Dragonball Z / Tenchi Muyo - Rebirth of Rage

by SSJ Nate

What happens when the two most epic anime of all time collide? Love, Hate, Action, Chaos, and much more. New enemies, and old ones make appearances. Power is found where none was before. And ultimately, the final battle of good and evil will be fought. Wh

13. Search for Zyroko

Dragonball Z/Tenchi Muyo

Rebirth of Rage

Disclaimers -
1. All characters of Dragon Ball and Tenchi Muyo belong to the creators.
2. This fanfic belongs to me.
3. E-mail all comments, flames, questions, ect... to nateshannon@hotmail.com
4. This fanfic takes place after Vegeta becomes a Super Saiyan but before the Androids show up. As for Tenchi, unless they create OAV 3, this takes place right after the 2nd OAV of Tenchi.
5. This is a action/adventure and humor fanfic, and is rated 14A for language.
6. If you read it, please review it!

Chapter 13 - Search For Zyroko

"Ahhhh....peace at last."

For the first time in the last several hours, Chi Chi rested at last. Her husband was now safe from any possible danger he could've encountered during the grueling aftermath of the Zoku fight. Now he rested, bandaged up like a mummy. Chi Chi adjusted the ice pack on his head, ensuring that her special little Son-kun would not get a fever. Likewise, Bulma freshened up Vegeta's wounds as well.

Ayeka finished fluffing Vegeta's pillow. "Its about time we got some rest. I thought they would never get out of that dreadful state."

With both Saiyans now resting peacefully, the girls now sat around various parts of the shrine. Ayeka and Chi Chi stayed to watch over the sleeping warriors; Bulma and Washu worked on their various work projects in the lab, and Sasami and Mihoshi worked on cooking up some lunch.

Mihoshi stirred some homemade rum and chicken broth, waving the fumes into her nose.

"Ah...Sasami, smell this. What do you think?"

The little Jurain waved the smell into her nostrils, instantly smiling upon the sensation.

"Mihoshi! That is excellent! I'm sure whatever stuff you threw in there would wake up anyone to eat it!"

Mihoshi blushed. "You think so? Perhaps a little could wake up Son Goku and Vegeta."

Sasami began ladling the soup into various bowls. "I hope Yosho and Noboyuki are going to finish their scavenge of the house soon. I think Noboyuki is still a little depressed about his 2nd loss of a home."

Mihoshi, precariously balancing soup bowls on her arms, head, and hands. She nervously began walking towards the door. "Okay now...I can do this...as a officer of the Galaxy Police it is my privilege to be born with grace! Now if I can just use that to get some lunch out to people..."

Mihoshi was now backing up, and was near the exit. She began to smile, seeing that she was almost out of danger. She passed by the temporary door to Washu's lab...

*BAM!*

Storming out at full speed, Bulma ran smack into Mihoshi, and the soup went tumbling into the air. As Bulma landed smack on her bottom, she looked up at the ceiling. In ever slow motion, the various soup bowls overturned; their contents, steaming hot, seeping down towards her. Oh crap...

*SPLASH!*

With a unusually loud crash, the soup spilled all over the floor, walls, Mihoshi, and Bulma. Boiling hot soup covered everything. Bulma felt the burning liquid seeping into her dress...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

With a jump rivaling that of a Olympian, Bulma leapt into the air, screaming at the top of her lungs. Mihoshi did likewise, and both girls ran to the kitchen to dump some water over their scalding bodies.

Yosho and Noboyuki entered the shrine, both looking tired from their look around of the house. Noboyuki wiped a bead of sweat off of his forehead, and turned when he heard a scream coming down the hall.

"OWOWOOWOWOUT OF OUR WAY MEN!!!!"

Like two raving fire demons, Mihoshi and Bulma pushed past them, leaving a cloud of dense steam behind. Yosho waved some of it out of his face, and turned to Noboyuki.

"What do you think happened to them? Smells like they've doused themselves in rum...and chicken..."

Noboyuki got up. "It looked like their were in some sort of hurry, like they were on fire..."

Washu walked out of the door Bulma had come out, and saw the bowls on the floor. As she did so, she overheard Noboyuki. "*Sigh* It doesn't look like you were too far off Mr. Masaki. I think Mihoshi had another one of her 'incidents' with your steaming lunch."

The sound of water could be heard splashing in the distance. Yosho began watching towards the sound. "We best go see if they need help...perhaps you could heal them with a special extract like those beans Gohan told us about, right?"

Washu followed. "Maybe...I was always working on something like those...but I never was able to do anything without at least one gem's power. I'm sure some good ol' fashion cream and water will be fine. I'm just glad it was Bulma who went out first...hehe..."

Noboyuki thought about the situation. "Hmmm...young women doused in cold water....I'll be right there girls!"

He ran off following. Washu remained back for a little while, thinking about what she and Yosho had just said. "...heal them with a special extract like those beans..." If Son Gohan did not come back, we should have to use it? She would need those gems, and Ryoko has one. We'll just have to see what Gohan can do...

**********

*Zooooooooom!!*

Gohan's erect body streaked across the sky, churning up dirt and silt in his wake. He smiled a grin of satisfaction.

"There it is...Karin's tower!"

At long last he had reversed traced his way back to Mt. Paozu and Karin's tower, all the way from the Masaki shrine. He shot across the sky at lightning speed, braking as he came up to the pole.

"Now it's just a matter of time before my father and Vegeta are up and able!"

Quickly changing his path of travel into a perpendicular angle, he raced up the pole, leaving a blazing white aura trailing behind. His small, compact body rocketed up in the air, passing 2 miles, then 3 miles above the surface. He cut right through the clouds, and then he saw it.

Above him was a bulge in the pole; a rounded palace stretching out in all directions for a radius of about 50 feet. As he approached, he saw the gap in the raling, the area where Karin was often found looking out to the Earth. Yet this time his furry, cat body was not seen...

"Hmm..strange. Oh well, Yajirobe's probably has him in a food contest or something

Gohan sailed up to the structure, slowing his body down. As he got his body over the railing and inside, he let his ki fade away. His shoes touched the floor, making a soft thud as he did.

Gohan looked up, calling out. "Karin! I need some Senzu beans! At least 2! Are you there?"

No answer. Strange, Gohan thought. He walked forward, looking in all directions.

"Hey Karin! Yajirobe! Where did you go?"

He entered one hallway, searching still. "Where the heck did they go? Hmmm?"

