Chapter 24: No One Gets Out Alive

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 24: A Goddess Ascends

                                                       

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 war draws to its conclusion, and it seems all fatalities are on the side of our heroes, as Blackshire has already claimed the lives of those on Planet Jurai, Earth, and nearly everyone else who stood against him.  The only two left, appear to be Tenchi Masaki, who stands before the ebon demon now ready to end this war once and for all, and Yosho, who has journeyed into the past to face off against Leech, in an attempt to alter the future.  The fate of Mayuka is still unknown, what horrible event did Blackshire do to the tiny helpless infant, and what of Washu and Sasami who stand before Tokimi even now?  To all things there must come an end….

Chapter 24 of 26:

Universe of Torment:

The Past:

A cool wind blew through the trees surrounding the path to the Masaki shrine, giving this unholy night an even more menacing feel.  Despite how dismal the situation seemed a young man stood, a glowing sword in his hands and a smile on his face.  His golden eyes seemed to glisten in the moonlight, which filtered through the trees, as he quickly spun about, checking every avenue for his quarry.  This is great!  I'm changing the past!  Now where is he, where's Leech? "Come out you coward," Yosho yelled proudly, "I am not afraid of you!  Come on, it's time to die!"  With his last swift motion, to scan the area, the youth with long black hair winced, his body reminding him of his numerous injuries. 

High above, clinging to the side of a tree, his nearly translucent claws digging into its surface, was Leech.  Hugging the bark closely, the gargoyle-like creation of Blackshire would have appeared to be a natural inhabitant of the woods, were it not for his red glowing eyes, portals leading to his origin.  Even though his master was nowhere to be seen, the translucent beast could tell Blackshire was watching him, waiting for him to screw up so he could punish him.  Well, it seems the noble hero isn't feeling well.  That's too bad, perhaps I should go say hello. It sure was nice of 'dad' to send me a snack before I kill Masaki….   As a grin crossed his wretched face, Leech sprang from the tree, his arms opened wide, as he quickly, and silently dropped downward towards his unsuspecting prey….

Landing heavily upon his wounded foes back, the insidious life-siphoning beast quickly latched his taloned arms and legs around his adversary's body, holding him tight.  "Looking for me," Leech hissed, leaning his head over Yosho's shoulder to peer into his captured foes eyes.  Groaning from the pain of having his battered body jarred, the young warrior appeared doomed.  Tensing his powerful arms, the son of Tenchi Masaki used all his impressive strength to try and free himself from his enemy's seemingly inescapable hold.  "Try all you like, boy!"  The evil creature chuckled, "no one has ever escaped me once I get a hold of them.  In just a few moments, I'll start stealing your impressive energy, and then I'll go get your dad…."

"NO!" the golden-eyed avenger of his family roared, throwing off his jailer.  The translucent gargoyle slammed to the ground with a stunned look.

Damn it!  How is this possible?  He wondered looking up at the now free youth.  Not realizing that despite his great agility, his enemy possessed the strength of his mother, making any hold the evil beast used easy to break out of. 

Spinning about, the blade of his sword glowing powerfully in the chilled night, Yosho swung at his foe.  However despite his own impressive agility, the young champion missed his foe, who sprang away at that last possible second.  Landing on a tree, his impressive claws digging into the tree before him. 

Time and again, the golden-eyed youth raced at his opponent, trying in vain to strike his foe down, yet having no luck.  "You're just to slow, my boy…" the demon from the future laughed, lunging forward his long hand talons extended, Leech swiped at Yosho's midsection, in an attempt to gut his powerful foe.  Leaning away at the last moment, Ryoko's son avoided such a fate, however the translucent beasts claws did gash across his stomach, opening four large gashes. 

Hopping back from his wounded adversary, Leech grinned sadistically, licking the fresh blood from his claws.  "First blood is mine, brother…  Looks like you're in trouble."   Touching his stomach, the black-haired youth glimpsed his hand, noticing that he had been hurt. 

Damn it I got to cocky, and he got me!  I'm bleeding pretty badly.  Still, my shirt should help clot the wound.  I can't stop now!  I've waited for this day for so long….  Smiling the young man looked at his foe, holding his sword before him, ready to fight.  Actually I'm glad he hit me, it makes this fight much more interesting.  I'm going to enjoy making him pay for his crimes!  Laughing to himself, Yosho, watched his crouching foe carefully, the throbbing pain he felt from his numerous wounds seeming to lessen in the heat of battle.  Boy do I sound self-centered.  I guess I AM my mother's son.   Well for mom, dad, and everyone else I've hurt through Blackshire and this monster, I will kill Leech!   "I will never forgive you!" the young man roared, preparing to make his final assault. 

"That's so nice to know…" the evil life taker laughed, beckoning to his enemy, "now come, let's end this once and for all...."

Universe of Delight: (in a sense)

The Throne Room of The Ebon Shard:

In the center of this dark vessel, two men battle for the fate of everything.  One a towering demon, with an emerald sword forged from his vile power.  The other a young man who is the sole survivor of two races, in his hands is a weapon given to him from his grandfather, a master key with an azure blade, called the Tenchi-ken.  It is in the dark confines of this massive throne room where the ultimate battle has begun.  Blackshire, lord and master of this ship, has just engaged Tenchi Masaki, the last hope of everything, in a sword dual.  Time and again, the two warriors charge each other, using weapons that do not reflect their full power.  For each figure is capable of drawing forth a weapon so powerful, even gods would do well to respect it.  Currently, it seems the young man has the advantage over his massive foe.  With each swipe of his blade, Tenchi has driven his foe back more and more, so that his back is nearly touching his victims; who hang limply from great chains. 

It's fun, the young man thought as he easily deflected an attack from his ebon foe, but even though I know they're no longer alive, I can still hear them.  Ayeka, Ryoko, Sasami, Mihoshi, Kiyone, and Washu, all of them are cheering me on.   It's like there still alive, at that instant, Tenchi could see his family in his thoughts as well as imagine what they would say to him in this, his darkest hour.

Again the two swordsman's blade clashed, as a voice filled Tenchi's mind.  You can do it, Lord Tenchi, Ayeka proclaimed with the utmost confidence, I believe in you. 

Go Tenchi!  Sasami's voice cheered, followed by the little girl's perky laughter, as the cabbit Ryo-Ohki meowed excitedly with her.

Come on, get that guy for us Tenchi, Kiyone demanded, her voice sounding full of joy, showing a hint of jealousy that she was not able to partake in the tyrants downfall. 

