He stood there with his arms folded and his cape blowing in a gust of
air. He starred down at her with a cold calculating look that made her
shiver. Who was this man to knock her to the ground with a single blow
and then stand there as if to mock her? He stood over her like a parent
who just punished a fragile child. That's what he made her feel like, a
child, a beaten girl who was too afraid to stand up to her abusive
father. Who was this man to do this to her? Who was he?
He was Doom.
She saw that now. She saw into his eyes that held no compassion, or
remorse or any splinter of gentleness. She knew this man for only a
minute and she already felt a bitter hate for him that she couldn't
describe. No one did that to her. No one.
Tenchi: " Ryoko! Are you alright?" Tenchi was kneeling beside her with a
worried look on his face.
Ryoko: "*cough* yeah, I'm fine. He just got lucky. *Cough*"
Tenchi: "I don't care who you are!" he was talking to Doom now. " You
can't do this to people! This is my home, and I won't allow you to hurt
anyone!"
Dr. Doom: " Brave words boy, and spoken true. They are directed to the
wrong target however, for if you do recall, it was not I who attacked
her, but the other way around." He unfolded his arms and pointed at the
fallen Ryoko who was beginning to stand up. "I was not the aggressor in
that transaction of blows, and I will not instigate battle any further
as long as you tell me what I want to know! Now, Answer my question!"
Tenchi thought for a moment remembering his words about someone with
advanced technology, then stood up and faced the metallic monstrosity
that was Doom. He prepared to speak.
Ryoko: " Tenchi! You don't have to tell him anything!" she interjected
Tenchi: " Ryoko!" he snapped back." go get Washu, tell her someone's
here to see her."
Ryoko: " but Tenchi."
Tenchi: " Go! It'll be alright." He softened suddenly and looked her
straight in the eyes " I promise."
Ryoko nodded and teleported away leaving the two men, in an almost
western stare down.
Dr. Doom: " wise decision boy. I can see that you are not as simple
minded as you appear."
Tenchi: " Thanks 'Doom' but if you try to hurt anyone again you'll learn
I have a lot more surprises in me then just that." Tenchi stood strong
ready to defend his friends against this menace.
Dr. Doom: " Very protective of your, loved ones perhaps?" Doom paused as
if inquiring if it where true. "Bah! Foolish sentiments. There is no
need for your theatrics however, I have come in search for some answers
and if I get them without dilemma, then I shall depart and you will
never hear of me again. But if I don't get what I have come for, than
you shall see the surprises that I hold as well! It is as they say
'entirely up to you.'"
Before Tenchi could counter with his own statement a large window
popped up in-between them. It was facing Tenchi, and in the window
formed the face of Washu!
Washu: " Hello Tenchi! I heard you've been having trouble with some
metal wearing weirdo! So where is he?" the picture in the window
jokingly looked around.
Dr. Doom was obviously annoyed. He could hear the shrill voice from
behind the window, but could not see the face because the picture was
facing Tenchi. Tenchi looked at the window then back and lightly pointed
towards Doom. The window suddenly twirled around to reveal a young girl
with an incredible mane of red hair.
Washu: " so your Doom then? What's the deal huh? Got some kind of beef
against super cute geniuses or what?" she touched her fingers to her
cheeks and made the cutest face she could manage.
Dr. Doom was not amused. He starred at the window in front of him like
a bad joke. You could almost see his snarl through his faceplate. After
the briefest of silences, he walked past the window and stood in front
of Tenchi and put his face directly before Tenchi's.
Dr. Doom: " Take me to her." he demanded.
The window zipped beside them unable to get in-between, and Washu was
about to speak up, probably to say something about not fighting, when
Doom lifted his gauntleted hand and a brilliant yellow pulse shot out
from his fingertips and destroyed the window.
Dr. Doom: " I will either find my way there through force or you will
take me to her.
Again choices."
Tenchi: " okay, okay, she stays in my house. You don't have to force
your way anywhere."