He saw a shadow cross the little light shining inside; some silhouette. He laughed. "Oh Yajirobe, I can recognize that short, chubby character anywhere! Why don't you come out? What's wrong?"

Gohan entered the kitchen, where he saw the shadow enter. "Karin! Come now, this is serious! I need those senzu b..!!!"

*POW!*

Before Gohan could finish his sentence, a compact, white hand shot out and side chopped him on the neck. A short, loud, crack was heard from Gohan's vertebrae. Gohan could not utter a word or think a thought another thought, and lost consciousness. His body slumped to the ground.

At first nothing moved; Gohan's body remained still. A few shadows shifted, and out of the darkness a pair of pale hands slithered out and grasped Gohan. A faint, dragging sound could be heard, followed by a muffled thump.

Gohan's body was roughly thrown on top of that of Yajirobe's and Karin's bodies, all unconscious. The assailant remained in the shadows, a beam of light only inches away. Slowly at first, then more steadily, the person stepped out into the light. He was wearing a vest, a clown like face for a head, and a cap with the designation "RR."

#19 pressed a communicator on his wrist, near the area of his hand that could absorb ki waves.

"Dr. Gero, I have done as you asked. Do you want me to kill them?"

A garbled, cranky voice answered back in the static. "No, we can leave that up to Zyroko. But I don't want Son Goku or Vegeta going and destroying Zyroko before he can become the Ultimate body. No, let's let Clay's creation win this one, except we'll help out a little. Leave them be, Zyroko is approaching right now. It won't be long before he becomes perfect and all-mighty, and we won't have to lift another finger to bring down Son Goku!"

#19 nodded, "What shall I do now?"

Gero answered back, "Return to the lab. I have some interesting ideas I would like to share with you if this Zyroko plan fails. Come back now."

#19 replied a "yes sir," and walked over to the balcony. Without even looking back, his ki-less body shot off into the sky.

Only a few miles above, Kami was awaiting some of his own, invited visitors. If only he knew about what had transpired a short distance beneath his feet. If only he was not preoccupied with Tenchi and Ryoko's arrival...

*********

Kami was indeed distracted. With Piccolo absorbed, it felt like a whole, new, evil being was prying at his mind. Like when Piccolo Daimou was alive...that sense of darkness and hate just barely clinging on to your consciousness. It was near maddening.

He shook his head, dismissing the thoughts. Right now, he had some extremely important matters to attend to. He looked over to Mr. Popo.

"Popo, ready the bath. I can feel the aura of Ryo-Ohki approaching...fast. I think that Tenchi may be in more dire straights than we realized."

Popo nodded. "Of course Kami. What strain should we use? It's been a long time since we've had to even get them out..."

Kami smiled, "Not since Son Goku was young..."

A small speck appeared in the sky, and Kami raised his voice a little. "Popo! They are entering the atmosphere now! I can feel Tenchi's suffering...go get the most potent one we have!"

Popo bowed, "Yes, god, I shall go now!"

The little assistant ran off to get the necessary ingredients. Though they were not as fast as senzu beans, they could get someone out of the danger zone pretty quickly.

Kami yelled over his shoulder. "Set it all up at the door to the Room of Spirit and Time! Make sure it is ready by the time I lead them down there!"

Popo nodded as he entered the palace, and Kami turned his focus back to the ever growing speck in the sky.

It was increasing in size by the second, and it was plain to see that it was glowing a hot red. Heat was building up around Ryo-Ohki's hull. Several shots of sparks and fire burned across the heavens. It was almost there...

Kami spoke, "Ah...there they are."

The fiery speck became a fiery jumble of spikes and protrusions, now easily seen as Ryo-Ohki's outline. It's tips glowed a crimson red; plunging directly at Kami's lookout.

For a moment, Kami was a bit anxious at how fast Ryo-Ohki was plunging down into the Earth. Was Ryoko in control? Is just her "style?" He would know it a few seconds...for it was coming down fast.

The nose of Ryo-Ohki turned upwards, aligning itself so that it was parallel to Kami's lookout. A few small vents along the bottom opened up, and a white gas was roughly spewed outwards. Ryo-Ohki was around 100 meters from the lookout now; Kami was now officially worried...

With the gas came a dramatic decrease in speed, and by the time the craft reached 50 meters it has nearly come to a stand still. Kami's robes blew in the wind; Ryo-Ohki's fall was sending harsh winds off in all directions. Kami shielded his eyes, preventing dust and light to clog his vision. Ryo-Ohki was now nearly on top of the palace, but her speed was nearly stopped. Ohh...it was going to be close...

Kami shut his eyes for a moment, fearing that Ryo-Ohki would land directly on top of him...

*Psssst!*

A sound of gas could be heard hissing out, and Kami looked back up to see Ryo-Ohki parked directly above the floor of the lookout. He looked to the bottom, only to see that less than an inch separated the floor from the tip of Ryo-Ohki.

Kami sighed, "Well, that was close. Eh? Is that her?"

A hatch opened up near the bottom, and a ramp extended its way down to the level of the floor. Out of the hissing mist of the cockpit, Ryoko stepped out. Kami was aghast at the wounds she bore. Her karate gi was torn and bleeding in several places, her face burnt in several singes. Her amber eyes conveyed a sense of desperation and sorrow. But what took him aback the most was she was carrying...

In her arms was the bloodied body of Tenchi Masaki. He was alive, but going down fast. His entire lower half was basically a mound of mushy red flesh, only the shins of his legs remained "whole." The boy was beat up worse than anyone he had ever seen. How could he still be alive? Could the bath heal up THOSE wounds?

We have to try...only one way to find out...

Kami spoke, "We do not have much time, Ryoko. I can feel his life force slipping away right now."

Ryoko, through tears, nodded, "Yes...what do I do, god?"

Kami took her hand, and led her towards the palace quickly. "Not even a senzu bean could heal that wound he has, so we best not bother Karin. My assistant Mr. Popo is preparing a special bath designed by the Kami's of the past to deliver fast, effective healing on deep wounds. It is his only chance."

Ryoko did not say another word, and followed Kami into the look out. She had to save Tenchi...without him, nothing else matters. Good, evil, family, friends; Tenchi was the bond that held her to those things. If not for him she would have never even become a "good guy." Tenchi had to live...and Zyroko shall pay...

She murmured, "Not even Kagato would have steeped this low...Zyroko!"

**********

The withered, green hand of Kami pushed the last door open. Mr. Popo was ready, a worried look on his face when he saw Tenchi's beaten body.

