Chapter 7. Lies, Tricks and Traps.
Tokyo Tower. A majestic monument in the the center of Tokyo, symbolizing the city. Every year millions of visitors go there.
Well, several are going there now, but their purpose is anything but sightseeing...
"I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY, THERE IS NO WAY THAT TENCHI IS GOING UP THERE!!!"
"Girls, please try to calm down..."
"CALM DOWN??? CALM DOWN!!! WE ARE GOING TO FACE SOME OF THE MOST EVIL TWISTED
PEOPLE IN THE UNIVERSE AND YOUR TELLING US TO CALM DOWN???" Ayeka's face was livid.
Ryoko's hand shot out and wrapped itself around Glave's collar. "Listen, Im not letting Tenchi go up there alone. No way, no
how."
Glave let out an exasperated sigh. "Listen Ryoko, if you OR Ayeka go up on the tower with him then Kagato will kill Misaki
for sure. He's a big boy Ryoko... He can take care of himself." Glave glanced at the far end of the subspace portal that
Washu had stuffed in the Masaki van. "Besides, none of us will be too far away."
Ryoko pondered that. "I don't like it. Too many things could go wrong."
Ayeka jumped in. "If Lord Tenchi or Mother should come to harm... Oh I don't know what Id do..." Tears filled the corners
of her eyes.
"Tenchi will be able to take care of himself." Glave sounded resolute. What is your plan Darkon? he asked himself. He was
not worried for Tenchi's safety, but he wished he had more information.
...
"Report Kagato."
"Master Darkon, we have confirmed that the Masaki boy is on his way here." Kagato's face smiled an evil smile.
"Excellent! Is the suprise ready?"
"More than ready master."
...
The extradimentional portal at the back of the Masaki van was in a bustle. Everyone was running everywhere trying the do
eight things at once.
"EVERYONE, WEAPONS CHECK!" Glave roared.
Mihoshi puzzled over the tiny pistol that she had been given. "Um, Mr. Glave, what's this supposed to do?"
"A K7-Nutron Disrupter."
"Ok..."
At the far end of the van, Tsunami, Ryoko, and Ayeka had clustered around Tenchi.
"Tenchi, you must try to keep Kagato occupied while Glave, Slade, Ryoko and I get into position." Tsunami stated. "They
will try to activate their trap as soon as you get up there, so be careful, please?"
"Humph." Ryoko snorted. "You don't even have any weapons on you. What good are you going to be in this fight?"
"I can take care of myself Ryoko..." Tsunami's voice had an edge to it.
"HA! Id like to see you try. You just want to come along and make sure that Tenchi doesn't try to be with someone other
than you." Ryoko's voice had a mocking tone.
Tsunami when completely white, and then her eyes narrowed to small slits. Ryoko let out a low growl as they both looked
strait into each others eyes.
"Um, I really think we should concentrate on getting ready..." Ayeka started.
"SHUT UP!" Ryoko exploded. "Im going to get Tenchi, got that Tsunami? He's mine and no one else's."
"You have no claim to him!"
"I've known him since he was a child!"
"And you think that I wasn't watching him????"
"Please, stop fighting..." Tenchi tried to cut in before things got out of hand. Fortunately, Glave chose that moment to get
everyone moving.
...
Tenchi walked slowly up the stairs to the observation deck of the Tokyo tower. The door was only two floors away, so he
stopped and spoke into the transceiver.
"Ok, Washu, I'm in position."
Back in the subspace pocket of the Masaki van, Washu spoke. "Alright. The others are starting their ascent. They will attack
one minute after you enter the deck."
"Got it Washu."
Tenchi gulped, steeled his nerve, and opened the door to the observation deck.
The area was quiet. Not much had been over turned, but a door to one of the back rooms stood slightly ajar. Tenchi moved
quietly towards the door, expecting an attack any minute. None was forthcoming. As Tenchi reached the door, he slid
Tenchiken from his belt. He opened the door and stepped inside.
"Welcome to my parlor, said the spider to the fly..." Kagato's evil smile shown across the room. "Its good to see that you
have joined us, Tenchi Masaki."
"Where is Misaki?" Tenchi demanded.
"She is here, boy." Saber stepped from the darkness, Misaki held in his grip. She struggled against him, but to no avail. "Are
you ready to surrender?"
"What guarantee do I have that you'll release her?"
