"Tenchi Muyo!" and all characters herein are the property of Pioneer and AIC, save those created by the author. This is a fanfic, and is not for profit.
Tenchi Muyo! Odyssey
Chapter Twenty-four: Fire Break by William Nichols
"This is not Shigeru," Marnot announced without preamble as the last embers of the demons body flickered out. "At least not the Shigeru I remember," he added almost as an afterthought.
"Then who was it?" Tenchi asked as he nursed a bruise that was beginning to form right below his right ribs. The lighthawk wings can absorb a great deal of punishment, but some blows still get thru.
"Something evil," Marnot said coldly.
"And what has not been evil on this Odyssey?" Ayeka inquired of her newfound love. Marnot sighed and ran a hand thru his raven hair, eventually sweeping it out to adjust the band at the base of his braided queue. Ayeka smiled as her eyes followed his chiseled features, which to her resembled a statue one might carve of a deity, rather than the flesh and blood guardian before her.
"Compared to what is approaching," Marnot said, "everything in this Odyssey has been, how shall we say, minor."
"Minor?" Tenchi said with an incredulous laugh. "I don't call ten meter tall fire demons 'minor'."
Marnot narrowed his golden eyes onto the disbelieving champion. "Trust me," he said trying to intone as much seriousness as he could into his legato voice. "I have seen what is approaching, and it took a millennia before I could close my eyes at night and not see that unspeakable evil." Tenchi gulped audibly at Marnot's revelation and Ayeka took a faltering step back. "I have not meant to frighten you," Marnot apologized.
"What is it then?" Tenchi demanded. "Why I been chosen to fight this 'evil'? All of this is so vague."
"Vagueness has its purpose," Marnot explained as he circled the pile of ashes that had been the towering demon. "There is really no adequate way to describe what is coming, it is unspeakable, to say the least."
"I have heard of a legend on Jurai," Ayeka began trying to keep her voice from faltering. "I always thought of it as a legend, but so many legends have been proven to me in the past week, I don't know any longer."
"What is it Tenchi?" Tenchi asked.
Marnot watched Ayeka intensely as she fumbled for the right words. 'She may know,' he concluded to himself.
"There is an old myth about an dark Elder," she began quietly.
"I would say fallen rather that dark," Marnot corrected.
"So it is true?" Ayeka trembled.
"Yes." Ayeka's eyes widened as she began to visibly shake. "Fear not," Marnot comforted as he wrapped his arms around the trembling princess. "The young champion here is the light, and we will turn back this darkness." Ayeka sniffed and nodded slightly as Marnot stroked her flowing purple tresses.
"Did I miss something here?" Tenchi asked scratching his head.
"All will be revealed," Marnot said. "But we need to find the real Shigeru and the stone of light."
"Agreed," Tenchi said as he held onto those sore ribs. "Which way?"
"I would guess that way," Marnot stated as he chucked a thumb towards the previously hidden doors that had just slid open.
"Then lets go," Tenchi said as he pulled a palm light out of Washu's backpack and cast its beam down the darkened corridor.
****
Ryoko watched Tenchi and the others from the astral realm. She laughed slightly at that last thought. 'Her Tenchi.' She had wanted to say that for so long and have him return her love. And now that he had she might never get to share those feelings with him. She watched intently as the trio left the demons arena. She was glad Ayeka had found happiness, and she honestly hoped it worked out for her. But her gaze kept returning to her Tenchi.
He appeared so much more mature to her now than he did at the start of this whole ordeal, even though he had not aged a day. This Tenchi was so different from the scared kid that had freed her from that cave. He had grown up without her really taking notice of it. Tenchi was taller than her now, but just barley. As was his hair longer than it had been, pulled together in a plait mid-back similar to the one his grandfather had. A few strands of bangs fell down right above his brown eyes.
'Those eyes,' Ryoko thought. 'They haven't changed.' It had been Tenchi's eyes that she had first fell in love with so many years ago. His face seemed thinner to her now, but that may have been from lack of decent food on this Odyssey. She was sure that when this was over Sasami would have her work cut out for her. Although his field jacket and cargo style pants hid the rest of his features, Ryoko knew that underneath was well toned.
Something else had changed about Tenchi during this Odyssey Ryoko thought. He seemed to walk with an air of confidence he had never really had before. Not an arrogant swagger, just confidence. Ryoko felt her heart fall as Tenchi and the other disappeared into the blackened corridor. She wanted to touch him so badly, to be near him, to protect him.
"Tenchi…" she cried as she reached out with a phantom hand.