Kami nodded towards Popo. "You see that? Help me place Tenchi in that bath."

Ryoko observed this so called bath. It was like a sphere, full of some kind of gas. The top of the sphere was open slightly, big enough for an adult human to fit in.

"He's going in that thing?"

Popo helped Ryoko carry Tenchi up. "Yes, its a specialized tool created long ago. It can deliver fast healing to incredibly serious wounds. We use it every now and then in correlation with Karin to produce the gas. Its some sort of mist, infused with Senzu bean extract. Allows the healing properties to get into deep wounds quicker. I just hope Tenchi is not beyond the brink..."

With one final push, Tenchi slid into the container. His blood red body appeared to almost float on top of the gas, before it finally sunk below it. Strange, thought Ryoko, the gas was as thick, if not thicker than water. A bloody trail seemed to leave Tenchi's wounds as he fell lower and lower.

"It's a good thing, that you got him to us as soon as you did. I have no clue how he survived so long, but it looks like he just may make it."

Ryoko looked towards Kami. "What? You really think so? Just how long will it take to heal him?"

Kami nodded towards the tank. "Just look."

Ryoko was about to question him further, until she looked at the tank. The cloudy sphere was nearly now opaque with red; Tenchi's blood was actually mixing with the strange gas. Yet, as it did, she could tell a change was occurring. Beads of white were becoming more and more obvious; the blood being pushed away. Finally, the red began to lessen and recede. What was going on? Was Tenchi's blood returning to his body?

"My god..."

Kami smiled. "We did it. Just in time, watch, his own lost body is being replicated and repaired. Whatever damage dealt to him during that fight is being restored. Look, we can see him now."

Indeed, Tenchi's outline could be seen through the globe. First his arms came into focus, then his legs, chest and head. The clouds of blood were actually being drawn back into the wounds. It was like reverse damage. She watched as a whirlpool of blood was sucked into a gash, and as soon as all the blood was in, the skin sealed up and healed! All over his body, wounds were being fixed up. Tenchi was out of the danger...at least she thought.

Ryoko was ecstatic. "I knew he would pull through! He is not your normal teenager! Look, even his manhood is healing!"

Kami and Popo could not help but have a sweat drop or two appear on their heads upon that phrase, but both were still happy to see Tenchi recovering.

At last, the final couple drops of blood were taken into Tenchi's body. The last wound sealed up and cured. In fact, the only thing on Tenchi that made it look like he had just fought was his torn clothing. It was tattered pretty bad.

As if reading Ryoko's mind, Mr. Popo handed a bracelet to the girl. "Here, when you enter the Room of Spirit and Time, place this bracelet on his wrist. When he pushes the button, an energy wave will pass over his body. As it passes, it will place a special type of battle gi on, similar to the one you usually wear to battle. It can regenerate by just pushing the button again. Here is one for you as well."

Ryoko took the bracelets in hand. "Why, thank you. But why would I need one? I mean, this current gi seems good enough for my training or battles."

Kami sighed, "You have a lot to learn, Ryoko. But that's okay. You see, you will training for one year in that room. Though, only one day will pass out here. The Room of Spirit and Time can have extremely harsh conditions in it. You may wake up with a fine pair of cloths, and by the time the day is over, you'll get several rips and tears. This is just a precaution for you two, or more or less a 'convenience.' There won't be many of those inside that room."

Ryoko's eyes widened a bit, her mouth dropping in slight shock. "Tenchi and I are going to spend a year in THERE?! And only one day will pass out here? Amazing...where is this room?"

Tenchi was now lifted out of the tank, and Mr. Popo was holding the boy in his arms. Ryoko took the boy in her own strong arms.

Kami motioned towards a door on the other side of the room. "That door leads to it. Once inside, every second that passes out here will give you 6 minutes. Every minute, you get 6 hours. Every hour, you get over 2 weeks. And every day...will merit you a year. It should take Zyroko around a day to reach Earth. And hopefully, by the time you exit, Son Goku and Vegeta will have bean healed for the battle as well. Are you prepared to go all the way with the Room of Spirit and Time? Son Goku could barely last a month in there as a child..."

Ryoko was steadfast. "Zyroko...he has nearly taken everything from me. He thrives on pain and misery. He seeks not only to absorb the greatest fighters, but to destroy any and all that get in his way. If not stopped he will devastate the Earth and beyond. I know that now. Heh, its interesting how I have changed over these months. A while ago I was a ruthless pirate. Now, thanks to friends such as Tenchi, Sasami, Washu, Mihoshi, Goku, Gohan, and even Ayeka I have changed quite a bit. Even VEGETA has helped me out, in his own sort of way. You ask me if a little time spent in a room training is enough to stop me from defending these people or morals? Kami, I will go the full year. And if I know my Tenchi, he will as well."

Kami smiled. "Then go, brave woman. Defend your world and stand up to evil that threatens it."

*kreeeeak*

Mr. Popo pushed the door to the Room of Spirit and Time open. "The way is clear..."

Ryoko, eyes blazing with a combination of love, hate, and steadfast dedication, looked onward. "I have nothing to turn my back on...here I go. See you in a day...err, year...well, see you next time!"

Carrying Tenchi in her arms, Ryoko stepped through the door. She caught one last glimpse of Kami and Popo, before their images disappeared in the doorway.

**********

Time Elapsed in Room of Spirit & Time : 0 years, 0 months, 1 day
Time Elapsed in Real Time: 4 minutes

At first, Ryoko didn't know what to make of her new surroundings. The place was not very big at all, and it didn't seem like she would be in any danger of getting "lost."

She took her first couple steps in the room, and immediately felt a sinking feeling in her lungs. Phew, she thought, as she gained back her breath a bit.

"My...the air sure is heavy and hot...woah...my voice echoes! Echo!"

*Echo!*

"Amazing..."

*Amazing...*

Ryoko shook her head a bit, trying to get the silliness out. Perhaps the atmosphere was getting to her already. First thing was first.

She looked around for a bed or table; some kind of flat surface. She had to get the unconscious Tenchi situated. Ryoko cocked her head all around, until she finally found what she was looking for: Twin beds.

She laid Tenchi gently down on the bed, pulling the covers up and over his shoulders. His breaths were much more normal now; the danger had truly passed. Yet, Ryoko still frowned at what happened. Because of what she had done aboard the Shunga II, Piccolo had met Yamcha's fate. It was all because of her, damn it!

