Tenchi Muyo: The Celestial Wars:
Chapter 12: The Fury Unleashed
The Jerthosian Isle:
In the great expanse between Torment and Delight, there exists a realm. In the seemingly endless void of this plane of non-existence an ancient looking continent, with a massive black castle rests. Deep with in its disturbing halls, a man unlike any other is waiting, waiting for a messenger of his to return, a messenger of death….
The Teleportation Room:
Standing alone, a massive figure in black metal watched a glowing portal before him, his unblinking eyes glaring at it through a dark helm. After her defeat in Torment, Jerthose had become concerned for his partner's safety. Despite the fact that she was a formidable warrior, the Ebon Knight knew she would be no match for a wielder of the Lighthawk sword. That being the case, the blue-eyed man had decided to await her arrival personally.
He was not kept waiting long for barely a minute after he arrived in the room bearing his transporting devices, a figure stepped, or rather fell, through the gateway landing in a heap at the feet of the taller man.
"Minagi," the black metal covered warrior shouted, taking the battered woman in his arms. "What have they done to you?"
"I'm sorry, partner," the golden-eyed woman, said with a weak smile. "I tried my best, but…." With that the cyan-haired double of Ryoko said nothing more as consciousness left her body.
For the first time since The Rending, Jerthose gasped, it was a cold sound as he sucked air in past his visor, one that echoed for long seconds as he took in the image of the lifeless body he held loosely in his claws hands.
Staring at the young woman, the might Ebon Knight knew she would survive, as screens of data appeared before his vision inside his helmet. Like Washu, the black armored man was a great scientist, however, while the red-haired genius visited her lab, with it's computers and other subspace devices, Jerthose wore his computers in his dark armor. "Medics!" he screamed, realizing there was truly no need to do so, as the communicators within his suit would easily relay the message to any one of his servants hidden throughout the isle.
Within a few moments, three robotic constructs marched into the room, two bearing a stretcher between them. They were strange creatures in appearance, bipedal creatures with no head, merely a sensor near where the next should have been that allowed them to 'see.' Their hands were long and dexterous, each bearing only three fingers and an opposable thumb. "What seems to be the problem, Lord Jerthose?" the lead machine asked, a red laser scanning the imposing master of this isle. "Are you ill? Do you require medical attention?"
"You must be malfunctioning," the large man said towering over his cybernetic constructs that aided in menial labor and the basic maintenance of his technologically advanced citadel. "It is not I who needs aid, but Minagi." Walking casually to the stretcher the black armored knight gently set his partner on the cool sheet. "Now then, how long until you can have her revived and good as new?"
Taking a moment to try and understand the phrase 'Good as new,' the medical android contemplated the situation quickly. "Three hours in a med-tube will allow for maximum healing conditions."
"No," Jerthose growled. "That's too long, have it done in half that time. My labs are far too advanced to be wasting time on something like this. Now get moving, before I reduce the three of you to scrap." Although his creations had not been programmed to know fear, the metallic drones did not hesitated to scurry away, taking exceptional care of Minagi as they did, to the med-labs to begin healing the dying woman's wounds.
Do not worry my dear, the black armored figure growled mentally, feeling hatred well in his heart without constraint for the first time since his brother's demise. Those who hurt you will pay for this. We will make sure of that. Rest for now. Soon we will end this war that began so very long ago…. Without another thought, the massive figure stormed off down the hall, his black cloak wiping in the air behind him as he made his way towards his next objective.
Universe of Delight:
Earth: Okayama: Very Early The Next Day
Sometimes life doesn't seem fair. At this very moment, standing in a lonely hallway in a small red-roofed home, a young looking woman in a white nighty stood before a simple door staring at it as if it were an immovable object. Her name was Ryoko, and a short time ago Tenchi had yelled at her for a crime she had not committed. I never touched Halley! She recalled bitterly. So why is it Tenchi always takes her side on everything? Well this time I am not gonna back down. I'll tell Tenchi that he's the one whose wrong, and that it's him who should apologize to me!
Reaching forward, the lithe woman prepared to knock on her beloved's door, and face the consequences that could come from such and encounter. Swallowing hard, Ryoko Hakubi was ready to intrude on Tenchi's slumber, when she paused, suddenly remembering something important she had to do, and quickly, before she could attend to her own private affairs. With a hiss of matter being dissipated, the lithe woman vanished, heading off on her secret quest.
