Chapter 2: Truths

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"No, Mika-neechan! Five minutes! Only fry them for five minutes!" Sasami and Mikayu rushed to the stove in time to see the last of their meal dry up into wrinkled brown prunes.

"Ah. Well, I thought you said fifteen minutes. My mistake," Mikayu said apologetically. She threw one to Ryo-oki, who sputtered, coughed, and fell over.

"It's not bad for your first try. With Ryoko or Ayeka Ryo-oki usually won't move for days. Look, see, she's recovering already." Ryo-oki hobbled off out of the kitchen, sick and tired of being the food guinea pig.

"Looks like we're gonna hafta start all over," Sasami sighed, "Tell the others dinner will be late."

Mikayu removed her apron, "Be my guest, Sasami-niichan. I don't wanna have anything to do with this cooking stuff. I'll go get Ryoko. How late do ya' think it'll be?"

"A long time," Sasami whimpered, leaning over a pot.

"Good. I'll go take a bath." It had taken some getting used to, but after Tenchi had convinced Mikayu that the glass dome of the Onsen was only one big holographic screen, she had felt right at home. The Onsen was in fact one of her favorite places, for various reasons.

Mikayu stripped off her clothes once in the Onsen, not being the type that wore a towel frequently. She turned and began walking, but jumped back, startled when she saw Ryoko already in the bath. She had several glasses of sake around her.

Slowly, Mikayu slid in at the far end of the bath, avoiding eye contact. Ryoko, noticing her reluctance, appeared next to the girl. She wrapped an arm around Mikayu's shoulder.

"Want a glass?" she asked, shaking the sake bottle back and forth mockingly. Still turning bright red, Mikayu grabbed it from her and downed it in one gulp.

"Ah," she breathed, graciously. "I needed that."

Ryoko backed away, stunned. She regained her composure once more and said irritably, "I didn't know you liked to drink. Why don't you ever ask?"

"Seems a bit rude to ask the person who is very kindly taking you in if you can get drunk in their presence, eh? Besides, I want to set a good example for Sasami."

"Oh, Sasami, she's used to it," Ryoko cut her eyes towards Mikayu suddenly, "You think we can have a nice little chat?" she asked slyly.

"Don't see why not," Mikayu shrugged and moved a little further from Ryoko, who followed her. The demoness rested her head on Mikayu's shoulder like a child.

"So, why exactly don't you like Tenchi, eh?"

"What ever do you mean?"

"Well, seems most girls who come here fall head over heals for him. Don't get me wrong, I don't encourage it. But it just seems… odd…" Ryoko pushed further. She could tell Mikayu was hiding something. "Let me guess… you have your little heart set on some handsome guy at home who will sweep you off your feet, eh?" Ryoko grinned maliciously.

"N-not exactly," Mikayu fidgeted with her long hair.

"Oh? Are you trying to play hard to get with him? That's a new one…"

"No! I don't like Tenchi!"

Ryoko sat back in her spot, defeated. "So then, why are you staying here?" she said, the oily slickness in her voice gone.

"I-I… just… like it… here."

"Oh, c'mon! You can't expect me to believe you don't want him! He's sexy, he's sweet, he's powerful, he's-"

In one sweep, Mikayu left a bright red mark on Ryoko's cheek. Ryoko's eyes widened in shock. Mikayu stood up and tried to scramble out of the pool while grabbing at a towel. "I'm just not into that kind of thing, all right?" she sobbed and made a break for the door.

Ryoko put the pieces together.

She appeared in front of Mikayu, arms stretched out on either sides preventing her from leaving. Mikayu looked up into the eyes of the only girl who had challenged her attitude problems. She suddenly felt very small, and very, very afraid.

"Mika-chan I'm getting the feeling that guys really aren't your strong point, am I right?"

Mikayu let her towel drop, and after a few moments of quiet fear, she crippled over and held her face in her hands, crying.

*

"Dear Lord Tenchi:

You are my valiant knight! Please come and sweep me away from this dreadful torture called reality. You make me tremble when I see you and I don't want you to go away from me! Please love me!"

Ayeka read the letter over in her mind. She crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it over her shoulder.

*So much for that,* she thought wearily.

She took a few steps out into the hallway, and found that her feet had taken her to Tenchi's door. Without any order, Ayeka's hand balled into a fist and tapped gently on the door.

It opened without her really wanting it to, and revealed Tenchi. He invited her in, and her legs so graciously accepted this offer without telling her any of the plan.

And then, sitting down on his bed, Ayeka's mouth began to form a mind of it's own…

"And so I was thinking, Lord Tenchi, that if you will not woo me, than I you, perhaps?"

Tenchi scratched the back of his neck nervously, "Perhaps…" he repeated.

"Ah. Then I will start now," Ayeka pulled from the recesses of her robes a picture of herself, got up off his bed, and pinned it to his bulletin board. She then walked over to him, leaned down, and kissed him squarely, and rather formally, on the lips.

It was then that Ayeka regained control of her actions. And at the worst possible time, too. She blushed a tomato red and ran squealing from the room.