At first Tenchi wanted nothing more than to take out his sword and
give this man the beating of his life, but then he remembered what he
said, about how all he wanted was some answers then he'd leave for good.
And if there was a chance to settle this without anyone getting hurt
than that's what Tenchi will try to do. Besides, he thought, if we're in
Washu's lab we have the advantage. After all she was the greatest
scientific mind in the universe, no one could be smarter than her.
Tenchi then led Dr. Doom towards his house.
Washu was not happy, not happy at all. Even after the man blew up her
com-window she still monitored their movements from a satellite she had
"barrowed" orbiting the earth. Well she was monitoring Tenchi anyway,
the other guy she couldn't pick up. The armor he was wearing must be
some kind of stealth suit she figured. She knew upon his arrival that he
was technologically powerful and she didn't like the idea of him leading
around Tenchi, or how he had knocked down Ryoko. This guy was bad news
she could tell. But at the same time, she thought as she leaned back in
her chair, this could be a lot of fun!
Ryoko was standing next to Washu. She was furious. She couldn't wait
for that guy to come down here so she could pummel him. Ayeka was with
her. She had been told about what happened and was ready to go running
to Tenchi's aid but Washu insisted that they stay in her laboratory. It
was Washu's plan that, if this guy decided to fight, they would all be
together and ready for him. They all stood there watching the dot on
Washu's monitor representing Tenchi, move towards the house. It was an
anxious and uneasy wait for the two men to arrive. It was only a couple
of minutes before they heard the door to the lab to open. Tenchi stepped
in first giving a concerned look towards Washu; he quickly moved beside
his friends and stood facing the door. Then came in Doom. His presence
was known throughout the laboratory. Even the creatures kept in cages
started to act frantically. It was as though they could feel the evil
ambience protruding from Dr. Doom. The cloaked man stood there in a
pompous stance, and looked about the large area, before laying his gaze
upon Washu.
Dr. Doom: "I presume that you are the self proclaimed genius, that the
boy had told me of."
Washu: " and I presume that you're the big jerk who's been barking
orders like you own the place."
Dr. Doom: " how shrewd," he said mockingly " I have come to speak with
you, and you alone. If you would be so kind as to excuse your
'friends'." Doom gestured towards the group. "I have no business with
them."
Tenchi was about to refuse and insist on them staying but Washu
decided to humor this guy. She wasn't afraid of having to fight on her
own; she was after all, the greatest mind in the universe.
Washu: "Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka, change of plans, you guys go wait in the
house, it'll make things move a lot faster and maybe we can settle
this."
Tenchi nodded. He had faith in Washu and understood why she wanted them
to go. Tenchi grabbed hold of both the girls' hands and led them out
into the living room. They didn't protest. As they passed Doom they all
gave him cruel looks but Doom was oblivious to them. He was focused on
Washu. The two where starring at each other until Tenchi and the ladies
were gone.
Washu: "So, Tin head, what brings you to the neighborhood?"
Dr. Doom: " I was detained from moving to my dimension by some kind of
force shield. I traced its origins here. Explain yourself."
Washu was stunned. Why didn't she realize it sooner! This guy is here
because of the DTD! He must have come wanting her to turn it off. That
would explain his disposition.
Washu: " would you believe it was an accident?" Washu said, "I had built
an emergency force shield but it was defective and the coordinates were
sporadic. It was mistakenly turned on and must have blocked you. Since
the machine was malfunctioning, I was forced to destroy it before it
could cause further damage."
Dr. Doom: " hmm, I see. And how will the shield be removed from my
path?" Doom asked authoritively
Washu: " the field should debilitate and disappear on its own. It should
only take a couple of days for it to go away permanently."
Dr. Doom: " two days then? Very well, I can wait two days." Doom paused
before continuing " however, during that time I expect you to
compensate me for my losses."
Washu: " What! What do you mean? How so?"
Dr. Doom: " you will permit me to stay here with you and give me access
to your laboratory."
Washu: " you have got to be kidding."
" Dr. Doom does not 'kid'."