Howdy Folks.
This is a short story set before Cycle1 of "No Need For Sasami".
It deals with what exactly happened to Emperor Azusa. It takes
place about 18 odd years or so before the start of NNFS, and falls
into the Ryoko's Love scheme of things after Naroda Beach and the
trip to Jurai for Startica.
Enjoy. C&C welcomed.
Sincerely,
Mike McAvoy
******************************************************************
Credits: Tenchi Muyo!/No Need For Tenchi is a product of
Pioneer/AIC. As such, I'm getting no compensation for writing this
fiction other than my own enjoyment, because the thought of getting
sued is rather unpleasant.
Mr. Long T. Tran for his "Tenchi Muyo: Ryoko's Love Prologue"
story line, specifically use of his character Shoji. His fiction can be
found at GenSao's excellent Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction Page:
http://members.xoom.com/gensao/
Disclaimer: All characters *I* have created are purely a work of
fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is pure coincidence.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is probably just itching for a fight.
Also, please do not try and distribute this story in some lame attempt
to make a buck; it would be bad karma to say the least.
Email appreciated!
Send comments to Michael McAvoy (mmcavoy@acm.vt.edu)
The completed "No Need For Sasami" Cycle 1 can be found at:
http://www.acm.vt.edu/~mmcavoy/
Tenchi Muyo!
"No Need For Sasami"
Throw physic to the dogs, I'll none of it!
Come, put mine armor on! Give me my staff!
Seyton, send out! Doctor, the thanes fly from me!
Come, sir, dispatch! If thou couldst, doctor, cast
The water of my land, find her disease
And purge it to a sound and pristine health,
I would applaud thee to the very echo,
That should applaud again!
[King Macbeth, distressed by an imminent battle
and his wife's illness]
-- William Shakespeare
Tenchi... don't even think that I am giving in.
This is only the beginning.
-- Emperor Azusa [TM! OAV13]
-* Folly and Ascension *-
[The End of Emperor Azusa's Reign of Jurai]
A NNFS Side Story by Michael McAvoy
During the first two years since his world turned upside
down, a competition raged between two women. Locked in a battle for
Tenchi Masaki's affections, the space pirate Ryoko and the Juraian
princess Ayeka struggled for the upper hand in their contest.
However, during that same period, they both failed to realize one
crucial fact:
Tenchi, very simply, was not looking to fall in love with
anyone just yet.
Regardless, the snide remarks, the haughty looks, and the
screeching fights continued unceasingly. Ryoko and Ayeka, without
realizing it, had formed a relationship based on antagonism that went
far beyond Tenchi's involvement. While their ultimate goal was
always Tenchi's heart, in many ways that goal was sidelined as the
two women enjoyed the simple thrill of getting under each other's
skin.
In the meantime, unbeknownst to the pair, what they had so
enthusiastically battled each other for had undergone a subtle change
of his own. Tenchi, not even realizing it himself, had grown into a
frame of mind and state of maturity where he was open to the
possibility of love and a relationship. And the self-realization of that
fact would stun Tenchi as surely as had he been hit with a decent sized
brick.
It is now the summer of his eighteenth year on Earth, and
Tenchi has chosen Ryoko. The competition is over.
For Tenchi, however, it has not been a question of Ryoko or
Ayeka. For nearly two years, he has accepted and treated both women,
indeed all the women at the Masaki residence, as beloved house
guests. Until now, Tenchi has not felt the need to involve himself
romantically with anyone. Since his vacation with Ryoko to Naroda
Beach, however, Tenchi feels as if he has been filled with electricity.
As if having his eyes open for the first time, he sees in his heart that
there has only been Ryoko waiting there for him.
The reaction from Ayeka has not been what folks at the
Masaki residence would have expected. In fact, it has not been what
the princess herself would have imagined. The sadness, loneliness,
and hurt feelings have presented themselves just as she had dreamed
they would if she were ever to lose Tenchi; those feelings, though, are
not as raw as they might have been. Ayeka has been distracted by the
arrival of her new guardian and has been wrestling with a notion about
what her true feelings for Tenchi really are.
Ayeka, in her heart, seems to have realized for at least some
time now that Tenchi will never become the kind of man she has
desired in her fantasies. Ayeka has been raised a princess, and she has
grown up seeking a prince as the image of a mate. Tenchi, for all his
noble qualities, would never want to become the kind of man, the kind
of royalty, that Ayeka has spent her life desiring in a love. It is this
slow realization that has perhaps softened the stinging blow of
Tenchi's choice of Ryoko. the staggering realization for Ayeka that
perhaps Tenchi is not what is best for her life.
That powerful self-discovery, however, will take a while for
Ayeka to work through. After all, it is not easy to give up in the blink
of an eye that which one has fixated on for two years. In the
meantime, she will have to contend with her uncertain future, as well
as the assignment by her father, the emperor of Jurai, Azusa, of Shoji
as her new guardian.
For now, Ayeka has invited Tenchi and Ryoko to join her on
Jurai for Startica, the summer solstice. Journeying to Ayeka's home
planet, Tenchi and Ryoko are nigh unprepared for what awaits them
there. Amidst the festive atmosphere among the commoners of Jurai
lies a thinly veiled undercurrent of resentment, maliciousness, and
bigotry held by many of the noble houses towards the people of Earth.
In particular, the revelation that Yosho's survival has led to a prodigy
of royalty, whose ability to wield the power of Jurai far exceeds the
current emperor's, places a piercing scrutiny upon a still na<ve Tenchi.
Also, any welcome that might have been made to the young Masaki is
evaporated once the identity of his love, Ryoko, is made known.
Tenchi and Ryoko learn with unhappiness that hatred and
revenge have long memories, and Ryoko's attack on the palace seven
hundred years earlier has not been forgotten. They also find that a
royal pardon is thinner than the paper it has been decreed upon,
especially from an emperor who has been cajoled by his wives to take
such an action in the first place. Emperor Azusa's royal pardon of
Ryoko on Earth has caused great outrage amongst the noble houses of
Jurai and undermined his eons old grasp on power a good deal.
Emperor Azusa is a man beset with demons, from both his
own insecurity and from the pressures that the noble houses place
upon him. Additionally, Tenchi's quite manner and wild popularity
with the commoners of Jurai serve only to further set Azusa's teeth on
edge. To the emperor, originating from a pressure-driven illogic,
Tenchi is nothing more than a powerful rival poised to usurp his
empire completely.
And as the emperor has learned from ages past, rivals must
be neutralized.
Perceiving her father's actions, a young princess Sasami
becomes thoroughly enraged and a vocal protester of the maliciousness
being served upon Tenchi and Ryoko. Even Ayeka, who has made not
finding fault with her royal family a lifetime practice, can not deny the
insidious webs her father and the noble houses weave. With a resolve
unseen before, Ayeka confronts her father publicly, stating her
intentions to leave Jurai again with Sasami, Tenchi, and Ryoko for
Earth.
Incensed by his daughter's public disregard for his authority,
Azusa summons a nobleman to challenge Tenchi in combat from
numerous, eager volunteers. The emperor desires to see Tenchi
humbled and vanquished in the eyes of the court and offers an
incredulous Ayeka's hand in marriage as reward for doing just so.
It is the summer of Tenchi Masaki's nineteenth year, and a
firestorm of challenges against him have begun.
Emperor Azusa, however, has gravely miscalculated.
*************************************************************************
Emperor Azusa could honestly not remember when his
unsettling dreams first began, only that they coincided roughly with
his discovery of Yosho and Tenchi on Earth. Infrequent at first, the
visions within his dreams had increased in number after the royal visit
to Earth to locate his missing daughters and son. Azusa, a vain man
and full of pride, did not take well to an earthling with merely a
sprinkling of Jurai blood being able to wield such immense power as
the Light Hawk Wings.
The dreams, vague and difficult to recall, had whispered to
Azusa for some time after the suitor he had brought to Earth had been
vanquished by Tenchi (with quite a bit of help from Mihoshi). As the
months wore on, bits of his dreams would come back to Azusa's
memory, making the emperor moody and more irritable than usual.
There came a point when even his two wives, who already had been
treating Azusa coolly for quite some time, distanced themselves even
further from his grouchy behavior.
Now, Tenchi and Ryoko, along with Azusa's defiant
daughters, had come and gone to Jurai for Startica, thwarting his best
attempts to remove the imagined threat that Tenchi presented him.
>From the evening that Tenchi and company left Jurai, the unsettling
dreams had reached a level of clarity previously unseen. Though his
visions might begin any of a hundred different ways, they always
ended in a similar fashion.
[And you do not seem to understand,] a feminine voice would
whisper in Azusa's dreams as his visions became clear.
There would be Tenchi, standing before the emperor's court,
a confused look of misunderstanding on his face. Ryoko would be very
near his side, anger washing her features. Even Sasami and Ayeka,
each wearing masks of defiance. The lush, green lawns of the royal
reception hall, a towering amphitheater supported by monstrous tree
limbs, were always filled shoulder to shoulder with members of the
noble houses of Jurai. Azusa could feel their eyes burning through
him with interest.
[What changed in you?] the woman's voice would ask.
In his dreams, Azusa would order Ayeka and Sasami, before
the full court, to remain on Jurai and forever give up the backwater
boy, Tenchi. To his incitement, his daughters would refuse, causing
him to call forth a challenger to defeat Tenchi in public. A nervous
tittering in the crowds of nobles, some would feign shock or surprise,
but most inwardly would take pleasure at Azusa's authority being
rebuked. In his dreams, however, Azusa could see all their thoughts.
[It seemed you were an honest man, once,] she would
continue.
Tenchi would then, each time, refuse the challenge,
entreating in his quiet way for the emperor to simply let everyone
come back to Earth. Again, someone defying the emperor's
command. Certainly, Tenchi always seemed to think there was a
way to work things out. His genuine integrity only irritated Azusa
more. Did Tenchi actually *think* he could walk away after making
the emperor of Jurai look like a dotard?
[What changed in you, dear one?] It was always a sad
question.
Stopping to note the satisfaction from the assembled horde of
noble families, the emperor always took a brief pleasure in his dreams
when he saw himself ordering the guards to subdue a surprised Ryoko
and detaining his daughters as well. The unhappy and angry look on
Tenchi's face was always worth dwelling on. Eyes narrowing, a
serpent's grin would plaster dream Azusa's features.
[Please.]
The challenger would step forward, an ambitious young
Juraian who held little love for the emperor, but who was willing to
further his own position at court any way possible. And not a fop this
time either, but a soldier and excellent swordsman in his own right.
Tall and arrogant, the nobleman would throw several biting and snide
remarks at Tenchi, his lineage, and his planet before commencing the
duel. Tenchi would have no time to hesitate, activating his own sword
and reacting to his attacker.
[Please. do not make me regret you.]
Adept, the emperor would note of Tenchi's ability as he
watched the duel, but it was obvious Azusa's champion was more
skilled. After all, even with Yosho's instruction, Tenchi's meager
years of training could not compare to a young Jurai nobleman who
had been dueling for at least fifty years. Yet, why was Tenchi not
using the Light Hawk Wings to defeat his opponent? He seemed to
have no more power than what was the bare minimum to keep his
sword, Tenchi-ken activated. Were the reports and rumors Azusa had
come by mistaken about the boy's true abilities?
The young Masaki would invariably start to tire and be driven
back. That would be when Ryoko would try to break her restraints,
only to be forced violently to the ground by the royal guards who
surrounded her. Azusa could sense the thrill in the crowds of nobles,
seething forward to watch the pirate pay for her seven hundred year
old crime. The emperor, smoothing his long, brown beard could
almost taste the satisfaction of imminent victory.
