Chapter 20 Shifting the Balance of Power on The Home Front On the planet Jurai, in a building not too far from the palace, a rather large meeting was taking place. The small, yet elegently decorated, building was packed from wall to wall and floor to ceiling with every class of citizen. From the crowd of guardians, both human and log formed, at one end right down to the other end where a poor homeless man at the other.He had been invited in as he was passing by, to warm himself and later to fill his belly at the feast. It was a truly blessed day for all in many respects. On the other hand, all those gathered felt a sizable bit of sorrow. They where losing a master to be replaced by, how to describe this person, a novice at best. However, the hand of Fate his very own self reached into the lives of these people, and this was how it had to be. At this point, a hush fell over the assembled masses. Princess Ayeka and her sister Sasami entered, followed by a slightly guant, bearded old man. The people gasped at the sight of these three people. While it was not rare for Ayeka or Sasami to be seen out among their people, those assembled knew that they would never see the old man in person again so long as they lived. This man was Gensao, the head of the Department of Facts and Knowledge on Jurai. He had lived several life times, and was expected to live a great many more yet. In his long existance up to this point, he had only left his private library a few times once locking himself within it's walls, communicating by way of view screen only. For this very reason, the masses at this assembly knew right away how lucky they were to be here for this soon to be historic event. After Ayeka, another group entered, headed by one person who didn't have to recognize Gensao to know how lucky she was. Ryoko had only been working in the palace daycare for a single day and that was more then enough. She was going to enjoy this day off from work more then any of the other royal servants could ever truly know. Maybe she could even "just happen" to mention to somebody at the feast later that she would gladly reward them for doing nothing more then taking a message to planet Earth. Just a simple note asking Tenchi to wave the charges against her and Ryo-oki so she could give up a life of cleaning children's filthy messes off of them and get back to galaxy hopping. That is, of course, assuming her *lowness* Ayeka gave her a moment of peace. She had been watched like a hawk glaring at a mouse, thinking whether to strike now or let the pray simmer in it's own agony and fear for a tad bit longer. Once the servents were seated by the royal sisters (guess who exactly at Ayeka's right), another man entered alone. This was what the people had been waiting for. The man who was to be Aubinimity's choosen heir was finally under their collective gaze. Until now, only Aubinimity himself had actually met this man, and even then hadn't really seen him. The new-comer was quite fond of hiding himself within the folds of a black cape and cowl. Even now, this is what he chose to wear, covered further by the traditional violet cape to be woren by any person being honored in the public eye. Rumor had it, he had put up a fight with Aubinimity about this at their last meeting. The young one claimed he had no right being honored by *anyone* in this way, least of all the whole of Jurai. He had yet to actually do anything to deserve a cerimony such as the one he was being subjected to now. The only reason he bothered to show up was out of respect for Aubinimity, a man who did deserve to be honored. And so, for reasons of respect and honor, no other reason, Victor Maroo Toumbes now stood before the public eye. He rather enjoyed it, now that he really was doing it. The guardians assigned to him, Taka and Sanbon, removed his outer cape as they had been shown how to do properly countless times since being given this man as their first master. It was ironic to think that they had put in hours of training for a three second job. Nobody even noticed them doing it. They were too drawn to the man inside the cape. None of his body was visible yet to the people. His head was bowwed under it's hood and the actual cape wrapped around his entire body. Then, the cape was slowly opened by the spreading of two wirey arms bent at the elbow, turned up towards the head (or rather, the black shape where a head would be), and clothed in a skin tight, indigo body suit with vest, boots, and long gloves, all of them in leather that was black as pitch. Truly, this was a dark individual. That was when he tossed back his head, causing his hood to fall onto his back, expossing at last the face of the new seer. It was a shock to all that saw him in that moment, without being properly warned of his rather un-nerving resemblance to a face they all knew oh too well, aside from his hair being bright red and unkept. He even wore the same spectacle. It was the face of Kagato. The moment after his unmasking, the man was greeted by more then a couple of harsh stares. He had expected this however, and didn't miss a beat as he continued along his path to undeserved glory. It was no use trying to calm the people just yet, as they could be expected to show hostility, and rightly so to be sure. He would just have to try and prove himself to the Juraians. They would accept him someday, he hoped, but not likely to be any day soon. "Ahem." The people all turned their attention back to the hall's entryway, torn back to attention by a man clearing his throat. It was Aubinimity, his guardians in tow, right on cue. He too could understand the reaction to this new man, he had felt it equally, but it was not proper for them to be gawking as they had been. It would slide though. He was known for being understanding of most