Oh TENCHI, Mihoshi swooned.  A smile crept onto the young man's face, as he could picture the look on the ditzy blonde's face while she spoke.  Please be careful, and make sure you get him, cause y'know he can be a real pain sometimes….

Tenchi, get a move one!  Washu added, her tone sounding like she was watching an exciting movie.  I haven't got all day!  There are things to do in the lab, so could you PLEASE finish this big jerk off, so that I can get back to work?

BOY!  A grizzled ancient voice shouted.  Watch your left flank!  Have you forgotten everything I've taught you?  Hearing his grandfather's voice, despite the fact it was only his own memories coming back to him, the brown-haired Jurain checked his stance for any possible weaknesses. 

I'm so proud of you…. Noboyuki chanted loudly.

YEAH! Ryoko roared, as the young man picture how excited the lithe woman would have been, watching him fight this demon, give a left, and then one of these and a couple more of these….

 

Nodding to himself, the last man of Earth and Jurai realized he was ready.  It's time to end this….

"Are you trying to impress me, Blackshire?"  Tenchi asked, backing off from his opponent as he looked for another opening in the ebon knight's defenses.  "So far, you're powers don't seem that great.  I seem to be the one controlling this battle.  You might as well give up now, because you're going to die.  All of this is actually rather amusing, because I know you won't beat me.  You're only fighting me, because that's all you have, but I'm not just fighting for me, or my desire for vengeance.  I'm battling you for the fate of everything; I'm fighting for those I loved, and all the rest of the universe.  With a cause that great behind me, you stand no chance."

"Nice speech, but remember we are in Torment, and…"

"I don't care where we are," Tenchi roared interrupting the chitinous beast's proclamation.  "You've always bragged about how Torment is a place where only evil wins, but I know that can't be true.  I brought Ryoko back to save Mayuka, Yosho found peace with himself after all this time, and Ryoko Masaki had begun to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.  So you'll have to excuse me if I don't buy into your lies about that world, and I know that deep down, the only one who believes that evil can win anywhere, is you.  You're alone Blackshire, no friends, no hope, and no chance for escape.  This battle is ending here and now, and I'll see to it you pay for killing everyone!"

"You just don't get it do you, Masaki?" the ebon knight said shaking his head sadly.  Thrusting a hand forward, the large monster made a bizarre hand motion, and the young man's body tensed, as if some giant's hand was crushing him.  Smiling darkly, his emerald eyes glowing their unholy light, Blackshire spoke. 

"I've been watching your style, learning your weak points.  You have no CHANCE against me.  Now when I control everything that happens on this ship.  I control the up…" at that instant, Tenchi could feel the ground disappear from under his feet, as the force around him hurtled him into the ceiling.  Only with extreme effort, was the young warrior able to maneuver so his back struck the hard surface, and not his head.  "…The down," the black beast continued, bringing his hand down swiftly, and his captive dropped like a stone to the cold floor below.  As he struck, the brown-haired youth moaned deeply, in too much pain to even cry out.  However as he lay there, he felt the grasp around him loosen, and with extreme effort, Tenchi rose to his feet.  

"Look at you," Blackshire sneered, disgust obvious on his face.  "You are no opponent, you refuse to even face me with your Lighthawk sword, and have such handed me an easy victory.   It's fortunate your grandfather is dead, or he would die of shame, at the dishonor you show me today…."

"What does a monster like you know about honor?" Tenchi asked, blood running from the corner of his mouth.  "You kill and butcher helpless and innocent people for your own amusement, and you think you have the right to complain about lost honor?"

"You have me all wrong, Masaki." The creature in chitinous armor pleaded, "I took no, well perhaps SOME, but really very little, amusement in killing all the others.  The only one whose suffering amuses me is yours, and I have never considered you to be a weakling."   The Jurain prince said nothing, focusing all his attention on the monster he faced, deep down he could feel the power, the Lighthawk wings, all he had to do was call them, and he could strike down this monster.

No… not yet, this is my fight.  With the wings it would be too easy, he has to pay for what he's done.  For all the horrors he's brought to my home, and so many other worlds.

 Rushing forward, the young Jurain prince held back his sword, ready to strike his foe's unprotected flank.  Just as his blade was about to strike, Tenchi blinked, and as his eyes opened again, he saw his azure blade miss his opponent by over a foot.  What?  How could I have missed him?  I wasn't that far away, was I? 

"What's the matter, Masaki?  Having trouble," the larger creature mocked, holding his arms open, his emerald-energy sword pointing helplessly away from the battle.  "Come on, I'll let you have a free shot at my heart, see if you can hit the mark…"

Annoyed at Blackshire's flippant attitude, Tenchi raced forward the sword tucked close, as her prepared to pierce the ebon knight's heart.  Once again, just as he was going to hit his mark, he blinked, and when he looked again, he had missed Blackshire by well over a foot.

"Awww…." The creature with unholy eyes whined, "is it hard to hit me?  I imagine it would be, when I keep taking control of your mind just before you hit me.  A pity you don't use the Lighthawk sword, that would offer you at least SOME protection."

Smiling his soulless grin, the chitinous demon held forth his hand, allowing his emerald blade to vanish.  "Since you won't show ME your full power, let me show you mine…." At that instant an explosive noise filled the air, like a rolling thunder, and black energy formed into a blade in the ebon knight's hand.  The sword was like a reflection of its owners soul, black and full of hate.  It even pulsated with emerald power, as if in homage to its wielder.  "This is the sword of the Darkraven.  It is with this blade that I killed Sasami and Ryoko, but then again, they were always mine TO kill, since they are from my Universe.  Now if you think you're Lighthawk sword is a match for me, then be my guest."

Running forward, with a final surge of power, the brown-eyed youth screamed as he took his blade overhead, bringing it down with all his might.  This time the demon of Torment did not take his mind; instead he merely blocked the Tenchi-ken, with his massive black sword.  The result sent shivers down one warrior's spine.  As the azure energy of light struck the weapon born of darkness, it was cleaved in two, something the young man would have thought impossible, had he not seen it for himself.   Staggering back, keeping his eyes focused on the hilt, the worried champion continuously tried to summon his sword again, but without success. 

Finally, the last Masaki dropped the master key, and held his hands forward as if he still clutched a sword in his hands.  "I don't know how you did that, Blackshire, but you keep demanding I use the Lighthawk sword, now you'll get what you asked for."  Almost instantly, a flash of bright light filled the pitch room, as a beam of pure radiance formed in the hero's hands.  Slowly the supreme energy cooled, forming into a great sword, whose presence had always been a beacon of hope in all-previous encounters. 

