DISCLAIMER:Tenchi Muyo! is copyright AIC/Pioneer, LDC. I have no claim to them

RSA Ryoko

A/N This begins about 1 ½ years after the events of Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Oki OVA 20
Chapter Ten: I did not send in an application!

"I did not send in an application!" yelled Ryoko

Airi gave Ryoko one of her patented stare-downs

"Stop that this is serious!" snapped Ryoko.

Airi looked at Ryoko with one eyebrow raised. "Very well Washu can use her access to bring up the necessary data."

"Why would she have access?"

"You haven't told her?" asked Airi looking at Washu.

"Told me what?"

"I forgot with things being so busy, first the trouble with clay, then Minagi, and sorting out Ryoko's long overdue birthday I didn't tell anyone"

"You what? Not even Katsuhito?"

"What can I say I've been busy." shrugged Ryoko.

"Can someone explain what's going on?"

"Its like this, you know I'm chairwoman of the galaxy police academy as well as chairwoman of the Jurai sector galaxy police right?"

"Yes I heard about that," said Ryoko.

"Well what you don't know is I actually held the joint potion of chairperson of the galaxy science academy with Brodach I was drafted in to help after Brodach finally admitted he couldn't handle the mess his predecessor had made of the galaxy science academy. And even with help from the galaxy police academy side of things he couldn't salvage it so he went to Seto."

"I'm guessing mother had a plan already in place for just such an occasion?"

"When have I not?" laughed Seto. "that reminds me, Washu have you finished with Kamadaki II?"

Washu nodded "the core isn't fully awakened yet but you can hand her and Kamadaki over to Seina."

"Is this, that thing I asked you about?" Asked Tenchi, Washu nodded.

"Hellooooo? Airi was trying to explain what the hell is going on!" interrupted Ryoko.

"Anyway," said Airi "To agree to salvage the academy they had to agree to a partnership with Jurai plus two specific conditions: the galaxy science academy becomes the royal science academy of Jurai and the other was Washu had to take Brodach's position as chairperson. So now Washu is my co chairwoman when it comes to the royal science academy."

"So that's why you've been away so much in recent months!" Said Ryoko "you did this! You did this didn't you! you set me up!"

"Ryoko I did no such thing I'm as shocked as you are!" snapped Washu

Ryoko looked at Washu's distressed face and realised that Washu was genuinely disturbed by these turn of events. "Mom?"

Washu's eyes narrowed "I'll get to the bottom of this," she murmured She pulled up her Holo-laptop and searched through some files "Ryoko," she said, "theres an application in your name on file. Did you fill in any tests recently?"

"No I haven't filled in any—wait. A couple months back when Tenchi was away I filled in that questionnaire."

"Did the questionnaire look like this?" said Washu pulling up a document on screen

"That's the one!" said Ryoko. "I didn't do that well I only answered 9 out of 20…"

Washu typed away and suddenly Ryoko's test materialised on screen. "It seems you filled in the entrance exam for the galaxy science academy. It must have been transferred over to the royal science academy servers."

"No way! Besides I only got 9 out of 20 filled out! I cant of passed!"

"What is needed to pass the entrance exam?" asked Sasami

"If I remember right, if it hasn't changed too much you need to get 150 on the exam for entrance," said Airi

"How do you get 150 percent?"

"Ah the beauty of the entrance exam is anyone well trained, smart person can get 100 on the exam but a true genius must demonstrate an understanding of the subjects presented in the questions." said Washu with a smug expression

"So what did I get?" Asked Ryoko.

"You actually answered 7 of the questions right" said Washu looking at the screen.

"That's 35" said Ayeka.

"Ah but you displayed in-depth understanding of all 7"

"That brings it up to 70"

"I know--- oh my!" gasped Washu "that..let me check that-oh my!"

"Washu?"

"It seems that on question 14 and 17 you not only showed an in-depth understanding of the subject you showed how to improve the techniques and theories in question you got two advanced thinking marks!"

"A w-what?"

"advance thinking marks!" Said Yakage in shock "there have only been 5 people who showed an advanced thinking potential! And one of them is sitting at the holo-computer right now! advance thinking marks are given to those who show true genius intellect and outside the box thinking!"

"what does an advanced thinking mark do to my entrance exam score?"

"Each individual advance thinking mark gives you n instant pass they are made to be worth 150"

Ryoko went pale. "y-y-you mean my score jumped 300 percent?"