things. Aubinimity was a tall man, like his choosen heir, though an inch or two shorter. This, however, was one of few similarities between the two of them. Most important to the people, the man they had trusted had a far more likeable face. It was going to take a long period of time for the universe to adjust to being repressented by the spitting image of a vile creature they had been so pleased to have rid themselves of so recently. How would it look for Jurai to let Kagato's double so far into the inner working of the kingdom? He was slightly better built then this new man, however. He wore a look of stength and capability that Victor so evidently lacked. For this reason, among so many others, he would be missed by all present. Finally, the cerimony itself began. Victor inwardly hoped it would be a simple in and out process, though the gathered crowd's sheer massiveness coupled with the feast to be held soon after implied otherwise. The old and the new faced on another at the far end of the room, a matter of feet from the princesses on their thrones with Gensao standing only a few feet further back, between the royal siblings. It showed great compassion on the part of the departing one. He looked upon that evil, too sharply angled face inches away from his own without so much as a flinch. Next, he pressed his hands together and focused inside himself. Soon, a thin vapor escaped his mouth and swirled around Victor. The mist forced it's way into his lungs, all but raping his bodily organs. He would have begun to scream, but for two things. First, he had been briefed on the events of this cerimony, known as The Shifting, and had steeled himself in readyness. More important, to him at least, he was too scared to open his mouth to the gas any more then he had to. And then, seconds after starting, it was over. Aubinimity spoke. "Fear no more, Victor. You have been reborn with my passing breath now your own. One day, you will pass this breath to another in this fashion, adding another life to the thousands already in your lungs." Victor felt weak, more out of awe then pain. As if this brief speech were not enough, he saw things. He *knew* thing, things that nobody could know. That woman in the front row there, she had yet to tell her husband that she carried his son. Sons rather, as it was to be twins. Even she didn't know that yet. The man a few rows up, he was searching for the proper way to tell his family about the growth in his brain that might kill him but for a new, experimental surgery. He even knew about the night Ryoko had talked the elder princess into a night on the town, when Ayeka had gotten throughly sloshed and got thattattoo. He shouldn't know that, and few would ever know of it. I mean, itwas in a place that the general public could only *dream* of seeing. Andthere were many who did dream, believe me. "I can tell by your face you're seeing things already. By now, you must know the secrets of every person in this room, as I did moments ago," the former prophet said, loud enough for all to hear and know of this young man's power. Several people shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Ayeka blushed slightly as she glanced down a little and put a hand to her heart, though some would say she it looked as if she were trying to cover her left breast. "You shall soon look deeper, my son. Tell me not what you see though. Tell no one. It is the eight deadly sin, knowing. No person must ever know all, which is the reason that we must undergo The Shifting. In this way, we forget, and are cleansed fully. You may only speak of any matter of universal importance to the royal family. From there, it can be decided what information can be released to the public. That is our purpose. To protect the kingdom from surprise attacks, to offer advice, and to act as the media. Under extreme consequences, we may provide divine intervention, but only to persons of true future importance who have no logic means of saving themselves. Do you fully understand what I have told you?" Victor nodded, still having said nothing. The crowd was tense, to a visible degree. How far did this man's likeness of Kagato reach. His quiet nature matched, as did his love of capes and other regal trappings. Did he speak with the same tongue? Is this why he choose silence before them? If so, there was no doubt that he would be denouced on the spot and removed from this highly honorable possition. That serpent of emporer could not be taken back into this court, in neither soul, mind, nor body. "Good, then speak the oath before Gensao. You will be granted full knowledge then, of all happening since the dawn of eternity." Victor cleared his throat and looked Gensao straight in the eye. He opened his mouth, and spoke in a deep rumble of a voice. It was a relief to the people not to hear Kagaot's nasal whine waft out of his face. "Tenchi Muyo and all characters there in are the property of PioneerLDC, Inc and Pioneer Entertainment (USA) L.P., as well as any company I mayhave missed. If so, my apologies to you. The author owns only the writingsand any characters he see fit to create himself. However, all chaptersprior to chapter twenty of this story are the property of Aubinimity only, asare any characters he has created. Thank you." Gensao only nodded at the completion of the sacred oath, known more commenly as The Disclaimer. With that, he gently, yet calmly, pressed his hands to Victor's face. A soft golden light enveloped the two of them, pulsing in an almost hypnotic way. With a bright flash, it was over. The whole room was motionless, stunned into a waking coma. Except two. Gensao and Victor. Gensao was still as it was his way to be so. Victor, however, was still because he was reflecting on the information he had just been blessed with. He had witnessed