Finally, the last chapter. I kind of change the chapter a little bit. I didn't feel like writing a whole new chapter and ruining my lucky number. Other than that I don't have much to say about this one. I like it, I hope that you like it. Enjoy…
Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi Muyo!…Drats!!!
Tenchi Muyo! Lost Souls Chapter 13
They watched in horror as the body of Aeka slumped to the floor in a dead heap. Tenchi wanted to scream, he had been too late to save her; he had let her fall over the cliff. Now, there was no way to bring her back.
Ryoko also wanted to scream, she had just lost half of who she really was. Aeka was the sophisticated and noble person that she was not. If it wasn't for her, she would have gotten in more trouble that she could have ever dealt with. She stared vehemently at the godly figure that was floating ahead of her. Her anger grew also as she heard his roaring laughter fill the chamber. "What have you done," she screamed at Tokimi's former lackey.
His laughter suddenly stopped and he face contorted into a sneer, "What have I done," amusement in his voice, "I have accomplish what Tokimi failed to do. I have become the most powerful being in all the dimensions!
"She was weak at the end, her mind clouded. She could not accomplish this simple task of killing you all. Something she saw made her lose the will," he continued, "But I—I—will finish this; and you cannot stop me."
"What makes you so sure of that," Washu asked calmly, belying how she really felt.
He snorted then replied, "Because I have the foolish girl's power. Did you know that it was her that helped you over come the battle with Tokimi; it was her that made Tokimi think that power was not everything. She is more powerful than you could ever imagine, for not only does she have the power of Tsunami, Jurai's power, but she has the power of Tokimi."
"The power of Jurai is not all that powerful," Tsunami said truthfully, "Yes my power was once great, greater than even Tokimi's, but it is mainly concentrated in Tenchi, the master of Life. The Jurai power that Aeka had was only enough for her to use defensively. Perhaps, yes, if her loved ones were in trouble it would provide just a boost to the others, but it is not strong enough to use it continually."
"You are perhaps right, Tsunami," he sneered, "But it nonetheless provides just the amount to over come those two little saviors of yours and Washu's."
"Make no mistake about it, we will destroyed you for what you have done to Aeka," Ryoko screamed as she let the power wash over her.
Tenchi joined her as he too powered-up. As he moved forward with he beloved, he said to the crew of the Olympus, "Take her and be gone. I want her body violated no more, she will stand in state as she always was, a very beautiful and righteous princess."
"We will do as you say because she was also our princess," Atena commented.
"Please," Aurora pleaded, "destroy him and make it be painful."
"I will attend with you," Mihoshi said, sounding as she really was, intelligent, knowing that she would not be able to help. The group, carefully cradling the body of Aeka, walked out the chamber into the antechamber.
"It does not matter whether she is the way she is or if I defile her body more, for you will not see any of it; you shall be dead," the unholy god said with mirth.
"We shall see," Tenchi said as he and Ryoko attacked the god with all their power. They would not lose, they thought on the same level, they will have revenged for their beloved's death.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Will they survive," Aurora asked solemnly when they were safe in the antechamber.
"If he were to win, all will be lost for he would have all the power that he could ever need," Iris answered.
"There must be something that we can do," Ares yelled, "I cannot stand being unable to do something.'
"There is really nothing we can do," Mihoshi said, being the sound of reason for once. She looked down at the body that laid at their feet. They stood in a circle looking down at the lost princess. Then Aurora spotted something.
"She still clenches those jewels."
"Those damn jewels are the cause of all of this," Eros said in a rage. Quickly he bent down towards his princess and began to pry the Juraian Blossom Gem out of her hand. That was when it began to glow. "What is happening," he screamed as he flinched back.
They all took several steps back, their faces contorted with shock. "Is it still taking power from her," Atena said, "If it is then we must take it away from her and then we just might be able to save our princess." However, before they could try and take the jewel, the others began to glow brightly also.
