Chapter 22: The Final Battle Begins

Disclaimer: I don't own the Tenchi cast, or any of its characters. I did however create The Ebon Shard, the two universe's, Tenchi and Ryoko's son, Yosho [boy with golden eyes] (Please note I DID NOT create Tenchi or Ryoko), Leech, Blackshire, Planet Plesruis, Captain Koreas, Sigius Meldred, The Yenvala, Commander Katiso, and Kenzar, Lued, and Posic. Thank you.

* Means a note at the end of the story

Tenchi Muyo: The Final Saga:?!

Chapter 22: The Final Battle Begins

THE LEGEND:

The legend of the two Universes' is an ancient one. These days it is told only to calm children with nightmares. You see, in one dimension, called the Universe of Delight, good always triumphs in the end. Things may not be perfect, yet in the end justice and right shall never fail. However, the other universe, The Universe of Torment, is not so fortunate. It is a realm where evil reigns supreme. In the end the evils that roam that plane stand triumphant and those with pure hearts must be prepared, in the end, to die by these monster's hands.

But, that is not the entirety of the legend. For you see, the old legend states that one day a being of purest evil will leave The Universe of Torment, and wage a horrible war with the Universe of Delight. This monster shall be born from love, yet be the bane of all that have love inside themselves. His hate and fury will lay waste entire worlds, and all of time will quake at his passing. If the demon is defeated, then the Universe of Torment will forever be free of its curse. The curse that evil shall always prevail. But if the demon is not stopped, then the Universe of Delight will fall under the same curse as it's parallel, and every living thing in both universes shall know unending pain and suffering for all time.

The horror of this war was but a painful memory to the Masaki family, however recent events have changed that, from dreaded nightmare, to reality.

Blackshire has returned, bringing pain and sorrow with him. To the dismay of the extend family, and their visitors, the ebon monster had came back, bearing horrible news, the death of Jurai, as well as kidnapping Yosho, Washu, Mayuka, and Sasami. When the other's went after him, the nightmare creature from Torment obliterated Tenchi's home town, killing his father and grandfather in the process, leaving everyone to wonder, what about the other Washu? Did she have time to make it to the lab, or did she die with the others?

Chapter 22 of 26:

The Universe of Delight:

Aboard The Ebon Shard:

The Ebon shard, it is a place where hope does not exist, where anyone with good and decent souls will end up dead. It is a dismal vessel, ruled by a monster, which the concept of a soul and humanity are but playthings. He is a dark creature, relishing in suffering, pain, and torment. His name is Blackshire.

Currently in one room of this foreboding ship, sits a young man, who has become the most recent occupant of the demon vessel. Of course his occupancy was not by choice, neither was his cellmate's. His life had once been a wondrous joy, living with his loved ones in their quiet home, in the mountains, surrounded by trees, and a blessed with a beautiful lake. However, all that was taken from him in one night, in one felled swoop, by a monster named Leech, servant of a demon, long dead, called…Blackshire. Now it seemed to the young man that history was repeating itself, a new Blackshire, and a new monster, which the dread villain had created in the image of the original, also dubbed Leech.

Yosho Masaki sat, dwelling in his own mind; a realm of dread and sorrow, his arms tenderly wrapped around his knees, an unconscious woman lying before him. Sakuya… after all this time, we meet again. To think all this time I had thought she hated me for some unforeseen reason, and it was all a trick of Blackshire's. A trap meant to catch a fool, and I feel for it completely. Reaching a hand over, the young man tenderly brushed a few stray strands away from the young woman's face. I'm sorry, sorry you were caught up in this twisted game of my darker half's. Quaking with anger, the young Masaki drew back from her, holding the Tenchi-ken tightly in his hands. Looking away, to hide his face in the ever-present shadows of the room, a single tear rolled down cheek.

"Yosho…" a small voice whispered, sounding tired and worn. "Is that you," slowly, and appearing without strength, Sakuya pushed with all her might, in a vain attempt to sit up from the cold floor. "Where are we?"

Almost instantly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, holding her close. "Sakuya!" Yosho proclaimed as if the name itself was magic, "I had thought Leech killed you! Thank Tsunami you're alive!"

"What are you talking about? Wasn't Leech the thing that killed you dad and aunts?" She said, trying to focus her eyes in the dimly lit room. "The last thing I remember was looking outside my room…it was raining…I was going to call you, since I was feeling scared, with all the kidnappings of young women and all. Then you came to my door, and kissed me. It as really some kiss, cause I don't remember a thing after that."

I was there? It must have been a trick of Blackshire's… So she doesn't know Leech possessed her.

"Where are we, Yosho," the young schoolgirl said, fear and annoyance creeping into her face. Mere moments later she began to tremble, as tears trickled down her tender cheeks. Pulling her close, the black-haired man leaned against the edge of the room, continuing to cradle the sobbing woman in his arms.

Swallowing hard, the man who helped birth Blackshire, looked at her. I guess I might as well tell her…. "We're on The Ebon Shard. We're Blackshire's captives…."

Laughing weakly, the slender woman wiped her eyes, "no really, where are we?" Looking up at him, Sakuya Kumashiro saw no joy in his golden-eyes. Instead she saw only grief and sorrow. "But how…? Why?"

"There's no reason behind anything Blackshire does, at least none I can understand. He exists to cause pain and suffering, and that's about all." Placing his hand on the young woman's head, Yosho gently guided it to his shoulder, "just rest, you've had a very rough time. I'll watch over you, and keep you safe."