"Excellent, Darkraven verse Lighthawk, now we'll see whose power is greater, yours… or mine…." Wasting no time the ebon titan rocket at his foe, yet the Jurain swordsman was not waiting idly for the attack.  With a blurring motion, Tenchi raced forward, to meet his opponent head on.  Each combatant leapt high into the air, arcing their weapon towards their opposite, intent on striking a killing blow.  Barely a second later each swordsman landed.  Falling to his knees, the two warriors each held a look, which proclaimed victory.

"I'm impressed," the vile demon cooed.  "Your sword is as good as I thought."  Turning around, Blackshire revealed that a small cut, so shallow that it barely drew a drop of his green blood, had formed on his face. 

Rising up, preparing for the next volley, the last descendent of two worlds faced his destiny, wiping a small trickle of blood from his own cheek, the result of his adversaries assault.   Throwing caution to the wind, the two men charged each other with intense fervor, a passionate cry echoing from their mouths. 

In the history of battles, there had been many events that scar the memory of the universe with their magnitude.  This was an experience so awe inspiring that all other seemed mediocre in comparison.  The sound of Lighthawk meeting Darkraven unleashed an explosive noise so great; the room seemed to quake in his wake.  The light, which erupted forth, was also tremendous, as the power of the Goddesses waged war with power born of a demon's soul. 

It seemed each warrior could go on forever, and the battle for dominance could never come to an end, as each realized the one who backed down, and gave way now, would in the end lose it all.  "GIVE UP, MASAKI!" the black demon roared, pushing downward with all his unholy strength.  "Even if you kill me," he growled, his voice under tremendous strain as he tried to best his smaller foe.  "There is NO guarantee that the portal is configured properly for YOU to go back in time.  You might be thrown into deep space, or anywhere in time.  Just give up, and you can join your family in the afterlife."

Give up… the words echoed in the young man's mind.  Moments ago the notion has seemed foolish, and with no obvious advantage, yet as he stood face to face with this demon, the idea began to root itself in his mind.  Why should I fight, he asked himself, continuing to press against the giant black sword before him.   Everyone is dead, and what if my going back in time is what starts all this?  I want this nightmare to end, not begin anew!  There has to be some way to end all this, if only I had a sign, something to tell me what to do!

At that moment, fate responded.  The large creature in chitinous armor suddenly threw his arms open, as if struck from behind by something powerful, a stunned, and almost fearful, look on his armored face.  Seeing his opportunity, the young Masaki male did not hesitate to react.  Instead he allowed his powerful blade to descend in a downward arc.  Whether by fate, or pure luck, the Lighthawk sword missed the heavily armored areas of Blackshire's body, striking the ebon knight in the elbow of his sword arm.  However it did not stop there, the power of the gods continued down, amputating the demon's forearm with nearly surgical precision.  At that moment, the ebon beast screamed a bone-chilling cry, his pain echoing in the black starship.

"Sorry Blackshire, but you can't have my Tenchi's life.  It belongs to me," a raspy voice declared.  Looking beyond his screaming foe, the young prince smiled, hanging limply from the great chains, was Ryoko.  With a wicked smile coming over her face, the lithe woman looked at her beloved.  "Did you miss me, Tenchi dear?"

Shock overtook the young warrior's body, replacing the hopelessness and rage he had felt moments ago.    "Ryoko!" Tenchi shouted, wiping tears from his eyes.  Smiling with joy, for the first time in days, the young lovers exchanged a look, one that summed up the love they felt for each other.

"AGH!"  The ebon monster continued to roar, gazing at his forearm lying on the ground, emerald blood flowing from the massive wound.  "DAMN WOMAN," he howled, spinning to face the silver-haired woman, the palm of his remaining hand pointing toward the chained attacker.  "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DIE?"  As his question finished, a beam of power surged forth, the power of The Darkraven incarnate, as it shot a hole straight through the captive target. 

Gasping, Ryoko faltered, the strength she had was fading fast, and Tenchi made the most of his time, running with all his speed, straight towards her. 

"RYOKO!" the young man screamed, looking forward with pain in his eyes.  Sadly, as the young warrior reached his, once again, dying beloved, he knew she was too weak for him to save.  Yet the seductive space pirate was not down yet, using the last bit of strength in her powerful body, she looked up at him, a broad smile on her face, casting away the gloom of the moment. 

"Tenchi…" she began, her breath coming in gasps.  "Promise me… that you'll save Mayuka… I never… found... her….  Please…" Overtaken with grief, the brown-haired youth merely nodded, holding her chin in his hands, so he could gaze into her golden eyes one last time in this life.  With a final wink, the silver-haired woman coughed, her body spasming violently for a moment, before she went completely limp. 

The Jurain prince stepped back, reaching forward to check her pulse, to confirm what he already knew in his heart.  Yet he could not find the strength.  Clapping his hands twice, he bowed his head low, muttering a quick prayer for the souls of Ryoko, and all the other's who had died because of this madman.

"Isn't that touching," Blackshire cackled, slumping forward, as if more than just his forearm had been severed.  With a quick snapping of his remaining arm, the bleeding stump cauterized itself.  I love that feature….  He hissed to himself, nothing like being able to fix one's self when need be, but things are going differently, but no matter, I'm adaptable, and this just makes it all much more fun. Time to make them right….  "It's nice to know that even I can be surprised.  I don't recall Ryoko doing that last time, but no matter.  She's dead now…" Rising his remaining arm high, the ebon warrior prepared to end the battle, as a thunderous boom filled the air, and the Darkraven sword reappeared in his possession.

It was at that moment, when a flash of light caught both combatant's eyes, and a brilliant glow, banished the darkness from the room.  What in the world?  Tenchi gasped, as he took that moment to look away from his deceased love, seeing his foe equally stunned by this bizarre occurrence.  Focusing his eyes in the intense light, the young man suddenly could the source of this strange light, and a small smile cracked his face.  The ring atop the device Washu had given him was1 glowing powerfully, creating a vortex of white energy in the endless darkness of the dark vessel. 

"Good evening, boys," Washu said as she stepped from the portal, the Omegaggedon Blaster in her arms, her small size causing the large weapon to appear even bigger.  Upon her face rested a set of work goggles, which in her haste to join the fray, she had forgotten to remove.  "Is this a private party, or is everyone invited?"  Hefting the massive cannon upward, the little genius smiled. "I see you're here, Blackshire.  Well good, I brought you a little something…" with that the small woman pulled the trigger on her powerful weapon, channeling the power of her lab, and that of the Washu of Delights' into a single beam, one that was aimed straight at the ebon titan. 