Suddenly, Aeka hands relaxed and the jewels began to float up above her. Mihoshi and the crew thought then that it was already too late, but they were wrong. The jewels suddenly burst with energy, connecting to each other in colors of power gold, tranquil blue, and fire red. They then began to shot the colors upward and toward the center over Aeka body. As the power began to grow the brighter the light became turning into the purest of white. It engulfed the fallen princess' body and upward to disappear into nothing.
"What is going on, what is happening," Atena asked stunned.
"I do not know," Iris replied.
"Are the jewels absorbing more of her powers into them," Hermes asked bewildered.
"Haven't they already taken all that she has," Ares yelled angrily, "They have already taken her life."
"No they are not taking anything from her," Aurora shouted over their din, "Look, something is happening."
They all watch flabbergasted as a figure flew through the light towards Aeka's body. No one moved to stop this figure as it caressed the cheek of their princess, they couldn't. For some reason, they felt that it was alright, this figure would not harm their princess. Suddenly the figure turned and slid into the motionless body; everyone flinched in shock. The body then began to rise up facing the golden jewel, the Power Stone. Everyone stood shocked and comatose as the gem moved from its place at the end of its power triangle. It traveled along the golden light until it was directly in front of the princess. Then it happened…
Aeka stood looking at the gem and smiled, and soft golden symbol shown on her head. She was alive, but still no one moved—they couldn't for fear this was all but a dream. Then she looked up and they all knew that this was no dream: their princess was alive. They all wanted to rush her, but still they held their ground. Then she spoke.
"Thank you for caring so much for me, my dear ones," they knew this voice. It was cold yet warm, harsh yet gentle, firm yet giving. "You gave me time, and I thank you."
"Andromeda-hime," Aurora stated with awe. She smiled sweetly at the young child.
"Yes it is I, I who has always been, but hardly ever at the same time."
"You are Aeka, my princess of so long ago," Iris commented. She nodded in response. "But you are also Tokimi."
"Yes, I am all of those: Aeka, Tokimi, and Andromeda. I have accepted that and that is why I am that."
"What will you do now, princess," Ares asked. She smiled again, but did not answer. Suddenly the symbol on her head began to glow brightly. First the single dot on top, then the two irregular triangles on its flanks. The Power Stone also began to glow and then three golden light-hawk wings. She stood like that awhile, then brought her hands into a prayer position. The wings begin to close back around her body, soon afterward suddenly surging through.
There stood the princess, hands still in prayer, enfolded in a white gown that flowed down to her ankles. As it moved and caught the light, you could say it seemed to change to look golden. Upon her head rested the crown of Jurai, although it was a few inches higher to show the symbol of Tokimi, a golden flower, on her forehead. The purple stone was no longer there and left an empty space, but soon the space was filled. The golden gem of Tokimi floated and took its place and then followed by two flowing blue ribbons.
"I must go now, but I shall return soon. When I do, the nightmare shall be over for good." In a flash of light she was gone and the crew of the Olympus and Mihoshi stood in darkness, at least it seemed that way when the light given off the jewels were gone.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Tenchi and Ryoko were trying their hardest, but it seemed that it was not good enough. Washu and Sasami could only sit back and watch as the unholy god blasted them away against the far wall. They wanted to help, but knew that they could not. They were no longer goddesses and so no longer did they have the powers to defeat gods.
"You see," the figure shouted triumphantly, "You can not win. You are weak and now I shall take you powers, then I shall become invincible. No one will be able to stop me ever."
"You are mad," Tsunami spoke, "You are mad, you have been consumed with the madness to obtain all the power. However, you shall never be content, and it shall drive you madder."
"We are not defeated yet, you weasel," Ryoko said as she clung to Tenchi. He had just a bit more strength in him than she did. She could barely stand up, but she could not give up. She needed to destroy this thing, she had made a promise that he would pay for what he had done to Aeka. He would pay!
"Ah, but you are. Just look at you, you are pathetic; but do not worry, for soon I shall take away your guilt along with you life and power." He shot at the couple with a beam of energy, but they could not move to avoid it. All was lost, and both Ryoko and Tenchi closed their eyes, waiting for the inevitable. We are sorry, Aeka, we have failed you, they thought.