Closing her eyes slowly, the woman with the short black hair breathed raggedly as she tried to relax, to let all her fears and frustrations go, and find solace in his presence. Almost automatically, the slender woman's arms reached out, embracing the young man beside her tenderly. "I trust you, Yosho. I just know you'll protect me. Thank you. I love you…." After muttering these few simple, yet powerful words, the young girl fell asleep, felling safe because of the youngest Masaki's presence.

"I love you too, Sakuya," he whispered, brushing her hair around gently with one hand, while he clenched the Tenchi-ken in the other, and kept an ever vigil watch of the doorway. As he did, a smile cracked on his lips, and he laughed under his breath, quietly at first, but over time it grew, until the young man could no longer hold in his laughter.

With a low moan, the sleeping woman roused, looking up at her boyfriend as if he had lost his mind. "What's so funny?"


"I'm sorry," the youth apologized, wiping a tear form his eye. "I was just trying to get my mind off our situation, and my mind started wandering. Remember when we went shopping, and you thought you had found the perfect outfit…."

Slapping Yosho's chest, Sakuya sat up a mock angry expression on her face. "I told you to never bring that up again! My god! I can't believe you let me walk around like that, and I told you we shouldn't have accepted that complimentary cup of Saki, just because it was my eighteenth birthday and all!"

"I don't know," the golden-eyed man chuckled, wincing back from her attack, "remember mom said it looked good on you, and I must say it was a rather…revealing outfit, and she said you didn't have enough to get THAT drunk…. After all, no one knows more about Saki, and getting drunk, than Ryoko Masaki."

"Alright," the young woman laughed, sitting up and crossing her arms. "I'll admit that thing was a tad too revealing, and all for my tastes, after all I am NOT an exhibitionist. Still, you have to admit that you liked the way I looked…."

"Well, unlike my dad, I can admit to be attracted to a woman," the son of Ryoko proclaimed happily, "still, I am glad I took a couple pictures…."


"YOU DID WHAT!" Sakuya shouted, rising her voice, "I am so gonna kill you!" As the two youth's laughed, the room seemed to be less dismal, as well as less foreboding.

"It's been quiet a year, hasn't it, Yosho?" the young woman said, suddenly sounding very somber. "I mean look at all the fun we've had. We've met, fallen in love, and now we're on a grand adventure. If things didn't look so bleak, then I'd say it was pretty romantic."

"Yes, but there is one thing we haven't done," the golden-eyed man said, with a smile.

"AH!" Sakuya gasped, sounding appalled, "I think you've been around your mother too long, you know I'm not that kind of girl!"

"No that's not what I meant!" Yosho shouted, blood trickling from his nose. Quickly reigning in his hormones, the young man spoke in broken, embarrassed, phrases. "I meant… I don't think that… in all the time we've been together…we've ever… kissed…."

Smiling, the smaller woman leaned forward, and closed her eyes, puckering her lips. Seconds later, her lips met his, causing the young man's heart rate to sky rocket, beating nearly as fast as her own. Reaching forward, the young man pulled her closer, so that she sat upon his lap. To each youth, this was more than a kiss; it was also an act of defiance. No matter how hopeless a situation Blackshire presented to them, no matter what he did, he could not break their love for each other, and both Yosho and Sakuya would agree, that as long as they had that, they could never, ever be defeated.


The Yagami:

Observatory Deck:

Aboard one of the last starships of the Galaxy Police, is a man. He is a boy no longer, the road he has walked has begun to change him, to mold his soul and rework his mind. Only twenty-four hours ago he stood on his home planet, surrounded by family and friends, and enjoyed their company. Today, this young man rides the sea of stars, to encounter an evil so vile that apparently death itself fears it. Upon his back, he wears a rather odd technological looking backpack, with a large ring atop it. It is his task that once he finds this evil to activate this device, so that Washu, who may be dead for all he knows, will arrive and use the Omegaggedon Blaster.

This warrior of hope's name is Tenchi Masaki, and to say he has been having a bad day would be a vast understatement. As the angered youth looked into the vastness of space, his fury seemed to be equal only in measure to the grief he felt at his own loss. What a year this has been… first we find out about another universe, like ours only the exact opposite, then we learn that Ryoko and I had a kid there. One who grew up to give birth to a demon because both the Ryoko and me of that world died. After that I had to go to that world, since Mayuka wouldn't eat unless Ryoko, who had left me, I mean us, fed her. Then Blackshire came back, and this time it seemed we killed him for good, but now…. Dad… Grandpa… why did you both have to die, and why was a killer plague unleashed on Earth? What kind of sick bastard would even fathom such a thing? Almost as soon as he finished his thought, the answer came to him, Blackshire, that's who….

A sudden hiss of dissipating matter caused the young man to look over his shoulder, and see a silver-haired woman looking out another panel in the side of this vessel, looking into the endless night, which surrounded them. Tenchi then felt a tug on his heart. Poor Ryoko, he thought, having been alone for so long, and then to find out she had a mom, only to have her taken away. And no matter how much she might deny it, Yosho and Mayuka's capture is tearing her up more than even she knows. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at me.

As the young man began to advance on his beloved, he heard a deep sob. Once again he turned, this time to see Princess Ayeka Jurai, clutching a tissue in her hand, as tears rolled down her face. Ayeka… man when I think about what's happened to her lately, I really get angry. She was just about to leave, and return to her home, her people, when Blackshire attacked, kidnapping Sasami, and claiming to have killed everyone on Jurai! I should go to her, offer my support…. Taking a step forward, a gasp from behind caused him to stop. Angered at his foolishness, Tenchi clenched his fists, and glared at the ground. I can't! If I go to comfort either one of them, then all I'll do is make the other feel worse.

