The Enlightenment of Ly-Chee the Wise (comic story)

 was a Seventh Doctor comic story in the pages of The Incredible Hulk Presents. It was notable for its enemy-less narrative, and for introducing and dispensing with new companion, Ly-Chee.

Summary
The Seventh Doctor goes on vacation on serene Mount Kabuki and comes away with a new companion.

Plot
Whilst walking alone on the slopes of Mount Kabuki on the serene planet of Tora, the Seventh Doctor is beset by bandits. A hermit living on the mountain by the name of Ly-Chee swoops in to help. AFter the vandals are dispatched, Ly-Chee offers the Doctor some soothing nettle tea and a place to rest.

In the ensuing conversation, the Doctor learns that Ly-Chee has spent over 30 years contemplating the mathematical puzzle known as the Holy Number of Nirvana. Intrigued, the Doctor joins Ly-Chee in his monkish pursuits. After just a few days, though, the Doctor solves the problem. The answer, he asserts, is 7. With that simple statement, Ly-Chee's life's work is ended.

Sensing the distress he has caused, the Doctor quickly substitutes another puzzle for Ly-Chee to ponder. He asks his new friend why the chicken crossed the road. Unfamiliar with the old Earth riddle, Ly-Chee enters a period of deep contemplation. But the Doctor can't just leave him to it. He has to reveal the simplistic answer: to get to the other side.

With that, Ly-Chee becomes absolutely disconsolate. He understands now that he simply doesn't have the mind for deep contemplation. Accordingly, he proposes to climb off the mountain — once and for all — to look for "real" work. The Doctor, finally understanding how he can make things up with Ly-Chee, offers to give the ex-hermit a lift into town in the TARDIS.

The two then go off adventuring in space and time for an indeterminate amount of time. One day, the Doctor makes it back to Tora. Ly-Chee leaves the TARDIS like a shot, marching straight into the nearest pub for a stiff drink.

Characters

 * Seventh Doctor
 * Ly-Chee

Continuity
to be added

Timeline

 * This story takes place after IHP: Who's That Girl
 * This story takes place before IHP: Slimmer