Tenchi's Room:
In the quiet settings of his room, Tenchi Masaki lay away on the floor his eyes closed as he tried to return to a place of blissful slumber. He had been awake for only about ten minutes, due to a noise he had heard temporarily next door in his daughter, Mayuka's, room. However the crying infant had stopped a moment later, causing the young man to realize she was being cared for. Opening his eyes, the brown-haired youths could see from his angel that his covers were still balled up, indicating to him that someone was still under them. Well it looks like Halley's still in my bed, he noted positively. Which means it must have been one of the girls who helped out Mayuka. I wonder who…? He asked himself with a smile, already guessing the answer. It must have been Ryoko; she's always being so helpful when it comes to Mayuka. Even though she acts all tough and angry, she can really be one of the sweetest of the girls. I guess that's why I found it so hard to believe what I saw when I caught her attacking Halley.
Rolling about on his spot on the floor, Tenchi seemed extremely uncomfortable. But that's what happened, and that's why Halley is recovering in my bed. Pausing in his inner monologue, the young man sighed painfully. It's always why Ryoko isn't here. I do miss having her near me. Even though we only slept side by side that one night, it still doesn't feel right when I sleep without her. It's like nothing feels comfortable, and the bed is never the right temperature…. Of course, he noted, any bed would probably be better than laying here on the floor. Maybe I was too hard on Ryoko; maybe I should just forgive her and let everything get back to normal…. Just as the young man made this revelation, a sound echoed from the hall, catching his attention and causing him to fly out the door in a panic. It was not a heartwarming scene that met his eyes as he called out a single name.
Minutes Earlier:
Mayuka's Room:
In the quiet darkness of the youngest member of the Masaki family, a lone woman with wild long hair watched the sleeping child's slumber, having just placed her in her crib moments after the most recent feeding.
Leaning over the sleeping child, the pink-haired woman smiled. We're a lot alike, you and I, Mayuka. Both of us shouldn't be here, and we both really love your daddy…. I hate the fact that I've been causing him so much pain, but I'm told that it would be best for him if I keep after him. Bad things are going to happen if he marries Ryoko, I just know it. I hope I'm wrong, but I have to keep working at him.
Opening her eyes at the sound of another's breathing, Mayuka glared into Halley's orange eyes and did what she always did when she looked at the pink-haired woman, nothing at all. The small infant merely glared at the youngest Minkay, a stunned look on her face as she took everything around her. "Oh, you're awake," the orange-eyed adult cooed, reaching into pick up her tiny companion. "Well," she smiled, "then why don't we go get you a nice bath and then you'll be ready to sleep again until it's not so earlier in the morning. Mommy Halley thinks that is a good idea!" As the sound of glass breaking echoed in the hallway, the younger sister of Mehk threw open the door to her small companion's room and quickly discovered the cause of that noise.
She's already confused Tenchi's heart, made me a laughing stock many times, and made Tenchi distrust me on many occasions, I will not let this little freak of nature call Mayuka here daughter! That's the last thing I had left to keep me going while Tenchi's doubts me. I thought I could go on if he decided to dump me for Halley, as long as I had his little angel to watch over, but now… now she has the gall to call herself Mayuka's mother…! With a furious glare in her eyes, Ryoko pulled back one fist, preparing to strike the pink-haired girl before her.
Seeing the angered woman before her, the deep blue-haired infant began to moan, as fear began to well up in her tiny heart. Soon the orange-eyed daughter of Tenchi cried out, scared by the monster that was so close to her at this moment. "How dare you call yourself Mayuka's mother, you little twerp! She's not yours!"
Just as the golden-eyed woman's fist was barely an inch from the pretender mother's face, a familiar voice called out causing her to stop dead in her tracks, pulling her punch before it could do any harm. "Ryoko," Tenchi screamed both anger and hurt echoing in his voice.
Looking squarely at Tenchi, the orange-eyed woman seemed terrified as tears welled in her eyes. "Tenchi! Thank goodness you've arrived just in time. Ryoko was about to kill me for no reason at all! All I did was leave your room a few minutes ago when Mayuka started crying," she sobbed painfully, her body trembling as she spoke. "Then I thought I'd give Mayuka a bath so she could sleep, but then Ryoko attacked me and…." Saying nothing more, the young woman buried her face in one hand, crying loudly as she held Mayuka to her chest.
