I know it has been awhile,
but I just don't have the time sometime. I have the rest two more chapters written down, I just need to type and
post them. I will try to make it
speedy. This one is longer than I
thought. I will tell you this, a new
twist is coming up. I hope that you
like this one as much as you like the others. Enjoy ;).
Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi, some other people
do. However, the story and any new
characters are mine.
Okay on with the show…
Tenchi Muyo! Lost Souls Ch. 7
It
was the day of the coronation, and the whole planet was in a festive mood. That is all except the occupants of the
Grand Library in the palace, each of the six beings in their own reverie. The focus of the day stood at the far end of
the room, his back facing all the others. He stared at the reseeding darkness of the Juraian night as the bright
sun broke through the horizon. It would
have been a beautiful sight had there had been one other person to share it
with him. Aeka...he sighed
deeply as he thought of the situation they were in.
He
wore a long, knee-length haori-like robe, onto which had the royal emblem at
the left side, near his heart. He wore
simple white pant and black shoes. Upon
his head he wore a slim bark-crown, his triangular power marks clearly showing
for all to see that he was, in fact, the yielder of the Juraian power. It was a simple, yet regal outfit; fit for
the coronation that was to happen in six hours. Finally he spoke up, "There has been no sighting of Aeka,
Ryo-Ohl, or her 'crew'?"
"None what so ever," answered Ryoko solemnly. She stood near him, always near him,
watching him carefully. She herself was
dressed for the occasion wearing traditional Juraian robes. Her hair, which had grown since her power
had surfaced, was tied in a high ponytail that trailed down her back till it
reached the ground (reminiscent of Masaki, Aeka's mother) with her bangs
framing her face regally. She wore no
jewelry or had any markings on her, but everyone on the planet knew that she
was Lady Ryoko, one of the intendeds for the prince.
"With the capabilities that Ryo-Ohl has, you know that we
cannot track where they might be," Washu said calmly, "I had gotten a little
closer, but that was before Ryo-Ohl got into my system and pushed me back a
ways." She stood near her daughter,
however she did not opt for the Juraian look and wore long, black pants and a
short jacket. You were, though, not
able to see the brilliant colors that adored the jacket and the ancient symbol
of a goddess because the long blue, gray, and red overcoat she wore. It did not contain any markings either but a
large red jewel—one that which had lost it's powers long ago—did adorn it. Flowing from jewel were white ribbons that
seemed to flow in a continuous breeze that no one felt. She was in her older image, preferred over
the younger one, for the occasion. Her
hair was worn in the normal way as it usually was.
"She will no doubt be far away by now," Yosho admitted
out loud. He was dressed in a similar
fashion as the prince, except that the jacket was black with a gold strip
immediately following the crest of the royal family. He also did not wear a crown, nor did he have any markings.
"I do not believe so," his sister spoke up. She was dressed in the traditional Juraian
fashion. With the outfit that she wore
she truly looked like the goddess from which she had fused with. Very prominent, especially, were the two
round dots that marked her forehead. "She will not venture far."
Next to her sat her ever present companion and best
friend, Ryo-Ohki, in her humanoid form. She had grown, and was equal to age-appearance to that of Tsunami. She was also dressed in a similar Juraian
robes, except that her more prominent color was pink, covering her fur-covered
body. She nodded her head vigorously in
agreement with Tsunami.
"Do you really believe that, Tsunami," Tenchi asked with
hope.
"She was here to see Sasami," Ryoko said, "She has done
that already. She will be long gone
now." Her heart was breaking as she said
it; she didn't want Aeka to leave. They
had been so close; she had been within reaching distance. All she had to do was reach out and grabbed
her, instead, she had fallen back on old habits and insulted her. She just couldn't learn, she thought
with resentment.
"No," it was Yosho, "Sasami is correct, she is here for
another reason." Everyone eyed the
regent. "When I asked her why she was
here, she had answered that she had not plan on coming. She said that she came to see to Sasami's
'problem'. When I asked her what she
was doing on the planet, she ignored the question. She never answered."
"That would mean that she is here for another reason, but
what is that other reason," Washu thought out loud.
Tenchi returned to his window and wondered at the same
thing. What are you really up to
Aeka no koishii? Are you here to stop
the coronation?...No, that cannot be it. You're after something, but I have no clue as to what you want. All I know is that I want you with me,
beside me. Please, come home.
Much of
everyone's thoughts were running along the same track as that of the Crown
Prince, and no one was coming up with a reasonable answer. Then after about fifteen minutes of deep
thought, there was a pensive but firm knock at the library door. It opened to reveal one of the servants that
served the whims of the royal 'family'. "Your highness, I have been bid to inform you that Captain Mihoshi of
the Galaxy Police, is arriving in fifteen minutes. She requests permission to meet with your highness to discuss
what she said was a delicate 'family' matter."