Ryoko pounded against a wall in frustration. The sound ricocheted and echoed around the room. She sighed. Hitting walls and using her usual violent way of dealing with things was not going to solve the problems at hand. She had one year to prepare for the next time she would meet Zyroko, and she planned to spend it well.

Before Ryoko walked off to explore the rest of the room, she paused to look at Tenchi.

She smiled, "On the plus side I get to have a year alone with Tenchi...hehehe...and no Ayeka to worry about either!"

**********

Time Elapsed in Room of Spirit & Time: 0 years, 0 months, 4 days
Time Elapsed in Real Time: 16 minute

Tenchi lurched up, his body snapping to full attention. His eyes immediately scanned the area. He sure wasn't in the Shunga II anymore. He was in some sort of bed, lined with drapes. Was he...dead?

Tenchi began to get out, but as he did so he realized he wasn't in pain anymore. He stretched his arms a bit, and realized that nothing hurt. Moving around, he could feel that whatever wounds he had were now healed. I must be dead, Tenchi thought.

As Tenchi rose up, he started to talk and call out, but only a few coughs emitted. "*Cough!* *Cough!* Ugh...guess I'm not feeling too well. *cough* Well, if I'm dead that doesn't matter much..."

"Tenchi?" A faint voice sounded off to the right. Tenchi was startled at first, and prepared for the worse. However, his fears were soon assuaged as the familiar, spiky head of Ryoko popped her head in.

"Oh my! You're finally up Tenchi. You certainly got your rest in."

Tenchi started to slide out of bed, "Ryoko! Where exactly are we? Where's Piccolo? Zyroko? The Shunga even..."

As Tenchi got out of bed, Ryoko sighed a bit. "It's a long story, and actually its been 4 days since the battle on Shunga. For the people outside, however, its only been maybe an hour or two."

Tenchi stood up, a bit confused, "People outside? 2 hours? 4 days? What is going on here...?"

Ryoko grinned a slightly sly smile as she pointed at Tenchi, "I'm glad to see that your little 'friends' are feeling all better."

Tenchi looked down towards Ryoko was pointing, and immediately turned all red and grabbed between my legs. "OKAY! WHERE ARE MY CLOTHS!?!"

Ryoko blushed a bit, "Why Tenchi...you're so *bad*....heheh..."

Tenchi grabbed some of the covers, and wrapped himself up. "Ryoko! This is no time for silly games! We have more serious things to do than gawk at my, err, um, anyways what if Zyroko attacks us?"

Ryoko sighed, "Sorry, Tenchi. I had removed your cloths when we first got here. I felt it would allow you to sleep better."

Ryoko opened up the drapes, and now Tenchi could see the full size of the room he was in. He saw the place exactly as Ryoko had seen it, white, humid, hot. Strange place indeed...

Ryoko grabbed the bracelet given to her by Kami and Popo, and tossed it to Tenchi. "Here, put this on one of your wrists. Once its on, press the button on the side. Yeah, the blue one."

Tenchi, making sure as to not drop the cover, snapped the bracelet on his right wrist. Following the next set of instructions, he impacted his finger against the blue covered center button.

As soon as his finger left the button, Tenchi could feel his body begin to shiver and shake. The bracelet began to glow a bright blue, and sparks of energy shot out of it. Before Tenchi could inquire what it was doing, a ring of light came out from the circumference of the circle, riding up and along Tenchi's arm. As it did so, his clothless arm was being covered in a tight, blue karate suit. Tenchi started to squirm away from the ring as it came up over his shoulder, but it was to no avail. The light ring rode past his head, and proceeded down his chest.

It all happened very quickly, and before long the ring of light had completely passed through Tenchi's body. He nervously let the covers fall, and stepped upright again. His once naked body was now totally clothed in a karate gi suit, just like the one Ryoko wore when she battled Kagato on the Soja. Only it was blue where the black was, and black where the red was. Except for his head, which sported the traditional Jurain War Marks on each cheek, the rest of the body was encased in the tight battle suit.

Tenchi looked from hand, to hand, from foot, to chest, and then back up at Ryoko. He smiled, "I see more technology from a higher power, right?"

Ryoko nodded, "Yes, God actually gave that one to me. Plus this one."

She shook her right wrist, and a bracelet just like his gleamed. She was wearing the karate gi that had sprung from hers as well, and if looked as if the both of them were about to go off and wage a war.

Tenchi walked across the room, talking as he went. "Now that we got that mess sorted out, where exactly ARE we?"

Ryoko sat down in one of the chairs, "I told you, its kind of weird. You may not believe me at first. Well, guess I can start with the battle on the Shunga..."

**********

Time Elapsed in Room of Spirit & Time : 0 years, 0 months, 18 days
Time Elapsed in Real Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes

*Barzap!*

An iridescent beam fired across the sky, ripping right through the thin fabrics on Tenchi's left shoulder. The heat stung at the Jurain, and he immediately spun around in mid air. Tenchiken, blazing at full power, sliced through the air like a deadly scythe.

Tenchi was airborne, dodging and attacking little luminescent orbs. So far, they had proven to be persistent in going down. But so was Tenchi. He jumped left and right, taking out them while avoiding their shots. It was only a training exercise, but Tenchi knew he had to take it seriously.

"Eyah! Hiiiyak! Ahhhhiy!!" Around and around Tenchi slashed and diced, most of the time hitting his mark.

*ZAP!* *ZAM!*

However, when one of his Tenchiken swings missed its target, it provided the perfect opportunity for the orbs to retaliate. Time and time again, as Tenchi weakened, he was getting hit more often than the orbs going down.

A blue and red orb pair was coming at him in front, while two greens and a yellow were cutting off his escape route from behind. Tenchi could not see any way out of it, so he began to rapidly summon up ki and strength.

For a brief moment, Tenchi's muscles bulged and glowed white. Out in front of him, the 3 Lighthawk wings appeared. Tenchi grabbed one, turning into half sword; half energy. With the seething energy projectile in hand, Tenchi threw the Lighthawk boomerang with a hefty and wide swing.

*Boom* *Baboom* *Boom*

Making a long and swift arc, the energy attack rammed right through each target. One by one, the orbs broke apart and exploded. Tenchi let the Lighthawk wing return, then dissipate. The same went for the idle other two.

"*sigh* Man, I hope I get the hang of these training exercises soon. I'm going to have to be doing them for a while..."

Off on the ground, Ryoko's voice rang up. "Finished? Hmm, perhaps you need some rest. You've been working pretty hard at those orbs. Did I create too many or too many too hard?"