"Wow Ryoko! You're really smart!" Said Mihoshi

"n-no way," said Ryoko. "that cant be right! maybe it was a fluke!"

"It's no fluke," said Washu calmly. "you my dear are truly a genius just waiting to get out. At the academy that intellect would be nurtured and who knows, maybe someday you'll challenge me for the title of the greatest genius in the universe. Wont that be a grand day! Soooo glorious!" crowed Washu with glee

"But--but-- I don't want to go." said Ryoko.

Washu looked at Ryoko shrewdly. "its not that you don't want to go Ryoko, we both know that." she said calmly

Ryoko closed her eyes as she knew Washu was right part of her was exuberant at the fact that she really did have what it takes to be a genius but she was afraid. Afraid of the price, the price was leaving the world she had become comfortable with. She teleported away.

"What's wrong with Ryoko?" asked Ayeka.

Washu sighed "she's afraid." she muttered

"Why is she afraid?"

"Because pursuing her growing desire would mean leaving here. It would mean leaving Tenchi."

"Leaving me?" said Tenchi.

"Tenchi you've been the one constant in her life she's made you the core of her very existence." said Washu

Tenchi sighed. "I think me and Ryoko need to talk." Tenchi sighed again turning and walking away. "Zero," he said looking back "where is she?"

"Her cave." said zero softly

Tenchi nodded and walked in direction of the cave

------------------

Ryoko sat on the ledge thinking. She remembered back when she was a kid sitting with nacti and the others as they discussed the secrets of the universe. She remembered Zira asking for her opinion on such theories.

She remembered solving puzzles fixing problems.

She remembered out thinking Yakage at chess

She remembered the pride in Washu's eyes.

Then she remembered the betrayal, she remembered being enslaved, she remembered the torture, the pain, the humiliation, the abuse she remembered losing her smarts, the horror at the realisation of the fact that she had lost something she once so cherished. So she chose to deny she ever had it, she let herself believe she was dumb

But now, now it was back.

She had her smarts back but accepting those smarts meant giving up the life she had settled into. It meant giving up Tenchi

"Ryoko?" Came Tenchi's voice "mind if I come up?"

"Sure Tenchi, come right on up," said Ryoko.

Tenchi jumped up on top of the rock. "You okay Ryoko?"

"Not really Tenchi." she replied.

"Why? because you're afraid you'll lose me?" asked Tenchi softly.

Ryoko's head snapped up "what did you say?"

"Don't worry Washu explained it to me."

"Washu had no—"

"Ryoko please its okay she cares for you you know this." interjected Tenchi.

Ryoko sighed "you're right."

"Ryoko I want you to promise me something promise me something from the bottom of your heart."

"Okay Tenchi," said Ryoko.

"I want you to answer my next question truthfully."

"Okay." nodded Ryoko.

"Ryoko do you want to go to the royal science academy?"

Ryoko's eyes widened she sat there for a good minute not saying anything as her mind was deep in thought. Finally she looked at Tenchi.

"yes." she said softly. "When I was little, back when the shadowcore group was together I wanted to be like momma I was looking forward to entering the galaxy science academy, I would sometimes dress up like mom in a science academy uniform. It was to big for me but I was her little professor, i was happy."

"When Kagato took my smarts away I lost that dream. I gave up on it. I forgot about it. and even when I was free I still didn't remember it. but then my smarts started to come back I remembered how to read I remembered some of the techniques mom, Nacti Yakage and the others showed me, although at the time I had no idea where I had leaned them."

"As my intellect began to regrow I started to develop a little pride in the fact that I wasn't stupid so I studied, brushed up on techniques and imagined myself as a scholar."

"When my memories came back earlier today, so did my full intellect. It was such a head rush Tenchi! But then when I discovered my application had somehow been sent in and I passed the entrance exam I was full of dread."

"Ryoko." said Tenchi softly. "I've been selfish keeping you here."

"No Tenchi you—"

"Hear me out Ryoko. I know there is a part of you that has longed to spread your wings but you've stayed with me for 3 years waiting for me to make a choice. All of you have even Washu. But I was comfortable with the status-quo so I have deliberately put all of those thoughts to one side. I'm just not ready for such a decision. My selfishness was not informing you all. You've all made me the centre of your lives to the expense of everything else."