Oh no… the sinister monster complained, holding out his severed arm, in a vain attempt to halt the coming blast.  This can't be good….  Nearly an instant later the powerful beam struck, driving the ebon knight off his feet, and plowing him into the stairs.  However even the large black stair's density was not enough to stop the chitinous warrior's flight.  Instead, the vile demon flew through them, sending shards of dark material falling, as he continued to rocket through the oppressive starship. 

Washu smiled, "at his current speed, I think he'll be torn to pieces hitting things in his own ship, before he comes to a halt."   Dropping the massive weapon, the red-haired woman frowned, as she saw her daughter, and daughter in law lying dead, wrapped in chains, merely a few feet away.  Turning her attention to the battle weary youth beside her, the little genius felt compelled to ask, "what happened here?"

Shaking his head, the distraught father motioned towards the eternally looping screens, "Blackshire killed them all…."

In her long life, Washu had seen many horrible things, indeed she had known the pain of losing a child once before, but this… this was worse than anything she had experienced prior.  Amazingly, the woman with the mane of red hair held back her emotions.  It was not easy, even for someone who was well over 20,000 years old.  "But where is Mayuka, and Yosho?  Are they dead too?"

"I don't know where my daughter is, but Yosho's gone back in time, to try to stop Leech," Tenchi said dryly, no emotion in his voice as he looked at the little genius, then allowed his eyes to turn back, merely for a moment, to his fallen love.  He had thought no pain could hurt worse than when he had seen her dead before him, killed because Blackshire had willed him to do so, but now he stood corrected.  For a glimmering moment she had been alive again, he could have held her in his arms once again, to feel the warmth of her slender frame against his own.  Never again would he be able to listen to her seductive come-ons, for now it was all over.  All his chances for a new beginning crushed by his dark foe, all hope had vanished.

"What? No, that's terrible!" Washu bellowed, darting over to the control panel next to the time portal.  With blurring hands, the small woman frantically typed at the keyboard.  "Damn! That must mean He's the one who changed the constants of time and space, and not who I originally thought!"

"I don't understand, Washu," the young man asked coming up behind her.  "What's wrong with Yosho going back?"

"Because that's the way it happened before!" the young scientist screamed, turning to face the distraught warrior.  Shaking her head, in a vain attempt to calm herself, the emerald-eyed woman sighed deeply.  "Long ago, during a time of my life I call The Waking Nightmare, Leech arrived and killed Tenchi, and it was that horrible stress and pain, which brings us to where we are today.  I assume you know that much, right?"  Saying nothing, the heir to Jurai nodded, beckoning her to continue out of morbid curiosity.  "Well… I've never told anyone, besides Yosho this, but…  Leech didn't come back alone originally.  Yosho only vaguely knows there were two time travelers, what he doesn't know is the second person to come back, was him!" 

Tenchi said nothing, confused by this turn of events.  Once again the young prince did not know what to say, he desperately wanted to hear more, so that he could avert this horror, yet at the same time praying she would fall silent, so he could finally try to deal with all that had happened this far.

"Don't you get it?  Yosho is going to die!  Leech will siphon his life force and use that power to kill you! Or rather our you!  Then this whole thing will begin anew!" 

Spinning on her heals, Washu typed frantically at the controls. "I think I can reopen the gateway once again." Seconds felt like hours, as the diminutive scientist quickly inputted data.  "There, it's as close as I can get to the actual time.  It seems Blackshire put some kind of link between that day and now, maybe he wanted to watch it as it happened, I don't know….  Get ready, all I have to is press this last… large… red… button…." The emerald eyed genius paused for barely a second, feeling her heart pound like a drum.  This is it, Little Washu, she told herself, excitement bristling through her small frame.  You're going to do it; you're going to save Tenchi!  After all this time, it's just a button push away….

With that her hand descended, yet her lithe finger paused halfway down as a beam of dark power, no thicker than a playing card, shot from the gapping hole Blackshire's flight had just created.  A look of pure terror filled the emerald-eyed woman's face, as her face seemed to drain of its color, and her stature became shaky. 

"Washu!" Tenchi screamed his voice filled with angst as he watched the short scientist fall backwards, her head falling faster than the rest of her body. 

"Too bad," a horrible hissed proclaimed, "a mind is a terrible thing to waste….  Still, mother and daughter dying the same way is quiet fitting, don't you agree?"   With fury unheard of before, the young man looked up, his eyes burning with anger, before him stood the source of this terrible attack.  Blackshire was not dead, however cracks ran through the entirety of his chitinous frame, green ooze leaking out of the deeper fissures, and his right arm, which had been severed at the elbow by Tenchi's Lighthawk sword, was now completely missing as was the shoulder it fit into.  Despite his extremely damaged state, the massive beast trudged forward, a horrible smile on its dark visage.  Appearing almost ready to collapse, the ebon knight grinned, as he cackled foully.  "It's over… I've won!"

"No…." Tenchi said, no hate, nor any other emotion in his voice.   Holding his hands forward, the young man once again called forth the Lighthawk sword.  "But you're right, it's over."  With a powerful leap, Tenchi propelled himself high into the air, and with a powerful down thrust, brought the energy weapon slicing through the lord of The Ebon Shard's neck, ceasing his dark laughter, and casting a ray of hope into this endless night. 

The large cranium of the fallen tyrant clacked loudly as it struck the ground, the sound echoing in the completely silent throne room.  Blackshire's large body toppled back and forth, as if unsure what to do, and soon it too fell, the impact deepening the cracks, and causing green blood to splatter everywhere.   There is no honor in killing a man who can't defend himself, Tenchi thought darkly as he looked at the demon's corpse. Fortunately for me, you are neither man, nor are you worthy of being treated with any honor, Blackshire.

Turning away, the young man began his brief quest towards the time portal, determined to change these horrible events.  Just as his foot landed on the first step leading to the time machine, the Jurain youth's ears heard a rustling behind him.  It was a revolting noise, a suctioning noise, like when something is being peeled away from a slime-covered surface.  Peering over his shoulder, dread filled Tenchi as he saw where the noise originated, Blackshire's body. 

Can't anything kill him?  The young man asked himself, as he quickly paced over to the fallen demon's corpse, which rocked back and forth, as if something was trying desperately to get out.  As the soul weary father looked down upon this strange occurrence, a plate of chitinous armor broke free, falling to one side, now looking more like a piece of a black egg shell than armor.   What happened next, shocked the young man to the core, as a long, slender woman's arm exploded out of the emerald innards, an arm which appeared unsettlingly familiar to the apprehensive youth. 

