Tenchi Muyo!

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Disclaimer: This episode of Tenchi Muyo! is of my own creation. I do not own any portion of Tenchi Muyo. "Tenchi Muyo!" and all related characters, names, etc. are ©1992-2003 AIC Inc. and Pioneer LDC. All rights reserved.

Note: This story line is a sequel to 'The Choices We Make' by C-kun. I recommend reading it, it is pretty interesting.


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The Darkness Within
Chapter 8:
Heart's Desire


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The accountable Royal Family, Ryoko, Washu and Ryo-Ohki stand completely stunned at the man in front of them. Tenchi stands before them, wearing all black clothing. His hands ball into fists as he looks down to Lady Misaki, who tore off his cloak, revealing himself to everyone. "Well it looks like my secret's finally been revealed." He reaches down and pulls up the empress by her collar, bringing her dangerously close to his face. "Though I would've preferred doing it a little differently."

His eyes flash for a moment just before he tosses her all the way into the group in front of him. They all collapse onto the ground when the empress comes crashing into them. Ryoko is quick to her feet. She looks at her former husband with pleading eyes. "Tenchi," she slowly begins, "W...what happened? Why are you doing this?"

He smiles at her. This smile does not fit him in the way Ryoko remembers him. Within his malicious smile and cold eyes, she sees nothing but anger and hatred. The pirate takes a few steps forward. "Tenchi?"

He lowers his head, muttering, "Murderers."

Ryoko takes a few more steps towards Tenchi. "What? What did you say?"

"I SAID MURDERERS!!" he screams loudly at his former wife, forcing her to cover her ears and back up several steps. "You killed him," he hisses at them. "You killed my father!"

"We didn't kill your father Tenchi!" Washu shouts. "Nobody killed him! He had a heart attack, it was all an accident!"

His face twitches momentarily. "No, it wasn't an accident. If only you had stayed, you could have saved him. You killed him! You're responsible for his death!"

Washu's lower lip trembles slightly. 'I said almost the exact same thing to Ryoko just a little bit ago. It's true, he would still be alive if I stayed.' The little scientist collapses on the floor and starts to sob uncontrollably. "It...its true," she whispers so lightly that only Ryoko hears her.

"No!" the pirate shouts. "What happened happened! Its nobody's fault!" Suddenly, her face instantly softens. "Tenchi," she starts in a pleading voice, "please stop all of this. Please come back to us, back to me." Tears begin to pour silently down her face.

Tenchi snorts in disgust. "I'm sorry to disappoint you Ryoko but I am already taken." He holds up his left hand, showing the wedding ring on his ring finger.

Ryoko squints slightly, examining it. Her eyes go wide when she realizes that it is not his old wedding ring, the one he wore when he was married to her. She starts to breath rapidly. 'No,' she thinks to herself, 'this can't be happening.' The pirate sums up the strength to speak. "You...you are married...to someone else?"

The former prince smiles evilly. "You bet. And she's a much better wife than you ever could be demon!" He looks up to the sky. "Please come to me, my precious wife!"

The air next to him shimmers for a moment. Tokimi then appears in all her glory. She is dressed in her elaborate gown with her crown atop her head. She reaches over and puts an arm around her husband. "It is good to see you again dear. I always miss you terribly each and every time you leave me." The goddess pulls him into a fierce kiss.

Ayeka and Ryoko are both crying deeply and shaking. The man they once loved so deeply has now found solace in another woman's arms. Everyone else stares in shock, too numb to move.

Tokimi pulls away from the kiss, albeit dejectedly, and faces the small group of people in front of her and her husband and smiles deviously. "Well well well, so this is the rest of the family, am I correct?"

Tenchi scratches his chin lightly. "We are short two members."

A dawning expression appears on her face. "Ah yes, how silly of me to forget. Galaxy Police Officer Mihoshi and my dear little sister Tsunami, or Sasami as all of you know her."

"Sister?" Washu exclaims, the interest clearly heard in her voice.

Tokimi directs her attention to the little genius. Her smile becomes even more sinister. "Washu, long time no see."

The genius backs up a few steps. "How do you know me?"

The goddess pouts at Washu. "You do not remember me? You do not even remember your own younger sister?"

"What!?" she asks awestruck.

Tokimi's smile widens. "What is the matter? Do you not remember your past? Can you remember anything before you were enlisted at the Royal Space Academy?"

Washu is about to retort, but becomes silent, lost in thought. 'I...I can't remember,' she thinks to herself. 'How can that be?'

The Goddess of Justice chuckles lightly. "You cannot remember because all of your memories of your previous life as a goddess were expunged from your memory the moment you decided to live with the mortals whom you, Tsunami and I had ruled over for eons."