the birth of life. It had happened on Jurai, and it had been thrilling. In a burst of volcanic waste, several elements had been fused together. They grew in at a steady rate into the first Juraian. Then more grew. For years, life sprang forth from these humble beginnings. Soon, the land had been over populated. After no more then twenty five years, the first seer arose. It was a man by the name of Yosho, for whom the emporor would later be named. He discovered his abilities when a goddess had appeared in his dreams and told him how to use these powers. With them, he performed the first act of what would be called divine intervention. He bless the trees and small woodland animals that had also been born. Now, they could become great ships to travel the universe. With the ships, the people of Jurai split into groups, each heading in their own direction to find other planets to inhabit. Yosho had been able to tell them where some suitable worlds were, so it would be a less dangerous, as well as quicker, journey. All but one of these ships made it. The last ship was lost when it ran into a large anomaly in space. These groups would grow into the many Juraian-like races we know today, among them humans. Saddly, none of their ships survived planet-fall, so the Juraians were reduced to primative hunters and gatherers. After a few generations, they lost the Juraian power, and their history with it. It was the second great loss. Victor snapped back to attention and remembered where he was. He was at the Shifting cerimony, and it was about time for the feast. Ayeka stood and spoke in her clear, yet soft voice. "People of Jurai. I accept this man as my new royal advicer. I hope I can trust you to accept him as well, dispite his def...", she stopped, just catching herself in time. Victor glanced at her and grinned with the corner of his mouth. "Go ahead, majesty. You can say it," he told her. Ayeka's face turned pale red, and her head dropped a few degrees downward. "Deformaty," she said, though not as clear and far softer then she had been about to before. She moved on quickly, to get beyond this moment. "If you would please exit in a timely fashion, we shall begin the festivaties just outside. I shall joint you presently." The people all stood and left. Victor turned, about to get some food inside himself as well, but Ayeka caught his shoulder. "Wait, please." He turned to face her. "Yes, majesty?" He had found a way to shut down his abilities so he could hear her out without knowing every word before she spoke them. It was more polite that way. "I wanted to apologize for what I almost said." "I don't mind. I need to become immune to the critical words and looks I'm going to get. Beside, all living things are allowed to let a minor error slip once in a while. Even a princess such as you, majesty." He was about to leave when she stopped him one more time. "Can I ask you to do a favor for me, Victor?" "Anything majesty." "Don't refer to me as 'majesty', if you please. My name is Ayeka. I prefer a casual atmosphere with my inner circle." "As you wish, maj...Ay-Ayeka," he stammered as he bowwed. Ayeka let a minute giggle pass her lips. "All living things are allowed to let a minor error slip once in a while. Even a prophet such as you." They both laughed about that. Things were becoming calm already. Victor was feeling better about this job of his. He stuck his elbow out towards Ayeka. "Shall we, Lady Ayeka?" She took his arm. "Just Ayeka." With that, they set off on their way to the festivaties, and Victor set off on the longest and most enjoyable journeys of his life. And now, a Fireside Chat with Victor Maroo Toumbes... Hello people. In case you were wondering, I'm in charge of the story from this point on. For some reason, Aubinimity was unable to continue with the writing, and it was going to be dropped from the site. I found this out when I wrote to him with a few corrections about his prolouge, in case he wanted to update it at some point. He wrote back about his situation, and offered me the chance to adopt his fan fiction to keep it on the site. Being a fan of this site, and a writer in training, I gladly accepted. Anything to preserve writings for future generations. And a personal ego boost by having this read by people like you, but that was just an added bonus. Now then, about the actual writing you just read. Firstly, Victor Maroo Toumbes was the name I was going to write under as a novelist, since somebody already writes under my real name. Second, the two guardians Taka and Sanbon are named for Mike Takashi Sandborn. He first brought me into the light that is Tenchi Muyo, and is a close friend of mine, so I thought his name would fit perfectly. Third, in case you didn't figure it out on your own, I'll explain "divine intervention" for you. divine intervention-noun-1) the force of a god or diety upon daily life. 2) the force used when this writer types his way into a hole he can't plausibly type his way out of (eg., getting the first race of people ever to gain space travel quickly). Aside from that, I just hope you can accept me and my skills, or lack there of. That was the message I was attempting to cram down your throats with this chapter. Also, we get back to the real action in the next chapter, I promise. Oh, almost forgot; acknowledgements! Thanks to Mike, again, you above all others got me where I am. D.B. Sommer and Thomas "009" Doscher, you taught me the wonders of fan fiction, for this I thank you. Aubinimity who gave me this outlet. Last, but far from least, my editor Jennifer in Ohio. I just hope these people actually see this someday. Send comments (PLEASE, I beg you, let me know you at least *read* my work, even if you hated it. Feel free to tell me that if you did dislike it) to VM Toumbes@AOL.com Thank you. ~V.M.