No… it can't be!  Tenchi panicked, grabbing a piece of the ebon knights armor, pulling with all his might, as the lithe arm continued to quest for something solid to grab onto.   Within moments, the young prince had torn several pieces of Blackshire's armor free, and he now stepped back in utter revulsion as he saw what the woman's arm was attached to.  There surrounded by an emerald slime, which passed for Blackshire's blood, was a young woman with dark blue hair, she appeared nearly his age, yet the brown-eyed youth knew such a thing to be impossible.  After all this was his daughter.   "It can't be…Mayuka!" he muttered, reaching into the vile substance to pull his daughter, who appeared to be once again fully grown, from her prison. 

At the mention of her name the once little girl's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled at her father with happy large orange eyes.  "Hello, dad-dy…." The fully-grown child said, her voice still sounding young and full of innocence, despite her being used as Blackshire's host body. 

Suddenly shaking herself from her father's arms, the young naked daughter rose to her feet excitedly.  "Look, I'm all grown up again!" she proclaimed in a voice full of innocence and jubilance, as she spun around, her expression turning from happy to horror as she saw the mangled forms of her loved ones.  Placing her hands over her mouth, the young girl nearly cried aloud.  "Oh no… I tried to warn mommy not to come here, but Mr. Shire said it would be a bad idea…. Now she had to go to bed for a long time too!  If only I'd have been done being chron-na-logically aged faster, then I could have saved her."

Chronologically aged?  That monster!  First he takes my family, now he's taken Mayuka's youth from her, and replaced it with his own terrible lies.  Reaching forward, the young man could barely speak, as the pain of all he had lost, came back on him. "Mayuka…" he managed to whimper.

"No, don't worry dad-dy," Mayuka said in her innocent voice, turning back towards him, a determined look on her face. "Mr. Shire told me everything is going to be alright.  So we can relax.  I'm gonna stop the bad person, so we can all go home together!  HE told me all about Yuzuha, and how she's been causing all this trouble.  All of this is my fault, dad-dy.  If I wasn't born bad, then no one would have been hurt, but don't worry I'll fix everything, then you, me, mommy, and all our friends can go home together and play, like we used to."  Looking at her father with warm orange eyes, the confused child smiled, trying to cheer her father from his stunned state.

"Mayuka…" the young man cried softly, stumbling forward to place his trembling hands upon her damp shoulders.  Tenchi Masaki was hurt, hurt to the very depths of his soul.  To hear his own daughter, whom he loved more than his own life, speak about the demon that had caused so much pain and suffering in loving terms, was almost more than he could bear. 

As time passed, the chill of the cold starship became apparent, and the naked woman drew her shoulders in, crossing her arms over her now endowed chest.  Slowly the brown-haired youth pulled her close to him, allowing her to take comfort and warmth from his body, while he vainly sought a way to tell his child the awful truth.  It should have been simple enough.  All he had to do was tell this innocent, naïve, and trusting young woman that the man she put all her faith in, Blackshire, was the source of all this misery, and there was no way to fix this problem, without going back in time.  Should I even tell her?  She's so vulnerable right now.  She reminds me of the young woman I met on the steps to the Masaki shrine well over a year ago.  Telling her the truth could kill her…. 

"You're sad, aren't you dad-dy?" the dark blue-haired youth said, her tone matching her father's mood.  Suddenly excitement filled her voice, "well I learned a rhyme, would you like to hear it?"

Tenchi smiled, his face still buried in her fluffy blue hair, "sure Noodles, go ahead."

"Kay!  Here goes," clearing her throat, the adopted daughter of Ryoko began.  "Where there's day there shall come night, where there's smoke you will find fire…."

As the young girl spoke, the young man's brown eyes shot open, as he leaned back, still holding his daughter tightly, a look of shock in his eyes at her horrible poem. 

"Where once there was just Mayuka, now there is…." At the utterance of those words, the small woman's eyes began to glow an unholy green, and the last prince of Jurai felt a sharp pain in his chest.

In unison, the father and daughter said the last word together, one that shattered the young man's world in one felled swoop.  "Blackshire…"

Suddenly Tenchi gazed down, seeing the source of his intense pain, as an emerald dagger, made of pure energy, was stabbed into his chest, the handle held tightly in his innocent daughter's hand.  "I warned you, didn't I? 'Soon all Universes' will tremble at this 'demon's' passing.  I'll take everything from you, and in the end you will die embracing me.'   It was a dream you had, when I was still in Ryoko Masaki's necklace.*" As his life force started to flicker away, the young warrior's hold around his daughter went limp, and slowly, he fell back to the floor. 

"I'm sorry dad-dy," Mayuka proclaimed, her personality breaking through Blackshire's control, as she propped him up into her arms. "Mr. Shire told me that this would happen.  That Yuzuha and Tokimi would use me to hurt you, I'm sorry.  I don't want to be a bad girl, but I can't help it.  They're too powerful…."

"It's not you Mayuka, but please, get rid of Blackshire, before he kills you too…" before the young man could finish, his daughter released him, and he fell to the ground with a heavy thud.  Tenchi could only watch as she

"She can't," a dark voice proclaimed, coming from the frightened girl's mouth.  "Having spent fifteen years being grown, with my mind in her own, your little girl now thinks, with all her heart and soul, that I am the only choice.  Nothing can tell her otherwise…."

"But why…"

"I have bigger plans than you," Blackshire laughed.  "I am going to become a god!  You see, the war is finally over, and you lost, Masaki.  Now go… join your family in the land of the dead." 

The last thing Tenchi Masaki saw, before death claimed him, was his special little girl, Mayuka, an unholy green glow coming from her beautiful orange eyes, standing naked in the center of the room, green ooze lightly coating her body, as she cackled madly under a demon's control.  With a final sigh, knowing all hope was lost, the young prince, hero of many, and beloved by all, passed away, and with him all hope of victory.

Looking over his shoulder, Blackshire smiled, a terrifying sight since it was Mayuka's mouth, which did the work.  At that time, a tiny voice echoed in his mind.  Mr. Shire?  Is my dad-dy going to be okay?

Yes, of course my dear.  He'll be fine.  I just had to put him into a deep sleep, so that Tokimi and Yuzuha will think he's dead.  It's all for pretend, remember?

Uh-huh.  The naïve woman replied sounding scared. 

Well my dear, girl, Blackshire thought as he walked over to the behead Ryoko's body, turning one wrist up, to examine her gem, remember what comes next.