"Its not healthy" continued Tenchi. "I don't want you and the others to do that." Tenchi looked down the thing is... I love you all, even Noike and Tokimi who's kind of grown on me. and I don't think that's going to change in the immediate future."

"What are you saying Tenchi?" asked Ryoko.

"Sasami had the right idea when she decided to go to school. Before her life came to revolve around the household, around us. now she's doing things for herself. Mihoshi has a job as well. I'm saying you can still pursue other dreams and be part of my life, what I feel wont change because your away from me for a while I mean you can get a weekend pass to visit right. and if I remember correctly Washu's lab is actually connected to her old galaxy academy lab so she can use the subspace link to travel too and from here to her old lab. Maybe you could do the same with your own lab. Pursuing your dream doesn't mean cutting yourself off from me and the others…"

"You--You're right! said Ryoko with a sudden grin "and besides, zero would be here to protect my interests!"

"So you'll go to the academy?"

"You sure about this Tenchi?"

"I want you to go Ryoko you deserve the chance to go to the academy."

"Ryoko grinned then I'll do it for you and me both!"

"That's the spirit Ryoko!" smiled Tenchi

----------------------

Washu sat with Sasami looking out across the water Tokimi materialised beside her.

"I guess we know what the intruder did on my computer" she said.

"But why would she want Ryoko to go to the science academy?"

"I have no idea, and I don't like that." muttered Tokimi

"I think…I think Ryoko will go to the academy." said Tsunami her ghostly image materialising behind Sasami.

"Oh I know she will its just… it signifies the beginning of something big a true change in the status-quo. Zero told me she was planning on going to the high school in town, she was inspired by you Sasami. She wants to socialise, to form friendships."

"And then there's Ayeka," said Sasami.

"What about Ayeka?" said Washu.

"She's changing Washu. Ever since the outburst against Ryoko and the subsequent fall out she's been changing."

"Really now?" said Washu thoughtfully

"Everyone Tenchi and Ryoko are back!" Said Mihoshi. Everyone turned round to see Tenchi and Ryoko walking back

"Ryoko?" Asked Washu.

"I guess I'll be going to the RSA." said Ryoko with a shrug

"Really? You don't know how happy that makes me!" said Washu.

"Of course I need you to help me wire a subspace link from where ever I'm staying to my lab so I can get from the academy to the house whenever I want to."

Washu looked at Ryoko eyebrow raised, "and why would I do that? you're not allowed off campus without a weekend pass and I'm not about to have you break the rules on my watch!"

"But mommmmmm!"

"No buts! I will allow you to have a perminent weekend pass and I'll allow a perminent real-time video link to the Masaki house. But there is no way I'm helping you break the rules."

"Oh come on!" Yelled Ryoko.

"Nope!" said Washu with a mischievous grin "I wont help you break the rules"

Ryoko suddenly grinned. "its like that hmmm? fine I get it." you wont help me break the rules but you said nothing about me figuring out how to break the rules myself. Added Ryoko mentally

"This is going to be great! we've got to shop for uniforms get you the latest equipment!" Said a giddy Washu.

"There is one problem," said lady Seto softly.

"What's that?" asked Katsuhito.

"As much as Ryoko is innocent and cleared of past charges it will take time for people to get past previous conceptions, imagine the panic when people find out Ryoko the pirate is in the school." shrugged Lady Seto

"You mean she cant go?" said Sasami. "that's not fair!"

"Well she is a widely recognised figment of fear dear."

"However they don't know that Ryoko is the creation of Washu so they may not associate Ryoko Hakubi with Ryoko the space pirate" said Ayeka thoughtfully.

"That's true but she still—oh!" said Washu

"What?" asked Ryoko

"Ryoko I want you to do something for me change your ears to match Mihoshi's shape"

"What?"

"You can shape shift now remember? Just concentrate!" Ryoko concentrated and suddenly Ryoko's ears were a different shape

"That's good now then concentrate on eye colour make it green." Ryoko did so and then her eyes changed slightly and her hair became longer and went a shade of pink

"Hmmm not bad" said Washu circling Ryoko "but its missing something."

Katsuhito stepped forward and with a yank pulled the hair bindings out of his hair and handed it to Ryoko as well as his glasses Ryoko put on the glasses and tied her hair in a pony tail

"That's perfect!" said Washu. "Everybody meet Ryoko Hakubi, my daughter and Royal science academy student!"

To be continued