[Do not let these fears whisper in your heart,] warned the
mysterious and unseen woman in his dream.
A sudden lurch in the dream would seem to slow time
incredibly. Azusa would watch Tenchi's head spin at Ryoko's cry. He
would watch the boy's face deaden into a dispassionate mask. Ayeka,
with Shoji hovering beside her, would cry out, commanding the guards
to release Ryoko. They would not listen, of course; they were loyal to
the emperor of Jurai, not his mere daughter.
This time, a brilliant flash from the massive courtyard.
Azusa, each time, could feel his eyes close in pain from the glare.
Slowly opening them, he would see the *real* threat that haunted him
day in and day out.
[These fears will only hurt you.]
Tenchi, transformed by the full energy of the Tree of Light,
covered in shimmering robes and fields of near transparent armor.
The nobles would recoil in shock as Tenchi, darting silently, would
dispatch his opponent, knocking him senseless with one move. Not
hesitating, the young man would then scatter the royal guards with
several sweeping arcs of his Light Hawk Sword. Standing defensively
over Ryoko, he would be flanked by Ayeka and Sasami, with Shoji
taking an aggressive position to the crowd as well.
"We are leaving now, Azusa!" Tenchi's voice always
thundered, despite being so even and calm.
Azusa could feel his dream self rising up from his throne to
his feet, fists balled in rage. "I will not permit you to leave, you
insolent Earthling pup!"
"You will *not* have my empire, now or *ever*!"
Charging down the marbled staircase, an energy sword
conjured from the power of Jurai, he would watch as Sasami's eyes
deepened in concentration. That part of the dream always stood out to
Azusa. Should not his youngest daughter be terrified of seeing her
father so powerful and deadly?
A violent rocking would then strike the great hall.
Crumbling one of the amphitheater sides, the bow of the great
battleship, Tsunami, would cleave into the immense royal courtyard,
strewing debris over many of the frightened nobles. Azusa would
pause in mid-stride, only then aware that his own daughter, Sasami,
had called her ship in.
The emperor could hear himself commanding Shoji to strike
down Tenchi from behind, but the steady refusal of the guardian was
more than enough of a message to show his absolute loyalties now lay
with princess Ayeka. Roaring in outrage, Azusa would advance down
the throne staircase to the courtyard, more than willing to destroy all
who would defy him.
[You are falling from me.]
The female apparition always chose that moment to appear in
his dreams, not unlike how she had first appeared that fateful day.
Blocking Azusa's path to Tenchi and the others, the emperor would
skid to a halt on the soft grass, his Jurai energy weapon raised before
him. Observing the shadowy figure in apprehension for a split-second,
he would then feel everything begin to close in around him.
Slashing wildly at the empty air in front of him, Azusa would
grow more desperate as the spirit closed in. Commanding,
threatening, and then crying out, the stunned witnesses would watch,
unable to see the specter that pursued him, the emperor as he yelled
and fought with the emptiness around him.
[You are fading.]
And the blurry figure would begin to come in focus. Tall,
female, and draped in flowing white Juraian robes. The long, blue
hair that streamed behind the woman, and the soft, blue aura that
seemed to envelope her always. A hundred trees seemed to flow from
her silvery shadow, reaching out with twitching limbs to capture the
sinking Azusa and squeeze the life out of him.
[You will not hurt him.]
Tsunami. Her eyes always seemed to blaze a white fire. As
the spirit closed in on him, Azusa could feel the tree limbs biting into
his flesh, tearing him apart slowly.
[I will not *allow* you to hurt him.]
"AWAY!! AWAY, FOUL SPIRIT!!" he would finally cry out.
* * *
Kicking and thrashing in his massive bed, Azusa, the
emperor of Jurai, woke up screaming. Wrapped in his silken bed
sheets, the emperor pulled at the fine cloth, making long tears in his
desperation. Freed at last, the sweating man staggered out into the
middle of his room, spinning wildly and taking in ragged breaths.
"Demon!" he yelled to the empty room, "Lurker in the
shadow of your own trees!"
One hand against the side of his head and one hand out in
front of him, Azusa tore wildly from his room and entered an immense
hallway, scattering a number of already wary and frightened servants.
Pushing them aside roughly, the emperor grabbed one of several robes
that lined the room, struggling to put it on.
"This was part of your plan in the first place!" he yelled
angrily,
shoving two servants who attempted to aid him, "Take *me* from my
throne and place that... that *boy* on it! I have known this from the
first day I learned of his existence! But I will *not* be moved!"
His robes whipping around almost as quickly as his brown
beard and hair, Azusa stormed from his suites and thundered down the
corridors of his personal battleship. Guards, servants, and courtiers
all gave way before the emperor's violent features, but none of them
could actually discern the fear that gnawed in the dark pit of his soul.
Crossing the lush structure of his Juraian ship, the emperor
eventually made his way to the command center. Having regained
control of most of his emotions, he strode up to his ship's captain, an
aging man who had learned commanding the emperor's flagship
almost always meant never being able to make his own decisions.
"We will be there soon."
It was not a question Azusa posed to the captain. The captain
bowed quickly and nodded.
"Yes, your imperial majesty," he confirmed, "we are currently
entering the outer zones of the Sol system, and we are decreasing
speed in order to safely navigate the inner planetary asteroid fields.
We should be at Earth in a few hours."
"Do not decrease speed," Azusa commanded in a deadly
voice, "I want to be there as soon as possible, and I will hold you
*directly* responsible if this ship should incur damage, captain."
"Y-yes, your imperial majesty!" the captain replied slightly
unsteadily, but quickly.
No, one did not to make decisions very often as captain of the
emperor's vessel, but one argued those decisions made for him even
less.
Azusa stared out at the virtual screens that wrapped around
the bridge, his eyes as cold as the space that separated the billions of
stars that formed the Milky Way.
"When we reach Earth, set down immediately at the
designated coordinates," he commanded.
The captain chose that moment to break his usual obedience.
"But your majesty," he began, "that portion of the Earth will
be in darkness when we arrive. Our descent will light up the sky for
great distances, and we will be visi-*urp*!"
An almost metallic hum began as the captain found a bright
blue energy sword poised at his neck. Swallowing hard, the man
turned his head slowly to see a contemptuous Azusa ready to kill him
on the spot. The other members of the bridge team froze absolutely
still, not breathing.
"Question my authority again," the emperor whispered in a
flat voice.
"W-we will make landfall at the designated coordinates the
moment we arrive at Earth, your imperial majesty!" the captain
quickly back peddled.
Without another word, the emperor released the power of
Jurai and turned away from the captain, leaving the bridge in a swirl
of robes. Turning slowly towards the virtual displays, the captain
slowly reached down and steadied himself on one of the arms of his
command chair. Breathing heavily, he only vaguely was aware of the
rest of his bridge crew once again scurrying about their duties.
'He... he's as mad as the rumors from court have said,' the
captain thought shakily, 'Screaming himself awake every night,
uncontrolled outbursts, and the raging violence... even for *him*.'
The captain steadied his nerves and watched the screens as
the battleship and its escorts shot past Pluto for the center of the
system. Releasing his grip on the chair, he eased himself down into
the seat with the sensation of heat still on his neck from the energy
sword.
"Tree of Light, protect us all from him," his whispered.
* * *
[A letter sent to Emperor Azusa, dated two months earlier.]
Your Imperial Majesty,
In response to your query of the redistribution of a
significant portion of our naval forces to the
Restricted Zone of Jurai space, I feel that doing so
would greatly compromise your majesty's presence
in the more populated sectors of your empire. As
you are aware, our ability to produce great battleships
from the royal trees on Jurai is a very slow process.
To pull already deployed vessels from their
territories would invite some of the more ambitious
systems to fill the void with their conventional ships.
Taking into account the amount of time that would
be spent away from those systems, it is very likely
our forces would return only to find large numbers
of entrenched vessels preventing reentry.
Additionally, the Galaxy Police fleets, also large
in number, would certainly arrive as well,
confronting both fleets to prevent a war from
starting. With our resources stretched thin over
the galaxy, it is likely the battle, under the best of
circumstances were it to arise, would be pitched
and the outcome uncertain. With no known
threat against your majesty's empire in the
Restricted Zone, I would respectfully request your
majesty not re-deploy our vessels in such a fashion,
as to do so would threaten the might of your domain.
Your obedient servant,
Royal Admiral Saban Temest.
* * *
[A high-level communication within Galaxy Police
Headquarters, dated six weeks ago.]
To: Director and Commander, Galaxy Police
From: Assistant Intelligence Director Mardent Hakana
Re: Unusual buildup of Royal Naval forces outside the
Restricted Zone of Jurai space
Patrols have been monitoring unusual activity near
the border of the Restricted Zone of Jurai space in
the past two weeks. The vessels are all from the Jurai
royal fleet stationed around the royal planet and make
up a formidable force of twenty seven ships of Royal
Tree classification. As yet, the Galaxy Police has been
unable to secure an explanation from official royal
sources. However, operatives infiltrated to the outer
circles of the royal court report rumors of erratic
behavior from the emperor of Jurai. This rumored
behavior seems to have coincided with the apparent
confrontation during Startica festivities of one
Tenchi Masaki by the emperor (see classified report
Masaki C23-0021). Again, though we had no
operatives infiltrated to that level of the royal or
noble circles, there have been enough eye witness
accounts flowing freely about to suggest the rumored
altercation between Tenchi Masaki and the emperor
may well have taken place, with the emperor
suffering a possible breakdown during the event. We
can confirm, however, that the royal battleship,
Tsunami, did depart Jurai for Earth with Tenchi
Masaki, Ryoko (no longer sought by Galaxy Police due
to lapse in the statute of limitations), the princesses
Ayeka and Sasami, as well as their respective guardians.
If the rumors of the altercation on Jurai are based in
fact, the activity near the Restricted Zone may be in
preparation for a retaliation on the emperor's part
against Tenchi Masaki, or his home planet. We can
confirm that the emperor has been sending regular
transports to Earth in recent months bearing
prominent members of the higher nobility. Based on
reports by Galaxy Police detectives Kiyone and
Mihoshi, assigned to Earth, it is apparent the
emperor is sending royally sanctioned members of
court to challenge Tenchi Masaki. To date, all such
encounters have gone in favor of the Earthling. We
have reports that strongly suggest the young Masaki
is in full command of the Light Hawk Wings, which
is of particular interest given the situation.
At this time, the emperor has not been monitored
leaving Jurai, but his royal flagship has been confirmed
to be readying for an unknown voyage. With such
large numbers of royal battleships gathered for a
penetration into one of the most low risk sectors in
the galaxy, it is the opinion of the Intelligence
Division that, should the emperor leave Jurai, the
Earth in the Sol System will be his destination, and
his intentions may be to harm Tenchi Masaki and/or
the Earth in some way. Also given the long standing
attitude of the Jurai royal court against the Earth
(which continues to be a mystery as to the origins of
the animosity), the chances for a radical altercation
increase.
The Sol System has only basic orbital space flight at
its command, and would not withstand any threat
posed by the Royal Navy. Additionally, the Galaxy
Police, though currently able to muster enough
patrol units and battle cruisers to make a formidable
fleet against the massing Royal Navy, is allowed
patrol rights in the Restricted Zone only recently
by special charter. That charter specifically restricts
the Galaxy Police's authority and power, but at the
same time does give us the mandate to secure the
planet Earth, quoting the charter, "from all threats
originating outside the Restricted Zone of Jurai space."