********
"What is the matter?" Marnot asked as Tenchi stopped in front of him and Ayeka. His senses said that there was nothing dangerous approaching, but the champion had stopped as if a fanged, three-headed hydra had just stepped out in front of him, which was entirely possible.
Tenchi closed his eyes and swallowed as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He had a good idea of what caused it, and it pained him that he could not do anything about it at the moment, but he promised himself that would change. "Nothing Tenchi," lied. "I just…thought I saw something, but my eyes were playing tricks on me."
"If you say so…" Marnot replied. He had an intuition as to what had stopped the champion, but he knew now was not the time or place to discuss such matters. Just to be safe though, he allowed his senses to remain at this heightened state, but the only thing he heard was the click of their heels as they explored the catacomb.
"So tell me," Tenchi finally said breaking the silence. "How do I defeat a 'fallen Elder'?" Marnot chewed his bottom lip for a minute as he carefully chose his words.
"I would say contain not so much as defeat," the guardian admitted.
"Then how do I contain a fallen Elder?"
"That is up to you my young friend." Tenchi sighed inwardly and outwardly at yet another cryptic response form Marnot.
Marnot hated to be so vague, but he knew good and damn well that telling Tenchi that the last time this happened the champion was destroyed when he channeled the necessary power to seal the evil one away, wouldn't help matters. But deep down Marnot knew this champion was different than the one he had guided before the dark one manifested. This champion had something special about him, and that just may be what it would take to turn back the darkness.
A few meters ahead of them, Tenchi's light fell onto something solid. As the circle of light grew larger it became evident was the obstruction was. A finely engraved stone door blocked their path, and for once there was no lighthawk emblem to activate the locking mechanism.
"That's nice," Tenchi, commented as his eyes looked for anything remotely looked like a lighthawk emblem.
"Fascinating," Marnot commented as he read the ancient script.
"What does it say?" Ayeka asked.
"I'll use the orb," Tenchi began as he held the wristwatch-sized device to the arcane lettering.
"No need," Marnot said as he placed a hand on Tenchi's wrist. "It reads:
"Only the chosen of the Lady shall enter the chapel of flame."
"But how do we get in?" asked Ayeka.
"It does not elaborate any further," Marnot said shaking his head.
"Just great," began Tenchi as he leaned back against the block. To his immediate shock, along with everyone else present, he fell through the block.
"Tenchi!" screamed Ayeka as tried to grab a hold of him before he vanished into the rock, but her only reward was her slamming into the rock face. "Ow," she whimpered, rubbing her head.
"I guess we are not invited," Marnot said as he helped the princess to her feet. He wrapped his knuckles against the block just to make sure it was solid before he returned his attention to Ayeka.
"What now?" she asked as if that three-headed hydra Marnot had imagined earlier was about to reappear.
"We wait," Marnot said flatly.
***
Sasami was watching afternoon cartoons with Mihoshi when Washu found her. Washu smiled at the little princess, who seemed to be actually be enjoying herself for the first time since Ryoko's spirit was taken. Washu knew deep down that Sasami had done something to save her daughters life when her vital signs crashed that day. She was not exactly sure what Sasami did, but she was grateful. Finally Washu managed to build the nerve to disturb the enthralled princess.
"Sasami?" she asked softly as she sat down next to her.
"Yes miss Washu?"
"Remember when I asked you help me with something?"
"Uh-huh," Sasami mumbled as her eyes followed a spectacular explosion caused by one of the mechanized battle suits in the TV show blasting the daylights out of another battle suit. Washu frowned at the display, not so much for the mindless violence, but because she knew the physics of such a shot…Washu shook her head to snap out of the scientist mode and returned to what she had come to ask about.
"Tomorrow, someone is coming to help us and I need for you to open a gateway for us." Sasami broke her attention away from the TV show and stared at Washu.
"You mean a…" her voice trailed off as Washu nodded. "Won't we get in trouble for that?"
"Seeing what's coming, I don't really think it's gonna matter," Washu admitted.
"Okay," Sasami said her eyes wide as tea saucers. "I'll do it."
"Thank you," Washu said as she gave Sasami a hug.
"Help Tenchi," Sasami said into Washu's ear as she squeezed the scientist back.
"I will," Washu promised, and if she had any power left, she would. With the commercial break over and the cartoon restarted Washu left Sasami to get back to being a little girl. After raiding the fridge for a quick snack Washu headed out back and up the shrine steps. She had one more favor to ask today.
***
Katsuhito was tending to the shrine records when a quiet wrap came at the office door. He had been expecting this visit for about a day now, so it came as no surprise. "Come in," He said never looking up from his books.
"Lord Katsuhito," Washu began as she sank to her knees. "Will you honor me by performing a purification ritual?"
