Disclaimer
I don't own Harry Potter. I don't own Tenchi Muyo or any of the other stories in the Tenchi universe.
I merely succumbed to the temptation of 'What if?'. This plot bunny came to me a few months ago and refused to leave me alone until I got it written.
As such it is probably a little rushed but hopefully still very enjoyable. It is also a much shorter story than my other one, Effects and Side Effects, but I believe anyone familiar with the Tenchi universe would agree that it could never be a particularly long story.
So, here is my second story for your enjoyment.
Prologue
Harry crouched behind the tombstone, panting for breath, as Voldemort taunted him. The cold dirt beneath his hands was his only anchor to calmness and his fingers bit into it, grasping at its reassuring presence.
He was going to die. He knew it. An idle thought crossed his mind from years ago. "When the fall's all that's left, it matters a great deal." Neither of his parents cowered when their time came. He would follow their example.
With a deep breath he jumped out from behind the tombstone and called out his last spell. "Expelliarmus!"
Voldemort was ready for him and was already casting his response. The sickly green of the killing curse raced towards him.
Harry was sure he was going to die. He wasn't actually that upset about it. He was really only afraid that it would hurt. He was hoping he would see his parents again soon.
Harry was surprised, and maybe a little disappointed, when the two spells collided and burst into a golden light. Harry struggled to hold his vibrating wand as the combining energy started flowing towards him.
Harry's stubborn streak kicked in and he refused to let Voldemort beat him. He summoned all his willpower and forced the ball of energy back towards Voldemort. The energy struck Voldemort's wand and shadows began emerging from it.
The shadows began resolving themselves into people. Cedric Diggory's image formed itself and turned to face him.
"Hold on Harry." He spoke as if from a long distance.
Cedric's image was followed by an old man and a young woman. Both of them added their own words of encouragement.
The next image was shocking. The shadow stood revealing a face he had only seen in photos; his mother.
"Your father's coming ..." She spoke quietly. "He wants to see you ... it will be alright ... just hold on ..."
The next image emerged. His father straightened and floated over to join him.
"When the connection is broken, we will linger for only moments ... but we will give you time ... you must get to the Portkey, it will return you to Hogwarts ... do you understand Harry?"
"Yes." Harry replied, struggling to hold onto his wand.
"Harry ..." Cedric's shadow whispered. "Take my body back, will you? Take my body back to my parents ..."
"I will." Harry promised.
Do it now." His father whispered. "Be ready to run ... do it now ..."
But they had lingered to long. Voldemort focused all his power against a distracted Harry and forced the energy straight back a Harry. The shadows faded and Harry watched in horror as the growing ball of golden energy raced back towards him. Harry was sure that he was about to die, to join his parents in the afterlife; but this time he wasn't ready. He had made a promise to Cedric and his parents.
Moments before the energy impacted Harry felt a shift deep inside him. A white light surrounded him and the golden energy exploded against it.
Harry lost sight of Voldemort and his Death Eaters as dust billowed everywhere. The only thing Harry could see was this white light and an odd barrier made of what looked to be a solid white light forming five blades equally spaced pointing away from a central point in front of him.
The barrier faded as Harry shook off his shock and used the cover of the dust to make his escape. He ran to Cedric's body and summoned the cup to take him back to Hogwarts.
!HPNNfH!
Elsewhere a very young looking woman with long red hair was sitting on a floating cushion and working at several console's, screens projected in midair. She jumped in surprised when several alarms went off without warning.
Washu, the greatest scientist in the universe, stared at the sensor readings in shock. Someone had just formed Light Hawk Wings. Someone on this very planet, and it wasn't Tenchi.
Her fingers blurred over her console as she tried to pinpoint the source of the energy. She managed to capture the signature of this special person and their rough location but the Light Hawk Wing energy faded. The person's signature vanished shortly afterwards.
Washu ran from her lab into the Masaki residence. "Everyone, we have to go."
"Huh? Where?" Ryoko asked from the beam she was lying on.
"I felt is as well." Tsunami's image was rising from Sasami's body.
"Felt what?" Ayeka entered the conversation.
"Light Hawk Wings. Someone of the planet has just formed Light Hawk Wings." Tsunami answered.
"I managed to get a partial fix on the person's location and their energy signature. Once we get close we should be able to track whoever it is."
"How is it possible for someone to form Light Hawk Wings?" Ayeka asked. "Is this person another member of the Jurai royal family?"
"Not necessarily." Tsunami countered. "The Jurai Royal trees have their power due to their connection to me. Tenchi doesn't require that connection to form his Wings. It is possible for someone else to do the same. Tenchi's connection to the Jurai Royal Family is a bonus, but not actually a requirement."
"So this person could be an ordinary human?" Ryoko asked.
"I wouldn't call them ordinary if they can form Light Hawk Wings." Washu replied.
"True. Why are we going after this person?" Tenchi finally entered the conversation.
"Because this skill is so rare. We need to know if they are a friend or foe." Washu answered. "Plus I get another guinea pig to play with." She broke into maniacal laughter.
"That's a reason to leave them alone." Tenchi said.
Washu just glared at him.
"Come on Ryo-oh-ki. We're going on a little trip." Washu instructed the small creature.
"Meoooowr." Ryo-oh-ki ran outside and jumped into the air expanding into her ship form.
"So who's coming?" Washu asked.
"We had better come and keep an eye on you." Ayeka commented as she stood and straightened her kimono. "There's no telling what you would to that innocent person if we don't keep an eye on you."
"Hey! What're you saying?" Washu glared at her.