While the drafters of the royal charter undoubtedly
never intended that to include the Royal Navy, such
forces are nevertheless not specified as exceptions to
said charter.
All patrol craft in the Restricted Zone of Jurai space
have been placed on high alert status and are to give
the royal fleet, should it enter, a wide berth while
communicating only standard Galaxy Police protocol.
It is the recommendation of the Intelligence Division,
per review, that this developing situation be given the
full attention of Galaxy Police resources.
[End Communication.]
* * *
It was a beautiful fall evening in Japan. All across the
mountainous regions, the trees swayed gently in the twilight, their
leaves awash in fiery reds and golden yellows. It was mid-October on
Earth, and, in the Northern Hemisphere, temperate regions were
beginning to experience the first hints of the winter weather to come
later in the year. Temperatures still managed to climb into the lower
seventies during a sunny day, but at nighttime they would fall into the
lower fifties, causing humans to find warmer clothing.
The fall was always a wonderful time as far as Tenchi Masaki
was concerned. For one thing, it spelled the end of the unrelenting
heat and humidity that August and early September always seemed to
smother the land with. Cooler air always seemed to invigorate Tenchi,
and he enjoyed being able to train with his grandfather for longer
periods of time without instantly being drenched in sweat. There were
the lustrous colors of the trees as well; Fall was Nature's pageant, and
the leaves of the trees danced in shimmering flashes, crystal blue skies
as their backdrop.
Tenchi also enjoyed the smell of Fall as much as anything
else about the season. With the leaves turning and falling, there was
always a slightly musty fragrance of decay that he could never get
enough of. Though it was the smell of decay, for some strange reason
it was a good smell, and it often reminded Tenchi of the past.
The past.
Tenchi, sitting in the twilight and watching the first stars
starting to appear above the mountain valley that sheltered the Masaki
residence, sighed and dropped his chin into his hands. Sitting on a
large rock at the lower end of a stream, just before it entered into the
lake, the young man wished fervently that he could forget parts of the
past few months all together. Unfortunately, Tenchi was unaware of
any way to selectively erase his memories without being strapped to
one of Washu's lab tables, and he was not willing to go through that
again.
Watching the small waves ripple across the surface of the
lake in the closing darkness, Tenchi felt a small tingle down his spine.
Raising his eyes a little, he saw the air before him shimmer and haze
slightly before Ryoko phased into view. A rising full moon from
across the valley silhouetted the pirate's long and spiky hair. The
effect of Ryoko's tall form haloed by the moon only seemed to reinforce
Tenchi's larger than life perception of his love. His head
came up out of his hands, and he smiled.
"Ryoko-san," he said, "I can't understand why you wear a
sweater to keep you warm, but then you wear shorts at the same time."
The pirate tossed her mane to the side and winked at Tenchi,
while moving towards him. Shifting his sitting position, Tenchi let
Ryoko sit down with him, and together they molded comfortably
together. Interestingly enough, sitting together had been Tenchi and
Ryoko's first big challenge of their relationship. Figuring out how to
sit so closely to each without various back or leg muscles screaming in
protest had taken a little time, but the pair had enthusiastically
learned how to do so. Now, they knew each other well enough to come
together perfectly without even a thought. Ryoko snuggled up Tenchi
and breathed out happily.
"Tenchi," she replied in her deep voice, "you know I can
adapt to most any temperature, so I really don't even have to feel the
cold if I don't want to. I just like the feel of a sweater and shorts,
that's all."
"Oh," mumbled Tenchi.
"Naturally, I could run around naked in the dead of winter,
and I'd be as comfortable as I am now," commented Ryoko
offhandedly, "I can prove it to you sometime if you like, Tenchi."
Tenchi blushed slightly in the darkness, "Uuhh, that's okay,
Ryoko-san. I'll take your word for it."
Ryoko laughed merrily and hugged Tenchi. "I'll wear you
down, eventually, my prince. It's only a matter of time."
Tenchi could not think of a response to that. He decided to
change the subject less than artfully.
"Eeeh, so is Mayuka asleep yet?" he asked, trying to dodge
Ryoko's teasing innuendoes.
"Mmm, not yet, Tenchi," she replied, "Washu had just
finished cleaning up after little Mayuka's meal, and Sasami was
playing with her on the couch. She has a lot of energy for a baby. I
think she's going to be a handful when she grows up."
"Sasami really enjoys spending time with Mayuka, doesn't
she?" asked Tenchi, "And miss Washu continues to amaze me with
the care she gives her, too."
Ryoko sighed noisily, "Yeah, I have to admit, Washu would
make a pretty good mother."
"As would you, Ryoko-san," Tenchi added, squeezing her in
his arms a bit, "We've all seen how much care you give Mayuka. I
think you'd be a great mother."
"Teeeenchi, stop," Ryoko mumbled, burying her face into
Tenchi's sweater, "you know I get embarrassed when you say things
like that. It... it makes me feel strange inside."
Tenchi only nodded and cradled Ryoko. For several minutes,
they simply sat in silence like that, listening to the drying leaves
rustle on their branches and the frogs in the lake singing some of their
last songs before heading into the mud for winter. Tenchi found his
thoughts finally cleared of their worries, as did happen every time he
was with Ryoko.
"What were you thinking about, Tenchi?" Ryoko finally
asked, breaking the silence, "You looked so serious when I arrived,
even for you."
Tenchi's revere was broken, but he did not let it bother him.
Watching the lake across the top of Ryoko's head, he breathed deeply
in the evening air and gathered his thoughts again.
"I was thinking about the past," he said simply, "The... the
past from far back and the last few months."
"Mmm, hmm," Ryoko mumbled neutrally.
"Mainly," Tenchi continued, "I was thinking about those four
Juraian nobles that have come to Earth to challenge me. I was talking
to grandfather this afternoon about it, hoping there was some way we
could get them to stop."
Ryoko sighed, "Oh, I wish they would. I know you can
subdue them almost instantly without anyone getting hurt, Tenchi, but
I still get nervous. One day, I am afraid it's going to be more than
just one who arrives."
"That is my worry, too, Ryoko-san," Tenchi nodded, "but
grandfather says there is nothing we can do about it until Azusa
decides to come to his senses."
"Which will be never," Ryoko snorted, "if it were just you,
Tenchi, maybe he'd wise up, but having his two daughters blow him
off in front of the court... he'll never forget that."
"I'm afraid so," Tenchi worried.
Ryoko popped up with bright eyes. "*Speaking* of the
princesses," she smiled with a toothy grin, "guess who's out this
evening down by Yosho's tree again?"
Tenchi raised an eyebrow.
"Ryoko-san," he chided, "you aren't spying on them, are
you?"
"Tenchi!" Ryoko gasped, feigning shock just a little too
dramatically, "How could I? I'm right here with you!"
"Uh, huh," answered Tenchi, "and where is Ryo-ohki?"
Ryoko sat up and blinked. Putting a hand to her head, she
laughed nervously.
"I thought so," Tenchi nodded wisely, "you just can't help
being curious, can you?"
Ryoko crossed her arms and looked directly at Tenchi. Even
in the growing darkness, Tenchi could still see light reflecting in her
golden eyes.
"Tell me, Tenchi," Ryoko demanded, "tell me you are not the
least bit curious, yourself."
It was his turn to be a little embarrassed this time. "Well," he
hedged, "maybe a little."
"Ah-hah!" Ryoko cried triumphantly, "I thought so."
Dropping back against Tenchi, Ryoko snuggled into her love
and closed her eyes. Listening, she heard Tenchi breathing quietly,
and she waited with a barely contained grin for Tenchi's curiosity to
overcome him. Finally, he spoke.
"So, uh... what are they, um, doing?" he asked hesitantly.
"I thought you weren't really interested," commented Ryoko.
"I don't want to invade on their privacy, Ryoko-san," Tenchi
replied, "but... Ayeka's been so unhappy, especially after Startica."
Ryoko smiled. "Don't worry, my noble prince," she said,
"they are just keeping each other company. I think Shoji is very good
for the princess right now. They don't seem to have any romantic
notions between them, but Ayeka really needs the kind of royal-type
attention that a guardian is trained to give, I think."
"Grandfather seems to like him," said Tenchi thoughtfully.
"He is not without his good traits," agreed Ryoko, scratching
the side of her cheek absently, "and he seems to be the right
temperament for Ayeka as a companion. Pliant, but not afraid to
speak his mind to the princess... or maybe not wise enough to stay
quiet!"
Ryoko chuckled at her little tease of Shoji. Tenchi smiled as
well, drawing Ryoko in with his arms once again. A second long and
comfortable silence passed between the pair as the evening progressed.
Tenchi found himself, under the influence of Ryoko's warm body,
starting to grow fairly sleepy, but the hardness of the rock they were on
was preventing him from ever getting fully comfortable.
"Stop squirming, Tenchi," Ryoko complained quietly.
"Sorry," he apologized quietly, "it's just that this rock is
starting to get really uncomfortable, but I don't really want... uh-that
is..."
"Don't really want what, Tenchi?"
Tenchi gulped, still a little nervous about expressing himself.
"Uh, don't really want to get up from here..." he replied,
dribbling off into an embarrassed silence.
Ryoko raised her head up and snaked a hand around Tenchi's
neck. Drawing his head in close, Ryoko locked her lips onto Tenchi
and delivered a long and fairly impassioned kiss. As Tenchi's initial
shock wore off, and he started to kiss back, it was Ryoko who quickly
found herself becoming breathless. Pushing Tenchi away very gently,
she looked up into his eyes and caught her breath.
"Tenchi," she whispered, "tell me that you love me."
"I love you, Ryoko-san," he whispered back, placing his
forehead against hers.
"Tell me you... you trust me."
"As I love you, Ryoko-san, so do I trust you."
Ryoko's heart soured so high, she felt it would burst from her
heaving chest. At the same time, she felt a giddy sensation of vertigo,
like the world was falling away from underneath her. Was this the
way love would always be like, she wondered in excitement. Ryoko
certainly hoped so. She moved forward and kissed Tenchi again, quickly
this time.
"I love you, Tenchi," she grinned impishly, "and I can solve
your little problem. Just be sure not to let go, my prince!"
Tenchi blinked. "Let go?" he asked in confusion, "Why
would I need to not let... wait a minute... Ryoko, you're not going to-
waaauugh!"
There was a buzzing noise as the pair shimmered and
disappeared from the rock they were sitting on. Tenchi's last cry of
amazement echoed across the lake surface a few times before drifting
off into silence.
Ever so slowly, the crickets and frogs returned to their
chattering.
* * *
It was in a sheltered section of the valley below the Masaki
residence that was home to Yosho's space tree, Funaho. Transplanted
there centuries earlier in a spectacular crash, the great tree was the
last remnant of a sleek battleship that had once cruised around the
planet of Jurai. Forever bound to the Earth, the tree now stood with
its massive branches and limbs arcing upwards, always reaching for the
stars it would never again sail among.
Under its protective canopy, watching the still reflection of
the night sky in the placid waters of the tiny pond that surrounded the
space tree, princess Ayeka stood straight and poised. Considering the
waters before her, the princess tried to be like the pond inside
herself... still and reflective. It was a quiet moment, but that was
rapidly becoming the norm for the princess, especially since the events
that had drawn Startica to a close.
The cool air of the autumn evening gently brushed Ayeka's
face, but only seemed to further comfort the princess. Raising her
arms from her sides, she let them slip out of the protective folds of her
robe and come to a rest outstretched from her body, palms downward.