"What are you talking about, you…" yet at that moment the angered woman paused, as she caught a glimpse of Halley's horrified eyes which seemed to bore into her very soul. At that instant, Ryoko's mind flashed back to a time long ago, when she ravaged space under Kagato's command, the look of terror in the pink-haired rich woman's eyes matched her former victim's almost identically. "I am a monster," she swallowed her voice sounding cold and alone. Lowering her fist, the golden-eyed space pirate seemed to have lost her usual spirit as she let her shoulder and head droop and she took a step backwards painfully.
Sniffing, Halley wiped her tears away quickly. "It's okay, Ryoko." The young woman chimed, still sounding nervous. "I know you didn't' mean anything by it. I might have said something that was out of line earlier. Well," she sighed. "This has been too much excitement for me. I'm going to take Mayuka to the bath, then I'm going back to bed…." Saying nothing more, the orange-eyed youth ducked her head, and ran past Tenchi and Ryoko, making her way hurriedly towards the Onsen.
For a few moments, the two figures stood alone in the hall, neither saying a word. However as the silence became more and more oppressive, the young man of the Masaki clan took him upon himself to act. Taking one of her lithe hands in his own, Tenchi sighed. "Ryoko…" he began his usual sheepish nature preventing him from coming and saying what he wanted to with ease. "I… I… I want to believe that it wasn't you who beat up Halley, but after listening to what she said, and then what I saw…."
"But Tenchi," the golden-eyed woman shouted in a loud whisper, finally sounding like her spirit had come back to her as she looked at him intensely. "You know I wouldn't just beat her up like that, you know I'm not like that anymore. You don't honestly think I'm capable of hurting anyone just for fun, do you?" For a few seconds the angered woman stared at her beloved, waiting for him to quickly answer her question correctly, yet he said nothing in reply instead merely turning his head away from her. "Fine…" she said in a hurt growl, turning away from him trying to hide her tears.
"Ryoko…" the young man whispered, continuing to clutch her hand in his. "I'm sorry. Look," he continued a little louder. "I don't want to sound harsh, but we've both been acting a little strange lately."
At that moment Tenchi paused, recalling all the times he had held Halley close to him and how they had shared so many tender moments. "But maybe, just maybe, if you apologized to Halley," seeing Ryoko about to respond to his request, Tenchi took one hand off of hers to stop her words. "I know what you're going to say, but please just hear me out. See Halley's new around here, and I really don't know how long she'll be staying here, but I would see it a favor to me if you could do this for me. What do you say," he asked placing his free hand on her face kindly. "She sounded like she would accept your apology if you offered it to her…."
Sighing, the cyan-haired seductress nodded. "Okay, I'll do it… for you. I'll tell Halley I'm sorry for what I did."
"I knew I could count on you," he declared, releasing her hand as he slowly drew away from the lithe mother. "Well, it's still early. I think I'm going to get some more rest." Turning his back to the lovely young looking space pirate, Tenchi Masaki made his way back into his room.
"Tenchi…" she said in a hushed tone. "There is something I would like to know…" stopping the young man turned about merely smiling as he waited for her inquiry. "Well you remember how we slept in bed together, side by side, before Halley woke up?" Saying nothing, the brown-haired Jurain nodded his recollection. "So, can I sleep with you again tonight?"
Sighing, the young man looked down the hall, in the direction of the Onsen, then back at Ryoko. "Not tonight. I think we need to let everything smooth out, once Halley is healed and you've apologized to her, then we can talk about going back to the way things were before."
His words cut her deeply. I shouldn't worry. It's not like Tenchi is going to do anything risky with Halley. Of course I did see them nude together in the Onsen…*1 but still I don't have to be scared. Tenchi and I have too much in common, like… like…. Feeling emotionally drained; hurt, and lost the lithe woman swallowed her pain. "So, since I can't sleep with you at night, do you mind if I keep you company right now?"
Yawning loudly, Tenchi stretched himself to his limits. "Ryoko I'm tired. I have to be getting up for my chores in a few hours…"
"Well I know a good way to relax you," she cooed her confidence returning in her hold on her fiancée's heart as he had not rejected her offer. "If you want to sleep after, you might be able to get a few minute in." Placing one hand on his face, she leaned forward with a sexy grin on her face as she peered into his eyes with a glimmer in her eyes. "Of course if you don't feel like playing, I think I know exactly how to get you in the mood. A little cuddling, some saki, and the right lighting…."