"Why this." Saber released Misaki. "After all, we are an expedient bunch. She is of little importance to us. YOU are the one
we want..."
Misaki ran to Tenchi. "Thank you, I was so scared..."
"Its OK Misaki. Get out of here, and hurry."
Tenchi turned to Kagato. "Alright, who's going to be the first one to try to capture me?"
Kagato smiled an evil smile. Three other men and one woman stepped out of the shadows. All of them suddenly had change
crystals in their hands. "Oh, now lets see Tenchi..."
...
Glave scanned the deck using a special device on his armor. Ok, there was Tenchi... And two humanoids, Misaki and
Kagato. Saber was there... And there was something funny about his aura...
"Damn." Glave swore under his breath as he saw several other beings enter the scan area. All of them had a similar aura to
Saber. "Slade, we've got problems..."
"Yes, I can sense it..."
Ayeka turned to them. Because she lacked Teknopowers, Slade had given Washu the instructions of how to produce suits of
Teknoarmor. She now wore one. Tsunami had refused to take one, however. "Time's up, we have to go!"
"Your right, princess..." Ryoko said. "Let's do it!"
Slade turned to Pegaus. He shouted "Pegaus, POWER ON!"
"Affirmative."
Glave's change crystal snapped into existence. He and Ryoko both shouted "TEKNOPOWER!"
Tsunami grabbed the back of Ayeka's Armor as the group shot towards the observation deck of the Tokyo Tower...
...
"Alright, who's going to be first?" Tenchi stood in front of Misaki, Tenchiken held at the ready. Kagato, Saber, Axe, Lance,
Rapier, and Sword all looked at him with amused expressions.
"My dear, would you take care of him." Saber said.
"What???" Tenchi was confused for the half second before Misaki's fist landed in the small of his back. Tenchi was
catapulted across the room, and smashed into the far wall. He lay there groaning, and finally moaned, "Misaki, why..."
Misaki walked over to the others. As Tenchi watched, a change crystal appeared in her hand. "I serve a new master now.
The true master of all things, Darkon!"
The group all shouted "TEKNOPOWER!!!"
When the light dimmed, Kagato, Saber, Sword, Lance, Axe and Rapier all stood in their armor. Misaki had transformed into
Teknoman Tiger. On one hand, a set of three bladed stretched a foot from her hand, and a single blade was attached to each
of her fingers on her other hand. "You are weak in trusting your friends, Tenchi. Those whoa are your friends may well be
your enemies."
A massive explosion sounded in the outer chamber. Kagato shouted "What the...???"
Rushing out, they saw Glave, Slade, Edge, Ayeka and Tsunami waiting for them. Glave pulled his weapon from its back
holder just in time as Lance and Axe slammed into him. The combined force of their attack shot all three of them out the
window and into the air outside to Tokyo tower. Sword hurled herself at Tsunami, who ducked under her vicious attack.
Saber charged Slade, and they both shot through the roof in an attempt to gain altitude. Rapier charged at Ayeka, who leveled
her Z-tron cannon and opened fire as she flew out the window to gain maneuvering room. Tiger and Kagato attacked Edge,
who was being overwhelmed.
Outside, Glave sparred with Axe and Lance. The twirled and twisted, Glave's weapon darting in and tearing holes in Axe's
Armor, and taking measured swipes at Lance. Axe hurled his weapon at Glave, who jumped over it using his boosters. Glave
barely avoided the thrust made by Lance, and responded by slashing at his opponent. The fight raged across the sky, no one
being able to land a decisive hit.
Ayeka spun and gyrated, dodging the blurred form of Rapier. His speed was much greater than her own, but she was able to
engage him at range, so the contest was evening out. Her modified Z-tron cannon spat out several bolts in rapid succession,
hammering Rapier, but he recovered and dashed towards her, intent on finishing her off. Ayeka used her own powers of flight
to shoot over him, and she fired another shot strain down from on top of him. He was hardly phased. She sighed. This was
going to be a long fight...
Sword was getting frustrated in her fight with Tsunami. Every time she tried to land a blow, Tsunami would be half an inch out
of the way, and she would miss. Snarling in frustration, Sword leapt backwards and yelled "TEKNOBOLT!"