Closing her eyes, she tried to focus on the attributes of the pond.
Still.
Calm.
And fluid.
Ayeka rolled her head slightly to one side and opened her
eyes, focusing on the stars she could see through the mighty branches
of Funaho. Reaching down and finding that stillness in herself, she
was able to look at the events in her life with control and a certain
objectiveness.
It had not been a good summer for the princess. At the start
of the hot months in Japan, she could almost sense him slipping away.
There was no reason to believe this, no evidence to suggest it, but
Ayeka could...
'I could feel it,' she admitted silently, `I could see that his
affection for me would never blossom into love. I knew it all along.'
Turning her palms to the sky, the princess lifted her arms a
little more, bowing them slightly at the elbows. To her only observer,
it looked as if she were the Roman god Atlas, but instead of the Earth,
she was trying to hold the entire galaxy in her hands.
`Where is my pride?' she asked of herself for the millionth
time, `Where is my indignant anger towards that woman?'
It was a puzzle that Ayeka simple could not find the answer
to. That her greatest rival would have won a prize she so desperately
sought for so long, and she could not find the depth of emotion to be,
at the very least, somewhat put out by it?
"Why can I only be contented when I see them together,
sharing moments I so wanted for myself?" she asked aloud this time.
Ayeka's sole observer raised his head from where he had been
sitting quietly and very still. Dressed in comfortable Earth style
clothing, his eyes flashed brightly before he spoke.
"How long will you torture yourself, your highness," the man
queried, "how long will you berate yourself before you accept the
graciousness and depth of maturity you have so elegantly risen to?"
Ayeka quirked an eyebrow at her guardian's remarks. The
young man, as far as the princess was concerned, could be very
aggravating at times. Never in her life had she met someone like
Shoji, someone who was able to point out her shallowness without
actually insulting her royal pride.
`Where *is* my royal pride?' she wondered, `Why do I even
tolerate *his* behavior?'
"And is there some attraction I am unaware of," continued
Shoji, "something that purifies the soul, perhaps, by standing in the
cold with your arms outstretched?"
Ayeka's eyebrow twitched again.
"I was just trying to decided," Ayeka replied primly, "why it
is I tolerate your unsolicited and impudent comments sometimes."
Shoji stopped to scratch his chin thoughtfully.
"I have oft times wondered that myself, your highness," he
responded, "In truth, I have devoted great expanses of time to that
question, but a logical answer has never arisen that would explain your
gracious leniency."
Ayeka sighed silently. The man was simply impossible at
times. Yet, for whatever reason, the princess valued his quirky
companionship as a guarded commodity.
"Why must you follow me around so?" she asked in a feigned
weariness, "My previous two guardians never tagged along with me so
closely."
In the dark Shoji nodded his head. "Your previous two
guardians had a distinct advantage," he admitted, "of being able to
materialize near you whenever you were in need of protection. I am,
alas, without the command of such an ability as of this time. Hence, I
have to be near you when you venture out from the house."
Ayeka slowly dropped her arms. "Then it is the greatest
tragedy," she replied with a small smile and a hopeless voice, "that the
princess Ayeka, fresh as an morning flower, is in possession of a
guardian of such limited talents."
Ayeka's guardian could only nod in agreement. "Surely," he
said lightly, "it would be wise of you to dismiss me in a prompt
fashion. A clumsy, occasionally irreverent, and often times nosy
member of the royal guard can be of little use to your highness's
morning freshness."
Ayeka finally had to laugh. It was a little pearl of a laugh
that danced across the waters of the pond. Giving up entirely at her
calm and still pretensions, the princess turned and faced where Shoji
was sitting on the bank.
"You are a clown, Shoji," she accused good-naturedly, "my
guardian, yes... but still a clown."
Her guardian adopted a philosophical look and scrunched his
eyebrows.
"It has always been the role of the clown to lighten his
master's mood," considered Shoji.
"As has it been the role of the master to lighten the clown's
burden of his head, should he displease her," finished the princess.
"In all honesty, your highness," replied Shoji, "that aspect of
a clown's life had not occurred to me."
Ayeka smiled again. "Believe me, clown," she said, adopting
a royal look, "I keep that *firmly* in mind every time I consider you.
And how many times have I asked you to stop calling me `your
highness'? I prefer that you refer to me as Ayeka, or even mistress,
while we are on Earth. Yet, you constantly refuse to do so. Why?"
"If I say I'm being a clown, will your highness seek to
unburden me of my head?" Shoji asked innocently, "I *have* grown
rather attached to it."
Ayeka waved her hands in defeat. There was no reasoning
with the man, and the princess had been trying for several months.
Still and yet, Shoji did not get on Ayeka's nerves nearly as much as
she protested. Quite the opposite, though Ayeka might not be ready to
admit this to herself, she had come to depend on her clown's
presence in no small part since the summer's events had turned sour
for her.
"I am aware, as always," Shoji began, breaking Ayeka's train
of thought for a moment, "that being here can not be easy for you. I
also can not pretend to understand how you feel about the situation
here and on Jurai, but if I may be so forward as to suggest-"
"You usually are," Ayeka interrupted wryly.
"-I believe you are too hard on yourself," he continued,
"your bearing and manner these past few months, given everything
around you that has been swirling so rapidly, has only distinguished
your finest qualities. And not just as a princess of Jurai, but as a
person. It is easy to see why everyone here values your friendship and
company."
Ayeka dropped her hands in front of her and clasped them
softly together. Absorbing Shoji's words, she found herself wondering
again what it was about her guardian that could humble and elevate
her spirits so much at the same time. It was a mystery to her... and a
comfort.
"You may keep your head for another day," she could only
respond.
"Thank you ever so much, o generous and benevolent
mistress!" he replied gallantly.
"Clown."
* * *
Earth.
A beautiful planet, the captain of the emperor's battleship
observed in a moments idle. He could not fathom what such a
relatively massive fleet of Jurai ships was doing hovering threateningly
over such an inoffensive world, but he was afraid it would come to no
good. If the boy down there was even a fraction as powerful as the
rumors suggested, who knew what kind of rash decision the emperor
might make? And what would the captain do if the most terrible of
orders, to obliterate some wide section of the Earth, were given?
The captain decided a retirement from the emperor's detail
might be in order, if only he could get through the next few hours
unscathed.
He then felt a presence to the left hand side of him. Tearing
his eyes away from the planet, the captain looked up from his chair to
where one of his bridge crew was standing at attention. It was a fairly
new recruit to the detail, one of the brightest officers to come out of
the academy in recent memory. She looked as young as the captain felt
old.
"Report," was all he said.
"Captain," she acknowledged quietly, "we've entered an orbit
around the Earth. At present, all ships are more than shielded against
the inhabitants' detection devices. This ship and four other vessels are
fully prepared to cross the planet's terminator and descend to the given
coordinates... And..."
The captain raised an eyebrow. Looking up at the new
officer's face, he could read the uneasiness in her features. So, the
captain concluded, he was not the only one nervous about what was
about to take place.
"And?" the captain echoed.
Bending down even further, the new officer leaned close to
the captain's ear.
"Sir, long range scanners have detected a sizable force of
vessels rounding the far side of the fifth planet of this system," she
reported in a whisper.
The captain raised his eyebrows. Now that was interesting.
As far as he knew, the could be only one group capable of mustering a
`sizable force' in this zone.
"The Galaxy Police," nodded the captain.
The woman was taken by surprise. "S-sir, aye sir," she
stammered, "but how-"
"Never mind," he said, waving a hand a tad, "send a private
message to the other fleet captains. Tell them they are to make no
threatening moves towards the Galaxy Police. Have them answer all
standard Galaxy Police protocols and maintain a neutral position in
orbit."
"Sir?"
"Until our emperor's events are resolved on the surface," the
captain said, eyes narrowing, "we can not allow the Galaxy Police to
interrupt him. His actions are already unpredictable as it stands. And
we might just need the GP when this is all over."
Understanding flashed in the young woman's eyes. She had
heard the rumors and seen the emperor's behavior, too.
"Aye, sir," she replied, resuming her post and carrying out
the fleet captain's orders.
The captain sighed and took off his cap, rubbing the top of his
head where it was starting to bald. It was looking like retirement was
a better and better option.
"Navigator," he called out, "take us in across the terminator
to the designated coordinates."
"Aye, sir" the man called back.
Grinding his teeth, he hoped the local military forces would
by some luck not pick up on the ships' entry, but it was hard to make
five fireballs across the evening sky and be subtle about it. The
captain did not want to have to watch any Earthlings get themselves
killed uselessly trying to defend their planet against the Jurai
battleships.
"We're going to light up the damn sky on this planet like a
Startica tree," he muttered darkly to himself.
* * *
From an observation deck, Emperor Azusa watched intently
as the Earth grew large in its view. As the ships crossed over into
night high above the planet, the emperor felt a familiar agitation start
in the pit of his stomach. Growling loudly, the man forced his
apprehensions down and buried them deeply.
`This is your last night in this existence, Tenchi Masaki,'
Azusa swore vehemently to himself, `You will not have my empire.'
The five ships continued their descent into the night.
* * *
Tenchi's room was bathed in darkness, save the light from
one paper lamp that glowed softly in the corner. Giving off a dim but
warm light, it somehow made the room seem larger and more inviting.
In a corner of the room, next to a large circular window, Tenchi's bed
sat with two large lumps on it. The lumps were covered entirely by a
very thick comforter. Suddenly, the comforter rustled as someone
underneath it moved. In the dimness, Ryoko's head popped out.
The pirate lifted herself up onto an elbow and looked down at
the other figure on the bed beside her. Draping her other arm across
his chest, Ryoko smiled mischievously.
"See?" she asked brightly, "I told you I could solve your
problem. Isn't this much better than a rock?"
Tenchi also popped his head up from underneath the
comforter and looked around a little wild eyed.
"I, uh, that is... uh," he stammered, "we're, uh, in my b-bed."
"Yes, Tenchi," answer Ryoko evenly, "I was aware of that
when I decided to bring us here."
Tenchi blinked. "Oh," he said lamely, "it's just, you know, I,
uh, think that -"
"Tenchi."
"Uh, yes, Ryoko-san?"
Ryoko leaned down and kissed Tenchi softly on the lips.
Pulling back from his face, she tucked herself warmly up beside him
and got comfortable.
"Tenchi," she repeated, "just go to sleep... and trust me,
okay? I won't let anything harm you."
There was a brief silence as Tenchi muddled over what to do.
Finally he opted for an appropriate response.
"Oh," he said, trying to relax.
"That's better, my prince," Ryoko responded with
satisfaction, feeling Tenchi's muscles start to smooth out.
It did not take much longer for Ryoko to fall asleep. Despite
reassuring her love that she would watch over him, in truth Ryoko
really desired the exact opposite. After so many centuries of nights
being alone and isolated from the world, the one thing she had wished
for had finally come true.
Tenchi was there to watch over her dreams.
* * *
Little Mayuka was not quite a year old, but already life was
pretty interesting, as far as she was concerned. Still a little ways
from talking and walking, Tenchi's daughter was nonetheless quite able to
scoot around on her hands and knees. As such, there were times when
this made her quite difficult to locate and even harder to keep a hold
of. Already sprouting a head of hair a color everyone in the Masaki
residence recognized, the infant was not a fussy baby, but she was
expressive.