Tenchi's body slumped towards the ground. "No, I think I just need more practice. Whatever pains I have to go through must be nothing to what Piccolo sacrificed for. And even though I have been exhausted with these exercises, I must admit that results are coming."

Tenchi meekly flexed one of his biceps, and Ryoko could only help but smile and laugh. "Hehe...macho man! Anyways, this training is a good start. Next we should both try to work on ki training. Once our bodies are physically tougher, we can begin working within and raising our spirits and ki through the roof. After all, raw muscle affects how much ki you can make, without actually making any. Building up ki not only improves muscles, but fills them to the brim with power."

Tenchi landed, "And what after that?"

Ryoko smiled, "Then we duel..."

*********

Time Elapsed in Room of Spirit & Time : 0 years, 2 months, 3 days
Time Elapsed in Real Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes

A soft bead of sweat dripped down. Tenchi was more nervous than usual, but then who could blame him? He stood firm and ready, the target nearly 200 yards off in the near infinite distance around in the dimension of the room of spirit and time...

"Okay...let's see how this one works..."

He narrowed his eyes, concentrating his focus on the target that Ryoko had put together far off in the horizon. Not too surprisingly, she had made the target in the shape of Zyroko...

Tenchi brought his arms straight up, making them steadfast and rigid. A little ways away, Ryoko watched. She was tense; the last time Tenchi attempted to use his new ki technique it had nearly killed the both of them. He had practiced for quite some time now, and it could only be speculated how it would turn out this time...

Tenchi cupped his hands together, like a Masenko-Ha, and started to gather ki. The ground started a like shaking first; then the actual ground Tenchi was standing on began to crack and break. Veins popped up all over Tenchi's body; he was straining extremely hard to gather the necessary energy.

A red ball appeared in his cupped hands over his head, and Tenchi began to chant, "Hi....to...."

Electric sparks sputtered around the energy ball as it grew, "....Kou...."

Tenchi set his eyes directly on the target ahead, "SEN!!"

Tenchi flung his hands over his head directly ahead, and in doing so the energy ball was released. Tenchi's Hitokousen ki beam sailed like a burning end towards the target. Ryoko had to grab on to a pillar nearby to prevent herself from falling down due to the shockwaves. The red beam of death moved like a juggernaut...tearing up everything in its path.

Tenchi pushed the ki beam faster and faster, and it was right on target. Ryoko could see the features of the psuedo-Zyroko target glow a deep red, before the Hitokousen attack consumed it. She braced herself in that split second...

*KABOOM!!!*

With a sickening blast, the ki attack released by Tenchi hit directly on the target, and with a violent shockwave exploded outward. Tenchi was flung backwards, barely able to catch himself as he sailed in reverse.

Ryoko grabbed desperately on to a pillar, hoping to Kami she could hold on, "Tenchi! Don't you think that was a *wee* bit overdone!?"

Tenchi's hands sunk into the ground as he himself tried to anchor himself against the gale from the aftermath of the ki attack, "Sorry! Perhaps I need to work more..."

After a few more moments, the wind died down. Tenchi was able to pull himself back up, and Ryoko could set foot on the solid ground again. Both exchanged glances as the wind and shockwave sputtered out.

Tenchi sighed, "At least it was better than last time. I just need to try to maintain more control over it; it's just too unstable when it detonates!"

Ryoko dusted herself off, "Yes, you're right there. But you still did accomplish your original intent of the blast. Just look."

She pointed towards where the target used to be, where the giant smoke cloud of the attack was finally dying down. Tenchi nearly did a double take!

A crater, extending several hundred feet down and across, was present where the target had used to be. It's gaping size caused Tenchi to wonder how the heck someone like him could've done an attack like that.

Ryoko nudged Tenchi playfully, "Hehe, not all is lost. Just do that again when you see the REAL thing..."

**********

Time Elapsed in Room of Spirit & Time : 0 years, 6 months, 19 days
Time Elapsed in Real Time: 13 hours, 40 minutes

It was late. Tenchi was restless. What more could he do but toss and turn in his bed?

So he rose, despite being extremely tired from the hard day's training. He decided that perhaps he'd take some 'rounds' of the place. Even though he very well knew nothing would be wrong in this secluded dimension.

He rounded the bends and turns of the habitat, just keeping himself awake and alert. Who knows, one of these times he might actually find something. Whatever the case, he couldn't sleep...he had to pass the time somehow...

He came across the kitchen, and decided a late night snack might due him good. At first he looked around for the usual food he'd find around his house...but when he didn't find any, he nearly called out 'Sasami' in his tired state...

Tenchi walked away, munching on some rice. "Hmm...that's right, this place only has rice and water...*sigh*"

*boom...*

He stopped in his tracks. What had that been? He cocked his ear, but heard nothing. Tenchi shook his head. It was late...

*boom...*

There it was again; far off he was hearing something. It was faint, but persistent. Tenchi moved over towards the window, and pulled the drape back.

At first all he saw was the darkness. The Room of Spirit and Time didn't offer much light at all during the night anyway. Whatever the sounds were, he couldn't see them without some lighting.

*boom....boom....*

Tenchi knew at that moment that he wasn't imagining the sounds, for after each faint 'boom' a bright light emitted on the horizon. It was far off, but he could definitely see it. It almost looked and heard like...explosions.

Ki explosions. Which meant some action was going on. Tenchi did not hesitate as he whirled around and began sprinting down the hallways. If someone was fighting in HERE, he had to let Ryoko know. Being the fast guy he is, Tenchi made good time down to the dormitories of the Room of spirit and time. He passed by his bed, then got to Ryoko's.

As he started pulling back the drapes around the bed, he blurted out, "Ryoko! Someone is fighting outside! I'm going to need your help....?"

The bed was empty. Only the faint outline of Ryoko's body could be seen embedded in the bed. Ryoko was out and about somewhere, and Tenchi had a good idea where. If there's a battle nearby, and Ryoko's not in bed...she has to be the one fighting!

Tenchi hastily made his way outside, waited for the explosions to light up again on the horizon, and started running full spring towards the source. Being ever cautious, however, he kept his ki low. It never hurt to be prepared.

Tenchi had barely gone out 50 yards, before he tripped on something on the ground. He wavered and teetered about for a split second, but fell face down anyways.

*crash!*

Tenchi groaned, and picked his head up. He could only gingerly rub his sore noggin, while he tried to get his wits back.