Laughing nervously, the young fiancée stepped backwards, over the threshold to his room. "No thanks, Ryoko. After all that's been going on lately, I think I'd like to get a few minutes to myself if you don't mind. Now why don't you go to the Onsen, I think that's where Halley went. You might as well get that situation taken care of as quick as you can. I'll talk to you at lunch…." With that the young man quickly slid his door shut.
Standing alone in the massive hallway, the cyan-haired woman looked as if she were about to cry. Yet using her nigh indomitable will, she forced back her tears. Why is Tenchi being like this? Why does he care so much about me making up to Halley? Unless…. For a moment she paused, a scared chill filling her heart. Unless he's… he's really falling for her. Shaking her head, the lithe space pirate banished such thoughts from her mind, as she turned away from Tenchi's room and started walking off down the long, dark, empty hallway alone, as she had always been before.
Later: The Kitchen:
As the day continued, life seemed to find some semblance of normalcy as the extended Masaki family underwent their regular tasks. In the quiet kitchen, two merry sisters chopped up food for the afternoon meal, making small talk as they did.
"Things sure have been rather strange lately, wouldn't you agree?" Ayeka asked as she dropped a handful of cut meat into a boiling pot. "What with Halley joining us, and the prominent wedding of Lord Tenchi to that monster woman, Ryoko and all."
"Uh…" the blue-haired girl began, "I guess so, but Ayeka what does-"
"Prominent means important," the red-eyed woman replied already guessing her younger siblings question. "You really should know that by now, Sasami. You have not been neglecting your studies to go play with Ryo-Ohki at the pond again, have you?"
With a timid look, the women possessing a goddess in her soul laughed, rubbing the back of her head sorely as she prepared a quick lie. "Well, you see, Ayeka, I-" Suddenly the small cabbit in question, Ryo-Ohki, bounced into the room making a strange noise, while clutching a letter tightly in her little mouth. "What do you have there," Sasami inquired as she ran over to grab the small item. "Oh," she noted with interest, holding the package towards her sister. "It's from you, from mom…"
Taking the letter slowly, as if it were her death, the purple-haired Jurain looked pale. Oh dear me, she mentally whined. I do hope this is not about mother coming to visit. That is the last thing I need right now.
"Well go on," the blue-haired girl chimed, "read it! I wanna hear what mom wanted to tell us!"
"Mind you manners," the elder Jurain responded, holding the envelope behind her as she looked down on her sister.
"I'm sorry, Ayeka. It won't happen again…" the pink-eyed girl responded painfully, an embarrassed look on her face.
"I should hope not, and do not think I do not see that besides bad manners, Ryoko has also tainted you with her poor speaking patterns…" the red-eyed woman admitted. "But we will have to speak on this another day. For right now, let us see what mother would like to tell us." Opening the note from home, Ayeka blinked quickly preparing herself for whatever shock might lay ahead. With her usual dainty princess dignity she cleared her throat. "It says…" Yet just as the slender princess was about to relay her message, a powerful explosion occurred outside the Masaki house, and in a flash the two women were gone. Rushing to see what new horror had befallen their home.
Outside:
Just as the two princesses reached the outside of the house, each realized that they were safer in the small building, as they saw the most terrifying thing they could imagine, The Yagami had returned and obviously, Mihoshi was piloting. With a sound like a screeching comet, the large red ship slammed into the once calm lake, showering water high into the air.
Standing before the drenched house, Ayeka Jurai did not look happy as she blew a long strand of hair off her mouth. "Wow that was something," Sasami called, appearing completely dry.
"Sasami!" the red-eyed woman moaned, "how is it you are not wet?"
With another weak chuckle, the little girl pointed towards the door, "I went back inside. I tried to motion to you, but you were staring at the Yagami…."
"HI!" a high-pitched squeal of a voice called, as two soaked officers drug themselves out of the lake. The screaming woman waved her hand frantically as her blonde hair clung to her face. "We're back. Could you get Washu, I think our ship is broken!"
It wouldn't be broken if you didn't crash it all the time, Kiyone noted
sadly as she defeatedly followed Mihoshi to dry land. "Why me?