The old shrine master raised an eyebrow from his work and tapped his pencil to his chin. "You ask even though you know I do not approve of what you are doing?"
"I do," replied Washu solemnly.
"I will honor your request," he stated softly. Washu was about to thank him when Katsuhito spoke again. "Although you are partly to blame for what is approaching." Washu visibly cringed at the truth in his words.
"I know," she said flatly, without any hint of remorse. "That was a long time ago, and much has changed since then."
"But has she?"
"That is why we must do this tomorrow. If we are to have any chance at success we have to be united again," Washu said. In fact, the reunification of the Megamisama was about the only hope to turn back the darkness.
"Very well," Katsuhito stated as his gaze shifted back to his ledger.
"Thank you," Washu added as she left the shrine. Katsuhito's 'welcome' was unspoken, but understood. He knew that Washu was correct, but he knew he was right as well. All he could pray for was that the same folly would not be repeated.
************
"What the-!" Tenchi yelled as he fell back through the rock face-and landed in another part of the sanctuary. As he gathered his senses he recognized certain features that he seen before. Everything was starch white. The floors, the columns, the stairs, and alter; everything was brilliant white. Even the air seemed to glow with this white aura. It was just as it had been in the sanctuary of water and air.
"Welcome to my chapel," a tall, robed man said as he descended the alter stairs. He was nearly a head taller than Tenchi, with a shock of fire red hair and a goatee of the exact same color. His emerald eyes stood in contrast to his red hair and almost pallid flesh. He was covered from the neck down by a long black cloak, which he quickly tossed aside to reveal a fighters body. His bare arms and legs were long and sinewy, and his chest gave the impression of moderate weight lifter. The rest of his near perfect body was covered with a black and gold fighting tog.
"I am Shigeru," he said nonchalantly as if the fact was common knowledge.
"Then what was that I fought earlier?" Tenchi asked as the new Shigeru circled him, eyeing him intently.
"That was my dark reflection," he said. "Anyone who can defeat it has to be worthy of continuing the Odyssey."
"So you have the stone of fire?" Tenchi asked as Shigeru paused in front of him.
"Yes and no."
"Yes and no?" Tenchi parroted.
"Why must mortals repeat everything?" Shigeru asked shaking his head. "Yes as in I have the spirit stone, and no as in I am not going to give it to you." Tenchi was about to protest when Shigeru continued. "Unless you duel me."
"Duel you?"
"There he goes again," sighed Shigeru. "Yes. A duel. Me. You. Swords. First blood. Was that simple enough?" Tenchi fought back his laughter as the guardian spirit spoke to him as one would a three year old. "Go ahead laugh it up!" Shigeru said somewhat offended. Tenchi smirked as the foppish guardian held out his right left hand materialized a green energy sword.
Tenchi immediately turned serious as he too formed his blade. Shigeru smiled as the lighthawk wings enveloped the young champion replacing his drab field gear with priestly robes of the order of Tsunami. Tenchi leveled his blade at the real Shigeru as his grandfather's instructions played thru his mind. Shigeru shot Tenchi a devilish grin and the duel began.
Immediately Tenchi was on the defensive as Shigeru brought his blade form side to side. Tenchi easily parried the attacks and set himself up for a counter attack. The lighthawk sword blazed as he pushed Shigeru back with a series of lightening fast strikes to the left and to the right, but he guardian managed to successfully parry all of his attacks.
Once again on the defensive Tenchi found Shigeru to pressing the attack a little harder this time. The guardian's green blade was a constant blur as he struck from right to left and back to right again. As Shigeru brought his blade across Tenchi jumped up and split kicked, allowing the blade to pass beneath him.
"Nice," Shigeru commented as he parried Tenchi's counterstrike. This time it was Tenchi who upped the stakes. His strikes were lightening fast as he tried to blitz the guardian. Shigeru grinned wildly as Tenchi tried to de-sword him. "Very nice," he commented again as their sword guards met. For a moment the duel turned into pushing contest, but Tenchi realized that Shigeru out classed him in the strength department, so he wisely somersaulted away.
Only to have Shigeru be right back on top of him, pressing the offensive. Tenchi grunted as he deflected Shigeru's attacks. Each successive blow from the guardian was becoming more and more difficult to parry. Shigeru's height and strength gave the better leverage, while Tenchi had the better center of gravity. 'Why not,' Tenchi thought as Shigeru arced his blade towards him.