At that particular moment, little Mayuka was wholly
engrossed by a series of flashing lights and beeping noises that
continually appeared in front of her. Dazzled by the spectacle she was
witnessing, the infant girl reached up from the lap she was sitting in
and batted at a lock of red hair that dangled by her head.
"Ah-wa-ga... ha!" she called out loudly.
Washu, the galaxy's greatest scientific mind, looked down
with an amused grin on her face. Drawing her hair out of the baby
girl's reach, the scientist nodded.
"That's right, Mayuka," Washu said, "it's a computer... can
you say computer?"
Little Mayuka went silent and crossed her eyes in a comical
concentration.
"Ah-fwa!" she blurted out.
Quirking her face, Washu shook her head. "No, not quite,"
she replied, "but it's not bad. Perhaps we should try something else.
How `bout `inter-dimensional gyroscopic'?"
Mayuka grew incredibly hesitant for a moment before sitting
back in Washu's lap in confusion. Forgetting the scientist, the infant
went back to watching Washu's virtual console flash away.
"I dunno, Washu," a sleepy looking ten year-old Sasami
replied, hanging over the couch that the red head and infant were
sitting on, "little Mayuka's just a baby! She can't say words like
that!"
"Hmm," Washu nodded, "perhaps you're right, Sasami. It
would appear her synaptic connections required for advanced
communication have yet to develop. But, I'm sure she'll come
around! Babies always do!"
Sasami slid over the back of the couch slowly, finally landing
in a heap beside Washu. Looking upside down at Mayuka and the
scientist, the princess wrinkled her nose and pinched her eyes. The
freckles on her cheeks danced.
"Um, Washu..." she began.
"Mmm-hmm?"
"Um, will Mayuka look like Mayuka when she grows up?"
the princess asked.
Washu stopped typing and leaned back into the sofa. Softly
picking the toddler up, Washu turned Mayuka around until she was
facing Sasami. The princess rolled over and looked at the pair in
curiosity.
"Well?" demanded Sasami, "Will she?"
"Mostly," replied Washu, "little Mayuka here has the exact
same DNA she had when she first showed up. However, there might be a
few little differences here and there as she grows up. Even clones
don't look *exactly* the same when they are made, ya know."
"Oooh," nodded Sasami wide-eyed, "But, but Washu..."
"Yeees?"
"Um, will little Mayuka be able to remember..." Sasami tried
to ask, "... you know, remember before?"
Washu shook her head. "Negative, Sasami," she answered,
"our little girl here will be starting over fresh from scratch."
Sasami looked very relieved. "That's good," she said, "I
wouldn't want her to remember that."
Washu could only nod in agreement. Sighing and making
herself comfortable, the scientist leaned back in the plush sofa and
relaxed, her work momentarily forgotten. Suddenly, a series of lights
and noises went off on her virtual console. Very bright and obnoxious,
Mayuka was instantly dazzled and began to cry out happily. Washu,
on the other hand, sat up very straight and quickly passed the toddler
off to Sasami.
"W-what is it, Washu?" Sasami demanded.
Washu bit her lip and started typing rapidly. "Proximity
alert!" she said quickly, "Looks like we've got company again."
"Has father sent another ship?" Sasami asked with a frown,
rocking an active Mayuka, "Tenchi's beat the past four suitors for
Ayeka. Why won't he just stop?"
"Who knows! Only, it's not just *a* ship," Washu corrected,
"but about twenty-five or so, including... including Azusa's
battleship!"
Sasami gathered Mayuka into her arms and suddenly looked
very small.
"Washu," she said in a tiny voice, "what would my father
need so many ships for?"
But Washu was already typing furiously into her console,
momentarily ignoring the princess. Sasami watched her fingers fly
across the virtual computer keyboard, growing more worried by the
second.
Little Mayuka happily reached up and patted the princess on
the chin.
* * *
Prince Yosho, one time heir to the throne of Jurai, sat in his
shrine very still. His hand in midair, it was poised directly over a
pristine white sheet of paper. In his hand, there was a fine brush
designed for intricate calligraphy work. A drop of black ink gathered
on the very tip of the brush, finally breaking free and falling. There
was a soft splash against the paper.
Yosho never noticed.
Something was... wrong.
A series of loud beeps whirled in front of the aging prince as
a virtual screen popped into existence. Yosho did not even react as
Washu's distressed face came into view.
"Lord Katsuhito!" the scientist exclaimed, "There are exactly
twenty-seven Jurai battle cruisers in orbit over us, right now!"
Yosho felt his uneasiness grow. What were so many Jurai
ships doing here, he wondered. Certainly, another challenger for
Tenchi would not require... so many.
`Father.' thought the prince, `you wouldn't go *this* far.'
Washu continued on, "And one of them is Azusa's flagship!"
The scientist then only heard a scuffling as Yosho leapt from
his sitting position. There was a slapping noise as the door to the
shrine was slung open and footsteps rapidly disappeared into the night.
"Lord Katsuhito?" called Washu urgently, "Lord Katsuhito!"
But there was only the paper, a brush, and a small vial of ink
left where the prince had been sitting. In his haste, Yosho had
knocked over the vial without ever looking back. The black ink slowly
spilled out and began to stain the highly polished wood floor of the
shrine.
* * *
Walking back to the Masaki residence from the space tree,
princess Ayeka suddenly stopped up short on the path she was using.
Almost tripping over his own feet, her guardian, Shoji, had to
maneuver swiftly to keep from running into her, so unexpected was
Ayeka's halt. Shoji's planned comment of surprise was quickly
forgotten as he saw the princess's puzzled face peering up into the
night sky.
"Shoji," Ayeka asked with a frown, "what are those things in
the sky?"
Following the direction of the princess's gaze, Shoji had no
problem instantly picking out what Ayeka was staring at. Above
them, high on the horizon, five blazing lights were cutting across the
stars. Waiting a few moments, Shoji realized they were getting
larger... and nearer. His eyes went wide in recognition.
"Are they shooting stars?" asked Ayeka curiously.
Shoji instantly grabbed the princess by her arm and started
pulling her quickly down the path. Ignoring her yelp of surprise, the
guardian pulled out his energy weapon and held it at the ready,
moving rapidly in the darkness.
"No, Ayeka," he said calmly as they ran, "they're spaceships,
and I have no idea whose they are."
The princess was too breathless to notice her guardian had
finally called her by her real name.
* * *
And light up the night sky, they did. Burning through the
atmosphere, astonished humans from Hawaii to Japan looked up in
amazement as the five objects drove parallel to each other across the
stars. Glowing incandescently, the war ships also displayed their full
array of running lights from bow to stern.
Emperor Azusa was damned if he was going to sneak onto a
mere colonized planet in his *own* domain.
* * *
"APPEAR BEFORE ME, BOY!" Azusa, emperor of Jurai,
thundered across the front yard of the Masaki residence.
Hovering overhead, five battleships hung suspended in the
night sky. Their running lights brazenly cutting through the darkness,
the ships illuminated the whole valley and the entire region for miles
around.
Azusa stood with a sword of Jurai energy extended from his
left hand, his features contorted and stressed. His other hand was a
clenched fist, and he shook it at the house.
"I WILL NOT BE MADE WAIT BY A MERE EARHLING!" he yelled once
again, motioning to many of his numerous guards on the ground.
Storming into the front of the house, the Juraian guards
quickly returned, pulling out several members of the Masaki
household. Carried out kicking and screaming by two soldiers,
princess Sasami was deposited unceremoniously on the grass and
instantly surrounded by several royal guards. The princess looked up
in unhappy confusion, tears running down her face, not understanding
why royal guards were doing this to her. The royal guards, whatever
they were thinking, however, were trained to follow only the
emperor's commands... and without question, regardless of what they
might be.
Washu was the next to exit the front of the house, albeit under
her own power. Walking quietly and slowly with Mayuka cradled in
her arms, the scientist made no effort to resist the guards, but did
shoot many of them looks that could have frozen suns. Stepping out
into the yard, Washu's attention was brought up sharply by the
electrified sounds of several energy swords springing into life on the
second floor of the house. There were a number of shouts and crashes
as the sounds of a violent fight ensued. Suddenly, the shouting stopped
without warning. A few moments later, a royal guard came running
outside and made a beeline for the emperor.
"Your imperial majesty," he began bowing one knee.
Azusa's right eye twitched just slightly as he observed his
respectful guard.
"Where is he?" the emperor asked in a deadly whisper.
"Forgive me, your imperial majesty," the guard apologized,
"but the pirate, Ryoko, managed to transport the boy from the room
before we coul-"
The guard was never able to finish his sentence. With a
sweeping arc, Azusa brought his clenched fist down and drove it into
the guard's exposed jaw. Knocking the man to the ground, senseless,
everyone in the courtyard heard a sickening crunch as the guard's jaw
exploded into several pieces. Sasami shoved her hands over her ears
and began to cry, her eyes tightly shut. Washu watched impassively,
comforting a strangely calm infant Mayuka.
"Where *is* he?!" the incensed emperor demanded, "Bring
him before me now!"
A large number of the guards dashed in and around the
surrounding woods, stumbling in the deep shadows thrown by the
lights of the hovering battleships in their haste to comply.
* * *
Ayeka felt herself being yanked back most rudely. Grabbed
from behind by her guardian, Shoji hooked his hand into part of
Ayeka's kimono and hauled her into one of the darkest shadows close
to the edge of the woods. Wrapping his hand around her mouth
firmly, but gently, Shoji drew the princess behind a large tree and held
her until she stopped squirming. When she was still again, he
removed his hand from her mouth.
"A thousand apologies, mistress," he whispered evenly, "but
your clown can't allow you to go down there."
Ayeka stared furiously at Shoji and then down through the
trees along the mountainside to the Masaki residence. Observing her
*father* and so many royal guards around, she turned back to Shoji
accusingly.
"Why *won't* you let me go down to my father?" she
demanded in a fierce whisper.
"Look closely, Ayeka," he said, nodding towards the
assembled people milling about around the front of the house.
Ayeka turned with a silent huff and looked back at the house.
Tenchi's father, Nobuyuki, was being roughly escorted out of the front
of the residence and shoved beside Washu, who was holding Mayuka.
Sasami was still sitting on the grass nearby, crying. Ayeka gasped as
the body language of the guards became clear.
"Indeed, mistress," Shoji said in a quiet voice, "I refuse to
give the emperor yet another hostage."
* * *
Emperor Azusa was getting incredibly impatient, and it was
starting to take its toll. The stress of ruling an empire compounded by
his relentless fears had left him edgy and irrational. Now, on Earth,
he fidgeted his hands while slowly pacing back and forth across the
front lawn of the Masaki residence.
Washu eyed the emperor warily, like a wounded animal
whose actions were wholly unpredictable. Outwardly composed, the
short scientist inwardly feared what Azusa's action might lead to in
the state he presented. How much would it take to push the man until
he did something not only irrational, but deadly?
Resting comfortably in Washu's arms, little Mayuka chose
that moment to gurgle and sigh sleepily. In the chilling silence that
dominated the yard, Azusa heard the infant's vocalizations and
immediately fixed his attention on the little girl. Ceasing his pacing,
the emperor strode up to Washu arrogantly.
"Is this his daughter?" he asked harshly, "Is this the offspring
of that cowardly boy?"
Washu raised her eyes upwards, craning her neck slightly to
meet the tall man's gaze. With a neutral face, she read Azusa's
features and, sensing the danger and unsteadiness in his bloodshot
eyes, decided to do as little to provoke him as possible.
"This is Tenchi's daughter," the red head answered calmly,
"her name is Mayuka."