Closing her eyes, Mayuka nodded, and with a deep breath, retook control over her body.  Her face became intense, as she stroked the cold flesh of the dead space pirate.  I must wish the gems to me… to bond with Mr. Shire's soul, so he can help everyone….  I must wish the gems to me… to bond with Mr. Shire's soul, so he can help everyone….    I must wish the gems to me… to bond with Mr. Shire's soul, so he can help everyone….   As she continued to mentally command the gems of power over and over, the three jewels began to glow, and one by one, each transferred itself into her left arm.

Yes… Blackshire hissed, hiding himself deep in Mayuka's subconscious, so she could not hear his thoughts.  She may be nearly seventeen, but she has the brains of a newborn!  This is almost too easy!  Just as I knew it would.  My soul is the darker half of Yosho's, and he is the son of Ryoko.  Thus I have ties to her power, and since a Jurain Prince originally took the gems, it only seems right, that the little girl who would be a Jurain Princess should give them to me.

Rising to her feet, Mayuka slowly, her head downcast, moved towards the silver-haired Ryoko.  It was a nearly impossible endeavor for the little girl.  In her long nights with the ebon knight, she often dreamed of her mother, Ryoko Hakubi, fondly recalling all the times she had seen the lithe woman beg her father for the gems.  Taking them seemed wrong, but at the same time, she knew it was her destiny.  As she reached the dead woman, who was suspended by chains, and appeared to have suffered numerous attacks, the orange-eyed child found she could not look at her mother directly.  Instead she merely placed the palms of her hands just above the dead woman's ample chest, repeating her vile wish, willing the other three gems into her unoccupied arm.  With a glow of intense light, the gems of Delight's Ryoko disappeared, reappearing on her right arm. 

"YES," Blackshire screamed, retaking control at that instant, as power, the likes of which he had never seen, seared thought his soul.  Holding his arms open, an explosion of pure energy crackled around the possessed woman.  At that moment, the endless darkness of the room seemed to rush towards her, flowing about quickly, as if alive.  In mere seconds, the reason was made known.  Using his unbelievable powers, the ebon knight fashioned the darkness into clothing.  Mayuka now stood in a very revealing outfit, one that covered her breasts barely, and ran down, almost like wet paint, to her groin, forming a very skimpy panty.  Her dark blue hair now seemed irradiated with emerald power, casting away the darkness, replacing the pitch blackness with something much more sinister and evil, the glow of Blackshire's soul.  Around her neck was a massive collar, encircling her head, as well as leading into a large black cloak with a tattered end, which gave the long robe appearance of wings.  Her hands and legs were also coated in the endless night, which had formed into a sort of leather gloves.  To gaze upon her now, would make even Ryoko blush, as the outfit seemed designed to be overly flashy, especially for it's intended audience.

What's happening?  Why am I dressed like this?  The little girl asked, confused as she looked upon her dominatrix like outfit. 

We're going out, now.  It's time to make sure those who did this to your loved ones understand they can't get away with it.  I just thought you'd like to do it with some clothes.  Plus, I think Ryoko would have liked you in this….

Really, Mr. Shire?  The innocent woman replied excitedly.  Then let's go!  As she thought, her words became even more determined, let's finish all this once and for all!

I couldn't agree more…. The ebon monster said, a grin on Mayuka's face, as a hiss of matter filled the air, and the possessed woman disappeared, heading towards the final destination of this morbid tale.

The Database:

In a place that to the mortal mind appeared to be a cathedral, a reunion of sorts is taking place.  However it is not a joyous one.  Captured from their home by a wicked demon, Washu and Sasami stood before a force of pure power, one known only as Lady Tokimi.  The two women, each appearing to be only children, eyed the goddess before them, who encompassed everything before them.  Sasami Jurai looked at the impressive woman before her, fear racing through her tiny body, while the red-haired genius studied the situation carefully, certain she had been here before, yet unsure when.  Although it had only been minutes, the oppressive silences as the three women eyed each other made it feel like hours.

I can't help this feeling of Déjà vu, but I'm positive I'd remember a place like this….

"Washu… Tsunami…" the great woman began, "you appear to be doing well."


"You'll have to excuse me if I don't seem excited to meet you."  The diminutive genius proclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest.  "But then again, you did send that horrible monster Blackshire, and that idiot, Clay," she muttered under her breath, more as an after thought than anything else.

"Yeah, who are you?" the nervous little Jurain asked, wiping tears from her eyes. 

The area around the universal woman flickered, and an instant she stood before the crying youth, gently wiping the trickles of water off the young Jurian's eyes.  In her current form, she barely appeared too much taller than Ryoko would; yet she still radiated glorious power.  "Let's just say I'm a friend of Tsunami's, little one.  Now then…" turning the mysterious goddess gazed at Washu, "there is something we must discuss, Washu…."

 

Before either woman could say anything, a new voice, one very familiar to the two residents of the Masaki house filled the air.  "If I may interject," the new comer asked, a mocking respect in its voice. "There's something I need to do, before you get started with this family business…."

"Mayuka…" Sasami gasped, her tiny hands clutched before her body as she looked at he woman dressed in the strange leather-like straps. "But how did she get so old again?"

"No Sasami," Washu growled, "it's not her, it's Blackshire…."

"Ahh," the young woman floating above them smiled, "it's soooo nice to be recognized.  Now then I hope you are all prepared to die, because I really have no desire to wait much longer to ascend to godhood…."

"How dare you?" Tokimi blared, holding one hand at the blue-green-haired woman, who floated gently high above.  With that simple motion, the awesome goddess could normally destroy entire planets, yet she held in her wrath, focusing it into a single beam, focusing her very essence into one small spot at the palm of her hand.  After a few moments, she released the gathered energy, a foul glare in her eyes as she willed the insulting demon's demise. 

With speed that seemed to be untraceable, the massive surge of power struck the young woman's body, causing her to writhe in agony, as the goddess's essence sough to rend her to pieces.  On the platform below, the great goddess merely smiled, watching the result of her attack.  As the azure electricity crackled around the possessed youth, causing her to shudder violently, the glow emitted from Mayuka's body seemed to diminish, as if drawn back inside her little form. 

Suddenly, the crackling force, which sough to consume it's prey, seemed to reach it's pinnacle, and the leather-clad woman threw her head back, howling madly, as the energy change its target and flowed into her mouth, with such speed it would almost appear to be getting sucked into a vortex. 

Moments later the slender blue-green haired woman hung limply in the air, smoking drifting from her body.  It appeared that Blackshire had been killed in one blow, however his current state did not please the one who had originated this attack.  Squinting her dark eyes menacingly, Tokimi glared at Mayuka's body.

"What…" the brown-haired goddess mouthed, at a loss for words at the sight.   She should have been destroyed, but how is it possible?