I'm stuck…

Closing his eyes tightly the young man started to ponder his situation, finally realizing that in his heart the answer was obvious. As he began to move towards the silver-haired woman, she slowly looked up at him, a faint smile on her lips, and teardrops welled at the edge of her golden eyes. Opening his mouth to comfort her, Tenchi was silenced, as Ryoko shook her head side to side slowly, before disappearing with a hiss of rearranged matter.

What was that all about? The brown-haired youth asked himself, unsure why the busty space pirate had fled. Doesn't she want my help…? Unsure, as always of Ryoko's motives, the young man walked over to his half-sister slowly, as he tried to find the proper words to say. As he drew closer, Tenchi slowed almost to a crawl, and when he reached the saddened woman, all he could do was place a supporting hand on her shoulder.

Before he even touched her, the slender woman with purple hair and tears rolling down cheeks knew he was there. Yet she still jerked slightly as his hand rested gently on her shoulder. Looking out into the cold darkness of space, the young princess had felt very small and alone, however the Tenchi's hand had become a tether, her lifeline out of that cold emptiness. Taking a few shallow breaths, Ayeka Jurai wiped her eyes of their tears, trying to bury her pain, but despite her best efforts, she could not. Finally she turned, her eyes redder than normal, from all her crying, and her nose twitching, and looked up into his brown eyes, which seemed to mirror her pain. "Why," was all she could muster, as the slender woman in the pink kimono buried her head into her beloveds chest, allowing his chest to catch her tears, as if he could absorb the pain from her body.

Inhaling hard, Tenchi wrapped his arms lovingly around her, whispering into her ears gently. "Lady Ayeka…I'm sorry for what's happened…but don't you worry, we'll find a way to fix this. There has to be something we can do."

"Sasami…" Ayeka quivered as she shook wearily in his arms.

Shushing her quietly, the young Jurain rubbed her head kindly, "we'll get her back, I promise, on my life. We will get her back, no matter what…."

The Kitchen:

In the mess hall of this fine vessel, two women worked out their frustration, and apprehension the only way they knew how. Ryoko Masaki stood before a vending machine, acquired by Kiyone from a thief who had tried to hide in their quadrant, a bloodthirsty look in her eyes.

"DAMN MACHINE!" she screamed, hefting the large item off the floor, shaking it with her incredible might. "Give me my candy bar!"

"You have to put money in it, Ryoko," Sasami said, as she cut food to put into one of the twenty pots of food she was working on. As she always did when extremely nervous, the blue-haired princess had been cooking for the past few hours, preparing numerous dishes, each more complicated than the last, just to keep her mind off whatever was troubling her. Blackshire's return, and the kidnapping of her nephew was enough to warrant a response like this.

"I DID PUT MONEY IN THIS STUPID THING," the cyan-haired woman roared, shaking the machine directly over her head, "now my candy bar is stuck!"

Giggling at her friend's anger, Sasami continued to dice carrots, under two sets of watchful eyes, the Ryo-Ohki's of Delight and Torment. She had to be on her best vigil to keep the tiny creatures from stealing her food, which helped to keep her distracted from the demons plaguing her thoughts.

"AH!" Ryoko suddenly roared, and an explosion filled the air, and lit up the room. Spinning around to see what had happened, the pink-eyed woman realized she couldn't see anything, as a cloud of smoke filled the room. Coughing, the young woman waved her hand side to side, and finally saw what had been Ryoko's target. Sitting in the rubble of the vending machine, was the cyan-haired woman, a smile on her face as she happily swallowed bar after bar of candy.

"You know, Ryoko," coughed the Jurain, "maybe you shouldn't have done that, and it could…."

"Hey!" the lithe woman shouted, while attempting to swallow a rather large piece of chocolate. Grimacing to force the entire bar down her throat, the buxom woman shook one finger at her friend. "It's not my fault GP officers don't carry very much saki! Why if they did, then I wouldn't have had to go for the chocolate. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? The GP in this universe are basically gone, and do you think the guy who stole it will ask us to PAY him for it?"

"No…" Sasami groaned, looking nervous, "but…."

"But what?" grumbled Ryoko, who resumed her search for more goodies to eat.

"The smoke from that blast might set off the kitchen's," at that instant, water began to spray from everywhere, drenching the two women, as well as everything else in the room. "The sprinklers…." Groaning, Sasami bowed her head, realizing it was too late to escape her fate, as Ryoko sat, a bar of candy in each hand, her normally wild hair matted down flat over her face, a furious expression on her face.

With a large sweat drop on her head, Sasami sighed, "I guess I better call Kiyone and have her turn off the shower, and we'll have to go dry our clothes…."

The Cockpit:

In the main control room, surrounded by various buttons, and monitors, sit two women. Each one holds the rank of Galaxy Police officer Detective first class, however that is where the similarities and quality of these two ends. One woman, Detective Mihoshi Kuramitsu, is quiet probably the most kind and loving woman on board this ship, or indeed anywhere in the universe, with the possible exception of Sasami that is. Although her skill as an officer leaves much to be desired, her pure hearted love towards her friends and others more than makes up for it. Currently she is watching a monitor before her, as she had for the past six hours, while her partner, Kiyone Mabaki, a teal haired officer as well, did her best to deactivate a screeching alarm on her own console, while talking to someone on the other end of the intra-ship communicator.