Azusa's eyes narrowed. "Who is her mother?" the emperor
demanded, "Who gave birth to this brat?"
"My, my, Azusa," Washu replied, her own eyes narrowing,
"don't tell me there are things about us that you don't find in your
little reports."
Azusa leaned forward, his blade still activated in his hand,
and put his face very near Washu's.
"Do not mock me, scientist," he whispered menacingly, "your
life hangs on my whim, as does that of the infant you hold."
Washu, though not frightened, reflexively made her hold on
Mayuka more protective.
Azusa smiled grimly. "I see you understand me," he nodded,
"I would lose no sleep knowing the woman who holds technology
equal to our great trees no longer exists. You would do well to
remember that, *scientist*."
Without another word, the emperor turned and resumed his
pacing. All about him and the detained members of the Masaki
residence, numerous guards not involved in searching the woods stood
at heightened attention. They expected anything and everything that
could take place to do so at any time. Nearby, Nobuyuki stood quietly,
rubbing his head where he had been shoved by a guard. The princess
Sasami also sat on the ground quietly, her initial bout of tears having
stopped and left wide tracks down her round and freckled cheeks.
Washu tried to bite her tongue, but it was no use.
"And you would do well," she called out, "to remember that
Tenchi is infinitely stronger than you, Azusa."
Azusa froze, his robes rustling softly as he stopped with his
back to the woman. Washu continued, tempting fate and the
emperor's potentially wild anger.
"The fact that Tenchi could care less about your throne and
your empire aside, Azusa," she said, "how can you hope to defeat him
when he controls the Light Hawk Wings now with total ease? Have
those ridiculous challengers he sent back to Jurai told you *nothing*
of his ability?"
Azusa spun and snarled at Washu. "His ability means
*nothing*!" he hissed, "He is a *weakling*, and there are things he
does not have the metal inside him to do or endure what it requires to
be the ruler of an empire!"
The emperor motioned to two of his guards. Coming up
behind Washu, they grabbed the woman and held her tightly. Azusa
stepped towards the red head and raised his Jurai blade very near
Washu and Mayuka. Mayuka began to squirm in fear of the heat
coming from the blade.
"Let's call this an experiment, shall we, scientist?" smiled
Azusa, sweat pouring down his face into his beard, "to prove to you
that boy is not as powerful as you profess."
Going limp in the guards' grip, Washu peered up past the
blade with apprehension.
"What's on your mind?" she asked.
"A true ruler of an empire must learn to be very strong early
on," he said, barely above a whisper, "it is not easy holding most of a
galaxy under control for centuries upon centuries. To survive, you
must be willing to sacrifice everything you hold dear, if doing so
means keeping the throne."
Washu blinked, doing her best to pacify Mayuka, who still
looked at the emperor and his blade unhappily.
Azusa's smile became grotesque. "Even if, shall we say,
someone was to hold your family at sword point... a real man of power
would be able to watch his family die before he gave up his empire.
I'm willing to wager that Tenchi has no such strength... that he'd
rather give up... than to see you or his dear daughter dead."
Azusa raised his blade closer to Washu's chin.
"What do you think, scientist, about my little theory?" he
sneered, "I believe Tenchi will surrender before I kill you and
Mayuka."
"I think your theory is scientifically infantile," retorted
Washu, "and I also think you're a raving lunatic."
Azusa's right eyelid began to twitch uncontrollably.
"Let's find out," he snarled.
"I will not permit you, father," a voice called out from the
edge of the woods.
Azusa swung his head up in surprise and consternation.
* * *
"Granddad!" exclaimed Tenchi, halfway rising up from
where he was concealed in a thicker part of the woods.
Tenchi suddenly found himself snagged and dragged to the
ground. Wrestled down quietly by Ryoko, Tenchi found himself quite
powerless under the pirate's great strength.
"Are you *nuts*, Tenchi?" demanded Ryoko in a sharply
hushed voice.
Tenchi squirmed ineffectively. "Dammit, Ryoko!" he said,
struggling, "I have to do something!"
Ryoko suddenly threw her entire weight on her love, pinning
him solidly in the brush. Tenchi strained a moment longer and then
gave up trying to overpower her.
"Just listen to me, Tenchi!" Ryoko whispered urgently, "You
*can't* just run in there! If you do, Azusa will kill you! You can see
it in his face!"
"B-but, Mayuka..." Tenchi blurted, starting to go short of
breath, "father and Washu! We've got-"
"Hush, Tenchi!" ordered the pirate, "You've got to calm
down! We'll do something, okay, but you've got to trust Yosho, okay?
He wouldn't be down there if he didn't have something planned!"
Tenchi became very quiet and still.
"Granddad," was all he said.
Ryoko rose up off of Tenchi in the darkness and pulled him
up to his knees. Turning him back towards the house, the pair peered
through the stands of trees at the scene erupting below. Blazing
brighter than the light from the ships overhead, Yosho was being
attacked by royal guards too numerous to count
To the amazement of both Tenchi and Ryoko, however, the
shimmering shields that flowed around Yosho deflected all the attacks
that were aimed at him. Royal guards were thrown backwards from
Yosho's energy as the aging prince simply continued to walk towards
the emperor very slowly.
Tenchi whirled on Ryoko abruptly with a sudden idea.
"Ryoko-san!" he whispered, grabbing her hand, "Washu and
Mayuka - if granddad distracts Azusa long enough, can you-"
Ryoko gave Tenchi a rapid nod, her mane of hair bouncing in
the dim light that made its way that far back into the forest. She took
a hold of the young prince's hand and squeezed it tightly.
"You bet, my Tenchi!" the pirate affirmed vehemently,
catching on instantly to Tenchi's idea, "No one threatens *my* family
and gets away with it!"
* * *
Prince Yosho now stood, for the moment at least, alone in the
center of the yard in front of the Masaki residence. Squinting slightly
from the massive flood lights that shone down from overhead, he
waited with a patient look on his face, his features dispassionate
despite the current situation. The royal guards, having seen enough of
their comrades tossed aside with little effort on Yosho's part, had
warily given the prince a suitable distance, forming a loose ring
around him and the emperor. They knew when an opponent was out of their
reach.
Azusa, for his part, stood just to the side of Washu with his
blade of Jurai energy still hovering menacingly over the scientist and
Tenchi's daughter. There were several little shakes running through
the man's arms and hands now and again that he seemed unable to
control. As a result, his weapon trembled noticeably.
"Interesting," the emperor finally said, his breath quick, "I
would have expected that *boy* to show himself before my cowardly
excuse for a son!"
Yosho made no movement or sound, but he continued to level
a piercing gaze at his father. Seeming ridiculously tiny next to the
towering emperor, Washu swallowed slowly and tried to silently
soothe Mayuka. The last thing the situation needed was a crying baby.
"I'm surprised you didn't run away again when you saw my
ships approaching," Yosho's father spat.
"Once upon a time," Yosho replied in his deep and aged
voice, "I might have been touched by your jibes, father, but that young
prince who fled your court seven hundred years ago no longer exists."
"Do you *think* I care, Yosho?" asked Azusa with anger,
"When you ran away from court, how do you think that made my
position with the noble houses, having my heir a weakling? Then,
having both my *daughters* fleeing after you! I was a *joke* to
them!"
Yosho remained impassive. "Do you think I care, father?" he
replied.
The emperor's features tightened.
"I left Jurai forever to get away from that court you take such
meaning in life from dominating," said Yosho, "I wanted then, as
now, nothing to do with it *or* your plans for me. Retain whatever
defamatory memories of me as pleases you, father, but don't make the
mistake of thinking I am the same man you once called your son."
Azusa barked a nasty laugh.
"I make no mistakes," he retorted, "The emperor of Jurai can
not *make* mistakes!"
"You have already made your last, as far as I am concerned,"
the aging prince relied slowly, "the moment you endangered my house
guest and my great-granddaughter."
"So," the emperor drawled out with a short laugh at the end,
"my cowardly son thinks to challenge me? I find your attempt at
humor pathetic."
Yosho's shields shimmered with his small movements as he
brought his blade of Jurai energy up in front of him. Shaking his head
slowly, he focused his attention completely.
"It is not humor, father," he replied, "especially when you
have known since I was a young man that my powers exceed yours."
"Lies!" yelled Azusa, the muscles in his neck tensing.
"Are they?" replied his son coolly, "How relieved were you,
father, when I left Jurai all those years ago? I am sure you must have
seen me then as you see Tenchi now. It is unfortunate that your
judgment in both cases could be so impaired."
"How dare you!" snarled Azusa, "I am the emperor of Jurai,
and no one speaks to me in such a manner and lives!"
Yosho would not be moved.
"Then come, father," the prince offered, "come and take my
life, if you can. I am challenging you directly, father, in front of
your royal guard."
Azusa's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Of course," Yosho continued, "you can decline my challenge
and depart this planet peacefully with your reign intact-"
"Never!" shouted the emperor.
"-either way," he finished, "holding a woman and a baby at
sword's end to protect his throne is hardly the image of a powerful
emperor, father. Indeed, you look like a coward to me."
The emperor growled in anger, his breath smoking in the
night's cooling air.
"You mock me for the last time!" Azusa snapped, stepping
away from Washu and Mayuka with his blade drawn.
Washu allowed herself a momentary sigh of relief, but found
herself still firmly held by the two royal guards who had nabbed her
earlier. Azusa strode away from them in long steps, his blade raised
and his face on fire.
"I will show you, Yosho," he snarled, "why I am *meant* to
be ruler of this galaxy forever!"
Yosho only waited patiently as his father advanced, closing
the distance rapidly.
* * *
Hiding in the thick woods, the space pirate Ryoko saw her
chance.
"Now Tenchi!" she whispered.
Tenchi almost jumped, so startled was he by Ryoko's sudden
comment after watching the tense drama below. He felt a peculiar
sensation at the base of his neck as Ryoko shimmered and phased out
of site. Not waiting to see the result of Ryoko's daring plan, he stood
up in the darkness quickly...
And he embraced the power of the Tree of Light.
* * *
There was a strange noise and a cry of surprise from behind
Azusa that stopped him in his tacks.
Whirling around where he stood, the emperor turned back to
where he had left Washu and Mayuka guarded. Before his eyes, he
watched Ryoko fade into existence between his two royal guards.
With a swift motion, the pirate grabbed both guards by their long hair
with either hand. Pulling backwards with a wrenching force, the two
men were forced to fall backwards, their spines unable to bend very far
in that direction.
Not stopping to pay them anymore attention, Ryoko then
wrapped her arms around Washu and Mayuka. Leveling the emperor
a malevolent flash of her eyes, Ryoko began to phase herself and her
two surprised passengers out of the yard.
"I won't forget this, Azusa," she warned before disappearing
with Washu and Mayuka.
Azusa took a half step forward and roared in outrage, his
anger contorting all his features and most of the muscles in his body.
Before he could even think to act, however, a blinding light from the
edge of the woods caught his attention. Spinning around on his heel
again, the emperor of Jurai saw what he feared and loathed more than
anything in the world.
Tenchi Masaki, bathed in the Light Hawk Wings.
* * *
"Tenchi!" cried out princess Ayeka in another section of the
mountainside forest.
Trying to come up to her feet, she was stopped once again by
her guardian. Struggling in vain against his arms, which were locked
around her waist like steel, she beat on his head ineffectually.
"Let me go this instant!" she ordered, "I demand it!"
Shoji shook his head in the darkness, struggling with the
princess.