Tenchi dropped down and used his momentum to slide between Shigeru's legs. A quick somersault later and he was ready to press the offensive to the nimble guardian. Shigeru spun around on his left heel and brought his blade up just in time to block Tenchi's blow. As their eyes met Shigeru nodded in acknowledgement of Tenchi's rather unorthodox tactic. Their blades met in a flurry of blue and green light as Shigeru spun around and delivered an elbow to Tenchi's already swore ribs. It was nothing underhanded, just a little love tap. The reaction on Tenchi's face was Shigeru had hoped for as his blade met Tenchi's again.
Blue and green electrical discharges began to land at their feet as the guardian and champion once again tested the others strength. Tenchi winced as the bruise reminded him that it was there in a rather unpleasant way. Shigeru channeled his immense strength into his weapon as Tenchi tried to stand resolute against him, but the guardian was just too powerful. With one final push Shigeru forced his blade thru the lighthawk sword.
Tenchi cringed as his blade dissipated and the green energy blade stopped millimeters from his nose. At that point Shigeru extinguished his blade and stepped back and bowed to Tenchi. Tenchi returned the gesture as the guardian began to approach him once more.
"Well fought," Shigeru complimented.
"You are a master," Tenchi said respectfully.
"Oh no," Shigeru laughed as his black cloak reformed around him. "I've only had a few million millennia to practice." Tenchi started to laugh but a sharp jab raced from his bruise causing his grin to turn into a pained expression. "And you concealed your injury well," Shigeru admitted. Tenchi was about to step aback when the guardian placed his hand over the bruise. A soft green aura emanated from Shigeru's hand and spread over the bruised area.
"There,' said Shigeru as he pulled his hand back. To Tenchi's surprise the bruise was gone. "You kept dropping your elbow to protect that area," Shigeru said. Tenchi blinked at him a couple of time trying to figure out what he meant before it came to him. He had been telegraphing the wound to Shigeru the entire fight.
"I guess I was," Tenchi admitted sheepishly.
"You have earned this," Shigeru said a deep red ruby coalesced in front of him out of a point of light.
"But I did not win," said Tenchi.
"But you fought honorably and did not use your wound to get out of the duel," Shigeru said as he plucked the ruby from midair. "Winning was never a stipulation. Just the duel."
"Thank you," Tenchi said as Shigeru placed the ruby into the final cardinal point of the medallion. Fire occupied the north point. To the east was water. To the south: air. And the gem of the earth occupied the western point. Only the spot in the center for the light stone remained vacant.
"It has been my honor," said Shigeru as he knelt before the champion. "Return to your compatriots," Shigeru said as the chapel dissolved around Tenchi.
************
"Ahem!" coughed Tenchi as he stepped back through the portal in the rock face. Instantly Ayeka and Marnot pulled apart and tried to put as much distance between themselves as possible.
"Tenchi!" squeaked Ayeka as she shoved a lock of disheveled violet hair back behind her ear.
"We were waiting for you," began Marnot trying to hide a devilish grin.
"That's what it looked like to me," Tenchi said sarcastically.
"Yes anyway," Shigeru said quickly, trying to change the subject. "Were you successful?"
"That I was," Tenchi replied as he held up the medallion to show off the newly acquired stone of fire.
"Well done!" complimented Marnot as he landed a hearty slap on the champions back. "So shall we depart from this place?"
"The quicker the better," Tenchi said as Ayeka tried not to make eye contact with him. He had caught her, and Tenchi reveled in it. He still owed Ayeka for going along with that joke Marnot played on him earlier, and this would be oh so useful.
"Where to now?" Ayeka asked as she took her place next to Tenchi and Marnot.
"The sanctuary of light," Tenchi surmised. Once again the familiar ring of light formed at their feet and swirled up to encompass them before it collapsed to a single point as shot off at an incredible rate.
******
Once again a klaxon sounded in Washu's lab drawing her away from her studies. With a swing of her hips her floating cushion drifted over to her main computer console. After the previous three system crashes she had decided not to have it attempt to track Tenchi as they left for the final sanctuary. She flicked a switch terminating the klaxon and punched up the data she had been able to collect.
By her reckoning the master keys signature was headed towards the galactic core. "The Temple of Light," she said to herself. Only one spirit stone remained to be collected before Tenchi went before the Elder for final judgment, and she hoped that she would present when that happened. But all of that depended on what she did tomorrow.
"Be well," she prayed again as the chronometer above Ryoko's bed rolled over a new hour.
02: 23: 59: 12
Time was running out, and there was so much left to do, and Washu did not know if they could do it.
*******
"He has received the spirit of fire," The crimson-cloaked Elder announced to his brethren.
"All that remains is the spirit of light," the one in blue said.
"And the guardian must be dealt with," added the one in green.
"He shall be in due time," spoke the one in crimson again. "All in due time."
The Odyssey shall continue in the Megamisama Side Story.
WilliamNichols