Introduction and Disclaimer
So I was talking to a friend
of mine over MSN the other day, and we got to talking about fanfic
and characters pulled into my extremely AU world of Tenchi that keeps
veering off in new and frightening directions. The idea had already
been jokingly brought up to me that if I continued like this, I'd
have Pretty Sammy and Mahou Shoujo characters invading my stories as
well…and I mentioned this to my friend on MSN. He categorically
raised the challenge of doing it – to bring Pretty Sammy characters
into my Tenchi world without making it look like a circus show –
and I always like a challenge.
So this story was born.
If you are not familiar with the Pretty Sammy OVA or Magical Project S, I don't think it really matters too much either way. There are certain characters from that continuity which will appear in this story arc – namely Ramia, Rumiya, Romio and Misao/Pixy Misa – but their appearance is not necessarily going to be true to their original series canon. As with some of the other characters imported into my TU-based world, they have undergone modifications to fit the scene. There will also be no (I repeat, absolutely NO) Pretty Sammy. Sasami will be involved, and so will Tsunami. But I think she already has enough on her plate without donning a dodgy skirt and waving a plastic baton around. So although this story involves Pretty Sammy characters, it is not (repeat, NOT) a Pretty Sammy fic.
The other thing this story does is re-introduce a character from an earlier story I wrote, on account of two things. One, I got asked if he'd ever re-appear, and two, he seemed to fit what this story needed. I won't mention him by name, although you'll find out fairly early on just who I mean!
I think, from the rough notes I have so far, that this might be a long story. Possibly even into three parts. It still involves my butchered Jurai royal family, and is based on a Tenchi x Ryoko foundation set within the confines of the Tenchi Universe world. There will be quite a lot of Tenchi and Ryoko in this story, I should imagine, considering what I have so far. There will also be some time spent on the Earth, as a semi-compromise to those people keen on seeing more Earth-based action (my reason for keeping away from the Earth so much as I do is because I am not confident representing Japan in a correct cultural manner and I really don't like fudging what I don't wholly understand. It's not because of any latent hatred towards the Earth!)
That said, on with the show. Usual legalities apply – happy reading!
Synopsis
Ten Juraian Years have passed
since the Lord of Yousai confined his traitorous wife to a stone
prison, sealing her and her dark arts inside with the help of Azusa,
then Prince of Jurai and his special Tsunami-given magic. The battle
cost the Lord his life, but brought peace to Yousai as his small
daughter grew and flourished in the gentle care of her Council
guardians. Now, however, the young heiress has come of
age, reaching her thirteenth summer, and suddenly the tendrils of a
dark plan begin to slide into motion. From deep within her prison,
the Arian-born Lady of Yousai still yearns to take control of the
planet and exact revenge on those who imprisoned her. As she casts
her spells and weaves her curses over the lives of those around her,
she plots to release a powerful ally from his black-stone confinement
– someone who will kill without compunction and who may be the only
one strong enough to properly set her free. Into this chaos
comes Sasami, eager and excited about her first Progress as Tsunami's
representative. Yousai's Council hope that the Princess's arrival
will enable their shrines to be purified and their land to be blessed
in anticipation of the young heiress's coronation – but not all
is as peaceful as it seems. Meanwhile, on the Earth, Ryoko is
troubled by the shadow of a dark ship who seems to haunt the horizon.
Are Ryo Ohki's sensors really right? Could it be that her old foe
has broken his shackles and come for her, after all?
TAINTED SPIRIT: PART ONE
A
Tenchi Muyo! FANFICTION
by
VRAIEESPRIT
Chapter One
The
Planet Yousai
Ten Jurai Years Earlier.