Once back in her own, Ayeka pondered why she had done that on such a whim. She blushed deeper as she remembered the feeling that surged through her… a pert little smile started to form on her lips.

*Beat that, Ryoko,* she thought proudly.

*

Ryoko kneeled down next to Mikayu and tried to pull her face up from her hands. She was successful in the end.

"Why on earth are you crying?" Ryoko asked, truly confused.

Mikayu took a few breaths before responding. "I'm a freak!" She whispered, and then realized who she was talking to. "Y-you don't know how it feels… to be the only one in a school of girls actually praying that one of them will think you're cute."

Ryoko looked at her, awkwardly. "No, I don't. I'm not a lesbian, but I have had a few experiences." Mikayu glanced up at her, surprised. "Oh, yeah. And it's just as good, if you know what I mean," she winked. "Besides, what's so shameful about it?"

"I'll never be happy! I'll never find someone… like me…"

"Oh my. Mika, you are extremely misinformed. There are tons of other lesbians! Thousands! What on earth makes you think you'll never find a girlfriend?"

"At my school… my counselor told me to forget my… feelings for other women…"

"Ah. Forget it. Everything they taught you. Don't worry about it, all that matters is what you think. I would think someone with as strong a will as yours would know that."

"I'm not strong willed," Mikayu protested, wiping tears from her cheeks.

"Once again, you are extremely misinformed. But forget about it. Like who you want to. Love who you want to. In the fall, you can have a fresh start and go to school with Tenchi, and you'll only have to tell who you want to."

Mikayu nodded and gave Ryoko a watery smile of thanks. She then hugged the space pirate, who flinched.

"No offense meant, Mika… but I wouldn't want my… ahem… tough-guy reputation ruined by this little chat… all right? So let's just keep it to ourselves," she smiled knowingly at Mikayu, who's grin broadened.

"Gotcha."

*

Mihoshi's watch started blinking like crazy. She rolled over and off the couch, confused. Staring fixedly at the watch didn't seem to be helping, so she shook it a few times. That didn't prove to be helpful either.

In the end, Mihoshi ended up stuffing it under a pillow and forgetting about it when she went to watch her six o'clock slot of television.

*

There was a loud crackling noise, and glass flew down on both of the naked women. Ryoko stood up, annoyed. He battle suit faded into existence. She glared at the roof, where two figures descended.

"What the hell do you want? Can't you see this is a bath!" Ryoko bellowed. She flew up towards the floating men, who didn't seem to have any weapons on them, but then again, neither does Ryoko.

One of them formed a white sword in his hand and held it to Ryoko's neck. This didn't seem to have the effect he had obviously planned. The second one said, in a voice of someone who is in some kind of far off dream world, "You are to come with us."

"I don't like guys who are too forward," she spat, "You'll have to try and win me over before you can get into my pants," a devilish grin flashed across her face, and she disappeared.

However the men looked thoroughly unimpressed. "You are to come with us," the second man repeated and swerved around, knowing that Ryoko was behind him. He held up a fist, opened it and reveal a small ball in which a transparent net was released. It could be seen every now and then, when the light caught it just right.

The second did the same in the direction of Mikayu and pulled her towards him with the net. The two struggled for a moment, but stopped and sank into a discontented sleep.

*Washu… help….*

*

Washu rushed out of the door to her lab, mowing down Ayeka and Tenchi who were walking towards the dinner table. They stared at her, both startled.

"Something's happened! In the Onsen!"

"Did Timmy fall down the well?" Mihoshi asked from some far off corner of the house.

Washu gave a rather bewildered look. "Er… no.. C'mon! I heard Ryoko's voice! She was… well something was wrong! Now hurry damn it!" Washu slammed the door to the Onsen, and was followed by Tenchi, Mihoshi, Ayeka, Sasami and Ryo-oki.

When the rest of the group got there, Washu was knelt over some broken glass on the floor. She looked up into the sky, searching for any kind of clue.

"Washu…?" Tenchi ventured, hoping he didn't break her concentration.

*

Ryoko suddenly felt very heavy. She propped herself up on her arms and rubbed her eyes, sleepily. She was aware that she lay next to Mikayu, and they both wore white robes. Ryoko sat up all the way and shook Mikayu awake.

"This is what I get for being nice…" Ryoko muttered under her breath.

"W-where are we?" Mikayu asked groggily.

"Damned if I know," Ryoko scanned the room. It was large. It was white. It was marble with pillars. It had one big window in which you could view Earth.

"I-is that… Earth?" Mikayu whimpered.

"Yup. Hey, Mika?"

"Y-yes?"

"Ya know how you asked us if we were from another planet."

"Yea…"

"Well, it's not true. Several different planets actually," Ryoko stared at the ceiling, looking for a way out.

"Ladies, I regret that you have been brought to my home with such force, but I trust you will understand," A woman descended a small staircase at the far side of the room. She wore completely white, which went well with her pail complexion and blonde hair.

"I'll show you regret," Ryoko lunged at her, a light sword in hand. In mid flight, she slammed into an invisible force and was knocked back. She rubbed her nose and winced.

