Last time we watched as Ryoko and co were captured by space pirates. Apparently Ryoko owes one of the pirate clans a large sum of money. After a three-hour fight between Ryoko and one of the pirates, Elise came up with a solution that made everyone happy. With that behind them, Ryoko, Flora and the others got back to The Night Rider with the much-needed fuel. On with the show!

Chapter 37: Welcome Back To Jurai

"Where have you been!" exclaimed Sasami as our heroes exited The Night Rider at the Juraian space port, "I was worried sick that you were dead or worse!" "We were stuck in the middle of nowhere without any fuel," said Stella, "While fighting off Space Madness."

"You had to deal with Space Madness," said Ryoga, "We had to deal with space pirate bill collectors."

"That reminds me," said Ryoko, "I got to get to an ATM, or else my head comes off." With that she headed for the nearest money transfer device.

Back at the ship, Amanda had commandeered several technicians to do a complete overhaul on The Night Rider, "I'm not taking any chances with my baby," she said.

Meanwhile, Riven and Musa were the last to exit The Night Rider, "Feeling better?" asked Musa as she held onto Riven to make sure he was steady on his feet.

"Much better," answered Riven, "I'm not sure exactly what happened up there in space. Was any of it real? Did I really threaten to hurt you?" "You weren't yourself," said Musa, "So just try to forget about it. We're alive and back on solid ground, that's all that matters."

"F#CK ME RUNNING!" exclaimed Elise as she checked her PDA, "There's a stone on Jurai!" "What!" said Bloom. "She's right," said Timmy as he checked his PDA, "There's a Stone of Power on this planet and it's less than two miles from here, near the royal palace." "Then what are we waiting for?" asked Ranma, "Let's go get it!"

They found the stone in one of the many gardens of the palace. "I can barely believe it," said Ayeka as she watched Sky, Brandon and Ranma, "All this time there's been an object of mass destruction right here. All this time we've been sitting on it."

"If the next stone is here on Jurai," said Tecna, "Then why didn't we detect it when we dropped off Sasami and Roderick?" "That's a good question," said Washu, "Perhaps it was because the scanner for the stones wasn't calibrated for such close range as from standard orbit."

"Success!" shouted Sky as he held up the stone. It was blood red and gave off a crimson glow. "And now we have four," said Bloom. "We may not have it for long," said Flora, "If the enemy comes for it…" "If those Shadow Rider bastards come for this stone," said Ranma, "We'll give them a reception they'll never forget!"

That afternoon a plan was discuss on how to best defend against The Shadow Riders should they attack. "I think this is the best we can do for now," said Bloom, "Considering that we still don't know who or what Malaketh will send to take the red stone and the ones we already have."

"And for all we know," said Ranma, "That creep, The Phantom Renegade, he might show up to take the stones." "And he might try to kill me again," said Kodatchi, "That stamp Stormy put on me still won't go away completely." "I won't let that happen," said Tenchi, "I'll die before I let anything happen to you."

"Just hearing you say that makes me feel better," said Kodatchi. They embraced and kissed. It was at that point that Ayeka dropped her teacup in shock. Everyone looked to see that Ayeka was starring at Tenchi and Kodatchi, her face a mixture of shock and rage. "Excuse me," said Ayeka as she left the planning room.

"What was that all about?" asked Ukyo. "Oh damn," said Tenchi, "I've forgotten about Ayeka." He then rushed after her, with Kodatchi and Bloom in tow. "Will someone please tell me what just happened?" asked Ranma.

"Ayeka has had a crush on Tenchi for a long time," said Sasami, "Even though they're related by blood, Ayeka has hoped that she and Tenchi would someday marry." "How can they get married if they're related by blood?" asked Layla, "I thought you can't do that."

"Tenchi's grandfather is Ayeka's half-brother," said Stella, "By Juraian law that's enough family distance for them to be married." "And now Tenchi is in love with Kodatchi," said Flora. "Talk about your Soap Opera moment," said Musa.

Meanwhile, Tenchi had caught up with Ayeka. "What do you want, Lord Tenchi?" asked Ayeka. "I wish you wouldn't call me that," said Tenchi. "It wouldn't be proper to call you otherwise," said Ayeka, "You are a member of the royal family."