Breathless
and panicked, the young woman flitted through the maze of corridors
that made up the Court Hall, diving from doorway to open doorway as
she sought to lose the guardsmen on her tail. At the tips of her
fingers, flickers of light danced, glowing into flame as she ran, but
she paid it no heed, knowing that whatever her own fate, she had a
message to convey and a warning to pass on. At length the
noise of the men behind her faded into the distance and, heartened by
the ground she had claimed, she found her second wind, darting across
the final hallway and pounding on the door of the end chamber,
waiting impatiently to be given admittance. It wasn't long before the
door swung open, although to the frightened young woman it seemed
like forever, and she came face to face with the object of her
search, relief flooding her features as she realised she had made it
in time. The woman eyed her for a moment, then stood back from
the door, allowing her servant to tumble forward onto the carpet
before locking and bolting the wooden divide behind them. Only then
did she turn on her companion, eyes sparking with anticipation and
curiosity. "Well?" She demanded softly. "Speak,
Romio. What do you have to tell me, about my Lord Husband's
decision?" "My Lady, his men come. You must flee
this place and soon!" Romio drew ragged breaths into her
tortured lungs, raising her gaze earnestly to her companion. "He
has sought Imperial assistance, and they are in great numbers even
now. They come to find you and take you from the palace - I heard my
Lord Master say so with his own words. He has already sealed away
your honoured daughter, so as to prevent her from witnessing anything
that should come to pass. You must escape this place now, before it's
too late!" "I see." The woman's eyes became
cold, their usually vibrant marigold sheen clouded as she seemed to
contemplate the woman's words. Standing there, Romio thought
absently, framed by the failing light of the sun that glimmered
through the glass window, her mistress looked more forbidding than
ever. Fine robes crafted from the most expensive and delicate of
fabrics flowed off the curves of her body as if purposefully designed
to add grace to her bearing, announcing to all who saw her that this
was a lady of some status and breeding. Her silken waves of hair,
vivid ruby in hue, were caught up behind her face in a traditional
manner, wisps of it framing her face and giving her a look of
deceptive peace and beauty. Around her throat she wore several chains
of beads, each bearing symbols that Romio did not understand, but
that she knew were a matter of religious significance to her exotic,
enigmatic mistress. Although she was clad in the fashionable style of
a lady of Yousai, there was something distinctly foreign and mystical
in her bearing, and it was well known that her fair skin and
blemish-free complexion were the envy of whole Court. And yet,
despite her beauty, there was often a hardness in the woman's golden
eyes which told those who knew her that she was not someone to be
easily trifled with. There was a long silence, and Romio felt
the tension in the chamber rise, as she heard the faint sound of men
approaching the Lady's chamber. Fear flashed into her eyes, but at
the noise, the Lady began to laugh, amusement clear on her pretty
face. Romio stared at her in confusion. Had she finally lost her
mind? Was the stress of the situation finally causing her mistress to
crack? "Lady Ramia? Is something amiss?" "Well,
Romio, so it's an interesting game we choose to play." Ramia
inclined her head slightly, moving across to her dresser where an
ornately carved box stood in pride of place, flanked on each side by
golden candles. One of these flames had been lit, and the faint scent
of perfumed incense pervaded the chamber, the smoke hanging heavy in
the air as Romio followed her mistress's movements with an eagle eye.
Ramia did not seem in a hurry, she decided, and not for the first
time she wondered what the strange box contained, that even in her
time of peril, Ramia was drawn to it more than she was to escaping
certain danger. "Lady Ramia, are you not going to leave?"
She demanded. Ramia turned, eying her in surprise. "Should
I?" She asked. "Do you think I should fear them, Romio? You
are a fool. More of a fool than I imagined you were...do you think
that they can hurt me?" "My Lady?" Anything
else Romio had been on the verge of saying died in an instant, as she
registered a strange flash of light flicker across Ramia's beautiful
golden eyes. Despite herself she swallowed hard, shrinking back from
her mistress's wrath as Ramia drew her hands together, prickling
light dancing from one end of her arm to the other as she eyed her
prey contemplatively. "I am not afraid of them." She
said softly. "You look surprised, Romio - even frightened. You
know I am a witch, don't you? A sorceress. Well, we prefer mage,
where I come from - but you are aware of this fact, aren't you? You
should have more faith in your mistress - after all, you have been
sworn in blood to serve me. You should expect me to be ready for all
things." "Lady Ramia, forgive me." Romio bowed
her head, and Ramia chuckled, her cold laughter echoing around the
chamber and sending chills up Romio's spine. "You know
plenty about me, in fact, Romio-san." She murmured, the light
fading away as she came to rest her hand on her companion's shoulder.
"Too much, maybe. After all, when a servant knows too much, it's
possible that they can let...little details...slip out." Romio
raised eyes to her companion's in horror, and slowly Ramia
nodded. "You don't keep secrets from me very well."
She said lightly. "Your blood is mine to control, and I read
your thoughts and your panic as easily as if I were inside of your
head. Yes, Romio, I know that you have betrayed me. That you have
spoken in some detail to my husband's people about the dark arts you
believe I possess. It was a foolish choice, was it not? You clearly
have no idea of his magic compared with mine. Do you expect that a
mere Shizukasari "L...L...Lady
Ramia, I..." "Save it." Ramia pushed her
carelessly backwards, and Romio scrambled to regain her balance,
staring up at the lady with frightened eyes. "I don't wish to
hear your excuses. I do not reward betrayal, Romio, and I rarely
allow anyone the chance to cross me twice. Did you think that you
were any different? That because your blood is bound to me, I would
let you escape with your life?" "Lady Ramia, please!