"Forgive me, your highness," he said quickly, "but I will not
permit you to walk into danger!"
"You will not *permit* me?" asked Ayeka dangerously.
Feeling an electricity in the air, Shoji looked up from where
he was kneeling and widened his eyes in surprise. His princess was
coursing with Jurai energy.
"Let... me... go... guardian," she ordered, her eyes incredibly
dangerous.
Pausing only slightly, Shoji bowed his head and shook it.
"Forgive me, Ayeka, but I can not," he replied quickly,
expecting to be knocked senseless, "Tenchi and Yosho are in a
dangerous situation with your father, and your entering the battle like
this will only add confusion that could give him an advantage!"
Shoji waited for his demise, but after several seconds, he
realized that it might not be his time to shuffle off this mortal coil.
Looking up at his princess slowly, he saw her energy begin to dissipate
slowly, but not completely.
With a look that could sink a thousand Jurai vessels, Ayeka
ordered without words that Shoji release her. Letting go of the
princess's waist with his arms, the guardian sank back on his legs in
the soft earth of the forest, counting his lucky stars.
The princess sniffed coldly and turned to watch events as they
continued to transpire below.
* * *
"A trick!" cursed the emperor of Jurai in a shaking voice,
"Cowards! All of you are not fit to be in my presence!!"
Melting away from his path, the royal guards of Jurai made
way for Tenchi. Embraced in a traditional Juraian uniform with the
Light Hawk Wings dancing around his body, Tenchi carried also the
Light Hawk Sword, held low and deceptively casual. The royal guards
were not stupid; they knew they had no hope of stopping a member of
the royal family with as much power as Tenchi. This was a purely
royal affair now.
"Pathetic Earthling!" spat Azusa at Tenchi, "Backwater
barbarian! I will destroy you!"
"You will fail," replied Tenchi quietly, "You have violated
my home, held my family hostage, and threatened their lives, all for
the sake of a throne that I have no interest in."
"Liar!" roared the emperor, his voice cracking, "You covet
my empire! All of you!! You all want to see me overthrown!"
Emperor Azusa was now shaking violently and stumbling
around a little.
"That is not true, father," replied Yosho calmly, "We want
nothing even close to your empire. Why can't you see that?"
"Lies!" Azusa swore again.
Tenchi looked up at the emperor and shook his head. "It is
the truth, Azusa," he said quietly, "we want nothing of your empire or
your life. You can still leave here right now, and no one will be hurt.
Please don't force me to have to deal with you."
Azusa began to laugh. It was a raspy laugh that crackled
with his breathing. Spinning around wildly, he advanced on Nobuyuki
and Sasami, who were still being held off to one side by a host of royal
guards. Reaching the pair, he grabbed a hold of Nobuyuki and
forced him to the ground. Sasami's tear-stained eyes went wide as
saucers as her father raised his blade high in the air.
"You? Stop *me*?" the emperor chuckled hoarsely, "It is
*you* who will submit to *my* will, boy!"
Yosho and Tenchi both took a small step forward, but then
halted the moment Azusa placed his blade near Nobuyuki's neck.
Tenchi's father looked understandably uncomfortable.
"You *will* bow before my authority, the both of you,"
snarled Azusa, "or this precious Earthling of yours will die!"
"No, Azusa," an oddly strained voice to the side of the
emperor said, "no one will die tonight."
* * *
From their vantage point a safe distance away, Ryoko and
Washu watched with great astonishment as the princess Sasami got up
to her feet and faced her father calmly.
"Sasami!" cried out Ryoko, "What does she think she's
doing?"
Instantly, the pirate tensed, gathering up her power and will
to phase into the front yard again and snatch the little princess. She
was stopped, however, by a firm hand on her wrist.
"Wait, Ryoko!" Washu said softly, still holding a quiet
Mayuka, "Look closely!"
Ryoko threw her mother a confused looked and turned back to
the yard. Peering through the safety of the trees, the pirate focused
for a moment. Suddenly, she gasped.
"Exactly!" nodded Washu tersely.
* * *
Azusa, the emperor of Jurai, released his hold on Nobuyuki
and stumbled backwards. Tripping over his own robes, the man
stumbled over and landed roughly on the grass. Looking up again,
with his blade held out defensively, Azusa's face contorted in fear.
"N-no!" he cried, "N-not you!"
Before him, standing straight in her little ten year-old body,
was none other than his own daughter, Sasami. Only, it was not just
Sasami that stood over the emperor. There was someone else in
Sasami's space at the same time, a figure everyone, not just the
emperor, could see. With long and flowing hair, and dressed in pearl
white robes, the figure seemed to coexist with Sasami in some
unexplainable way. Sasami's eyes were dull and glazed over.
"Tsunami!" exhaled Tenchi, his eyes widening in surprise.
Azusa continued to crawl backwards on the lawn, his sword
arm trembling violently. His face streamed sweat, panic, and fear
now, and his own royal guards subtly put distance between themselves
and their emperor. The figure of Sasami/Tsunami paused and
considered the Azusa.
"Get a-away from me, you apparition!" he screamed, "You
are not my daughter! You are a body thief!"
"Emperor Azusa," Tsunami's strong and steady voice echoed
across the lawn, "I have tried to communicate the folly of your fears,
but you have not heeded my warnings. You have now made the error
of threatening my champions of Light and their family. You would
endanger the future of the Light for your petty hold on power?"
Spittle ran down the side of Azusa's mouth, disappearing into
his thick beard as he tried to talk.
"I-it's mine!" he cried out, "I won't let them have my empire!
I'll d-do whatever it takes to keep them from taking it from me! It's
all your fault, demon! You're the one giving that wretched Earthling
my throne!"
Sasami/Tsunami sighed sadly. "So be it, dear Azusa," she
whispered, "I have tried to steer you from this course, but the time for
that is past. I will not allow you to harm my champions, now or
ever."
Closing her eyes, Sasami/Tsunami brought her hands
together and began to whisper softly. As she did, a powerful aura of
white and blue light spread out from the spirit, causing all those
around her, except the emperor, to back up several steps. Suddenly,
the spirit opened her eyes and made a sharp motion with her hand. As
quickly as it had come, the white and blue energy around her body was
gone.
"Behold," Sasami/Tsunami called out sternly, "Emperor
Azusa's link with the power of Jurai has been cut off-"
There was a sickening fizzle of energy as the blade Azusa
wielded flickered in his hand and disappeared.
"-forever."
Bringing up his hand before his face, Azusa looked at his palm
in horror. Looking within himself, he desperately searched for the
comforting feel of the Jurai power that he had known every day of his
life before that moment. Not finding any trace of the power, Azusa's
eyes widened in horror. Trembling violently, the man began to wretch,
convulsing terribly on the ground.
Everyone on the ground and in the ships above watched in
dreadful fascination.
"So shall be the fate of any who threaten the will of the Tree
of Light," intoned Sasami/Tsunami quietly.
Azusa threw back his head and shrieked.
* * *
An emperor of Jurai... now totally cut off from that power
which gave him the authority and strength to rule an empire.
The captain and crew of the emperor's battleship watched in
frozen astonishment the events occurring below. They, as all the Jurai
vessels, were watching the emperor's mad behavior and breakdown on
their view screens. Waiting in a kind of shock, they saw the emperor
try to strike down his own daughter Sasami. Now, they watched as
their emperor screamed and clawed in the dirt, wrapped up in a
dehabilitating madness.
Then, still trembling, Azusa seemed to make a motion at his
wrist and say something before collapsing again.
The communications officer went visibly pale as a message
was flashed to him across his virtual screen. Swinging around, he
addressed the captain in a shocked voice.
"Captain!" he quaked, "the emperor has ordered us to open
fire on the t-targets below, including himself!"
The captain stiffened. "What the - belay that order, mister!!"
he demanded.
The fleet captain was damned, emperor or no emperor, if he
was going to vaporize a significant portion of the royal family standing
just a few hundred feet below.
* * *
The emperor of Jurai dropped the small communication
device on his wrist weakly from his face, letting it hit the ground.
Clawing his way unsteadily to his hands and knees, Azusa desperately
fought the terrible loss of Jurai energy that echoed in every fiber of
his being.
"You... you think," he tried to say, his voice shaking, "you
think you can just defeat me like that, Tsunami? Eh?!"
Sasami/Tsunami watched the emperor crawl around, her face
stern, but with a hint of sadness for the man. On either side of the
spirit, Yosho and Tenchi cautiously approached Azusa.
Azusa laughed maniacally.
"I will wipe you all from the *face* of this disgusting world!"
he swore.
* * *
"Cruisers Banta and Oratika energizing their forward
weapons batteries!" the bridge lieutenant called out frantically.
The fleet captain of the emperor's battleship swore and leaned
forward in his command chair.
"Get them to stand down, immediately!" he called out, "That
is a direct order!"
The young woman shook her head vigorously. "It's no use,
captain!" she yelled back, "They're determined to follow the emperor's
last command!"
"Computer!" the captain barked, raising up from his chair
stiffly, but quickly, "energize main weapons battery and target the
Banta and Oratika, now!"
"Targeting," the ship's computer droned.
"Communications!" continued the captain, "order the Nagani
and Sutemikaze to open fire on those ships immediately!"
"C-captain?" the communications officer balked.
"DO IT!" snarled the captain, pulling out a side arm made of
Jurai wood and pointing it at the man, "Or I'll end you where you
stand!"
"A-aye, sir!!" the officer cried frantically, sending the
message.
"Captain!" the female lieutenant yelled again, "we're not
going to be fast enough!"
"Damnation!" swore the captain, pounding his fist while
watching the two ships on his view screen open their weapon bays.
* * *
With a deadly grace, the weapon bays on the battleships
Banta and Oratika opened smoothly. Their arrays charged and ready
to fire, the two ships' captains took aim on all the people standing
below, Earthlings *and* Juraians.
"Tenchi!" snapped Yosho forcefully.
Looking over at his grandfather, he saw Yosho gather Nobuyuki and
the still dazed Sasami into his arms protectively while staring intently
up at the two battleships. A shield of energy then formed around
the prince and his charges.
Tenchi instantly understood. Gathering the power of the Tree
of Light around him again, he concentrated in his mind on focusing
the power above him. Then, Tenchi formed and released the Light Hawk
Wings just above all the people around the entire Masaki residence.
Shimmering in a brilliance more blazing than a sun, Tenchi's
Light Hawk Wings never got the chance to deflect the two battleships'
weapons. Before the Banta and Oratika could fire, several sleek ships
roared out from the night and across the valley. With searing flashes,
the four patrol craft opened fire.
* * *
"The Galaxy Police!" the lieutenant cried out in surprise,
"And they're firing on the Banta and Oratika!"
"Let them!" retorted the captain, "and follow their example!"
"Aye, sir!" she replied.
There were several deep shudders across the frame of the
giant battleship as its weapons were fired on the Banta and Oratika.
While the Galaxy Police's patrol craft had been unable to seriously
damage the two Jurai battleships loyal to the emperor, they had
disrupted them enough to give the other three Jurai ships time to make
up for it.
Slamming numerous weapons into the sides of the two ships,
the other three Jurai vessels quickly incapacitated them, rendering
them severely damaged and adrift. The four patrol craft raced by all
the ships, moving too fast to bank for a second pass.
"Banta and Oratika seriously damaged!" reported the
lieutenant, "Weapons systems off-line! They are at minimum power
and adrift sir!"
"Excellent," replied the fleet captain, "What is the status of
the rest of the fleet in orbit?"