"I should have known it was you two," Ayeka growled storming out to meet them half way. Taking a few steps, the red-eyed woman suddenly noted her letter was also drenched. Oh this is just perfect… Now I have no clue as to what mother wanted to tell me. But before she could utter a single syllable to condemn the two wet GP officers, a strange energy crackled in the air, exploding nearby into a deep blue portal.
"What in the world is that," all three residents asked with a stunned look.
As she witnessed this strange occurrence, Sasami Jurai felt her stomach drop. No… she thought darkly with a hint of fear in her eyes, knowing that this was not something she should be seeing. What is that thing? I'd better… pausing she could feel her body shaking at this strange sight, "I'd better get Tenchi, Ryo-Ohki!" She yelled, "you better call Ryoko, so we can get Washu!"
"Mya!" the small cabbit declared hopping in the direction of Washu's lab, all the while meowing loudly as she mentally called out to her mistress.
Meanwhile:
Planet Plesrius: Komodas Temple:
As the strange gateway opened on Earth, a lithe figure dressed in a purple robe strolled casually through the long corridors of the ancient temple.
"My lady," a slithering voice called behind the hooded traveler. "May I speak with you?"
Looking over her shoulder, the self proclaimed Chi-Ahree smiled, beckoning the lizard man from the shadows. "Is there something I can help you with, Talon? Is there a problem?"
"No," he replied, rubbing his throat as he recalled his last encounter with his people's prophet. "I merely wished to tell you that the work on your war ship is complete.
"That is good, loyal Talon," she smiled lifting his bowed head to peer into his reptilian eyes. From under her large purple hood two green spheres, the color of a gentle see mist, glowed soothingly filling the Komodas priest with an inner peace. "You have always served me faithfully, even when I did not seem worthy of such honor. But now it seems I must once again ask you, my honored servant, to do me one more task."
"My life is for the cause, m'lady," he hissed, stretching the "s" sound on all his words. "You have but to name it and I shall do so."
"The time of Reckoning is upon us, gather all the men. The darkness hour has begun, and I must test all of their resolves to make sure they can weather the storm. It is time to end a war." Bowing respectfully, the humanoid lizard bolted down the corridor unable to believe what he had just heard, that the time of the final battle between good and evil was once again going to be waged, and that he would be a part of it.
Smiling to herself, the Chi-Ahree turned back down the corridor. It won't be long now, she thought happily. Then I'll get to see him again. I can't wait; it's been so long… I hope I've been a good girl for him this far. I really have been trying. Just think about it. In a few short hours, I'll have my old family back! Giggling like a school girl, the foretold woman suddenly stopped, concentrating on something that had just caught her attention from the back of her mind, and in a hiss of dissipating matter she vanished from the ancient halls of the Komodas.
Universe of Torment:
The Masaki House: Living Room:
As Washu prepared to set up the scanning devices and get everything set up for all the countless tests she would soon run, the newly appointed, Tenko and Ryoko sat in the living room relaxing while the rest of the family attend their daily chores.
"So…" Tenko sighed, slapping his knees rhythmically as he felt Ryoko's dissecting eyes covering him.
"So," she repeated twirling her spiky hair as she watched him squirm. He is so much like my little boy, I wonder if his story could be true?
Just when the situation seemed to be about to take a turn for the worst, the small door to the water closet, which led to Washu's lab, flew open. "It's happening again!" the little genius exclaimed as she raced past the two chatters. "This time I have got to see this for myself."
"What are you screaming about," Ryoko snapped angrily. "What is happening?"
"A portal!" the red-haired genius roared. "Just like when Yosho first showed up to us!"
Casting a long look at the woman who looked like his mother, Tenko sighed. "Don't worry mom, I'll get everyone. You just find dad."
With a smile, the lithe space pirate regarded him. "Funny, that's just what I was gonna tell you to do," and without another word, she vanished heading off to find her beloved.
Next Time: I wonder what was in Ayeka's letter? Was it something to have Torment or Delight about? What is the Chi-ahree planning? Is it good or bad for Tenchi? Will either Kiyone or Mihoshi ever get home? Well, enough playing around. I've talked about him for a long time now, and finally Jerthose makes his presence known in a battle that will change everything! All these questions will be answered soon enough, perhaps in the next chapter: Chapter 13: Truths and Consequences
1: Jerthose is referring to his first attempt at universal oblivion way back in TMTCW Chapter 3