The blast never came, as it had hit an invisible barrier just in front of the couple. At Tsunami's gasp, they opened their eyes and saw…
Aeka faced them, looking into her beloved's and her onatamane's faces, "You have not failed me. You have given me time." Then she smiled.
"Tell me this is not a dream," Ryoko said softly, "Tell me I will not awaken to find you gone again." Aeka smiled.
"You are not an angel, Aeka," Tenchi said, "please, tell me you are no angel. That you are really here, in true flesh and bones."
"Yes, I am not an angel nor am I a dream. I am true, my beloved ones." She slowly breathed and then continued. "I have been lost, my soul wondering aimlessly, not going anywhere. I had been weak and aloud that thing to show me direction, but he showed me the wrong path. I know that now, but do not worry, for I am on the correct path."
"Tokimi," whispered Tsunami and Tokimi looked up.
"Yes, my dear sister."
"You are Tokimi, also"
"I am all who I should be."
"Then you are also Andromeda," Washu said matter-of-factly. Andromeda merely nodded.
"It does not matter, who or what you are," the god broke in, "You can not help. I will destroy you all." Tokimi only turned smiled, but it was Andromeda's smiled, cold and unfeeling. She brought up her hands, each with a jewel and brought it up. The god only stared, not at all scared for he knew not what could happen.
"You have been unwise," Tokimi spoke, "I told you that being a god is not everything."
"You are wrong, Tokimi," He said, "I have all that I ever wanted."
"But you do not have family and friends," Aeka voiced. The jewels enclosed in her hands began to glow along with the symbols on her companions' foreheads.
"Who has need of those things. All I want is power, nothing more; and I shall have it."
"You are a fool, it will be your downfall," Andromeda mouthed. He began to laugh at that absurdity, he not having love would be his downfall. It was utterly ridiculous. Then suddenly his power was being drained. He looked in shock at her; she whom he had taken for granted. He had done what Tokimi had done, he did not believe that she was anything, he thought she had nothing.
All his power began to escape him into the gems. "Gods are not there to control humanity they are there to protect it, for they have something that even the gods do not have."
"What, that cannot be, gods are all powerful. No one can fell a god." He was now mortal, on the ground on hands and knees. Chanting that absurd comment about gods and power. Behind Tokimi, Tenchi and Ryoko stood with knew found strength. When then were fully powered their light-hawk wings opened: his a barely silvery-blue and hers an almost copper red. The jewels lifted from Andromeda's open palm and mingled with the light-hawk wings. Soon their wings engulfed them and formed new outfits. No longer did they wear fighting clothes, but elegant formalwear as Tokimi. Ryoko was a long gown that simmered red in the power winds, atop her head a crown of tree showed her stone imbedded in the center. A single flowing ribbon waved back towards her ponytail.
Tenchi wore a long robed and pants underneath, it simmered blue as it waved. Upon his head he wore the Emperor's crown with the Juraian Blossom Gem imbedded in it.
"You could not have possibly beaten me. A god is all powerful. I was a god."
"No one is all powerful, there will always be something that is more powerful than another. At this moment, Love is more powerful that a god. Tokimi knew this, Aeka knew, Ryoko and Tenchi knew," Andromeda spoke with no pity. "You shall never know.
The three symbol atop each of there foreheads began to glow brightly. Then their stones. From each of the stone shot a light towards the evil entity. He screamed, "No I was a god, I was all powerful, there is no way I can be beaten."
"It is over now," Aeka said when the screams had ceased. She turned towards the others. "May we go home now."
Ryoko smiled and Tenchi said, "Yes, koishii, let us go home."
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Ryoko," Aeka screamed, "where are you?" When they had returned she had thought that things would be different. Nope, she thought, I should never have thought that.