"Something that I never wanted," said Tenchi, "I never wanted to be related to alien princesses or have these abilities. All I wanted was to have a normal life, or at least as normal a life one could have in Japan. All I wished from life was to take care of the family shrine, maybe grow a few crops near the house, and perhaps find a girl that I could be happy with."

"I could have made you happier beyond your dreams," said Ayeka, "Nothing you desired would have been beyond your reach if you had agreed to be my consort. Money, power, an entire empire at your command, it all could have been yours."

"I don't want money or power," said Tenchi, "And I certainly don't want to run an empire. It's not that I don't like you, Ayeka. I will always cherish our friendship. But the two of us, we're just not meant to be."

"And Miss Kodatchi is," said Ayeka, "You believe she is the one for you." "Yes," said Tenchi, "And she believes she is the one for me. I'm sorry, Ayeka, that's just how things turned out."

Meanwhile, Bloom and Kodatchi were eavesdropping from around a corner. "I had no idea that Ayeka felt this deeply for Tenchi," said Bloom. "Me neither," said Kodatchi, "And I just got here."

"It appears that your mind is made up, Lord Tenchi," said Ayeka, "But tell me, what does this Kodatchi, this simple Earth girl who's mind isn't completely stable, what does she have that I don't have?"

"I can't fully describe it," said Tenchi, "It has nothing to do with looks, wealth or statue in society, no does it have anything to do with her mind. When I'm with Kodatchi, it just feels right. It's as if the fates conspired for our paths to cross. I don't feel that way with you, Ayeka, or with Ryoko. That's just how it is."

"Very well then," said Ayeka after a short pause, "If that is the way you feel, then so be it. I hope you and Miss Kodatchi have a long and fruitful life together. But after this fiasco with The Shadow Riders has been resolved, I would be most appreciative if you, Lord Tenchi, were do your best to stay away from Jurai."

"If that is what The Empress of Jurai wishes," said Tenchi, "Then is shall be done. Once the matter with Malaketh and his minions is settled, I shall leave Jurai and never return, unless invited."

"Of for crying out loud!' said Bloom as she emerged from around the corner, "This is just plain stupid! Just because your feelings for each other aren't the same, doesn't mean you can't still be friends."

"Miss Bloom," said Ayeka, "I understand that you are young and learning the ways of planetary politics. Yet it would be in your best interest if you were to mind your own business. This is a personal matter that doesn't concern you. You should stay with matters of your own kingdom. Oh wait, I forgot, you don't have a kingdom."

That last sentence touched more than a nerve. Later on Tenchi and Kodatchi would swear that Bloom's eyes briefly changed color and shape. For a second or two they appeared yellow, with a sinister appearance like that of a snake.

"Speaking of kingdoms and politics," said Bloom in a cold tone, "Guess what I learned yet thought to keep to myself. You claim that Sparkx and Jurai were friends, but where was Jurai when the last coven attacked? Where was Jurai when my people were annihilated and my birth parents murdered? I'll tell you where Jurai was; Jurai was right here doing nothing. I know that you only recently became Empress; that your father was on the throne at the time. Yet when my parents sent a desperate call for help, Jurai turned a deaf ear and stood by. Your father was, is an uncaring, cowardly bastard, and you're just a selfish brat who doesn't accept other people's feelings."

Ayeka was taken aback at Bloom's statement. She then glared hot furry at Bloom through her red eyes. "Choose your next words very carefully, Miss Bloom," said Ayeka coldly, "For they may be your last"

"Can I say something?" said Kodatchi, "First of all, if you threaten Bloom, you have to deal with me first. Second, I love Tenchi, and he loves me as well. I don't know exactly how it happened, but it did. You are the sovereign of this world and a lot of other planets. You have the power, where as I am only just a gymnast from Japan who had the bad luck to be abducted by evil aliens bent on taking over the galaxy. I didn't want things to turn out this way, but what's done is done. Tenchi and I love each other, and if you can't accept our love and still be friends with Tenchi, well, that's your prerogative. There, I've said what I wanted to say, the next move is yours."