"Captain," the communications officer spoke up, "no other
ships in the fleet have taken any offensive action. They have been
joined by the bulk of the Galaxy Police squadron and are transmitting
standard protocols only!"
"Excellent," repeated the captain, sinking back down into his
chair, "Communications, send my appreciation to those four patrol
craft."
"Aye, sir!"
The captain sighed and took off his cap, rubbing again at the
bald patch on his head. Squinting through suddenly weary eyes, he
looked upon the screen and calmly observed the unthinkable occurring
before his eyes.
The boy, Tenchi, still extending the Light Hawk Wings.
He was still for a few moments, sitting in his chair, watching
Tenchi. Finally, he took a deep breath and began issuing numerous
commands.
In the back of his mind, he wondered if he was looking upon
Jurai's new emperor.
* * *
Releasing his hold on the Light Hawk Wings, Tenchi Masaki
slowly lowered his arms and became aware of the scene around him.
Tenchi looked up and around and was astonished to see every
last member of the royal guard on their knees with their heads bowed.
He suddenly realized they were bowing at him. Tenchi then swung his
head slowly, making a visual check of everyone in his life he cared
deeply about. At the edge of the forest, he saw Ryoko and Washu
emerging quickly, with Ayeka and Shoji appearing from another
direction. They were all present and safe.
A strangled noise then caught Tenchi's attention. Turning
again, he looked across the yard. Trembling and blubbering on the
ground, Azusa, the emperor of Jurai, was suffering a serious
breakdown of sanity. Shrinking from the figure before him, Azusa did
his best to cringe in the dirt from his own little daughter, Sasami.
The princess stood very still, her ten year-old face oddly
mature and saddened. Tenchi watched Sasami... or was it Tsunami...
whisper something inaudible to the emperor, from which Azusa began
to tremble even harder. Suddenly, the stoic features fell away from
Sasami's face and the blue aura around her faded. Standing with a
shocked expression on her face, the little princess began to tremble
violently. Before anyone could even move, Sasami turned and
stumbled across the yard and into the house, weeping hysterically.
Tenchi could only watch in a detached amazement.
* * *
[Memo directed head of CIA, Langley, Virginia, two days
later.]
Director:
The final data in reference to the events of two nights ago
over the western Pacific ocean has been analyzed. The
Agency has gathered that at approximately 7:25 PM JST,
five objects of unknown origin entered the Earth's
atmosphere and crossed into Japan's air space. At this
point, there is no official confirmation of what occurred
next as there were no US satellites currently tasked in
that orbit (per priority placed on their usage in the
India-Pakistan conflict). Additionally, the Japanese Air
Force, once alerted to the possible penetration of their
air space, was unable to locate any trace of intruders or
other objects that evening. However, in a remote mountain
region of Japan, numerous eye witnesses report several bright
flashes and an incandescent light from far off in the distance.
Eye witness reports have been unable, however, to pinpoint
an exact location for the source of these unexplained lights,
and extensive aerial and satellite imagery has been
unsuccessful in locating any evidence of a crash or impact in
the surrounding countryside.
At this time, unless more information becomes available, the
nature and identity of the objects that entered our
atmosphere will remain unknown.
[End memo.]
* * *
[Afterward]
Two evenings later, a thoughtful and quiet Washu walked
among the trees outside of the Masaki residence. With Mayuka asleep
in a small cloth seat on the scientist's back, Washu could walk with
her hands free. Feeling the cool air on her hands and face, the little
woman walked along confidently in the darkness, enjoying the scents
and sounds of the Fall. Letting her thoughts drift away from scientific
phenomenon and the like, Washu pondered the strange turn of events
that had rocked her little community.
The princesses Ayeka and Sasami had left with all the Jurai
ships that very evening, taking their father with them. Jurai tradition
had strict edicts about who could rule the empire, and any member of
the family, no matter how royal, could not do so if they could not wield
even the most minimal power of Jurai. There was a void now in the
galaxy, and Nature abhorred a void. As Yosho and Tenchi had no
desire to involve themselves with affairs on Jurai, that left only one
person in line for the big job of leading an empire.
Washu sighed. While she understood why Ayeka and Sasami
had to leave, she nonetheless missed their presence. Well... the
presence of Sasami at any rate; while the little scientist did not
dislike Ayeka, she did not exactly amuse herself by enduring her company
either. Washu thought idly about Ayeka's guardian, who had departed
with the princess as well.
Tenchi was recovering from the stress of the ordeal nicely.
Taking it in something resembling stride, Washu was pleased to note in
the back of her mind Tenchi's continuing evolution of maturity.
Ryoko was taking matters a little less well, after having the emperor of
Jurai attempt to kill several members of her family. The pirate had
spent most of the last forty-eight hours within site of Tenchi, and
steadfastly refused to leave him alone when he left the house. Washu
was also pleased to note that Tenchi took Ryoko's overbearing
attention with patience and a good deal of understanding. The
scientist allowed herself a brief smile; Ryoko would get over her ultra-
protective behavior sooner or later once the memory of the past days'
events wore thin.
Nobuyuki had fared pretty well from the stress of almost
being killed as well. However, Tenchi's father had sought therapy in
his architecture work in town. Washu also noted wryly that the man
was also probably taking therapy from any of a number of attractive
young women in his office as well. Some things never changed.
Without realizing it, Washu had wound up at her destination.
Blinking in surprise, the woman chided herself for being so lost in
thought that she had not noticed the entire trip. Rising above her,
surrounded by a small pond, was Funaho... Yosho's forever grounded
space tree.
`Yosho.' sighed Washu silently.
Since the altercation with his father, Yosho had gone into his
shrine and not emerged. Skipping all meals and activities that he
normally engaged in, the aging prince of Jurai even went so far as to
miss his daily training routines, which stunned the remaining
members of the Masaki residence. Washu, in particular, was feeling
the absence of Yosho; over the past year, she had become used to him
regularly braving her laboratory to bring her lunch or dinner when she
was too absorbed in her work to think about food. The funny thing
was, Washu had not realized how much she enjoyed Yosho's visits,
especially his poetic nature or unexpected bouts of humor, until they
had stopped two days ago. That was curious, the red head considered.
Washu contemplated the tree in front of her. Pausing a
moment, she listened to the sounds of the forest as well as Mayuka
cooing softly in her sleep. Scrunching her brow, Washu pursed her
lips.
"I know you're here," she said, finally.
There was no reply except for cricket noises and frogs.
"Naturally," she continued, "I wouldn't expect you to explain
yourself. You are entitled to your little secrets, just like the rest
of us."
There was no reply from anyone. Washu quirked an eyebrow
and decided to find a seat. Sitting on the bank of the pond amidst the
dry grasses and clover, the scientist got comfortable. Taking off the
kangaroo pouch on her back, Washu carefully brought the sleeping
infant around and cradled her gently. There was a glowing aura that
then enveloped the space tree, illuminating the surface of the pond
water. Washu did not bother to look up.
"This is the daughter of Tenchi and Yuzuha," came the voice
of Tsunami across the night air, "is it not?"
Washu raised her eyes and looked upon the spirit. Tsunami
stood on the surface of the water, her robes trailing across the
shimmering ripples. The spirit looked upon the infant with interest.
"I had not been presented with the opportunity to meet the
daughter... of Tenchi," Tsunami continued, "She appears to be a
beautiful and healthy child."
Washu continued to rock Mayuka in her arms, still looking at
Tsunami, but not responding in any way.
"She seems," the spirit mused, "to have none of the
abilities she presented before."
Washu smiled. "That must be of great comfort to you," the
scientist remarked knowingly, "another element you don't have to
consider in your plans."
Tsunami regarded Washu steadily. "And just what are my
plans... Washu?"
Washu shrugged. "Beats me," she said quietly, as not to
disturb Mayuka, "but your intentions are clear. Protect your pawns at
any cost... push aside those who threaten your purpose."
Tsunami remained passive, not reacting to Washu's mild
accusation.
"You do not approve of my actions with Azusa?" she asked in
her ethereal voice.
"He deserved what happened to him," replied Washu, "I can't
say I wouldn't have found some way to get even with him myself had
you not intervened. Let's just say it's not Azusa I'm thinking about."
"Tenchi then?" asked Tsunami.
"Nooooo," answered the red head, "more like Sasami.
Somehow, I gather that she was not at all happy with your little
interruption in her autonomy the other night."
"It was necessary," said Tsunami, "In time, when we become
one, Sasami will understand-"
"Ya know, Tsunami," Washu said, interrupting the spirit,
"somehow that explanation just, I don't know... falls kind of flat.
Looks to me that Sasami isn't terribly thrilled about your little plans
of assimilation."
"It is necessary," Tsunami repeated, "Our thoughts one day
will come together and-"
"And Sasami's will be pushed aside," finished Washu, archly,
"I wonder, Tsunami, what will happen if Sasami decides she wants
nothing to do with your thoughts... what will you do then? Will you
force yourself on her as you did upon Azusa when you tore the power
from his being?"
Tsunami remained silent, not answering Washu's question.
Instead, the spirit simply began to fade into nothingness, the aura
surrounding her and Funaho falling away.
"Washu," the spirit said finally before vanishing, "why do
you insist on refusing to remember your past?"
And then she was gone.
Washu blinked and clicked her tongue on the roof of her
mouth. That was certainly not the reply she was hoping for. And
what did Tsunami mean by that cryptic remark? Certainly, Washu
could not remember a thing that occurred a day over twenty thousand
years ago, but...
"Oh, well, little Mayuka," the woman said, tossing her red
mane of hair a bit and standing up, "just another mystery to think
about in my laboratory."
Brushing a few fallen leaves off of her pants, the little
scientist turned away from Funaho without a backwards glance and
headed for home. Waking up and looking over her shoulder, Mayuka
turned towards the space tree and made a small-fisted wave at it.
Funaho seemed to shudder slightly, it's limbs rustling, and
give off a peculiar glow for a split-second before falling silent again
like a normal tree. Adopting a confused expression, the infant forgot
about the tree and settled back down into Washu's arms.
Neither the scientist nor Tsunami ever noticed Mayuka's
wave or Funaho's reaction.
* * *
Author's Note:
Well, this little side story has been on my mind since the end of
last summer. As you probably know by now, my NNFS fiction is
based off of "Ryoko's Love", in which Ayeka is the empress of Jurai.
I've been thinking some bit about what might have happened to Azusa
to make him no longer the ruler of the empire. I couldn't imagine
him just walking away without something serious happening. Additionally,
as he made such a sinister statement at the end of OAV13 as his ship
pulled away from Earth, i couldn't imagine him ignoring Tenchi either.
So, i decided to send him down the path of a ruler haunted by
visions and dreams set off by his own insecurities. More often than
not, that tends to make rulers go nuts!
At the same time, I did not want to just kill Azusa off, or have
Tenchi or Yosho simply defeat him in a duel. Tsunmai and Sasami
continue to be the perfect enigmas, so who better than to deal with
the angry emperor? Anyhow, I just wanted to get this out before
I started work on NNFS Cycle2, so people out there wouldn't be thinking,
gee, what happened to Azusa? I also wanted to place a basis for
Sasami's less than thrilled opinion of having her life overtaken by
Tsunami... And what was that whole thig between Funaho and baby Mayuka,
anyhow? Find out in Cycle2!
Email Appreciated!
Michael McAvoy
mmcavoy@acm.vt.edu
www.acm.vt.edu/~mmcavoy
Listen to the mouse.
It titters at the sleek cat
When safe in its hole.
Last updated March 10, 1999.