I...I didn't mean to! They made me...the truth serum..." Tears
spilled down Romio's cheeks as she grasped at her companion's wrists.
"Please, believe me. I would never betray you - not willingly!
But the serum is strong and I am weak. Lord Azusa's men came from
Jurai and they are supporting your husband...I wasn't able to hold
back their questions. I am nothing compared to you - I have no magic
that will protect me from their probing. I have failed you, I know
that - but I did not mean to! Please, spare my life!" Ramia
eyed her companion coolly, gazing over her huddled form as she did
so. Then she shrugged, turning back to the table and resting her
hands on the ornate box. "They are almost at the door."
She whispered. "Be a good girl, Romio, and let them
in." "L...Lady Ramia?" Romio eyed her
uncertainly, unsure as to whether the gentle command was a reprieve
or the first warning of a snare. She stumbled hesitantly to her feet,
gazing at Ramia for a moment. "Is that what...what my Lady wills
me to do?" "Open the door. Let them see me, in all
my glory." Ramia said simply, gesturing towards the door as
Romio heard the clatter of footsteps and the loud thud of swords and
armour against the wood door. Any minute now, she knew, someone would
give the order to fire, and powerful weapons would break down the
divide between them, rendering any chance of escape an impossibility.
Fear choked her, but she forced it back down, reaching for the
door-latch with a trembling hand. She did not see Ramia open
her box, nor did she see the lady's slender fingers slip lovingly
inside, extracting two small objects from the silk-lined surface and
tucking them into the folds of her gown. As the servant's fingers
closed around the door handle, she did not see Ramia's own digits
curl gently around one of the objects, cupping it in her hand as the
door began to swing back. As the guardsmen bore down on them,
Romio suddenly became aware of a paralysing, stifling pain that shot
through her spine, racing up her body from her brain to the base of
her back and she tumbled to the floor, opening her mouth to cry out
as she fell out of the guard's line of fire. Her vocal chords refused
to respond, however, and she gasped like a landed fish, struggling
against the strange force that held her body in its power. A flash of
terror washed through her as she realised the cause of the malady,
and with all her strength she managed to shift her head around just
enough to see the amused, interested expression on her mistress's
face. As they met gazes, Ramia offered her a smile, removing her
fingers just enough so that Romio could see the item she had clutched
in her hand. It was glowing with a sinister reddish energy, and
Romio's heart spasmed in her chest at the sight of it, knowing all
too well now that her mistress had not been in a forgiving mood. Foam
licked at the corners of her mouth as her panic intensified, and yet
still she was unable to move or speak, struck to the ground as two
well-uniformed men entered the chamber proper, one holding out his
hands to the Lady Ramia. "My Lady, we have orders to
remove you from this place." He said softly. "Will you
please accompany us...your Lord Husband has business he wishes to
discuss with you of a most urgent nature." "Business
which requires the invasion of my privacy?" Ramia raised a
perfectly shaped eyebrow, tut-tutting under her breath. "Is such
intrusion necessary?" Romio attempted to reach out a hand
to grab the guard's leg, but it was to no avail, and with a sudden
stab of horror she realised that none of them could see her - that
help was mere inches away from her fingertips, and yet she was
completely unable to reach it. The glow around Ramia's object
intensified, and Romio gasped as fire shot through her once more,
causing her fingers to tremble and drop away from the guard's
uniform. The man acted as if nothing had happened, completely
oblivious of the struggling form of the young woman as she fought
desperately for her life. "If you will, my lady. Come
this way." The second guard spoke soberly, and Ramia let
out a heavy sigh, nodding her head. "Very well. I will
attend my Lord Husband on the matters that disturb him." She
said quietly. "Lead the way, men. I will come without
resistance." With that she swept out of the room, giving
the guards no chance to do as she was bidden as she headed
purposefully down the hall and away from the elaborately decorated
chamber. As she did so, she released something from her grasp,
and as the small object made contact with the floor, Romio felt pain
wash through her body, as if she had been battered against a hard
surface. She closed her eyes, almost wishing herself dead in that
instant, and hating the fact that wherever she was being taken, Ramia
would still be able to reach her and her frightened, desperate
thoughts. Soon, she knew, the stifling energy would suffocate her
completely, and she felt her heart falter in her chest as the
pressure began to creep across the whole of her body. "Are
you hurt?" The voice startled her and she gazed up,
surprise in her expression as she took in the features of a man some
decades older than her, with long thick hair tied back from his face
with ornate imperial clasps. His chin was covered by a beard, making
him appear older at first glance, but as he held out a gentle hand to
take hers, she realised that he was probably no older than his late
forties. At her surprise, his eyes flickered with warm compassion and
slowly he lifted her up, resting his arm behind her back as she
struggled to draw breath into shaken lungs. "You could
see me." She gasped. "And...and I can move.