There was a minute of silence before Ayeka spoke again, "There are times when my heart controls my actions when my mind should be in charge. Miss Bloom, I apologize for what I said. Lord Tenchi, I too apologize for my words. I do hope you and Miss Kodatchi are happy together. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an empire to run." She then headed down the corridor, leaving Bloom, Tenchi and Kodatchi in stunned silence.

"That was f#ck$ng trippy," said Kodatchi as she sighed with relief, "For a second I thought she was going to order our heads cut off." "She wouldn't do that," said Tenchi, "Ayeka may have a short temper, but she would never order someone's execution without a fair trial." Let's not worry about executions any more," said Bloom, "We've got a wedding shower to get ready for."

Finally the day came for the pre-wedding party; girls only, no boys allowed. Yet the boys had other ideas. Sasami's wedding shower was held in a large Japanese-style hot spring, which makes an all too perfect scene for juicy humor and embarrassment.

"Explain to me again why we're doing this," said Timmy as the boys sneaked up to a walled off enclosure. From the other side of the wooden wall they could hear the girls laughing and splashing in the hot water, for steam was rising above the wall. "For someone who's so smart," said Ryoga, "You really don't know that much about girls."

"Let me spell it out for you, Timmy," said Riven, "Sasami's wedding shower is being held at a hot spring, which means the girls are wearing highly revealing swimwear. So, we have here several beautiful, scantily clad women at a hot spring, you do the math."

"Quiet!" hissed Mousse, "They'll hear us!" "Uh, Mousse," said Ranma, "We're over here." "Oh," said Mousse, who was speaking in the opposite direction, "My bad, my glasses are fogging up in anticipation."

What happened next Ranma, Sky, Tenchi and the boys would remember for the rest of their lives. They had brought three portable drills that could make an inch-wide hole that was rather quiet. Having drilled the holes Riven, Ryoga and Helia went first.

"Can you see anything?" asked Sky. "Not much," said Helia, "There's a lot of steam. It's more like a sweat house than a hot spring in there."

"I think I can see someone's butt!" said an excited Riven, "I think it's Stella!" "Let me see," said Brandon. Riven stepped aside to allow Brandon to get a look. "Oh yeah," said Brandon, "I know that behind anywhere."

"Come on, Roderick," said Ranma, "Now's your chance to get a look at Sasami." "No thanks," said Roderick, "I already know what Sasami looks like. Besides, it's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding."

"The wedding isn't until next week," said Riven, "You should use that time to get as much out of your bachelor freedom as you can. Because when you're married, your life changes, permanently." "That's what you think," said Roderick, "But I see marriage as the start of a huge adventure."

"Holly cow!" said Mousse as he strained his glasses at the hole, "I knew Bloom was hot, but she's smoking!" "Keep your eye on your girlfriend," said Sky, "And I won't comment on how big Shampoo's boobs are."

"Ahem!" The boys froze with shock and dread. They nervously turned around to see Bloom, Akane and the girls standing behind them, fully clothed and very annoyed. "Um," said Sky, "Err, how did these holes get here! I am shocked that someone would drill holes into the wall so they can spy on women who are enjoying the hot springs!"

"We know what you guys were doing," said Bloom. "I knew you males couldn't resist a chance to peek at us," said Akane.

"So we put a warning spell on the wall to let us know when you'd get here," said Stella. "And we set us several illusions to keep you at the wall," said Musa, "While we got ready for your punishment."

"Punishment?" asked a sweating Helia. "Oh yes," said Flora, "You boys tried to spy on us, now you got to pay the price."

"Wait a second!" said Roderick, "I didn't look! These goobers might not have values, but I do." "In that case you're excused," said Sasami.

"Traitor!" exclaimed Ryoga as Roderick moved out of the way. "I'll go too," said Ranma, "I didn't get my turn, so I didn't get to see anything either."

"You stay right where you are, Ranma!" said Akane, "It was your idea to spy on us in the first place. Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, Layla, Carmen, Morgan, Elise, you may fire when ready."

