"Tenchi Muyo!" and all characters herein are the property of Pioneer and AIC, save those created by the author. This is a fanfic, is not for profit, and does not express the views of Pioneer or AIC. Tenchi Muyo! Odyssey Chapter Two: Calm before the Storm by William Nichols The Council of the Elder has chosen Tenchi Masaki to begin the path of the champion. They have also taken the one he loves from him. And in order to save her he must complete the odyssey. A circle of light swirled open on a gleaming beach on a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean. Out from its iridescent rings steps Tenchi Masaki and Ayeka Jurai. One is the first princess of the planet Jurai. The other is the grandson of the crowned prince of Jurai. A second before they had been in Washu's lab where they had left the mortally wounded Ryoko. It was up to them to find the first of the Juraian elemental stones: the water stone. "Well this must be the place," said Tenchi as he raised a hand to his brow. Even though it was December the tropical sun was bearing down upon the faceless atoll. "So it would seem Lord Tenchi," said Ayeka. "Where do we go from here?" "Washu said the talisman would show the way." With that Tenchi held the medallion in the palm of his hand. The sun glinted off its faceted edge and cast a holographic image in front of him and Ayeka. It began on the beach and quickly maneuvered thru the jungle toward the lagoon in the center of the island. From there it rose to the waterfall. A faint passage way could be seen behind the cascade of water. "I guess we go that way," said Tenchi as he shed his light jacket. Ayeka followed suit and removed her jacket. Together they began the trek into the jungle. "Where are they Little Washu?" asked Kiyone. Ever since Tenchi and Ayeka had been transported from the lab the diminutive genius had been trying to locate them. "I am detecting the master key at a location somewhere in the South China Sea, buts its nearly impossible to locate precisely." Washu continued to hammer away at her keypad. The topographical map of the earth she had generated continued to rotate until she focused in on an area that seemed most probable. "The problem is that there over a thousand islands in this area belonging to the Philippine chain, and I just can't pinpoint it." Washu continued to input data into her computer. A small day, hour, minute, and, second counter appeared on the corner of the screen. It read: 13:23:35:26 "The clock is running Tenchi," she said quietly. She turned and looked at Ryoko. The stasis field cast a sickening green aura upon Ryoko. 'My little Ryoko,' she thought. "This island is beautiful Tenchi," remarked Ayeka as they trod thru the dense jungle. A chorus of jungle noises serenaded them as they made their way. Ayeka stopped for a second to smell a beautiful orchid that was hanging overhead. As she did a green snake uncoiled itself from the branch above. "Lord Tenchi," she said trembling. Tenchi turned and saw the serpent lowering towards Ayeka. Without thinking he activated the master key and sliced the snake in two. Ayeka jumped back as part of it landed at her feet. "Beautiful and dangerous Ayeka," he said as the blue blade of Tenchi-ken dissipated. "Please be careful. I don't want to loose you as well," he said returning to the faint jungle path. A few meters away a large obelisk rose from the path. It was covered in moss and ivy. One of the few distinguishable features visible was a partial glyph. "Lord Tenchi," said Ayeka. "I know that rune." Tenchi pulled at the ivy and moss until more of the archaic writing was visible. "Can you read it Ayeka?" asked Tenchi trying to make sense of the writing. She studied the glyphs for a minute, mouthing a few unrecognizable syllables. After a few minutes of this she finally felt confident to read the markings. "I believe it is both a guide and a warning, Lord Tenchi," she revealed. "I can't read all of the writing but is basically reads 'to reveal the first essence of Tsunami climb the ethereal way'." "What does that mean?" asked a befuddled Tenchi. "I don't know Lord Tenchi. Not all of the lower inscription is legible," she began. "What I can read goes 'the fury----upon----who is---.'" She shook her head and stopped. "I am sorry Lord Tenchi, too much of the inscription is gone. I just cannot make it out." "That's all right Ayeka," consoled Tenchi. "We'd better get going again." Ayeka nodded and followed behind him, being mindful of the dangers of the jungle. Compared to the early winter of Okayama the heat of the jungle was sweltering. "Lets stop here," said Tenchi as he sat down on a small outcropping of stone. "Agreed," said Ayeka. She had shed as much clothing as she deemed