"I...am a goddess?" the little genius stammers.

"Were," her sister corrects, "you were a goddess. You are not anymore. Why do you think you need to know everything? Why are you always on a never- ending search for knowledge? When you were a goddess, you knew everything. But now your knowledge of the universe and all of the inner workings that occur in it is exceedingly inadequate, limited to what the mortals know, perhaps a slight smidgen more. Your old intuition to know everything is what has motivated you these many thousands of years."

Washu places a hand on her forehead, taken aback by all of the new information about her past. "So that explains it," she mutters. "That explains everything." She sits down on the ground and shakes her head disbelievingly. "I just don't get it though. How come I have never been able to find anything on you? I have gone through my entire database back and forth, yet your name has never shown up in any of my searches."

Tokimi begins to chuckle once again. "Do you really think you, with your restricted knowledge and abilities, can stand up to a goddess with immeasurable experience and powers? I made it my personal business to keep my identity a secret until the time suited me well." She takes her husband's hand in hers and their fingers intertwine. "And I have decided that now the time is just proper."

Ryoko finally gets over her initial shock and speaks up. "But why? Why did you take my Tenchi from me?"

Tokimi gets a disgusted look on her face. "How could I ever take what was never completely yours? You took his love, you took him for granted. Tenchi is indeed a very special man. You, none of you, were ever deserving of his care and love. I, on the other hand, have cared for him and loved him in a way he rightly deserves whilst you had abandoned him."

"What are you talking about!?" Ayeka shrieks, "we did no such thing to him!"

Tenchi growls lightly and begins to advance on the crown princess. Tokimi pulls him back to her and holds him tightly. She gives Ayeka a look of pure venom. "You are the one who started all of this. I both despise you and am appreciative to you at the same time. You caused my beloved so much pain and suffering. He had longed for death and he would have succeeded had I not intervened. Though had you not departed, we would never have met and fallen in love with one another, something I would have sorely regretted."

Azusa snorts in obvious frustration. "Be that as it may, you still hold my youngest daughter captive and I wish for you to release her."

"Who?" the goddess asks, "do you mean her?" She snaps her fingers and Sasami appears next to them, imprisoned once more in the giant crimson crystal. She is not moving and she has four deep slash marks on her left cheek.

Misaki shrieks and begins to run to her daughter, only to be stopped by Yosho, Azusa and Funaho. The three of their powers combined are just enough to keep the mother from going to her daughter. Ayeka, Ryoko and Washu stay completely motionless, their willpowers working as hard as possible to keep them from trying to rescue the young princess in front of them.

Tokimi lets go of Tenchi and leans into the crystal prison. "Fear not, the child still lives. She is only unconscious. She foolishly dared to insult me and I had to instruct some manners and proper etiquette to her to use when facing greatness." She and everyone else look to the sky as they hear a roaring sound all around them. Thousands of Jurai tree ships are descending down on their location. "Well," she exclaims, "it appears that this small social gathering of ours is receiving some unnecessary guests. I think it is time for us to depart." She gives them all a warm smile that does not meet her cold gaze. "Until next time."

Tenchi gives them a smug look before walking up into his ship. Tokimi is close behind, followed by an unconscious Sasami in the crystal floating prison. Just as soon as they are in the cruiser, it disappears without a trace, leaving a stunned Royal Family and company behind.

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Kiyone finishes going through all the files back and forth, as well as Mihoshi's written reports. Needless to say, she is exhausted. "She sure has an eye for detail," the GP officer exclaims out loud while rubbing the back of her neck. She picks up the small photo of Tenchi and smiles again. 'I must admit,' she thinks to herself, 'this guy has some willpower! All those attractive women pretty much throwing themselves on him and he held back...well he did for a few years.'

She stands up, groaning slightly as she does so. Kiyone picks up both Tenchi and Ryoko's files and looks at them thoughtfully. "Mihoshi did say that those two were married, but he did leave his wedding ring behind. Maybe that means that there is trouble in paradise. Pity." An odd smile spreads across her face. "If he is single, then I have a chance. When Mihoshi gets back, I'll have to ask her to give me some more personal info on Mr. Masaki here!"

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Ryoko teleports into her room in the guesthouse and locks the door. As soon as the door clicks, signifying that it is locked, the pirate flies onto her bed and begins to cry uncontrollably. She grabs several pillows from the head of the bed and starts to punch them repeatedly. "Why?" she sobs. "Why him? Why'd it have to be Tenchi? You could have any man that you wanted, but why did you choose my Tenchi!?"