Energy slashed across the air, crackling with menace. Just as the blast was about to strike Tsunami, it was diverted in all
directions, ripping a section of the Observation deck away form the rest of the tower. Energy crackled, and Tsunami stood
untouched, ten Light Hawk Wings glowing in front of her. As Sword watched, the wings began to spin and then shot towards
Tsunami. Two fastened to her legs, forming glowing blue greaves. Another two latched onto each of her arms, forming
gauntlets and armored sleeves. Two latched onto her front and back, forming into a breastplate. Another formed a helmet,
and Tsunami reached out and grabbed the last wing. As she did so, it transformed into a Light Hawk Sword. Tsunami and
Sword charged at each other, and the duel began in earnest.
Slade and Saber clashed in the sky above the tower. Slade glanced down occasionally and spotted Ayeka and Glave fighting
their opponents. Slade then realized that he was winning his battle. Saber did not seem to be able to predict his attacks and
counter them as he usually did. This was getting very strange.
Ryoko/Edge was not having a good time of it. Kagato slammed a shoulder into her and sent her spinning through the glass
window of the deck, and then Tiger had torn a huge hole in the shoulder of her armor. She was being steadily beaten back,
and Tenchi was still hurt inside the Tower...
Glave saw that Edge was in trouble. He ducked under a massive swing from Axe, and flew away from him. He dodged
another attack by Lance, and spun. "TEKNOBOLT!"
Another blast of energy ripped through the air, and Lance was caught full in the blast. The tremendous force kicked him
around, finally tearing off one of his arms and sending him spiraling towards the ground. Glave watched in satisfaction as a large
crater appeared in the ground where the dark Teknoman had landed. There was no movement. Glave then ducked beneath
the clumsy blow that Axe launched at him. They continued to fight for several minuets. Finally, Axe, exhausted and losing
power, launched himself in an all out attack at Glave. Glave launched himself towards him. The two Teknoman met in the air.
Axe's weapon flashed as it came down, and Glave's weapon flashed as it raced towards Axe.
There was a bright flash of light.
A hideous sound of a weapon tearing through metal.
A crack of crystal.
Glave hovered facing away from Axe, his weapon blade at his feet, where it had been at the end of the attack. Axe's weapon
was falling towards the earth below. Axe looked on in horror at the colossal rent in his armor, and then saw something out of
the corner of his eye. He looked down and saw his change crystal falling towards the Earth in four separate, distinct pieces.
Glave heard Axe scream hideously, and turned to see arcs of red lightning crawling all over him. With speed unmatched my
any, Glave seized the dying Axe and launched him into the air. The overload of Axe's Teknopowers was going to be big, for
without his crystal, they were unleashed all at once. Glave watched the ascending dot, until it blossomed into a nova outside of
the Earth's atmosphere. He turned as he heard Edge scream, and plunged into the battle.
Kagato's fist hammered into Ryoko's helmet, and propelled her into the arms of Tiger, who began to shred her armor. Ryoko
had not had enough experience with her teknopowers, but she had some. With a massive heave, she flung Tiger into Kagato,
which sent them both spiraling out of control. Ryoko tried to gain altitude, but felt her power failing. Kagato leered up at her.
"Feeling tired, dear Ryoko? My my, we should try to be more careful. Perhaps it's just as well that your going to die..."
Kagato rushed towards her, sword extended. She tried to get out of the way, but her power was too depleted. Suddenly,
Kagato was knocked backwards by a spinning staff. She turned to see a thin blue wire shoot around the Glave, and saw in
return to its owner.
"Try taking someone who knows how to fight, Kagato." Glave snapped. Kagato's eyes flashed with an insane light as he
launched himself at Glave. The spun across the sky, great shattering bolts of energy being exchanged. Glave and Kagato
fought for several minuets.
Above the Tokyo Tower, Slade was slowly overwhelming his brother. "Whets wrong with you, Saber? You've fought better
than this..."
Saber simply growled in annoyance.
In the observation deck, Sword was not having a good time of it. Tsunami possessed an equal level of skill, but the power
levels were going to make the difference in this fight. Sword's weapon was cracked and warped, and micro fractures appeared
all over her armor every time Tsunami nearly hit her with her Light Hawk Sword. On the other hand, all that Sword's slashes
were doing was annoying Tsunami. Sword flipped her sword out and grimaced as it deflected off her blue haired opponents
armor. Then things began to get very weird...
Sword shook her head as she seemed to see two Tsunami's standing there. Then, they both charged at her. One was the
woman that she had been fighting for the past few minuets, while the other was a girl about 14. What was going on here?