decent, but she still felt like she was baking. "I never knew the earth had places such as this," she commented wiping her forehead. "There's a lot of this planet I've never seen either Ayeka," he commented. "I want to see as much of it as I can, but not like this," he laughed. Tenchi looked overhead to the rays of sun peeking thru forest canopy. His shadow was small disk at his feet. Then something dawned on him. His shadow had been a small disk when they arrived on the island. That had to have been hours ago. "Ayeka, do you have a watch?" he asked. "Yes," she replied pulling a small chronometer from her pocket. "Something's wrong Tenchi," she said very concerned. "It's stopped, right?" "Precisely." "That's what I was afraid of," replied Tenchi as he jumped off of the rock. "Time has stopped on this island for some reason." "Oh my," said Ayeka holding a hand to her mouth. Tenchi nodded and they resumed their trek. Tenchi and Ayeka pushed thru the jungle as fast as they could. For all they knew several days had passed in the outside world, and every minute are precious to save Ryoko. About halfway through the jungle they made a gruesome discovery. "Tenchi!" shrieked Ayeka. Tenchi looked back to see that she was petrified. "What is it?" he asked. She seemingly pointed a shaking finger at the totem standing in front of her. Three severed heads were impaled on a pike. From the looks of them they had to have been there for a while. "Its just a tribal totem," said Tenchi trying to ease her fears. "Not that Lord Tenchi," she said hesitantly. Tenchi looked past the totem and finally saw what Ayeka was looking at. A pair of yellow eyes was staring back at them from the jungle. "Move away slowly," he said holding his hands up in a stopping motion. Ayeka nodded and slowly took a step back. As she did her heal snapped a small twig. She let out a small "eek" as the eyes followed her movement. "Run!" yelled Tenchi as the beast jumped towards Ayeka. "Come on Tenchi," said Washu as she watched the chronometer. 13:10:56:28 Over twelve hours had passed and they had not heard from him or Ayeka yet. She looked over to where Sasami was sitting by Ryoko's side. The young princess had scarcely moved from that spot since Tenchi left. A shadow of Tsunami rose up from Sasami and looked towards Washu. She gave Washu a faint comforting smile. Washu sighed and returned to her keypad. She had to pinpoint the master keys location. "Run!" screamed Tenchi as the creature jumped towards Ayeka. She slipped and fell back as the dark beast landed beside her. It circled around and Tenchi caught a glimpse of its full form. Ayeka scrambled to her feet as it hulked around them. "My God," she whispered. "Don't move," ordered Tenchi. The creature had the silhouette of a big cat, but much larger. Its yellow eyes narrowed in on Tenchi. "You are the boy," it growled. "You have been chosen, but are you worthy?" Tenchi just stared at the creature, dumbfounded. "You heeded not the warning of the ages," it continued. "What warning?" asked Tenchi. "All we could read was the directions to the ethereal path, whatever that is." "Baltus chose you and you know not of the ethereal way?" it laughed in a growl. "I will guide you if can prove your worthiness to me, boy." "Who are you?" asked Ayeka, still not sure whether to trust the creature or not. "My name is Marnot," answered the creature. "I guard the path to Tsunami's essence. Only those worthy may proceed." "What do you mean?" asked Tenchi. "Why does everyone want to know if I'm worthy? What am I supposed to worthy of any way?" "It will all be revealed in due time," began Marnot. "But first tell me, for whom do undertake this quest: is it for yourself or another?" "Why ask such a question," interjected Ayeka. "I am just curious," replied Marnot with a sly grin. "Well, for whom do you undertake this quest, boy?" "I am doing this to save Ryoko," answered Tenchi. "I would walk though hell to save her or any of the others." Marnot threw his head back and gave a deep laugh. "Very good boy," he laughed. "You do have the heart of a champion! A lesser being would have undertaken this for selfish desires. I commend thee boy. And I will show you the path to the temple." "Thank you Marnot," said Tenchi. "We need all the help we can get." Marnot nodded and headed down the jungle path. As he passed Ayeka he gave a small growl that caused her jump back a little bit. "Tell me Marnot," asked Ayeka cautiously. "What would you have done if Tenchi had answered incorrectly?" "I would have eaten the both of you," he replied with a wicked grin. Ayeka stopped dead in her tracks. Tenchi looked back at her and shrugged. "A cat's got to eat you know," said Marnot nonchalantly as he continued