"Uhh...what the...? What did I trip on anyway?"

Tenchi looked down and back at his feet. They were entangled in some sort of wire. Keeping the battle in mind, he quickly freed himself from the wire and got back on his feet. However, he did notice a few things before he sprinted off again. First, the wire was fastened at one end to one of the outside pillars to their rooms in the spirit and time dimension. Second, that the rest of the wire was laid straight across the plains, heading in a direct course for where the assumed fighting was happening.

"Why would anyone...oh well. Time to get going. Perhaps it is just used as a guide. Getting lost that far out would mean you'd never get home..."

Tenchi ran alongside the wire, nearing closer and closer to the ki waves detonating in the distance. He picked up his speed, and lowered his ki. It wouldn't be long now...

Tenchi had scarcely run 2 miles, before he finally reached the end of the wire. When each explosion went off, it was now so close it occupied nearly all of Tenchi's vision. The faint 'booms' he had heard earlier were now deafening explosions of sound; each bang accompanied by a violent gush of wind.

But now, Tenchi was close enough to see who was fighting. And what was causing all of this. He kneeled down to make himself less visible, and opened up his ki sensing prowess to get a good picture of what was happening.

A golden flash fired off from above, detonating as it hit the ground. Tenchi could see a figure dodge out from under it, and it took him no time at all to see it was Ryoko.

She was clad in full Super Saiyan attire; with golden hair, the armor, and the lance. She seemed tired, but not worried.

Another figure dropped down from the sky, and launched itself against Ryoko. Tenchi had to take two good looks to make sure he wasn't dreaming, for the person attacking Ryoko was Ryoko!

The two Ryokos went at each other fist to fist and kick to kick. Both were SSJ's, and their glowing outlines shimmered in the still night. Every time one of their attacks connected or was blocked, Tenchi could feel the ground break up around him. What the heck was happening?

One of the Ryoko's nailed a hard right across the other, sending her pummeling down. The Ryoko in the air raised her arms above her head, and began gathering quick energy.

The downed Ryoko lay stunned and exhausted. There was no way she could dodge the next ki attack. Tenchi had no clue what to do...was the Ryoko down the bad one, or vice versa?

Whatever the case, Tenchi did not have the time to react. The Ryoko in the air let a large ki ball go loose. It's golden outline sailed across the sky, illuminating the entire scene in bright yellow.

Tenchi shielded his eyes, the Ryoko on the ground instinctively put her arms up over her face for protection. For a moment everything stood still...

*KABOOM!!!*

With the blast being much closer, Tenchi was thrown off his feet and flew backwards from the gale of wind that followed. All around him, the ground cracked and exploded; the shockwave causing huge damage all around him.

Tenchi was not hurt very much, so it did not take him very long to come to. He brushed some bits of dirt and such off his cloths, and turned back to the fight, fearing the worst.

Both Ryoko's were standing up, facing each other. Whatever damage that blast had done, it apparently did not damage either. They both gave each other worried, desperate, almost sad glances. Not exactly what Tenchi thought would be coming from two fighting to the 'death.'

For a while, nothing happened. The two just looked at one another. Finally, the started moving. Each Ryoko actually phased out, disappearing for a moment. When they phased back in, only one Ryoko stood.

Tenchi thought about this for a split second, then remembered that one of Ryoko's powers was to create an exact copy or double of herself. Piccolo could too. But why was Ryoko outside, late at night, sparring with a double of herself? And why so far away? As he looked around the battle site, at how much damage was being done...he realized the answer. If Ryoko trained full power as a SSJ, she would most likely destroy their precious home...not to mention their gateway back to the normal world.

Tenchi pondered it some more, before the single Ryoko screamed out. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHITYAHHH!!!!"

The armor on her body tore off like paper in a hurricane. Her golden, Super Saiyan aura rippled around her, expanding and rising to the sky.

When the armor came off, each of its parts dissipated into the 10 Lighthawk Wings. All ten floated around her golden SSJ aura, but her hair and eyes remained the genuine SSJ colors.

Her tight battle gi that she normally wore was bulging. Her muscles grew larger and larger. Veins popped up all over her body. It was if her Super Saiyan powers were soaring through the roof. She was nearly 50% larger than her usual height and size; her muscles were growing large and bulky.

By now, her golden aura had risen to the sky. It was a burning column of fire, with Ryoko situated directly in the middle. The gaping mouth of the column rose up like a dragon in the sky, connecting with the clouds above. Now the darkness of night was no longer dark...everywhere Tenchi looked, golden light shined down from Ryoko. She was still powering up, but Tenchi could make out faint words. He could not make out everything...but he listen tend on anyway...

"For Zyroko...I must...never forgive...I will not stand down...Piccolo's sacrifice...my love for Tenchi...no evil shall...no matter what, I must...have...I will ASCEND!!"

The word 'Ascend' was yelled incredibly loudly by Ryoko, and at that one moment she reached the pinnacle of her power. Her muscles were near the size of tree trunks; her suit stretch tight across her muscular body. It must have been the highest point, for in one quick instant her power dropped.

The aura burned up and faded. Her muscles snapped back to normal size. Her hair went from golden back to grey/blue, and her eyes returned to their normal amber color. Ryoko stood limply for a few moments, looked outwards...and saw Tenchi.

She smiled a bit, "Guess I won't ascend to the necessary level quite yet..."

And then she fainted, buckling over. Her head landed on the ground, and she was out cold.

**********

Washu beat her fingers on her computer impatiently. She and Bulma had been waiting for nearly 20 hours for the supposed return of Ryoko. So far, no transmissions. No signals. Not even a peep.

However, Washu had been keeping busy by studying some of Dr. Clay's old files.

Apparently, he had created Zyroko as a way of getting even with her on the ultimate level. Some of his calculations were far off and bizarre, but he had succeeded in anyway. He used the same basic concept as she did; utilizing the 3 most powerful and versatile species around. The Saiyan, Namek, and Jurain. Not only that...but to use the powers of the Mass as well.

She sighed as she stared at the screen, "What a little copier..."

Bulma was typing away on her own terminal, "What did you say?"

Washu pushed a few buttons, and looked deeper. "It's just that Zyroko is nearly identical to Ryoko. Clay did hardly anything to hide that it wasn't my idea. All he did was add his logo on the front of his belt, and *boom!* It's suddenly his creation and idea...though I have to admit he went about creating it differently."

Bulma didn't even look up from her screen, "And what is that?"