It began as a whisper, but slowly, like night's shadow creeping across the land, it grew, until a soul crushing laughter filled the area, and the dark blue-haired woman opened her eyes, which now emitted an unholy light.  "Was that all?"  Mayuka howled, showing all her teeth as she looked at her newest prey.  "You are a fool, Tokimi!  Did you honestly think I would create a creature like Leech, and NOT give myself a similar power?  But enough talk," pointing her hands towards the trio below, the woman clad in bizarre leather giggled, "time to die!" At that instant, three bolts of black lightning shot forth from her tiny hands, each one striking a goddess squarely in the chest, driving them to their knees. 

The sound of thunder booming in air resonated loudly, as each woman dropped to one knee.  The last to fall was Tokimi, who had resisted her former servant with ever once of her power.  "How," she hissed with anger, her eternal eyes glaring at the black clad woman who floated high above them, ebon lightning shooting from her palms, forcing the trinity of deities into submission.

 

"It's really a simple question," Blackshire laughed, his tone showing his superior ego.  "I am all of you, and more!  I possess power given to me from you, Lady Tokimi.  I have the gems of two Washu's, not to mention my essence comes from a fusion of genes from her daughter, and a part Jurain named Tenchi!  There in lies the last of you, Tsunami…  Through Tenchi's genes, and as a bonus, Mayuka's body, which is so perfect having that flavor of demonic power that it does, I am in contact with the Jurai power.  Then, being a demon like I am, I wield the Sword of the Darkraven, the blade that can kill a god!"

"But this is the Universe of Delight… you shouldn't have this kind of power, not here, not now…." Washu groaned, trying to rise back to her feet, however the black lightning, which endlessly struck them, kept her from successfully standing.  "How are you doing this?"

"It's simple really," the evil demon cackled, increasing the pain he inflicted upon his prey.  "I'm channeling my power through Mayuka's soul.  It's her cause that I fight for.  She wills the evil goddess's be destroyed, and so I will kill you all.  Just to make sure I get the right one!"

Universe of Torment:

In the dark woods of the Masaki properties, two figures waged a battle for the fate of the future.  Each was an exceptional fighter, their skills forged in the fires of battle, as well as from legendary sources. 

Yosho, having trained with his father, Tenchi Masaki, his entire life, held the Tenchi-ken tightly in his grasp, his breath coming in short wet gasps due to his recently inflicted injuries, toppled on top of Blackshire's earlier assault upon him.   The other fighter, Leech, a life siphoning gargoyle, stood crouched in front of his adversary, the ultimate weapon of his master, programmed since birth with all the fighting techniques known to the ebon knight. 

It's time to end this, time to set things right!  The strong youth thought as he prepared to rush his bestial foe. 

Yosho… a dark voice whispered into the young fighter's mind, causing him to stop before he could take the first step.  Unsure how to react to this strange turn of events, the young man stood still, as he pondered this sinister intrusion into his thoughts.   Despite this odd event, the golden-eyed warrior continued to glare at his foe, ready to strike no matter what happened.

 

Ever thought the voice was unexpected, the son of Tenchi knew to whom it belonged.  Blackshire… Yosho thought venomously, what do you want?  

Well… the evil demon began.  I thought it was time to tell you how you're actions have doomed everyone.  I've already killed everyone, and now using Mayuka I'm going to kill Washu, Tsunami, and Tokimi!  You see my boy, as your grandmother told you long ago there were TWO people who traveled back in time, one was Leech, and the other became Leech's last meal before he met your father.   That second person was….

ME!  The young man realized with horror.  Staggering back, the young champion panicked.  All along I've been playing his game, doing everything just as he planned!  If I hadn't came back…

None of this would have happened, the wretched demon announced, taking sheer delight from Yosho's plight.  But there's one last thing I forgot to mention.  You might think that all you'd change by stopping this horror is ending my life, yet I have an ace up my sleeve.  You see, the chances of your mother and father having a son was a billion to one, but when my chrono-plague struck your father, making him ill… well you got lucky….  Thus, kill me and you will have never been. 

"I take it he told you," Leech snickered, bobbing back and forth, ready to pounce at an instant's notice.  "Scary huh?  You die, Blackshire lives; Blackshire dies, you do too.  I know this all comes to you as a shock, but I really need to kill you," the evil life stealer hissed, "so I can become a god."

"Become a god?" Yosho asked, keeping his sword pointing between him and his foe. 

"Didn't you hear?  I'm going to kill your dad, and then steal your mom's gems.  Then I'll become god of Delight, and all those in it will be my feast!"  Forgetting himself in the excitement, the evil gargoyle stood on his haunches, raising his clawed arms to the sky in glory.  With a quick headshake, the red-eyed minion of Blackshire assumed his defensive stance once again.

"You idiot!  Blackshire is only going to give you death?  If you somehow kill me and get my dad, but then your own heart will kill you!"  The young man screamed, anger lacing his words, as he felt his chest tighten.  If I win, I lose, but if I lose, then I lose even more… what am I going to do?

"Do you think me a fool boy?"  The sinister assassin preached, crouching, ready to strike.  "I've seen Blackshire's thoughts and I know the way things are.  I will ascend to power, and then return to delight, to take the place of the three goddesses, while Blackshire takes this world, in the present!" 

Meanwhile: * Universe of Torment: The Masaki House

Slowly Tenchi rose to his feet, massaging his throbbing head.  Only moments ago, the eldest Masaki had come down the stairs to go on his walk.  The last thing he had planned on doing tonight was warding off an attack from his son. "Ouch…" the brown-haired young man groaned, continuing to caress his sore cranium.  "Yosho! What are you doing up at this hour?"

"Well you see dad," the nervous attacker replied, casting his sight toward his feet as he nervously continued. "I couldn't sleep."

"Ryoko's snoring keeping you up as well?"  The battered father asked laughing. "I knew she snores loud, but I didn't think it was THAT loud.  I keep telling her she does that, but you know your mom, she never listens to a word I say.  Remember the time I-"

"No!" the golden-eyed youth interjected, not tired, but not wanting to hear one of his father's long winded tales about the past.  I really have no desire to hear about the past, after all it's all settled, why worry about it?   "That's not why I'm up," the son of Ryoko Masaki answered, "I just have this feeling in the pit of my stomach… that something… some terrible is going to happen tonight."

Waving his hand, dismissing his son's concerns, Tenchi smiled.  "It's probably just your mom's cooking.  Don't worry.  Everything will be fine."  Sighing, the brown-eyed youth stretched his aching muscles.  "I'm going to go to for a quick walk, you might as well head on back to bed." 