"He is the most powerful man in the universe," answers a voice behind her. Ryoko quickly spins around to see Washu sitting on the end of the bed, looking very stone-faced. "And there was a lot of darkness within him. For her, it was a perfect match."

The pirate sniffs lightly and wipes the tears on her face away. "So you remember all your old life already?"

The genius sighs deeply. "Bits and pieces. It's all slowly coming back now. I must have had some sort of memory block on me, and it is fading away."

Ryoko sniffs again. "What do you remember about this Tokimi lady?"

Washu's face instantly darkens. "She is not someone you want to mess with. Tokimi is not truly evil, she just does whatever it takes to get power. She is so cunning and masterful, makes me look like a novice," she adds with an angry grunt.

Ryoko looks at her mother with eyes filled with desperation. "Mom, is there any way we can beat her? Is there any way I can get Tenchi back?"

The genius lowers her head. "I...I don't know." She opens her arms and Ryoko flies into her mother's embrace. Both women begin to cry. "I just don't know..."

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The door to Ayeka's room opens. In walks Ayeka, leaning on her brother, Yosho, for support. He carefully directs her onto her bed and lies her down. The first crown princess barely acknowledges this, she just stays very quiet and nods slightly.

Yosho stands up, looking at his younger sister with concern. 'She is acting quite oddly,' he thinks, 'not that I blame her. We all have gone through a lot recently.' He reaches up and lightly touches the side of his face where Tenchi had punched him a few days ago. 'He has become so powerful...and evil.' The prince's eyes become downcast while he thinks of his grandson. 'I trained him so hard to become a great and resolute man. Where did I go wrong?'

He looks back to Ayeka, who is giving him a questioning look. Yosho realizes that he has been standing still next to her bed for several minutes, deep in thought. He clears his throat. "Are you fine Ayeka? Is there anything that you need?"

The princess shakes her head slightly. Yosho nods and turns to leave. Just as he reaches and opens the door, he hears, "Thank you Yosho." The prince smiles lightly and leaves his half sister's room. When the door closes, his mood instantly changes. He leans against the door and slides down to the ground. He covers his face with his hands and shakes slightly. 'Where did I go wrong?'

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Azusa sits down on his throne and sighs heavily. His two wives stand on each side of him, both too stunned for words. A handful of Jurai's best Knights stand before them. A tall Knight with sharp features and deep blue hair steps forward. "Is everything alright Your Majesties?" he asks, a note of concern in his voice.

"Yes," the emperor replies warily, "we are fine. Please leave us be."

"A...are you sure my Lord?"

Azusa sighs again. "I am sure. Now please leave, and that means all of you."

All the Knights mutter, "Yes my Lord," as they bow deeply. Within a few minutes all of the Knights are out of the throne room.

Funaho gently places a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Whatever shall we do dear?"

"As to that, I have no idea. But I do suggest that we all stay on our guard. Tenchi and this...Tokimi woman have clearly made their intentions toward us hostile. I will make sure that we will have more Knights and bodyguards patrolling the palace and our planetary defenses need to be improved. Perhaps Lady Washu can help us in that department." He gazes between his two wives and grasps both of their hands firmly. "I swear to you that we will all pull through this." He exchanges small smiles with the two empresses. 'Hopefully,' he thinks darkly.

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Washu just left Ryoko's bedroom, mentioning something about recording her newfound memories of her previous goddess live and Tokimi into her computer database, leaving Ryoko alone to her thoughts.

She feels better after talking with her mother, but she is still very depressed. She longs for Tenchi, his soft eyes, his gentle words, the way he had once made her feel special, his caring touch that would send shivers of excitement down her spine.

But the Tenchi she once knew and loved so dearly has changed so much. He is now a completely different man, a man who has found love in another woman. "Tokimi," the pirate hisses. "I will find that bitch and make her pay for what she's done to my Tenchi!"

Upon saying her beloved's name, her face instantly softens. She sits up and slides off of her bed. Ryoko makes her way to the end of her bad, where she has placed a large trunk. She kneels down and opens the trunk, which once belonged to her former husband. She shifts through all of his former belongings until she finds what she is looking for, his old training gi.

She pulls it to her face and inhales his scent. Tears begin to well up in her eyes again as she sobs a meek, "Tenchi."

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Ayeka lies in the middle of her bed, curled up into a ball. Silent tears slowly pour down her beautiful face. This is even worse than the thought of Tenchi being dead. He seems to dislike her and everyone else, is seemingly being on the verge of despising. The princess saw the anger and coldness in his eyes instantly be replaced by a flourish of love and tenderness when that Tokimi woman appeared. She saw that look in his eyes once before, but never so powerful. 'That means that he loves her even more than he once did Ryoko,' she thinks sadly.