Washu coolly replied, "Well, there is some sort of 'formula' that goes with Zyroko. Biologically, he should be so incredibly powerful that the entire universe would be ripped apart from his sheer strength. However, if Clay had that kind of power in his possession, why would there be a need to absorb? I think that Zyroko's Saiyan, Namek, and Jurain genes do not 'activate' unless he absorbs a person containing them themselves. That's why he was originally aiming for Ayeka and not Yamcha. Ayeka has Jurain genes...and Yamcha has...

Bulma looked up, "Human ones. Do human genes fit in this whole mess?"

Washu smiled, "No, they don't. Yamcha's fighting techniques may have been assimilated with Zyroko, but Zyroko can not break down Yamcha's human genes. So they just sit there, taking up space. And I have a feeling that if he has genes just sitting around, whatever 'ultimate' power Zyroko has will not be released. Somehow, Zyroko would have to cancel those genes out...without going over his absorbing limit."

Bulma smiled, "That shouldn't be too hard. You do know that a negative multiplied by a negative equals a positive, right? I think if Zyroko absorbed another being with human genes they would effectively negate the effects of the first, useless genes. Of course, Zyroko doesn't have all the time nor the ability to just be going around absorbing countless people..."

"Exactly, Bulma. I'm thinking that if Zyroko survived, he will be looking into absorbing specific beings. Hybrids who have human and one or more of the other 3 species genes. Like Son Gohan..."

Bulma bit her lip, "And Tenchi.... Speaking of Gohan, where do you think he is? He should've been back by now."

Washu flicked on a radar like device, it's blue screen flashing up all the objects in its range. No where on it was the little Saiyan tyke.

Washu frowned, "It's been WAY too long. I wonder if something happened to Gohan. Perhaps we should be making back-up healing plans for Goku and Vegeta?"

Bulma was a bit startled, "You have some backup?"

Washu grinned, "Don't I always? It won't be as fast as a senzu, but if we start them up now, they should be ready in like 4 or 5 hours."

Bulma was already up and heading towards the door, "I'll go get the others to help carry them down."

**********

Time Elapsed in Room of Spirit & Time : 0 years, 9 months, 6 days
Time Elapsed in Real Time: 19 hours, 0 minutes

Though no bird had, nor ever will be heard chirping in the room of spirit and time, waking up every single morning next to Tenchi made Ryoko feel like there should be.

They were well passed their half way point, already going through such holidays like Christmas, which had yielded some interesting days...

Tenchi had gotten Ryoko a necklace formed by compressed stone fused with ki waves...and Ryoko had gotten Tenchi a bandana made from her battle suit. After all, it could be easily regenerated.

They had both practiced hard, and the peaceful, restful days were not as common as they used to be.

This morning, it was time to see exactly how far their training had come. Only 3 months remained, and today was an assessment day. What they lacked, what they gained, and afterwards...they would take the last couple necessary steps to correct themselves in time to leave.

And they were going to do that only one way....duel.

Ryoko got up, had a quick rice breakfast, and walked outside. By now the intense gravity of outside had no bearing on Ryoko anymore; she walked effortlessly across it as if it were normal. Tenchi was the same, and she could already see him out and about. Training as hard as ever.

Tenchi saw Ryoko coming in mid kick, and waved towards her. "Hey! Ryoko! Nice to see you up this morning, eh? Are you ready?"

Ryoko stopped a ways, and nodded. "Time to see how each of us stand. I assume you've been practicing not converting your Lighthawk wings?"

Tenchi nodded, as he did so the 3 transparent bodies of his Lighthawk Wings materialized around him. "I can now summon them at will, and move them about with good speed. When they were converted into raw material, they could not block most weak ki waves without taking damage. However, as Lighthawk Wings, they can easily absorb any ki wave OR physical attack that comes their way. Not to mention that on top of that, it's much easier to get them around when they're not converted into material."

Ryoko nodded, "Excellent. That should help us out a lot in the up and coming Zyroko battles. I too have pretty much mastered my 10 wings. When I go Super Saiyan, My hair and eyes still change, but the 10 wings just float around me. I can bring whichever ones I want at any moment. Makes it much easier to fight than to just where them as armor."

Tenchi cracked his knuckles, "Well, time to see how they work out in a real duel, eh?"

Ryoko grinned, and spread her feet wide. "Indeed...let me power up first. AAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!"

Her voice echoed around the room, and it took no time at all before a strong gust of wind was whipping up and around Tenchi and Ryoko. Her veins pulsed, showing up all over her tight suit. Around her, the 10 Lighthawk Wings faded in. But this time they did not materialize over Ryoko, and create her armor and weapons. They just hung there. Golden fire began to burn brightly around her outline; her hair rose up sharply in the air.

"AAAAHHHHH....Here...it...comes.....EIYAHAHAH!!!"

With one final push, her hair blasted into a golden color. Her eyes' amber tone was washed instantly away as turquoise color faded in her pupils. She was a full blown Super Saiyan, and she was ready.

Tenchi smiled, and powered up himself. Since he did not require the necessary energy to waste on becoming a Super Saiyan, his powering up took much less time. His 3 wings appeared around him, his white aura roared up and burned a while. His muscles and veins grew and tightened up a bit. And he was done.

Ryoko grinned, "Okay...let's get this show on the road!"

Tenchi needed no further comment, and rose up in the air. "Catch me if you can!!"

Ryoko spotted a bit, but then took off after Tenchi. Her body was streamlined and shot ahead like an arrow. Tenchi looked over his shoulder, and saw that Ryoko would catch up quickly.

Tenchi spun around, extended his right leg, and went the opposite direction. Ryoko did not have any time to stop, and Tenchi's foot cascaded right into her stomach.

"Oooof....uhh...errr..."

Ryoko spat out a little, and looked up at Tenchi, smiling. "Nice job...my dearest!!!"

She grabbed onto his leg, and before Tenchi could yell a "stop!" he was whirling around and around in the air.

*WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!*

The wind whizzed by his ears, and Tenchi knew he had to do something quickly. Rearing back his free foot, he struck out at Ryoko.

*Whoosh!*

It missed...just air. Time to try again... Taking aim, he madly struck out again...

*Whish...*

Nothing but air again. By now he was spinning around faster than sound; Ryoko was going to let him fly soon.... He bunched his leg muscles for one last kick...

*BAM!*

At last, it connected. Ryoko's jaw snapped backwards, and she went limp for a split second. In that moment of time, her hands let go off Tenchi...