Reluctantly, the nervous youth agreed, realizing his father could take care of himself.  Feeling his jaded nerves calming with each passing moment, Yosho started walking back to his room, however deep inside, he could still sense something bad was about to happen…. While the golden-eyed youth made his way towards the upstairs, Tenchi Masaki casually walked towards the door to his house, after all his wife wouldn't be up for at least a few more hours, an he had his whole life in front of him, there was no need to rush such a wonderful looking night. 

The Database:

Inside Mayuka's mind:

Laughing darkly, the man with the black soul peered into two portals, one showed the world through Mayuka's eyes, and the other through his creation's, Leech, eyes. I still find it hard to believe you buy my lies so easily Leech.  This is all too easy!  Of course everything IS happening, as I knew it would.  

"You lied to me, Mr. Shire!" The young woman with the dark blue hair, parted into two ponytails, as her favorite mother had liked, screamed, having heard all of Blackshire's proclamation.  While the evil knight had been making his speech, the little girl had seen the horrors of the past, realizing what was being unleashed on the universe.  "You said Tokimi and Yuzuha killed everyone, but Yosho just said that you killed them all!"

She's not as dumb as I give her credit for being…. Sighing heavily, the ebon knight stepped down from his pedestal.  "Get used to it kid, lying is how I do things.  Killing your family was the most fun I've had in my whole life, and using you to end your dad's life was the icing on the cake.  But don't worry, once I'm finished with these goddesses, I'll kill you too."

Running at the large monster, her orange eyes pouring tears, the small woman ran into his chest, banging her fists harmlessly upon the large black metal plating of the demon's armor.  "You big meany!  Give me my daddy back!  You make them better right now, or I'll…" the young Masaki stopped, as the ebon beast snatched one of her flailing arms with a swift motion.  Using his incredible strength, Blackshire hefted the struggling girl off her feet. 

"Be a good little girl, and be quiet!   I'll finish you off soon enough," with that the sinister killer hurled her away from him.  Landing hard, the daughter of Tenchi skid for a few feet, when she finally stopped, her slender body was covered with minor cuts and bruises.  Yet all this pain was nothing compared to what she felt inside, as she realized it was her fault this was happening.  Mayuka suddenly knew that she had given not only her body, but also two entire universes to this vile demon.  Huddling herself into a fetal position, the orange eyed woman began to shake incredibly as tears freely poured from her face.  With the last of her strength, she called out with her mind hoping someone, anyone, would hear her cries and help her.

The Platform:

Under the intense strain of the possessed woman's attack Sasami looked skyward, a worried look on her young face.  Tears welled in her large pink eyes as she watched Mayuka being used as the weapon, which would kill her.  Mayuka… Tsunami, I know you can hear me, is there any way we can help her?  We have to see how Tenchi and the others are doing.

I am doing my best little one, but I see no way I can break his hold.  The goddess who created Jurai announced, her mental voice strained from the exertion of Blackshire's attack.  However there may yet be a way to end this little nightmare….

High Above:

"Kids today," the possessor of souls laughed, making a sweeping motion over his stolen body.  "What are we going to do with them?  I go through all the trouble to make this outfit, and the brat has the gall to say she hates it, and me! "  Holding her arms to her side, Mayuka's slender body suddenly began to glow with a vile light, casting not illumination, but seeming to actually remove it from the air.  As the darkness rolled over Mayuka's innocent and pure body, it seemed to once again solidify, this time becoming massive plates of armor.  After a short time, the three fallen goddesses could see the fruits of the demon's labor.   

As she gazed upon him, Tokimi scowled, ignoring the pain of having her life force slowly draining away.   Using the very power I gave him that monster is turning MY universe into his armor.  Her all seeing eyes nearly allowed tears to form, but thanks to her awesome will power, the mighty goddess held back her inner strife.

 

His eyes now glowing from deep within the darkness of his armor, the demon of Torment threw back his head, laughing deeply, as he subconsciously willed the goddess's pain increase.  At that moment the black lighting, which held them on their knees doubled in intensity.  Each woman growled under her breath, trying her best to fight back, but in the end they all knew it was over, and that the war between Torment and Delight had just drawn to its inevitable close.

Universe of Torment:

"Time to die, Leech," Yosho roared as he charged vainly at his gargoyle-like foe, prepared to end this battle once and for all.  Rearing back the young man prepared to kill the vile beast standing in front of him.  However at that instant, his wounds made themselves known, sending an intense wave of pain through the battle weary youth's body.  Nearly blacking out from the strain, the golden-eyed man used all his will power not to succumb to the convulsions racking his muscular frame.   As the dizzy youth stammered forward, Leech charged forward. 

Just like Blackshire said he would…his past wounds with the nice gash I gave him, makes him easy prey.  The life stealer noted, while extending his clawed hands to grab the young man's throat, causing Yosho's eyes to flicker back open, as he realized what had just happened. 

No! I can't let it end this way!  I have to fight back….  Struggling vainly against his monstrous foes vice-like grip, Yosho suddenly heard something. 

A tiny and distant sound, which seemed to find its origins in the very depths of his mind, as if somewhere someone was trying to convey a message to him.  It was a message of pain and agony, of loss and shame; it was the crying of a little girl.  Hearing it, the young man knew instantly who it was, Mayuka…. After all she's been through, with her starvation, and repeated kidnappings by that damn Blackshire, to die like this….  Pooling all his tremendous strength, the golden-eyed Masaki tried in vain to pry Leech's vice grip from his throat.

NO, I can't do this. The battle hardened youth realized, his arms still reaching for the translucent gargoyle before him, trying to pry the beast away.  I need help, using his mind, the golden-eyed Masaki cried out, hoping someone, anyone would hear him, and come to his aid.  The young man's plea was heard.  However the one who heard him, was nearly powerless to help.  Yet she would do everything in her power for him, no matter what the costs….

Next Time:  Blackshire has won.  All tremble before his power, and bow before him.  In this darkest hour, a lone fighter rises one last time to try and turn the tide of this wave of destruction. But is there any hope at all?  Can Yosho possibly win against Leech while in Torment, where he is destined to die?  Or will this truly be, The Final Saga…?!

Chapter 25: The Waking Nightmare Revisited

* Chapter 6, is where Tenchi has this dream

* The Waking Nightmare Chapter 1 (just before Yosho heads off, fearing for his father's safety.)

* The Waking Nightmare Chapter 1 [again] (slightly revised) where Yosho and Tenchi have a discussion after Yosho attacks his dad.