She rolls over so now she is facing the east wall of her bedroom. Something out of the ordinary catches her eye. Between two billowing windows that open up into balconies overlooking the Royal Garden, a large and intricate dresser sits grandly. On top of the dresser lie Ayeka's most prized possessions. Several photographs of her family in golden frames, a beautiful porcelain carousel that moves and makes music, a glass miniature replica of her spaceship tree Ryu-Oh and her most favorite possession, an intricate and elaborate music box which her grandfather had given to her shortly before he had passed away.

It is not the music box that catches the princess' eye, but the item next to it. A small jet black box, similar in size to the music box, stands oddly out of place in the princess' dresser. She has no memory of ever receiving such an item. Ayeka carefully picks it up and examines it closely.

There is a small crank on the side of it. The princess hesitantly grasps it and turns it slowly. It begins to emit the classic Jack-in-the-box music. Just before the part where the small toy pops out of the box, Ayeka fully extends her arms, incase it is a trap of some sort. She normally would have given it to one of the Royal bodyguards to inspect, but her curiosity has gotten the better of her.

The toy comes out of the box and Ayeka closes her eyes in anticipation, but nothing happens. Confused, she opens her eyes and looks at the box. Her eyes instantly go wide. The doll that has appeared looks exactly like Sasami. It even has four small red marks on its left cheek.

The doll suddenly comes to life. It looks at Ayeka and waves at her. It then grabs its neck, acting as if it is being choked. It starts to thrash around violently while the princess looks on in utter horror. It suddenly stops thrashing and goes limp.

Ayeka begins to reach out towards the Sasami doll when it sits back and looks directly at her. It puts a hand over its mouth and shakes lightly, as if giggling.

"That was not very nice of you!" Ayeka says hotly to the doll. The doll holds out its right hand and stretches all five of its tiny fingers out. Then it curls up its thumb...then its pinkie finger...then its ring finger...

Ayeka realizes what is happening and quickly puts up a powerful shield a split second before an energy blast with the force of a nuclear bomb incinerates her bedroom.

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Yosho was sitting on the floor outside of Ayeka's bedroom when the blast hit. The blast is so powerful that he is launched several dozen feet down the hallway. He is on his feet in an instant and runs as fast as he possibly can to his half-sister's bedroom.

He makes his way in, only to find utter destruction. What is remaining of the once pale pink walls is now charred black. Every piece of furniture and decorations are completely incinerated.

Ayeka lies in the middle of the room, not moving. Her shield protected her body, to an extent. The blast was far too powerful for her shield to sustain. There are numerous cuts and gashes and extensive burns throughout her body.

Yosho runs to her side and gingerly lifts her into his arms. Her entire body is limp. "Ayeka! Ayeka!" he shouts, "Please wake up! Open your eyes!" She does not respond. "AYEKA!"

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The Vengeance flies silently through space. Though from the outside, it appears to be just a simple black cruiser, within it holds two of the most powerful and evil persons in the universe.

Tenchi sits contently on his command chair, Tokimi resting lovingly on his lap. Her left arm is draped around his neck while the other is gently caressing the right side of his face. She nuzzles her face into his neck and breathes in gently. The goddess feels safe and content in her husband's arms. She kisses his neck and lifts her mouth to his ear. "Do you think Ayeka will appreciate her little gift?"

Tenchi smiles evilly. "I hope so. We put so much thought into it." They both chuckle lightly. Tokimi's Champion suddenly gets a look of concern on his face. "Will the blast kill her?"

"No," the goddess simply answers. "But she will be gravely injured, making moving her exceptionally difficult. I do believe that will delay the efforts of the Royal Family to possibly evacuate or hide."

Tenchi thinks thoughtfully for a few moments. "Hmm. Guerilla Warfare Tactics, a very clever move. I like it!" He leans in and kisses her gently on her sweet lips. "You are the greatest!"

"Of course I am," she replies with a devious smile. She leans into him again and begins to kiss along his jaw line. Shivers of excitement course through his very being. She stops kissing him for a moment and says the one thing he has wanted to hear for a very long time. "I grow tired of these childish games. I wish to move to the next step. Let us start disposing of them...one at a time!"

"As you wish, my lovely wife!"


To be continued...

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Author's notes: Oh yeah, the real action starts soon! This series is starting to get even darker!

I do not plan to have Mihoshi and Kiyone make a whole lot of appearances in the rest of the series. Personally, I am a Kiyone fan and don't really want to have something bad happen to her. Mihoshi is an innocent, but she could possibly have her comeuppance...possibly -- lighthawkdemon

Questions or comments? E-mail me at: lighthawkdemon@yahoo.com