What...but...Lady..." She faltered, and the man eyed her
gravely, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You are Romio,
aren't you?" He asked quietly. "Lady Ramia's
servant." Slowly and stiffly, Romio nodded her
head. "You gave evidence to your Lord Master, and she
sought to avenge herself for it, I imagine." The man seemed
troubled as he hauled her to her feet. "You are not safe here,
my dear. You must leave at once - come with me. Your Lady Ramia will
not roam these chambers again, but even so, while you stay on this
world your life may yet be in danger. Will you trust me to aid
you?" "Lady Ramia has my soul in her hands."
Romio managed. "She has done, ever since I...I was a young girl.
She took me in when I was an orphan, and she healed me when I was
attacked by the thieves who killed my family. I owed her everything,
even my life. I did not want to betray her, My Lord. But in the end,
perhaps I deserved her justice." The man frowned,
reaching down to pick up the object that Ramia had so carelessly
tossed from her hand. He eyed it for a moment, then held it out, and
Romio took it gingerly, turning it over in her hands. A tiny
rendition of her own form stared back at her, bead eyes glinting in
the dying sunlight, and despite herself she felt a chill flicker down
her spine. Resisting the urge to crush the figure, she raised
frightened eyes to her companion, who nodded his head. "Ramia-sama
always intended to kill you, child. She just toyed with you until she
could pick her chance." He said softly. "Your loyalty has
long since been misplaced. But she won't hurt you any longer.
Fortunately for you, Ramia-sama's magic is not the only force in
existance in these parts...and I was able to see your distress and
break the spell she had over you. The doll is powerless over your
soul now - whatever hold she had over your heart and mind, she no
longer has." "My Lord, why are you helping me? What
use can I be to you?" Romio asked hesitantly, as her companion
removed his own cloak from his shoulders, wrapping it around her
shaking form as he led her towards the door of the chamber. "I'm
just an ordinary serving girl - nothing more than that. I have no
money, nothing to offer you. I...I don't understand why you'd care if
I lived or not. I was Lady Ramia's servant - not somebody
important." The man paused, eying her for a moment. Then
he smiled, holding out his hands in a gesture of peace. "My
name is Azusa, Crown Prince of Jurai." He said quietly. "I
am here on my Father the Emperor's orders, to ensure peace returns to
this world of intrigue and closet civil war. Lady Ramia's threat must
be diminished if Yousai is ever to be a thriving world again. That is
why I am here. And I will take you to Jurai. The magic of Tsunami
protected you today, my child. It will protect you always from her
ill will, if you return with me aboard my ship." "Azusa-sama..."
Romio's eyes opened wide with fear and comprehension and she dropped
her head in a bow before him. "I'm sorry - I must seem so rude,
my Lord, but I really did not..." "Shh." Azusa "But how
will I repay you for your kindness to me? I told you, I have no
money." "I want nothing from you in return. Your
mistress has killed enough people with her dark magic and I did not
wish to stand by and let another fall." Azusa "There must be something I can do, though? Some
service I can perform, however small?" Romio raised fervent red
eyes to his, and the Prince smiled, nodding his head. "It
would be of great help to me and to my people, if you would share
with us as much information as you can about Lady Ramia and her
magic." He admitted. "Since she tried to kill you, I
believe your service to her is at an end. Will you undertake that
task, instead?" Romio hesitated for a moment, glancing
down at her hands. Then, slowly, she nodded. "I will."
She murmured. "But Lady Ramia is more powerful than many people
realise. You should not risk her wrath, Lord Azusa. She used only a
little of her magic on me, because I am not worthy of her wider
attentions. But whatever you do, even if you kill her, you will not
be able to stop her. She is of Airai. Those who cannot easily be
killed. And she will remember this grudge." "Many
people have grudges against Jurai, but few are strong enough to act
on them when it comes to facing Tsunami's magic." Azusa
They were gaining on her.