Tenchi's interest was piqued with the mention of the
"delicate family matter." They really
could be one reason that Mihoshi could want to speak to him that involved the
'family'. "Inform the captain that the
request will be granted. Make sure that
the necessary personnel are informed that she is to be escorted here at once,"
Tenchi stipulated.
"Yes, your highness," the servant said, bowing as he
retreated from the library.
"Do you think she has some useful news about Aeka," Ryoko
anticipated.
"When does she ever have useful information," Washu
deflated Ryoko's hopes.
"This time could be different," Tsunami said with
optimism.
"We will just have to wait and see," Tenchi said out
loud, but more to himself than to the rest in the room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the suite at the hotel that Andromeda and her crew
were staying at, they gathered to discuss the plan once again. Atena and Iris sat in the love seat that was
situated facing the large piture-window. Atena talked of the plan, while Iris and the rest listened
tentatively. Behind them stood Ares,
arms crossed over his chest and a look of total displeasure written on his
face. Hermes sat on a chair across from
the loveseat, concern on his face, and to the right of him was Eros, who was
sitting on a too delicate looking chair for his frame. Ever present at her spot beside Eros, Aurora
sat, cross-legged, on the floor. Even
she and Eros looked forlorn as Atena talked.
Sitting in a chair that was in front of the window,
Andromeda sat. She seemed to be lost in
a world of her own. She already knew
the plan back and forth. She had gone
over it again and again last night. Even in her sleep, she had rehearsed it. Now, she wasn't thinking about the plan, she was thinking about
her family. As she watched the sun rise
over the horizon, Andromeda wondered what they were doing now. What are they thinking about? Are they devising a way to pull her
back? Back into the life that had
caused her so much turmoil...She couldn't allow them to do that.
She took a deep breath, trying to wash away the
conflicting feelings that swirled in her body. Slowly she brought her hand to the jewel that was at the base of her
neck and closed her eyes, remembering the day everything began to change.
Tenchi, Ryoko, and Aeka ran through the doors that lead
to the main room were Tokimi could be found. They had just dispensed with that bodiless floating laky of Tokimi, and
they were now on their way to get back Washu and Sasami. Unfortunately, Mihoshi had to be left behind
having been hurt by one of his blasts.
"It has to be in here," Ryoko yelled, "I can sense them."
"Okay," Tenchi said, "Let's go." They all nodded.
They stopped suddenly with the sight that greeted
them. Washu and Sasami were hanging by
unseen shackles, almost lifeless. Tokimi, in her godly form hovered above them.
"Sasami," Aeka yelled with worry.
"Let them go, Tokimi," Tenchi said with revil. She merely laughed at his request. She was not about to give them up; once she
had their power, she would be the most powerful being in the universe.
"You cannot stop me," Tokimi said, "I will drain their
powers and then I will become invisible." Crackling gold lightning began to surround Washu and Sasami, causing
them to yell in pain.
"No, Sasami," Aeka yelled at her sister. Suddenly the lightning stopped, and Tokimi
had the look of shock on her face. The
two prisoners fell unconscious still strapped to the wall.
"This can't be," Tokimi said, "They have no powers. They are completely useless to me." She looked at the small group, her gaze
narrowing as anger coursed through her. "They have given their powers away." She brought up her hands as she readied to attack. "That does not
matter, I will just have to take it from you." An unseen blast hit the group and they flew in opposite directions. Aeka, with the help of her shield was stunned,
but managed to stay awake. Ryoko and
Tenchi were also still conscious, having landed on their feet.
Tokimi continued her attack on Tenchi and Ryoko, blasting
them as they moved away just barely. With Tokimi distracted, Aeka took the chance and attacked. Hands in front of her, she shot off a blast,
hitting Tokimi on target.
But it did nothing to her. She stopped her attack on Tenchi and Ryoko, and fired one at
Aeka. Aeka brought her shield up again,
but it was no good this time. The blast
easily broke through it, and hit Aeka to the ground. She couldn't move, but she was still awake.
"Aeka," Tenchi and Ryoko screamed. Anger coursed through them. Soon Tenchi was powered to full, and with
his energy sword in his hands, he attacked. He was able to do some damage, but it was not enough. Ryoko stood by, knowing full well that she
could not help much. It angered her
more.
Suddenly a red glow gathered around Ryoko, burning so
bright that it soon became white. The
light hawk wings of Washu, then, appeared in front of her. Ryoko had reached her full power. Tokimi looked between Ryoko and Tenchi. "This is the power that I look for. And soon I shall have it."
Tenchi jumped to stand beside Ryoko and he himself
produced his light hawk wings. "We have
to do this together, Ryoko." She nodded
her understanding.
Tokimi readied herself to deal the final blow, as did
Tenchi and Ryoko. A blast shot out from
both sides at the same time, hitting in the middle where it caught. All three struggled with the power, trying
to build upon it to destroy each other.