down the path. "Marnot," began Tenchi, "can you tell me more about the Elder and this champion they want be to be?" "I can only tell you what I am allowed," replied Marnot. "The Elder are an ancient race that is without time. That is why time is of no consequence on this island." "If time is of no consequence, then why do I have only two weeks to save Ryoko?" asked Tenchi. "That is a good question," replied Marnot. "The limit of time has been placed on you because of the limitations of your physiology. Two weeks is as long as a human can tarry in the nether world before they become trapped permanently." "Trapped?" inquired Ayeka. "Yes. Her body sleeps but her spirit is in the nether world. By completing the odyssey and proving your worth it will be freed." Tenchi stopped as Marnot finished those words. The image of Ryoko trapped in a hellish dimension played through his mind. "Fear not boy," said Marnot looking back. "She is in a peaceful place." Tenchi had to take Marnot's word on the matter. All he knew was that his indecisiveness may have cost him Ryoko's life. And he would be damned if that was the case. 'Why is Tenchi doing this,' thought Ayeka. 'Perhaps a better question would be why am I helping him save Ryoko? I want Tenchi as much as she does yet he loves her.' She stopped in the path for a second as she pondered this fact. With a sigh she started back behind Tenchi and Marnot. She still did not trust Marnot entirely, but that was one of Tenchi's qualities. He trusted people implicitly at times. "Little Washu what can we do to help?" asked Kiyone as she picked up the sleeping Sasami. The little princess had fallen asleep by Ryoko's side. Washu looked up from her monitor and sighed. Nearly a day had passed and no word yet. "There is one thing you can do," she began as keyed in a command that created a futon by Ryoko's stasis chamber. "You and Mihoshi can run an errand for me." "An errand?" said a puzzled Kiyone as she laid Sasami in the futon. "Yes I need an ancient text from the Galactic Academies library." "And I take it this is a text that they don't let people check out on a regular basis." "Bingo." "The path to the sanctuary is just ahead," growled Marnot. Tenchi could see a break in the forest a few meters ahead of them. As he entered the clearing Tenchi squinted from the bright sun. In the clearing lay a crystal blue lagoon fed by a cascading waterfall. A rainbow stretched across the lagoon from the cascades mists. A lone gull lighted across the lagoon and lifted up and over the jungle canopy. "This is magnificent," said Ayeka as she viewed the waterfall and lagoon. "This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen." "The sanctuary lays ahead," said Marnot. "But to reach it you must find the ethereal way." "And if we don't?" asked Ayeka. "I am still hungry," smiled Marnot. Honestly Ayeka could not tell if he was serious or not. "How do we find the ethereal way?" asked Tenchi. To his surprise Marnot began to take human form. Ayeka watched in amazement as the jungle cat took a form similar in size to Tenchi's. "The talisman will show the way," replied the now human Marnot. Tenchi held the medallion towards the light once again. The archaic Juraian script began to glow and rearrange itself into modern Japanese calligraphy. "The challenge of the spirit will reveal the path," read Tenchi. "Look out Tenchi!" screamed Ayeka as Marnot leapt towards him. "What are you doing?!" demanded Tenchi as he avoided Marnot's lunge. "I am the challenge of the spirit," he began slinking on all fours. "You past the first part of the challenge by baring your spirit to me. I could see that your motives here were not selfish. Now you must show me the power you keep within your spirit. I want to see the power you have inherited." With that Marnot jumped towards Tenchi once again. This time Tenchi sidestepped him. As he passed Tenchi grabbed his wrist and flipped him. Marnot landed upside down but quickly rolled back to his feet. "I have no special power," said Tenchi, keeping a defensive stance. "Do not lie to me boy," growled Marnot. "I can smell it!" The creature smiled and ran at Tenchi. Once again Tenchi tried to sidestep him but Marnot cut to the other side and tackled the young prince. "I do not want to fight you!" yelled Tenchi. "It is not what you want that matters!" growled Marnot as Tenchi tossed him aside. Marnot rolled over and stared at Tenchi. "If you will not fight then I will force you!" With a blood-curdling roar he lunged towards Ayeka. She tried to summon her guardians but they only appeared for a second, and then blinked out. "Tenchi!" she screamed eyes closed as Marnot leapt at her. When she opened her eyes she saw Tenchi tackle Marnot