"Okay, Sasami," Kiyone said into the speaker, "I had a feeling Ryoko was involved somehow. She's usually at the bottom of things when stuff is getting broken…." The teal-haired woman suddenly jerked back, as a rather rude voice suddenly filled the air, shouting numerous vulgarities, and threats. It was of course, the voice of Ryoko Masaki. "Right…" she began, "well, why don't you two go get your clothes dried, and… Oops, I gotta go, we're going into an asteroid field, bye!" With a quick flip of the wrist the first class detective turned off the speaker, causing the cockpit to fall into complete silence.

"Kiyone…" the ditzy blond asked in her usual confused manner, "I don't see any asteroids. Where are they?"

"There are no asteroids," the GP officer sighed, leaning back in her comfortable seat, as she placed her hands over her face. "I just didn't feel like having Ryoko Masaki screaming at me."

"Speaking of Ryoko, there she is now," the blue-eyed woman chimed, causing her stressed partner to sit up quickly in her seat.

"What where?" Kiyone gasped, quickly scanning the area, concerned that the drenched woman might not take kindly to being lied to.

"She's not in here, silly. She's taking a walk outside the ship."

Outside…? The green-eyed woman thought nervously as she activated the outer cameras and saw the silver-haired woman, standing on the ship's hull, as if it was completely natural. Man, I always forget how weird Ryoko is…. Still when you compare her to what's been going on in my life this past year, she seems almost normal. I mean space pirates pretending to be GP officers, demons from other realms, not to mention hearing about another universe where I'm killed trying to protect my friends, from a monster I just met. It's almost enough to make me wish I HAD chosen to be a fisherman like my dad wanted, and not an officer for the Galaxy Police….

Outside:

In the void of space, a lithe woman stared outward with her golden eyes, as she looked inward at herself at the same time. I'm out here once again, and why? I could be inside the ship right now, being held tightly in Tenchi's arms, having him comfort me, but instead I chose to let him be with Ayeka. Am I getting sick? I must be…. No, it's not that. I can trust Tenchi, and I know Ayeka, she would never do anything forward with him. Really I haven't lost anything…. Pausing the buxom woman looked at her hands, which were balled into fists before her waist. That's not true either I'm so close to losing everything, of being alone once again. Just like I was before I met my Tenchi. Then I was just a puppet, but I'm a human being now, and I have as much a right to have a life as anyone else. This past year has been the best one of my entire life. Of course, every second I spend with Tenchi and the others is even better than the last. Damn you Blackshire! Why did you have to come into my life? Why do monsters like you always plague me? Although despite your evil, some good came of it all, I meet Yosho, his mother woke up, and Tenchi… he said he loves me. But last night… that dream, that DAMN nightmare came back, and this time…this time when I killed Ayeka, I was enjoying it….*

"Ryoko…" A voice suddenly said, coming from behind the lithe woman, tearing her from her brooding. Looking back Ryoko saw a comm. Port, and smiled slightly.

I guess I couldn't stay out here forever without those two noticing I was here…. With a hiss of dissipating matter, the busty space pirate vanished.

Back in the Cockpit:

"I guess she couldn't hear you, Kiyone." Mihoshi said with a shrug," it is kinda hard to hear out there, ya know."

"I could hear her just fine," a seductive voice answered, as the lithe woman with the silver-hearted pendant suddenly leaned between them. "So, what is it you want?"


"Is it cold out there? You know you should really wear a space suit, you could catch a cold," the blonde woman rambled, "oh, and since you are offering, could you get me a soda? I'm really thirsty…."

"MIHOSHI!" Kiyone roared, her head becoming large as she yelled at her partner. "She wasn't asking YOU if you wanted something to EAT, she was asking ME why I bothered her." The teal-haired woman was so engrossed in berating her slow-witted partner, that she did not hear the twin hisses of material rearranging itself.

"Here you go, Mihoshi," Ryoko said, holding forward a can of cola for the sad looking woman.

"THANKS RYOKO," the blue-eyed woman shouted happily, her eyes wide with joy as she took the can, and began guzzling down its contents.

Kiyone glanced over at the silver-haired seductress; the teal-haired woman's mouth gaped open.

"It's like dealing with Mayuka," Ryoko grumbled, "Now then what do you want?"

"Uh…right…" The young detective said, looking at her partner, noting the similar trends between her friend and Tenchi's daughter. "Well you see Ryoko, I was thinking maybe we should attack Blackshire with not only this ship, but the two Ryo-Ohki's also. That way we can hit him from every angle."

"Very well, I want to talk to Tenchi first, but after that I'll see if the other me will agree to it. After all having three ships attacking The Ebon Shard would make things go a lot smoother," smiling deviously, the silver-haired woman glanced over her shoulder. "I just hope we don't kill Blackshire in this attack, that's a pleasure I want all for myself…." With that, the golden-eyed space pirate vanished, leaving the two Galaxy Police officers alone, to prepare themselves for the battle ahead.

Observatory Deck:

As Ryoko phased through the hull, her golden eyes rested on a sight, which would have normally upset her, however currently, she did not feel any anger, at least none because of this. There was Tenchi, his arms still wrapped around Ayeka, and had she been in the mood, her keen ears would have heard the sweet words he was whispering to her, the promises he was making. Smiling, the silver-haired woman moved away, leaving the room slowly. Tenchi… you've made me so happy, before I even met you I knew joy because of you. That's why when the time comes… if anything should happen to me this time… As a tear rolled down her eye, Ryoko shook her head. Now's not the time to be sad, now I have to get angry, to use my hatred as a weapon, and this time… this time Blackshire, you won't be coming back!