"Please, I don't want to hurt you. I want to protect you," she said kindly. "Sit down." The woman waved her hand, and both Ryoko and Mikayu floated into the air. Two chairs took shape from the ground, and they were lowered into them.

"Protect me from what?" Ryoko grunted, trying to move.

"Tell me, Ryoko, did your mother ever tell you the bedtime fable of the Fourth Goddess?"

"My mommy put me to sleep in a test tube," Ryoko hissed. "But… yes. I've heard about her. An old wives tale."

"So they say," she said mysteriously. "I have reason to believe that there is a Fourth Goddess. But that is beside the point. I need you here because I am creating my very own utopia."

Ryoko looked confused, "You're fucking crazy, aren't you? One of those freaks that always leaves the hero up to his gonads in crocodiles but never fails to put a raft somewhere nearby."

"Eh… right. Well, anyhow, I've been working for it all my life. And several others, in fact. Most of the planets in this solar system have learned my power, and thus giving me the greatest secret military in the history of the Universe," said with pride, "Even Jurai is not a threat. Tsunami is highly overrated. But I also have many men 'on the inside' as they say, of Jurai," the woman now walked up to a throne and sat down. Next to her, Mikayu and Ryoko noticed a ghostlike woman wearing all black. She twitched every now and then.

"Oh, where are my manners. I am Lady Saviya, and this is Jyl. She is my dear older sister. I'm afraid she's quite mad. Anyway, where was I. Ah, my world. Yes, the Three Goddesses are quite a team, but they have created a Universe that is inefficient. Mine will be much… better. Improved. And there will be only One Goddess. Me."

"Ah," Ryoko mocked. "How original. And why are you telling us this?"

"We are going to be great friends, I can tell. Because I don't need to worry with you anymore."

"So why do you need me?" Ryoko asked. She figured she might as well know the plot before she ripped the bitch's face off.

"You are the only thing that could stop me. Not your powers, no, but what you are. That is my only threat," she cupped her chin daintily.

"Minks don't like the sour dip. You should change it, quickly. They get very upset sometimes…" Jyl sulked.

"Yes, yes, I will change the dip."

"What do ya mean, 'threat.' You just told me I wasn't one!"

"You have heard the story of the Fourth Goddess, right?"

"We went over this," Ryoko was getting impatient.

"She is supposedly the protector of Earth. And you know the story of your mother. The Genius, Washu. The knowledge, memory and power of the Goddess Washuu were stored in the three gems, but She also knew how to awaken the Fourth Goddess. The knowledge was stored in a fourth gem. It's whereabouts were kept in complete and total secrecy. But out of careful deduction, I have located it. You, Ryoko, hold that knowledge in your very existence. If no one finds you, no one summons the Fourth Goddess, and no one can defeat me. Much less the famed Lighthawk wings," she smiled. Not evilly, though. Rather pleasantly.

"Where do you think it is?"

"The fourth gem is in the demon caller," Jyl recited proudly.

"What was that?" Saviya asked.

"The hedgehog can never be buggared at all," Jyl repeated.

"No, sister darling. The thing about the Demon Caller…"

Jyl froze. And stared. Saviya sighed and waved a hand in front of the girl's face. There was no reaction. Saviya turned back to her guests.

"Understand that my sister wasn't always in her current state of mind. She was in fact the greatest warrior in the Galaxy… in her time, of course. I remember being a teenager when she would pillage planets. It was much too aggressive, for my tastes. Not to mention messy. Anyhow, she battled with the Goddess Tokimi. I'm proud to say she is the only creature to fight a Goddess and live. She didn't win, of course, but the things she saw during her battle were a bit overwhelming, and they created the babbling fool that you see before you. Isn't that right Jyl?"

Jyl was still blank. "Wheat," she said after a while.

"Fortunate for me, every now and again she will repeat some of the knowledge that she touched on. The location of the gem seems to be a favorite of hers. Your name means 'Demon Caller, ' and she swears it's… 'in' you. I trust her. Though I do not know how to get it out of you, I will not need it. The only thing I have to do is keep you away from someone who can wield it, awaken the Fourth Goddess and protect the Earth."

Mikayu, catching on, yelped "Well what does it matter if she protects the earth! It's not like It'll stop you. You said yourself you have control over the solar system!"

"Protecting Earth means killing me. Killing me means that my powers will fade, and the people will be out of reach of my mind control. That's only the simple version."

"Why is she here?" Ryoko motioned towards Mikayu.

"Accident. Awfully sorry about that. And now if you're done interrogating me, Jyl and I have some Lighthawk wings to clip," she stood, walked over to the door at the opposite side of the room and before exciting, flicked her wrist. The chairs followed her, floating, as well as the passive Jyl.

"Ryoko, I am not a fighter. You will do it for me," she said.

"The hell I will-!" Ryoko stopped. A light flashed before her eyes and she felt all of her thoughts slowly draining away. One remained. Serve The Future Goddess. "Yes, Milady," she said blankly.

Mikayu looked at Ryoko in horror. "What have you done to her!?" She screamed, "You raving psychotic bitch! What did you do?" she began crying.

"Silence, child."

Mikayu stopped.

"Come, Ryoko," Lady Saviya, Ryoko and Jyl exited.