Finally coming out of her dazed stated, Aeka looked up
with amazement. The power that was
flowing around them was great. And she
could do nothing to help. She pounded
the ground in her frustration. She
watched with tears in her eyes as the struggle continued. Then she heard them.
"Tenchi," Ryoko said, "I don't know how long I can hold
this."
"Ryoko, you have to try and hold it a little longer."
"I can't," Ryoko, clearly weakened, repeated. "I'm sorry, Tenchi. I love you." She reached out for his hand, which he took a hold of.
"I love you, too, Ryoko," he said smiling, "Now, please,
try a little harder."
The tears finally fell from Aeka's eyes. "How cute," Tokimi mocked, "Too bad you will
not live to love each other." This
statement caused Aeka's anger to rise. She didn't have Tenchi's love, but she was not going allow him to be
killed. Same went with Ryoko; even
though Ryoko had Tenchi's love, Aeka still thought of her as her best friend,
her soul sister. She still loved them
both. She felt herself begin to grow
hot with anger. A green light pasted
through Ryoko and Tenchi, giving them renewed strength.
Suddenly, Tokimi's eyes widened with shock, "What is
this? Where did this power come
from?" Her eyes opened with
realization. The stalemate finally
broke as Tenchi and Ryoko's blast won out Tokimi's.
She yelled more from the shock, than from the pain. She disappeared in a cloud of smoke and
ash. When it finally cleared, all that
was left was the golden jewel that had adorned her head. Falling near Aeka, it glowed with a faint
aura.
Powering down Ryoko and Tenchi ran to the two
captives. Aeka sat there stunned as
they helped Washu and Sasami down. She
bowed her head in defeat. She had lost
Tenchi. There was no hope left for
her. As she opened her eyes, she
spotted the jewel. Tentatively, she
picked it up. When she had it in her
hands, a cloud of golden smoke surrounded her. It combined with her green aura and then disappeared. Her eyes became glazed with a faint golden
glow. She blinked once, then twice, and
then her eyes shown with a blackened gold glow. She looked down at the jewel in her hands and grinned wickedly.
Tenchi calling out her name brought her out of the
trance. She looked up to see her sister
sitting beside Tenchi. Relief covered her
face as she ran to her little sister, "Sasami!" She held her sister like she would never let go, crying.
Tenchi, Ryoko, and the now conscious Washu stood a
distance away, letting the two sisters comfort each other. Ryoko and Tenchi, smiling, joined hands once
again. Everything was finally over.
Her head turned away from the rest, Aeka's eyes glowed
with the same blackened gold tint of before as she smiled her wicked grin.
Suddenly something vanished from Andromeda's eyes. The coldness was no longer there. "Ryoko no onatamane, Tenchi no koishii,
Sasami no imouto," Aeka silently whispered. Her eyes began to glow with a golden green tint and for the briefest
moment, she could, she could be seen, the true Aeka, the true Tokimi. Then it was gone, replaced with Andromeda's
frigid glare.
Iris had looked up when she had heard Aeka—not
Andromeda—say the names. It had been a
long time since she had heard that voice, but she would recognize it
anywhere. It wasn't cold like
Andromeda's voice, it was gentle and regal. As she watched the reflection of her princess in the window, she saw
something—only for the briefest of moments. Had Iris not have had keen senses, she would have thought that it had
been an illusion; but, she was perceptive and she did see it. It gave her hope.
When the icy glare of Andromeda returned, Iris gave her
attention back to Atena. She could not
risk Andromeda knowing that she had seen Aeka's true form; it would only lead
to a step back.
Finally, Atena was through with the recanting of the
plan. She looked towards Andromeda,
waiting patiently. She didn't have to
wait long.
"Is everyone clear on what they're roles are," Andromeda
asked stonily. They all nodded.
"Are you sure, Andromeda-hime…" Ares began to ask for the
thousandth time.
"It is the only way," she cut him off.
"I have reservations about this coarse of action, also,"
Eros aired. This route had to be risky
if Eros was worried. He was considered
to the most risky of all the Olympus's crew.
Hermes voiced his worries, "If there is no…"
"There is no other way," Andromeda's voice
interrupted. She got up from her chair
and walked to her chambers, everyone eyeing her with trepidation. There was no other way, she said
again to herself.
After what seemed to be forever, Captain Mihoshi of the
Galaxy Police was shown into the Grand Library of the palace of Jurai. As the door was closed behind her, Tenchi
took a seat in the large desk that occupied the room. His faced lined-up with her serious one when she began to speak.
"Hiya, everyone," Mihoshi said in the happy-go-lucky
style only she could pull off. Everyone
face vaulted, even the stoic Tsunami and serious Yosho.
"Well, Mihoshi, what news do you have for us," Tenchi
said after regaining his composer.