"Have mercy!" exclaimed Brandon, "It was just a bit of pre-wedding fun!" "Well I hope you enjoy this as much as we enjoy giving it to you," said Carmen. There then came nine shouts of "Occularius Blackus!" The boys were then engulfed in a cloud of dark smoke.

When the smoke cleared, Sky and the boys checked to see that they were still n one piece and that nothing was added on. "We're still normal," said Brandon, "So what did they do to us?" He then noticed that Riven was laughing and pointing at him. "What?" he asked, "What's so funny?"

"Take a look," said Stella as she handed Brandon a hand mirror, "You're good at that, looking." Brandon then saw that he had a large black eye. In fact, all the boys had black eyes. "Well," said Tatewaki, "Ye reap what ye sow." At this everyone started to laugh.

This would be a good place to stop the chapter, but things are just getting warmed up. So hang on to your cookies, it's gonna get wild…

Just as everyone was calming down from the laughter, a loud explosion rocked the air, startling everyone back to reality. "That sounded like it came from the palace!" said Riven.

"What did you do?" asked Sky as he glared at Carmen, Morgan and Elise. "Nothing," said Morgan, "Honest."

"She's right," said Carmen, "We didn't plant any El Bongo stink bombs tonight." "We're saving those for the wedding reception," said Elise.

"It's them," said Bloom, "The Shadow Riders are here."

Malaketh and his minions had arrived on Jurai. Along with Salamei, Xallos and Trabon, they had brought along the witches, Toro, several minor Shadow Riders and about 5,000 biots.

Bloom and the others rushed back to the palace to see the guards on the verge of being overwhelmed by the biots. "Malaketh!" exclaimed Bloom; she, Stella, Layla, Musa, Tecna and Flora already transformed, "You're going down!"

"The only ones who are going down," said Malaketh, "Are you and your pathetic friends, that is, unless you surrender the stones you have. If you value your lives, you'd do best to give them to me."

"If you want the stones that badly," said Tenchi, his energy sword at the ready, "Come and get them!"

"Gladly," said Xallos, "You little pests have stood in our way for the last time! ATTACK!" With that the biots and lesser Shadow Riders charged at our heroes.

The battle that followed would be remembered in the history archives of Jurai for countless millennium; a battle to epic to describe in full detail. Yet there's one aspect of that battle that must be told for the sake of the story.

Through the course of the fight, Kodatchi found her separated from Bloom, Tenchi and her brother; not to mention also being surrounded by biots. "You things want to kill me?" asked Kodatchi, her deadly ribbon ready to lash out at the first biot to advance, "Let's go!" Instead several of the biots shifted to the side to allow Stormy to walk towards Kodatchi.

"I knew there was a reason why I got out of bead today," said Stormy, "I have a lose end to eliminate." "True," said Kodatchi, "Today's the day you answer for your transgressions against me!"

"Dream on," said Stormy as she rose into the air, "Today I get to kill you!" She then shot several dark lightning bolts at Kodatchi. She easily dodged the bolts, yet with Stormy in the air beyond the reach of her ribbon, Kodatchi couldn't fight back.

Eventually Kodatchi began to get tired and made a mistake. She moved just a bit slower than she wanted to, allowing a bolt to graze her leg. Even though it was a glancing blow, the effect of the dark lightning was strong enough to knock her down.

"I now have a choice to make," said Stormy as she landed beside Kodatchi, "Should I just kill you on general principal? Or should I take you back to Shadow Rider headquarters for re-conditioning?"

"Go ahead and kill me!" snapped Kodatchi, "Because I'll never be your slave or anyone else's!" "Well you're no fun at all," said Stormy, "Well, at least I get to splatter your blood all over the place."

"The only person's blood that's getting splattered," said Tenchi as he and Tatewaki fought their way through the biots surrounding Kodatchi, "Is yours!" "Thou speaks the truth," said Tatewaki, "Let us be rid of this foul wench once and for all."

"Sorry, boys," said Morgan, "But Stormy's mine!" "No, Morgan," said Stormy, "You're mine!" "Yes," said Morgan, "But before we start to kill each other, I've got something for you, something you have to read."