Tenchi moaned, and staggered to his feet. He turned to look at the crater he had left in the wall. What had happened?
Misaki had attacked him...
His train of thought was interrupted as Sword flew through a nearby wall, Tsunami following, shrieking like a banshee. Sword
barely got her sword up in time to deflect Tsunami's incoming blade. She tried to fly back through the wall, but that other girl
attacked her, and the energy shock wave hurled her into Tenchi.
"Ah HA!" Sword screamed, latching her hand onto Tenchi. She brought her weapon to his neck and shouted to Tsunami.
"One step closer and Ill give this boy a VERY short haircut."
Tsunami shouted "TENCHI! NO!!!"
Sword laughed maniacally, as she walked to the edge of the window. Tsunami ran after her, but didn't reach her before she
took off. Sword swatted Edge out of the way as she tried to intervene. She took off into the air.
<Kagato, you can stop playing your game now. I have the boy.>
<Excellent! Begin your withdrawl.>
<Yes.>
Kagato spun around and shouted, "What's it going to be Glave, the Masaki boy or the thousands of people in the city?"
Glave's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Kagato laughed insanely. "THIS!!! ANTIMATTER DISRUPTERS!!!"
Beams of Energy lashed out from Kagato and blasted the base of the Tokyo Tower. The structure seemed to hesitate, and
then started to fall towards the ground.
Glave flew towards the tower, intent on destroying it before it landed. He suddenly felt something slam into his stomach, and
was sent flailing end over end. Lance retrieved his weapon and flew after Sword and Kagato. Glave saw that his arm was
regenerating. It was impossible!!! No human, even modified into a Teknoman, could regenerate that type of wound! A
thought struck him.
<SLADE!!!>
<I'm a bit busy here...>
<Saber, Lance, Rapier and Sword aren't the people we know. Their Venemoid duplicates. Regenerated copies!>
<What???>
Rapier turned to Ayeka. "Its been fun, girl. But I have to go now. Pressing business, I hope you understand."
Ayeka shot several more shots at him as he retreated. She activated her comm system. "Why are they pulling out?"
Glave's voice was strained. "They've got Tenchi. We're in pursuit."
"TENCHI!!!"
...
"Saber, you fool..." Darkon mummered from within the depths of his helmet. The duplicate Saber was still trying to destroy
Slade. This was not in his orders, and Saber was to be punished.
...
<SABER!!! YOU HAVE FAILED ME!!!>
The though shot across the battle zone like a bolt of lightning. Its power was such that even those without Teknopower's could
hear it.
<Master, please! I must destroy my brother...>
<YOU ARE A FOOL SABER!!! YOUR ARROGANCE MAY COST US THIS OPERATION!!! NO MATTER. YOU
WILL DIE SABER, AND THESE REBELS ALONG WITH YOU!!!!>
Glave's head snapped around, and he saw Saber spasm in the air. He then started falling towards the ground, and a nova of
energy appeared around his armor.
<SLADE!!! Darkon has activated Saber's SELF DESTRUCT SEQUENCE!!!>
<NO!!!>
About fifty feet off the ground, Saber detonated. The energy release was enormous. The Tokyo Tower was vaporized
within seconds of the front of the blast wave hitting it. Glave and Edge both dove towards Ayeka, and shielded her from the
worst of the effects. But even they would not be able to resist this much energy long.
Slade struggled to out fly the front of the explosion of Pegaus. The massive wave of energy expanded throughout the
downtown area of Tokyo. Millions of people were to die this day.
Glave felt the back of his armor beginning to vaporize. Edge was doing no better. The blast stretched into the second
minute. The energy continued to expand past the city limits of Tokyo. Suddenly, the energy strike Glave slacked off.
Tsunami stood in front of them, her Light Hawk Wings deflecting the worst of the energy. She stood resolutely, as the blast
crawled yet another minute, and began to slacked off...
...
"So, this is Tenchi Masaki..." Darkon grinned from underneath his helmet. He had waited a long time for this day...
"Kagato!" The deranged scientist stepped forward. "You have done well in bringing the boy to me."
"It is my pleasure to serve you, my master."
"That it is indeed."
Tenchi lay sprawled on the floor. Darkon walked over to him, and seized his hair, raising him off the ground. "Greetings, Lord
Tenchi. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Darkon, and soon, you will serve me..."
End of Chapter 7