An Hour Later:

The Ebon Shard:

The Docking Bay:

Two figures, each looking like a creature from the darkest nightmare, stood beside a smaller ship. One, a creature resembling a nearly translucent gargoyle, with an elongated head and sinister red eyes, and the other a towering figure who body appeared to be made of a chitinous material, like that of an insect. He seemed to dwarf the vile creature beside him, and his eyes burned with unholy emerald light. "Leech my boy, it's almost time for you to go. However first I need to go take care of business."

"Blackshire…" the computer interrupted suddenly. "You asked me to continue to monitor Yosho and Sakuya, in case they are doing anything…."

"Yes, so what is it computer? I'm a busy demon!"

"They appear to be laughing sir."

"Laughing?" Leech laughed, causing his vile frame to quake. "Not very good at breaking their spirits, now are you, 'dad.'"

"Also, I am picking up three ships quickly approaching our location," the computer interrupted. "I believe it is the Yagami, and two Ryo-Ohki's."

"Well I don't care for the fact they are happy, but it is typical of that boy to upset me. I mean here I go through all this trouble to break his spirit and how do I get repaid?" Slamming his fist on the vessel before him, the towering black giant had a smile on his face, causing his jagged teeth to glisten in the dim light, "with laughter…. Still, everyone is right on schedule… But sadly I have to be going. Leech," he began turning to his creation, "engage the weapon system, on alpha program. Don't go any higher. I just want you to keep them occupied while I go pay our benefactor a visit." A minor chuckle rumbled from the ebon knight's throat. "Of course, remember to leave our special area available, for entry…." Leaning forward the large figure clutched the two diamonds containing his hostages in his ebon hands, before crawling into his vessel.

"If you say so," Leech grumbled, "just don't forget, you are supposed to send me on a trip to godhood!"

Oh I didn't forget your purpose yet, my dear boy…. Blackshire smiled as his vessel shot out of the massive starship. No, you are far too important to forget just yet… "Well son, I think it's time for me to go. Try and stay out of trouble…." Having made his arrogant remark, the evil beast's ship, sprang to life, launching itself off the massive ship, to face it's destiny.

Sighing heavily, the bizarre gargoyle watched the ebon shuttlecraft drift into space, almost appearing to melt into its surroundings. "Computer…."

"Yes, Leech?" the emotionless voice of the Ebon Shard asked, prepared to take whatever orders were given.

"Run Program Alpha, to great our guests. I want to makes sure they know we see them."

"Acknowledged, but sir…" the ship began, "the Alpha Program will miss them, occasionally hitting with a weak blow. This will also not utilize the full power of our defenses. Against such adversaries, I would advise the Omega-"

"WHAT YOU THINK IS NOT IMPORTANT!" The life stealer roared, "Blackshire knows what he's doing, and he wants them to think we're doing our best. But don't worry, you'll get your moment of glory, he's told me quiet a bit about what's to happen in the next few hours…." Smiling, the nearly transparent monster became lost in his thoughts, as dreams of godhood drifted through his mind. Soon, I will be a god. I will go to Torment, and steal the love and pureness out of everyone there's souls. Then I, and I alone will rule there, and if Blackshire tries to stop me…. Shaking his head, the evil creature returned to reality, his jagged teeth held in a sneer, "Now if you need me, I'm going to the bridge. I want to see what Yosho and that woman are doing."

The Bridge:

Once again, Leech broke proper protocol, as he rested happily in the main control seat. He knew if Blackshire were here, or found out what he was doing, and then his life would become more hellish than it already was. Currently however such thoughts were not important to him. All that mattered was the two people on the monitor before him. He watched carefully as Yosho and Sakuya kissed, enjoying each other's presence, and finding comfort in each other's arms. It was the one thing he hated most about them, about all who had someone in their life. Since he knew deep down, that no one would ever, nor could ever, love a beast like him. Yet he was content to merely steal that moment from others, so that his own loneliness was spread. However there was something about this woman that made his blood run hot. He was not sure what, perhaps it was the fact that she was his only victim to survive his absorption, or, as he always told himself, it was simply because despite how intimate HE had become in her life, she still clung to her boyfriend with all the love in her heart.

"That girl… she loves him, this I know. Although her memories are becoming distant, I do recall her love for him." With an insidious glare in his red glowing eyes, Leech focused on Yosho. "I swear I'll kill you for that, boy! A creature like me cannot know love, and since your life is connected to the master's, like my own, I will make sure you pay, PAY for my inconvenience…."

The Yagami:

With a gleam in her eye, Kiyone and Mihoshi guided their vessel ever closer to the massive starship before them. Despite it's massive size, the ebon warship seemed to have very little in the way of weapons, and what it did have was not very impressive.

"What is going on here?" the teal-haired woman asked aloud, more to herself than to her partner.

"We're attacking that ship," Mihoshi replied. "Didn't you know that?"

Sighing heavily, Kiyone shook her head, "of course I knew that! But why is Blackshire making it so easy for us? I mean what has he been doing all this time? His ship isn't nearly as strong as I would have thought it would be."

"Kiyone…." An angry voice hissed over the intercom. It was Ryoko, from Torment, calling from her Ryo-Ohki. "Are you there?"

