trail. Looking at it further, the girls grew great in surprise. What stood before them was probably the least thing they expected from a hell-hole like this place. They expected an evil-looking castle on a mountaintop, or an evil-looking cave.
What they saw was the Masaki House!
It was an exact duplicate of the residence the girls had called home. No roof or window was out-of-place. Everything fit in the way they thought the house would look like.
This recognition only served to increase the girls' interest. They jumped off the chariot, feeling a sense of relief in no longer standing on a gross vehicle. They ran, quickly being followed by Kyrrgh.
They finally reached the doorstep to the house. An ill-feeling influence came upon their being. The house seemed very different to them. Despite the accuracy of the architecture, the Masaki residence lacked something. They expected warmth, of welcome, of heart. All three of these properties belonged to their home. It was missing here.
"This is where you enter!" the demon commanded in a pushy manner. "Go!" Ryoko didn't like that. Having being led here was a sign that she really didn't need this demon's help anymore. She had enough of its arrogance. She displayed her displeasure by grabbing the beast's hide, and slamming it to the ground.
Ryoko unleashed her blade again, sticking it upon the beast's neck. She was feeling some pretty bad vibes about this place; she wanted some answers. "Okay, slimeball, we followed you!" Ryoko picked her words with aggressive content. "Now where's Tenchi?"
"Yunigaata," the long toothed mouth hushed out. The creature quivered when saying it.
"Who's Yuunigata?" Ryoko twisted the furry arms to a cross.
The demon gasped again. "Yuu-" The words became garbled into a cry of painful sounds. The demon's body shook into spasms. These vibrations grew intense. The creature cried and cried, but the voice within him gave the verdict. You are of no further need. You will die.
"Mercy!" screamed the demon, its mouth and eyes gargling with a boiling vomit. The girls looked on with confusion, ignorant of the voice that declared the fatal verdict to his dying servant. Mercy is an emotion I no longer possess. I feel no shame or rage in doing this.
Smoke and vapor swirled from the demon's body. The flesh bubbled and boiled, disintegrating. The skin evaporated into bone. Bone evaporated into ashes. The choked screams died away into an echo. Ayeka and Mihoshi gasped, but Ryoko showed nothing as she grasped the Demon's ashy remains, which continued to discorporate in her hand. The shriveled remains gave quite a start to the three girls. It gifted them with a grim warning to forbear their quest.
"Oh my!" Mihoshi stammered, her hands to her mouth. "Poor demon."
Ryoko was more realistic. "It's obvious the guy in charge is trying to warn us." Her fists clenched as her face smirked. "Too bad it won't work."
Ayeka nodded. Nothing was going to stop them in finding Tenchi.
"Show yourself, scumbag!" the Princess cried to the house.
A door swung open. There was a darkness within it, hiding any evidence that the House's insides were as familiar as its outside appearance. Then an all-too recognizable voice came from the shadows, apparently sharing room with the big shot. "Nice to see you girls managed to come without breaking something."
The three girls were full of expectations. The voice from the shadows stunted their stance. Out from the darkness came a figure.
It was Tenchi.
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TO BE CONTINUED