"Ryoko, you are now a queen of Jurai; you have responsibilities. We must present our reports to the emperor and the high council in one hour." She sighed as shook her head. Ryoko hated responsibility; she didn't like it ten years ago, why would she like it now. Aeka continued walking down the corridors of the palace until she came up to the door that served as the school room. It is too much to hope for, she thought as she opened the doors. When she was through she looked at the inhabitants and smiled. Her son, his hair as dark as his fathers, chased after Ryoko's three year old daughter. The girl looked remarkably like her mother and had the temperament to match. Her son unfortunately had her temper and that, on occasion, collided with the girl's. When she was spotted, the girl ran straight towards her. Unlike her mother, the girl got along great with Aeka.
"Auntie," she shouted and ran for cover amongst the folds of Aeka's gown. Aeka smiled down at her. She stopped her five year old son just in front of her with an upraised hand.
"What has she done this time, Azusa," a tribute to her father.
"Achika has Sasami's toy," he said. He was extremely protective of his 10 month year old sister. Actually, he was also protective of Achika also when the situation called for it. He had his father's noble character.
"She let me have it," Achika said.
"No she didn't," he said back.
"Yes she did," she retorted.
"Nu-uh."
"Uh-huh."
"Nu-uh."
"Uh-huh."
While the children argued Sasami crawled up to her mother and tugged on her robes. Aeka bent down and pick her up. "Mumma," said the cheerful girl. How she wished she could stay here with them, but she had that report to give.
"Let me take them your majesty," Atena said as she walked towards Aeka. Aeka carefully handed her youngest daughter to her teacher. Aurora, her aid, went up to the two older ones and whispered in their ears. They looked at her then cheered, forgetting all about the toy, which had been left on the ground discarded. It seemed that Aurora gave them something more interesting to think about.
Aeka then remember why she had come in, "Have you seen Ryoko?"
"She was here earlier but I have not seen her lately," Atena answered.
"Do you think that she would be with Washu," she continued with her questions.
Aurora answered, "No, I don't think so. Hermes is with Washu and they are working on something. I don't think that it would be a good idea to go near those two right now."
"You are right. I guess that she leaves me with no choice." Aeka closed her eyes as she concentrated, then her eyes opened and she smiled.
"Be easy on her Andromeda-hime," Atena advised.
Andromeda turned towards her and smiled. A chill went down Atena spine, but she knew that Andromeda would not harm Ryoko…too badly.
Andromeda strode out of the nursery with purpose. When the doors were closed she disappeared in a flash of light. When she appeared again she was standing in front of Ares. He stepped back in shock, "Don't do that, your majesty!"
"I'm sorry Ares, but I have a job for you," she smiled.
Ares eyes light up, he knew what that smiled entailed. He waited patiently as she explained what she wanted him to do. Finally when she was done, she handed him a small object, "This will help you," she explained, then walked off.
Five minutes later she was at the main hall where her report would be given. "Hello, my dear, my lords," she spoke to the gathered men and her husband, Emperor Tenchi. He, knowing his wife the best, jerked an eyebrow at the glimmer in her eye.
"Where is Ryoko, koishii," he address Andromeda.
"She will be here shortly," she simply said.
Tenchi looked astonished, how could she fall for that one, "She said she would be hear and you believed her."
"Of coarse not, really, you know me better," Aeka said. Then Andromeda smiled. Tenchi couldn't help but smile as well. No sooner than the smiles had passed did the door to the Great Hall open to reveal…
"Let go of me! How are you able to hold me?"
Ryoko being pulled in be Eros and Ares, captain in the palace guards.
"We am sorry your majesty, but we have orders."
"Who ordered it," Ryoko asked. Just then she looked up to see Andromeda smiling devilishly, and then she knew. The threesome drew to a stopped and Ryoko stood up, straightened out her robes and walked forward. She was not going to win this one. Good thing that Tsunami was not here to witness this triumph, it would only make Aeka's head swell more.
"Don't be ridiculous, onatamane," Tokimi said, she obviously heard that stay thought, "I know my worth."
Tenchi smiled and Ryoko sighed in defeat. She would let her have this one, but next time it would be different. Tokimi only smiled
THE END