mid-leap. "Tenchi!" she said running to his side. "You will not harm her," said Tenchi as he was enveloped in a blue energy. When it dissipated he emerged in flowing blue and white robes. The three green marks of Tsunami gleamed on his forehead. "Very good," growled Marnot. "This is what I wanted to see." To Tenchi's surprise he took a knee and bowed before him. Tenchi and Ayeka just watched dumfounded. "Huh?" muttered Tenchi. "I apologize for my methods," begged Marnot. "I could not let you pass until I knew for certain you were the one. I beg your forgiveness as well Lady Ayeka. I meant you no harm." "Could have fooled me," grumbled Ayeka. Marnot kept his eyes lowered. He would not look at Tenchi since he evoked the power of the Light Hawk. "My Lord," he continued, "the path to the sanctuary is open." Tenchi looked towards the waterfall but he could not see a path. "But I do not see a path," replied Tenchi. "Neither do I," snorted Ayeka. "Remember the inscription," began Marnot. "The truth will be revealed." Tenchi held the medallion in the light again. Once again the script changed before his eyes. "By faith shall the ethereal way be found," read Tenchi. "Have faith," said Marnot. Tenchi looked back towards the waterfall, trying to see the way. As the mists rolled up he thought he saw something. At first it was just a glint in the mist, but the more he stared at it the clearer it became. "To reveal Tsunami's essence climb the ethereal way," he said as his eyes opened. "By faith shall the ethereal way be found," added Ayeka. "It is becoming clear," said Marnot. "Yes," said Tenchi as he stepped towards the lagoon. "By faith," he whispered stepping into the lagoon. Instead of sinking into the water his foot held firm on its surface. "He sees," smiled Marnot. Tenchi took another step across the water and the outline of the path became visible. It stretched up midway the waterfall where the water seemed to part. Behind the water two massive marble doors became visible. As he reached the second step the path solidified into white and blue marble. "Tsunami's essence," said Ayeka as she joined Tenchi on the path. "Good luck young champion," said Marnot. "Are you coming," asked Tenchi as he turned to face the still kneeling Marnot. "I have served my purpose," he growled. "I will await your return." "Thank you Marnot," said Tenchi as he returned to the path. He could have sworn that he saw a slight smile creep onto Marnot's face. At the top of the path Tenchi and Ayeka found a platform leading to the temple entrance. The massive doors were intricately carved. The tree of Tsunami dominated the doors with the tri-foil of the Light Hawk in the middle. Tenchi placed his hand on the tri-foil and the doors opened. A rush of cold air swept past him and Ayeka. The darkness of the temple was only broken by the occasional torch, giving it a dark, gothic atmosphere. "Here we go," said Tenchi as the doors closed behind him and Ayeka. 13:02:21:55 read the chronometer in Washu's lab. The tiny genius had dozed off an hour or so ago. Her own snoring had jolted her back to reality. "Huh," she mumbled as she looked around. Sasami was awake again and sitting by Ryoko's side. "You're a good girl Sasami," said Washu as she sat down beside her. "Did you find them Ms. Washu?" she asked in a small voice. "Yes but I lost them just as I did." "Is that bad?" "No its not," comforted Washu. "It just means that they are in the temple now." "Are you going to help them?" asked Sasami as she looked up. The glimmer of hope filled the young princess' eyes. "We cannot interfere with Tenchi's quest or we would loose Ryoko," explained Washu. "But I am sending them my orb when they get out of the temple." "So that they can talk to us?" "Only when they're between temples, that way they can keep track on the time, you see Sasami?" said Washu. Once again the glimmer of hope shone in Sasami's eyes. For a moment Washu thought that she saw the image of a little Ryoko super-imposed over Sasami. "Miss Washu?" asked Sasami as tears welled up in Washu's eyes. "Ryoko was about your age," began Washu quietly, "when Kagato took her from me. I swore that I would never let anything happen to her again if I ever got away from Kagato. And now." Her voice trailed off as she tried to keep her emotions in check. "I'm sorry Sasami," begged Washu "Its okay ms. Washu," said Sasami. "Do you want something to eat?" "That sounds good Sasami," began Washu getting up. "Come on, I'll help." Sasami looked back towards Ryoko again as she walked out of the lab. She knew deep down that Tenchi and Ayeka would help her. She just hoped that Washu believed it as well. To be continued. The calm before the storm has passed and the deluge is about to begin.