Son of the gods Izanagi and Izanami, Tsukuyomi ruled over the underworld, while his sister Amaterasu ruled over the heavens and the Earth. Jealous of his sister’s position of power over all things on the Earth, Tsukuyomi transformed into a huge and murderous hydra, Orochi, dead-set on bringing about the end of the world. However, his brother Susanoo, the war god and lord of the seas, challenged the mighty behemoth and brought an end to the serpent’s reign of terror. He pulled the Sword of Dark Clouds from the snake’s body, the source of Tsukuyomi’s power. Izanagi, the father of the gods, feared the evil mind of his own flesh and blood, and thus casted him off into the deepest reaches of space, hoping he would never return.
Over the course of many uncounted centuries, destiny brought Tsukuyomi back to Earth. Slowly but surely, he returned to the very solar system he had once been banished from. Thanks in part to his loyal servant Tsukinowa, a piece of himself, all was to be prepared for his inevitable arrival…
An inexplicable solar eclipse occurred, blanketing the world in darkness. The closer Tsukuyomi came to Earth, the more his destructive presence began influencing shrines by leaking evil air into the holy grounds. Though such things could be repelled by sanctified flints or feathers blessed by the flames of Amaterasu, the evil air became stronger by the passing hour, eventually overwhelming those that tried to exorcise the evil influence they sought to contain. Once the dark lord’s crystal prison shattered on the lunar surface, he was at last free. The first voice he had heard came from the distant Earth, from that of his faithful servant Tsukinowa. Nevertheless, content having returned to the world his father had banished him from, he materialized refurbished armor to proclaim his return and vengeance against Izanagi and Amaterasu, demanding his most valuable blade. With his servant’s dying breath, the Sword of Dark Clouds returned to his hands, a weapon that rightfully belonged to him.
Pulling it out of its serpentine embroidered sheath, Tsukuyomi channeled powerful dark magic through the sword, pulsating with fearsome electric prowess. He gazed upon it in wonder and splendor, his power returning to him after so long. Raising it high, Tsukuyomi struck an asteroid with his lightning and brought about the beginning of the end of the world. Volcanic geysers spewed forth, mountains torn asunder from fierce earthquakes, meteor fragments rocked the land of Yamato, and sinkholes collapsed into themselves. Using his awesome power, Tsukuyomi sculpted and chiseled the Great Temple of Tsukuyomi and brought it forth from beneath the lunar surface. Tsukuyomi’s time was nigh.
Yet before he could initiate his next wave, Yamato Takeru and Oto Tachibana stood to oppose his tyranny. Takeru and he clashed blades in a spectacle lightshow intermixed with quiet moments of preparation, the two ready to kill the other for the fate of the world. They slashed at each other, their energies recoiled and blasted them away. Oto interceded with the use of her makeshift boomerang and fire spells to distract Tsukuyomi, allowing Takeru to slash the moon god’s abdominal plating. The evil god was done playing and began firing destructive laser beams at them, with Takeru taking the brunt of the attacks. Using his crystal gem, Takeru tapped into his Wild Spirit and locked beams with Tsukuyomi, having a contest of strength and will. Ultimately, Tsukuyomi overpowered Takeru, forcing him back. With a steady stride, Tsukuyomi approached them to put an end to his father’s miserable feud.
From his vest, Takeru pulled out the White Bird Mirror and channeled his power into it, outputting a radiant light that halted Tsukuyomi’s progress. Infusing the power of two Lights, Takeru placed the Sword of Snake Karasai over it and began overwhelming the dark lord. Unable to withstand Yamato Takeru’s power, Tsukuyomi dissipated with only his armor left behind. This, however, was not the end, for the forged castle began to crumble, paving the way for Tsukuyomi’s true form: the eight-headed dragon, Orochi.
As the dragon, he nearly overwhelmed the heroes of destiny with blitzing flames, even with them being aided by Amano Shiratori. No matter how much they harmed him or what they did, Orochi came out on top, blasting them to the reaches of space. However, it was when Yamato Takeru unlocked the power of the Three Lights that trouble rose in the form of Utsuno Ikusagami. Though Tsukuyomi’s draconic state was indeed powerful, Takeru’s warrior proved to be much more of a challenge. Quickly brought to an end, Utsuno Ikusagami was victorious in their bout, leaving only the battle-scarred body of Tsukuyomi where the dragon had perished.
Unable to move, the once great moon god had been dethroned. Takeru reclaimed the Sword of Dark Clouds, then by Susanoo’s orders sealed Tsukuyomi away within Takeru’s crystal magatama and tossed him into the endless wilderness of space. When questioned, Susanoo responded that if Tsukuyomi were to ever return, he could reform and bring happiness to the world. Now with the threat of evil purged, the solar eclipse faded away, returning light to the Earth. |