"Well," she brought her finger up to near her mouth,
"There is tension between the Verulians and Spicalis. The Galaxy Police is hoping to nip that in the bud soon. The Jacibian queen has just given birth to a
healthy baby boy. It is said that he is
going to be a great ruler someday." Everyone face vaulted once again. How in the universe did she make captain,
everyone thought.
Finally losing her patience, Ryoko yelled, "What did you
want to tell us about Aeka?"
Mihoshi 'oh'ed and then tentatively looked at Yosho and
then Tenchi.
"It's okay, Mihoshi, he's on our side now," Tenchi
reassured.
"Oh, okay," Mihoshi brightened, then she began,
"Approximately 6 days ago, while patroling the Sigma-Seven-Omega-Eight-Three
quadrant about a sighting of the Princess Aeka of the planet Jurai, my crew and
I came across a ship. We opened a
com-link to the ship and proceeded with the questioning. On the ship there were exactly seven people. When questioned about…"
"Will you just skip all the drivel and get on with the important
stuff," Ryoko exasperated.
Mihoshi, clearly a bit shaken—ok, a lot—stuttered out,
"W…we f…f…found that A…a…an…andro…meda was AEKA."
No one said anything for a moment, then Ryoko yelled, "We
already know that!" Mihoshi ran and
coward behind Tenchi.
"Ryoko, you don't have to get on Mihoshi's case. She didn't know that we knew," Tenchi calmly
said.
Ryoko took a calming breath and then said, with as steady
a voice as she could, "I'm sorry, Mihoshi."
Mihoshi still behind Tenchi quickly responded, "It'sokay!"
"Looks like we're back at square one," Washu said
unphased by the antics of her daughter.
"Is there no way we can track the ship, Washu," Tsunami
asked.
"Well, there might be," Washu began, an idea forming in
her head. She had to quickly forget it
though. "Well, I had an idea, but I would need a trans-atomic signature of the
ship that Aeka is traveling in."
Mihoshi stood up quickly, forgetting that she was
frightened only a second ago by Ryoko, and triumphantly said, "We got that when
we spotted the ship."
Ryoko lost it again, "Why didn't you tell is that in the
first place?!"
Mihoshi, cowering behind Tenchi once again, answered
meekly, "You didn't ask."
Everyone face vaulted.
The time of the coronation drew to a close and Washu
worked feverishly in her lab. Over her
shoulder her daughter watched, trying to follow everything that she was
doing. Of coarse, it really did no
good; she was never as intelligent as her mother, even if she did have her
powers.
"Washu, do you really think this is going to work," Ryoko
asked dizzied by the fast pace her mother kept.
"This will work, Ryoko, don't you worry," Washu reassured
her daughter. Ryoko just sighed and
returned to her vigil.
A few minutes later the door to the lab opened sounding
the crab-bell. Ryoko turned and found
Mihoshi, with a ditsy look, and Sasami, with an apologetic one, standing
there. It was now or never.
"Tenchi calls for you both. There is no more time," Tsunami informs them.
"We just need a little more time. An hour or so," Ryoko pleads.
"I'm sorry, Ryoko," Tsunami says, "There is no more time
to give."
Ryoko is about to persist when a hand halts her. Ryoko turns and finds herself eye to eye
with her mother. Washu begins to walk
out of the lab, followed by three perplexed women.
Finally, they reach the others in the Grand hall. Tenchi looks at Washu expectantly, his eyes
falling to the small object in her hand.
"If the ship that Andromeda is using is within the
vicinity of this alarm, it will alert us," she answers his unspoken questioned.
"What if she has left the planet," Ryoko entreats.
"Then after the coronation, we will begin our search,"
Tenchi decrees. They all nod in
agreement.
In the shadows of the capital city of Jurai, stand six
heavily cloaked figures.
"I still don't like this," speaks one, a male from his
voice.
"Do not worry, it will work," says a calm female voice.
"I still don't like leaving her unprotected, especially
now," the first speaker airs.
"We all don't like to leave her unguarded," says a second
male.
"But we must trust her," a second female says as she
looks towards the Royal Palace. They
all nod.
Once again Andromeda has made her way to the underground
cavern. Still they have not learned,
and have no guards there. She smiles
deviously and heads through the tunnel that leads to the least likely to be
guarded area of the palace and where her objective was: the throne room.
Thirty minutes later she has reached her
destination. She smiles as she peers
through the hidden door by the throne.
Just as she had suspected. She listens carefully and hears the ceremony as it begins in the
next room. She walks out of the door
and sheds her heavy cloak. She then
walks up to the throne, caressing it with her fingers.
She can still sense his presence here. In her mind's eye, he still sits there issuing commands that are to be obeyed. "Thankfully, Tenchi cannot take your place. Tenchi has a heart; you didn't, father," she says to herself. Gingerly she sits on the throne.