She handed to Stormy a large sheet of folded parchment. Stormy unfolded the paper to find a symbol she'd never seen before. "What the f#ck is this?" asked Stormy. "You would know what it is if you and your sisters weren't so hell-bent on taking over the universe," said Morgan, "Otherwise you wouldn't have missed the class on 'explosive runes.'"

The rune flashed and exploded in Stormy's hands. When the smoke cleared, Kodatchi could see that her tormentor, though badly burned and lacerated, was still alive. Morgan, Tatewaki, Layla and Kodatchi gathered around the damaged form of Stormy.

"Why is the ground shaking?" asked Stormy in a dazed and weak tone, "Why is everything jumping around?" "It's called shellshock," said Tatewaki as he unsheathed his sword, "And this is a cue-de-gra. I did say that I would kill thee."

"Wait a second," said Stormy as she realized what was about to happen, "You don't have to kill me! I give up! Arrest me! Arrest me for f#ck's sake!"

"Poor Stormy," said Kodatchi in a mockingly sweet tone, "The Sword of Vengeance is about to come down on you. But don't worry, perhaps you can use your sharp and witty tongue to argue your way to a first-class ticket to the resurrection."

"You f#ck$ng Earth-whore!" spat Stormy, "You bitch!" "Farewell, Stormy Trix," said Tatewaki as he raised his sword for the killing strike, "Enjoy thy journey to Hades." "F#ck you!" exclaimed Stormy, just as Tatewaki stabbed her in the heart. When he withdrew the blade she was dead.

"I've been waiting for that for a long time," said Morgan as Tatewaki wiped his sword on Stormy's body to get the blood off. Morgan then conjured up a can of lighter fluid and a matchbook. Emptying the lighter fluid onto Stormy's body she lit a match and tossed it onto the soaked cadaver, incinerating it.

Elsewhere the battle had progressed to a standstill, neither side gaining advantage. Bloom had just finished destroying another batch of biots when she found herself starring face to face with Malaketh. With her Winx running low, Bloom knew she wasn't in the best fighting condition.

"I've got to hand it to you, Bloom," said Malaketh, "You and your friends have caused me more grief than I'd expect from someone so young, I'm impressed you've lived this long. But the game is over, time to die."

"I can't let you do that," said a digitally altered voice There stood The Phantom Renegade, "I cannot allow you to harm the Princess of Sparkx, Malaketh." Bloom saw that the appearance of the masked man had caused Malaketh to pale in fear.

"Why won't you die!" shouted Malaketh as he shot several dark energy bolts at The Phantom Renegade, yet each bolt missed, "Why can't I kill you!" "The answer is simple," said the masked man, "This body is more than flesh and bone, it is comprised of ideals such as freedom and justice; and ideals are hard to kill!"

The Phantom Renegade then zoomed over to Malaketh and slammed his palm into Malaketh's torso. His palm barely made contact yet Malaketh was blasted several feet away. "It's over, Malaketh," said the masked man, "After today, The Shadow Riders shall never blight the universe again."

"It's not over yet," gasped Malaketh as he staggered to his feet, "It will never end until I rule all!" "You're deluding yourself," said The Phantom Renegade, "Look around you, your organization is finished."

Indeed things weren't looking good for The Shadow Riders. Several squads of Galaxy Police officers had arrived and joined in with our heroes and the royal guard of Jurai. "Sh$t!" exclaimed Malaketh. With he teleported away, along with the few Shadow Riders who hadn't been arrested yet, including Icy, Darcy and Toro.

"You okay?" asked Stella. "I'm alright," said Bloom, "I wouldn't if The Phantom Renegade hadn't showed up." Our heroes had clustered around Bloom as if The Phantom Renegade was about to attack.

"Worry not," said The Phantom Renegade, "I've decided that it would be for the greater good if we were to work together." "You're serious," said Ranma, "You're really gonna help us take down the enemy?" "Yes," said the masked man, "Together, we shall defeat The Shadow Riders once and for all."

The end of chapter 37. Long one, but worth it. Next chapter our heroes learn the truth behind The Stones of Power. Reviews will be rewarded with cake and pie. See you next time!