"Oh HI, Ryoko! How are you?" the bubbly partner answered, as she absent-mindedly typed in commands, which more by luck than skill, helped the large red vessel avoid the attacks from the Ebon Shard.

"…Kiyone," Ryoko Masaki continued, "Ryo-Ohki has located a weak point in that thing's hull. I think we can beam down."

"What about the attacks?" The first class detective responded, "We can't all go, I mean who will run the ships?"


"Well if you're Ryoko's Ryo-Ohki is anything like mine, then dodging weak shots like this won't be hard. Besides, can't you put that thing on autopilot? Just have it fly out of range, and then have it come back when we need it. Although I hate to admit it, I get the feeling we're all going to be needed this time. Remember, my son is on that ship, and I don't want to be taking any chances with his life. He's all I have left of my Tenchi…."

Leaning back in her chair, the teal haired woman nodded weighing her options with a quick tactical mind. "Alright, I tell everyone to get ready, and relay the message. Then we'll go in."

A short time later:

The Data Base:

In his new body Blackshire took his first steps off the oval transport to stand before the great cathedral of his patron saint. It is time….

Throwing his hands out before him, the ebon monster propelled the great doors open, which slammed open with a thunderous boom. Strutting into the room, confidence clear in his stroll, the master of The Ebon Shard had to force himself to contain his joy. After a long stroll, he finally arrived at his destiny. The ebon monster paused before a great red gem, which was supported by twin trusses, as he waited for the inevitable change, which was to occur.

With a shimmer of power, the air around the great gem transformed taking the shape of the head of an ancient man. "What is it, Blackshire…? Why have you returned?"

"I've done what our lady asked, and I expect payment."

The being called D3 leaned forward, "Then where is Mrs. Washu?"

Taking a deep breath, the ebon monster sighed, holding up a diamond containing one of the women in each hand. Shaking his head, the creature with the black soul let them drop. As the twin jewels descended, they began to grow, and in moments the occupants inside could clearly be seen. Washu, with a terrified look on her face, and little Sasami, a look of terror and great sadness, as she appeared to be trying to pry something from around her wrist. "NOW," Blackshire shouted, as he watched the deity before him nearly explode, as it's old eyes fixated upon the red-haired woman in one gem, "my reward…."

Clearing its throat, making a sound like rumbling thunder, D3 glared at Washu. "One moment…." With that the temple around him vanished, as did D3, and the night sky filled with black shadows, the shadows of gods. These were all but splinters of the grand vision he saw. A woman, who seemed to be composed of the universe, with short brown hair, which looked more like a helmet, with a plume of orange hairs in the front. Her deep blue eyes, with dark red pupils showed no emotion, yet held a tremendous power all their own. Green markings came up from her jaw, and a ring of metal floated about her like a collar, holding her white royal cloak which somehow whipped in the void of space. At the center of her chest rested a red jewel unfathomably big. Her clothes were a deep brown, with intricate designs in a lighter color.

"Washu…" the royal deity gasped, for the first time in her existence at a loss for words. Shrinking down to mortal size, a full foot shorter than the ebon knight who would have bitten his own lips to contain his joy were that he had lips. Standing before the diamond prison, Tokimi caressed the glimmering sides of the container, hunger in her eyes. "Excellent work, Blackshire. You have pleased me. But why have you brought me this other girl? I did not ask for her?"

Ah yes, one of my favorite parts…. "That is Tsunami." The great goddess looked at him, not believing his words. "Or should I say that girl is bound to her, they are as one, assimilated and all. At least, that is what her and Tsunami claim." Shrugging the black clad monster held out his arms in a 'what are you gonna do' fashion.

"Ah…"the goddess said, standing tall, her body growing, to tower over Blackshire. "I suppose it is time for you reward then. Tell me, you are different somehow… I sense the boy I warned my minion within you…."

Kneeling, the ebon monster looked up, "I received a new body, and I suppose you are talking about Masaki…. Let's just say I'm his true offspring that and you are what you consume. Now if I may be so bold, m'lady it appears you want to get to know your sisters, and I believe you owe me something…."

"First tell me this, how do I free Mrs. Washu?"

"My power…" the chitinous creature hissed, rising to his feet, his fist clenched. "I merely wish it so I may return to my ship, and save it from the attackers!"

"You dare much, speaking to me in such a manner, however you did succeed…" pointing one divine finger forward, a blast of power radiated forward, enveloping the ebon monster.

The power of a goddess, the Lighthawk Wings, a force beyond scientific comprehension, was now being infused into the core of this beast. Blackshire leaned back, as he felt the power flow into him. Bellowing loud enough to nearly shatter reality, the power he had been infused with suddenly came forth, revealing it's awesome nature. The calling of this power sounded like the rumble of heavy thunder, as the weapon formed, a roar like the sound of something struck by lightning, echoed in the wall-less cathedral. When Tenchi Masaki had called forth the wings of the Lighthawk, it was a beautiful sight, pure light and power brought forth for the cause of justice. However the blade which the ebon knight held was not some vision of light, instead it was black weapon, one with emerald cracks running it's length, pouring vile power into the air around him.

Looking on in amazement, a truly interesting bedazzling for a goddess, Tokimi shook her head at the sight before her. "I have never seen the Lighthawk power react in such a way…."

"That's because in my possession this is not a wing of the Lighthawk sword." The black knight proclaimed holding his weapon aloft, taking in its grandeur and prestige. As he spoke, his words came in short loud bursts, "I am a demon, but not just any demon, and I am THE demon. I am the one who will end the eternal war between Good and Evil, Torment and Delight, I am Blackshire, and this…." He paused, slowly bringing his arm down, admiring the blade carefully as if it might have a crack of flaw, "this is the sword of the DARKRAVEN!" Almost as if in response to his words, the black blade with its rivers of emerald power began glowing brightly, and in a flash of light, disappeared. "Your light, m'lady, was corrupted by my soul, and now with this power I will meet Masaki, and end this battle once and for all. Now I shall have my truest dream, the one only I could attain. I shall face the legend in combat, and stand toe to toe with him, before I tear him apart…."

"Blackshire…" the heavenly being began, coming out of her glare. The mighty goddess's tempter reached its limit's, as she realized he had fully fulfilled his part of their deal. As the ebon monster spun to see what she wished, his green eyes focused on the source of her anger, the twin diamonds containing the two captured women.

"Ah yes…" he muttered turning about slowly to the woman who had given him his power. "In order to open the gems, you simply have to…" pausing he stepped between the large diamonds, holding out one knuckle on each hand, "give them a good tap." Bringing his arms down in swooping motions, the black demon clanked each container, causing them to shatter into thousands of pieces. The red-haired genius, as well as the blue-haired princess, dropped to their knees.

"Welcome Washu…." The powerful goddess proclaimed, increasing in size, to tower over all before her. "Tsunami…" she mention, more as a side note than anything else.

"Huh…" the red-haired woman groaned, rising to her feet slowly. Looking around, she saw Sasami, still on all fours, appearing very weak. However what she saw next filled her completely with dread. "BLACKSHIRE!"

Bowing deeply, the black knight cast her a smile with his chitinous teeth. "Lady Washu, Hello and…. Goodbye, I'm afraid I have to be going. SO many people to kill and all…."

Turning her attention to the presence before her, Washu was taken aback, "you must be Lady Tokimi." The massive goddess merely nodded. "You also must be insane to ally with Blackshire!"

The woman with the all seeing eyes squinted, not liking her sister's tone, "you would do well to hold your tongue, Lady Washu. We have much to discuss, but for now…. Blackshire…." She paused focusing on the ebon knight who watched this scene with sheer delight. "Leave…."

Appearing almost offended, the black beast stepped back, and then bowed once again. "As you demand, my lady…." And with a fizzle of power, the monstrous creature vanished, leaving the three women alone for the first time in well over twenty thousand years.

Outside the Cathedral:

"Blackshire…" D3's voice shouted into the overjoyed villain's mind and ears. "I would congratulate you on your success."

Halting his waltz towards his ship, the tyrannical beast looked at his hands, where he could call forth the terrible power he had been given. "So you wanted to see the man who proved you were a failure, a complete, and utter FAILURE."

"Mind your tongue, I could kill you with a thought…."

Blackshire, his back still to the massive floating head, stared forward, his eyes glowing furiously with intense hate. Holding one arm skyward, he called forth his blade, the one given to him by Tokimi, causing a thunderous explosion to fill the air. "Is that a fact… how about we test that theory then…." Spinning about the evil creature flung the blade, which turned into a coal colored scythe, with intense accuracy, it's course taking it straight through the forehead of his foe.

However the blade had no effect, and the deity before him made a shrugging motion with its eyes. "Worthless attempt, mortal. Now I will show you how to kill…" Just as the power began to build in his nigh all seeing eyes, D3 stopped a look of pain in his face. "What…"

"Feeling a bit weak? Like your body is tearing itself apart?" The black creature asked with a joyous cackle, as the black scythe returned to his hand, becoming a sword once more. "Perhaps that's because that is what is happening…." The bearded being opened it's mouth to speak, but a that instant the pain seemed to increase even more, as his form began to disperse, like dust in a wind storm. "You want to know how?" the green-eyed demon asked, approaching this prey merrily. "It's very simple. This is a demonic blade, charged by my life force, and you are a god, or at least one of her underlings…. I don't think I need to finish the rest, do I? You know what happens when a god is mortally wounded by a demon blade, since the two are opposites…."

Walking away slowly, his cloak wiping behind him, the evil schemer laughed. "Are you at a loss for words? Well let me remind you what's going to happen, you're going to die! Oh, and don't think your lady will hear your pathetic cries for help. She's much too busy talking to her sisters to have anything to do with you!" As the mighty being, called D3, entered his last moments, his azure eyes and keen ears could never, in a thousand years forget that horrible sight, as the demon, who would destroy all, walked away with power given to him by his Lady, and his soul chilling laugh that filled the air.

Realizing subtly and protocol were no longer an issue, the hissing sound of matter flickering in and out of existence filled the air, symbolizing that Blackshire was gone. The demon had returned to his Hell.

Aboard the Ebon Shard:

It was truly a site to behold, as Tenchi Masaki and all his extended family, plus the visiting Ryoko and Sasami, stood at their ready, watching every possible angel. Having just teleported into the area, they now stood facing a wall with three large passageways, which led further into the dark ship.

"Alright, where is he?" Ryoko Masaki shouted, anger filling her voice, her golden eyes darting about. "Where is Blackshire?"

"Why right here, my dear…" a vile voice sounded from above, causing everyone to gaze upward. There, standing in all his glory, was the master of this ship, the evil lord of terror, Blackshire. "Welcome to The Ebon Shard, the site of our final battle. Where only one group will survive…."

"I have heard enough of your speeches, and I have most certainly had enough of you, you…you… monster!" the purple haired princess screamed, her squinting eyes looking increasingly menacing with her Jurain battle outfit. Summoning all her power, the young princess flew forward, preparing to strike dead the man who had committed such terrible genocide to her people.

Sighing the ebon monster closed his eyes, disappearing at the instant when the young princess's fist was about to come into contact with him. "Really princess," the black-souled creature proclaimed, his voice echoing in the massive room, however the location of the vile man was indiscernible. "If you don't like me that's one thing, but there's no need to be vulgar!" For a moment, the voice stopped, replaced by a wicked laugh. "However I'm sure you didn't come here to talk to me, much to my regret. No, I'd bet lives you came for your friends, their lives…. If you ever want to see them again, all you have to do is go down the halls before you, but I warn you, each person is set to die in exactly one hour, which doesn't give you much time to save them. But don't worry, if you split into three groups, I'm sure you can save their stupid, pitiful lives… and don't worry, all paths lead to me, in the end I will be waiting in my throne room, until then…."

"It's a trap," Kiyone said holding her gun at the ready, eyeing the area suspiciously.

"But, Kiyone," the ditzy blond proclaimed, looking concerned at her partner, "if we don't go down each path, Washu, Sasami, Mayuka, Yosho, and his girlfriend might end up dead!"

I never liked that girl anyway, the cyan-haired woman noted, she's way too cheap for my boy… "Oh quit worrying," she said beginning to float off the floor. "I can just teleport around, and find everyone, then I'll take out Blackshire. No problem! You all just head down the middle path, I'll catch up later…" with that, a sound of matter dissipating filled the air, followed by a shriek of pain and the sizzle of electricity. Landing with a thud, the lithe woman twitched as she lay on the ground, "oh… I forgot…Yosho said this ship had a tremendous shield, made by Washu…. "

Stepping up to the wall, the silver-haired woman pressed her hand against the cold metal. For long moments she shoved, and then pulled away, shaking her head sadly side to side. "No good. I can't phase through the wall. It looks like we'll have to split up, but how will we decide who goes where?"

"Well, I shall go with Lord Tenchi, to save my sister, and the others." Ayeka declared, standing proudly beside the young man.

"Like hell I'm letting you go with Tenchi alone!" the silver-haired woman growled, flying quickly over to grab one of Tenchi's arms. "He's mine!"

As the argument between the two women escalated, a tiny voice suddenly broke the battle, "excuse me," Sasami interrupted. "I think I will go down the left passage. I don't know why, but I feel a pull that way, as if it's my destiny. Something important is waiting for me down there."

"Tsunami talking to you again?" Ryoko Masaki asked, brushing herself off as she got to her feet, noticing the young blue-haired woman nod uncertainly. "Maybe Yosho is down there, he is from our world, so maybe she can feel him in this place…."

"Ryoko!" a familiar voice suddenly shouted, coming from the middle passage. It was a voice that caused the blood of all there to stop in their chests; it was the voice of Mayuka Masaki.

"Mayuka!" the former space pirate roared, blasting off at full speed down the main corridor, without a care for the consequences.

"No wait!" Tenchi screamed, holding out his arm as he rushed after her, yet it appeared something was pulling him back, turning he saw Ayeka holding his arm tightly in her embrace, a pleading look in her eyes. "What are you doing Ayeka, we have to go after Ryoko!"

"And we shall, Lord Tenchi, but this is obviously a trap, and it would be best to not rush in. Who knows what that monster has planned for us in there."

"Alright then, it's settled," Kiyone, declared. "Ayeka, you and Tenchi go down the center. Ryoko, you and Sasami take the left passage, and Mihoshi and I will take the right hallway. If he wasn't lying, then we'll all meet in the main chamber, with the hostages safe and sound"

Nodding their agreement, the assembled group prepared to divide and conquer, yet before they did, Tenchi stopped them, to say one final thing. "I just want all of you to know that I love you very deeply, and I wish you the best. Now let's save our friends, and go home, where ever that ends up being…"

"Don't worry, Tenchi," Sasami chimed, trying to sound happy at his dismal moment, "we're in the universe of Delight, what could possibly go wrong?"

Moments later:

As the three groups crossed the threshold of their respective hallways, massive doors slammed shut behind them, completely sealing them within. As the three teams stood in total darkness, suddenly the long corridor's filled with light, casting away the insidious darkness, and from his throne room, a horrible evil watched various monitors with intense interest, as the three groups began to advance down the halls. If they could hear his words, then the trio of heroes might have been more cautious in their path, but since they could not, they had no clue where they were. "Welcome to the Halls of Dreams," Blackshire told himself, as if narrating the events before him. "A place where nightmare's come alive. I'm afraid you all have been lied to; the hostages are all quiet dead. There is no saving them, but you are welcome to try and stop me still if you like. However in the end I hold all the cards, and none of you stand a chance. Oh well, time for the FUN to begin…."

Next Time: All right, the battle begins! As Tenchi and the others embark on their quest to find Mayuka, Sakuya, Yosho, Washu, and Sasami, but what will they find? What did Blackshire do to poor Mayuka? Find out next time when Leech goes on a field trip, and Yosho tangles with Blackshire for the final time, for the fate of both universe's, as the ebon knight reveals the full extent of his vicious plan! Blackshire's throwing a party, and everyone is invited, whether they want to be or not. Be here next time, it's sure to be a killer….

Chapter 23: The Halls Of Dreams

* Ryoko's nightmare she is speaking of was last heard of during just before Blackshire's attack on Plesruis.