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"

Since he was going at such a fast speed, Tenchi sailed down unchecked. He flipped his body around, and extending his legs down. If he had just the right angle...

*BAM!* *Verererererer...*

His feet impacted the ground, and he kept on going backwards. Since his legs had hit, they were leaving tracks in the ground as he went backwards; cutting into the hard floor.

Tenchi gritted his teeth as he came to a stop at last, and with a quick thrust of ki shot off back at Ryoko. She was recovering fast from being kicked, and was able to pick Tenchi up in the corner of her eye.

She turned towards him, extending her right fist for a punch. At the same time, Tenchi brought up his left for a straight jab.

*Wabam!* *Pow!* *Boom!*

Neck in neck and tooth and tooth, Tenchi and Ryoko exchanged blow after blow. Tenchi winced as he blocked a hard uppercut with both hands; the shockwave of Ryoko's fist rippled through his tense body. This momentarily stunned him, giving Ryoko the opening.

She quickly fired up her ki, and extended an open palm towards Tenchi. Gathering and aiming in mere fractions of a second, Ryoko let a wave of energy slam point blank into Tenchi's face. Tenchi's neck jolted backwards, and he began falling backwards.

His mind was very cloudy and muddled, and he could barely sense, let alone see, Ryoko coming around for another hit while he was in mid flight.

Ryoko straightened out her left leg, aligning it with Tenchi's chest. Tenchi was stunned still, but he managed to shift his weight quickly.

*Kapow!*

Ryoko's foot nailed into Tenchi's left arm, sending rivers of pain down Tenchi's body. He was now back to reality, and could see no better moment to strike than Ryoko trying to get her foot out of being embedded in his arm.

"HIIIIYAH!!!" Tenchi roared as he delivered a strong right hook to Ryoko's cheek. She felt her teeth being nearly bent out of shape as she rode along with Tenchi's fist.

Ryoko was lost in that moment, and Tenchi knew his chance of a few more good ones were at hand. He allowed his ki to rise, and threw a few more solid punches towards Ryoko. Some hit, some didn't. The 700 year old daughter of Washu was no slow recovered. Within moments she was matching every one of Tenchi's hits. Most missed their target, for both fighters' attacks. However, when they did hit, both seemed to be able to deftly block them. It was a stalemate, an impasse. Ryoko knew she had to find a way out.

Striking out with her knee, she thrust out with her arms at the same time. Tenchi, caught off guard by the double onslaught, was hit right in the collar bone by both fists. He was able to block the knee with his cupped hands, but he still was forced to fly downwards fast.

Ryoko wasted no time, and began powering up a large blast. She ran a mental note on what move she should use, and decided. She put her hands outward, palms overlapping.

Her golden aura burned heavily around her, and she began the powering up procedure, "At...."

Tenchi was able to shake himself back to his senses, and saw what was coming. He raised his own hands above his head, and yelled out, "Hi.....to..."

A condensed, electrifying blue ki sphere was gathered in Ryoko's overlapped hands, "Ma...."

Tenchi was nearly ready as well; a red energy stream flowing into his hands, "...kou...."

They gave each other brief looks. Both knew it was not going to be an all-out-fatal ki beam, but they still wanted to make it worth the duel to win.

Ryoko bent her arms inward, and with a quick thrust outwards fired the blue beam. "FLARE!!!!"

Tenchi did as well, throwing an overheard soccer-like throw to release his ki wave. "SEN!!!!"

Like twin eagles, one blue, one red, the beams of intense energy sailed towards one another. Ryoko's Atma Flare and Tenchi's Hitokousen....both new moves they had mastered, and for a good reason. Both were designed to inflict maximum damage...

*BAM!!!*

With loud bang and shockwave, the two streams of ki bent up and pushed against one another. Electric bolts surged around the two of them, and all around the wind picked up as if it were a tornado.

Ryoko's arms strained extreme effort to push Tenchi's beam back, but she was careful not to go so hard as to blow him away. Tenchi did the same, and the result caused a lengthy, 'push' match by their two attacks.

Ryoko decided to move closer up to where the beams were pushing, in order to get more leverage. Tenchi did as well, and soon they both found each other only separated by a few feet of hot, seething ki...

Veins popped up over both Tenchi and Ryoko's suits, and the ki flow grew stronger and stronger, brighter and brighter. Tenchi wanted to end it right now, and fired nearly every reserve he had left.

"EEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHIYAH!!!!!!!"

The red energy grew bigger and stronger, and Ryoko was hard pressed to keep it back. As she tried her best to hold the ki wave of Tenchi at bay, she realized that if she was going to beat him, she would have to go all out. And that might cause a shockwave so great, that the close range they were at, not only would they both be killed, but the building below them would most likely destroy it.

So even if they did survive, they would be stranded here for all eternity.

Ryoko sighed a bit, and decided what to do. She threw her body off to the left, and at the same time let Tenchi's beam push her attack up and away.

*WHOOSH!!*

With only inches to spare, Tenchi's Hitokousen attack burned right through Ryoko's abandoned Atma Flare energy, and fired up to the sky. There it went off into the infinite of space, and Ryoko's and Tenchi's duel concluded.

Both were tired as heck; breathing hard and sweating like there was no tomorrow. Ryoko wiped her forehead of perspiration, and allowed her weakened body to revert back to normal. Tenchi let his own ki drop, and their muscles thinned out.

As Tenchi and Ryoko slowly let their exhausted bodies float back down to the ground, Ryoko smiled.

"We have Zyroko beat, my love."

**********

Sasami quietly sowed into a cloth she had been working on all day. It was something to pass the time with. Nearby, Ayeka and Chi Chi busied themselves with the cleaning of the shrine. Mihoshi was outside with Noboyuki and Yosho, and Bulma and Washu were in the lab.

It had already been several hours since they had taken Vegeta and Son Goku down there, for what they said was a 'healing process.' Apparently they were a bit worried by Gohan's tardiness, as was she.

It was late, it had been nearly a day since Yamcha had been taken away. She wondered if she would ever see him again. Or any of the others that had gone off to defend the world.

She yawned, "*Yawn*, well at least I think we're in good hands."

It was dark out; Sasami was tired. Everyone was getting ready for bed. She knew Washu and Bulma would stay up for most of the night, but she sure couldn't. So Sasami closed her little knitting kit, and got up to go to bed.

As she approached the door, she could hear Ayeka's soft snores. She muffled a giggle; Ayeka was always like that; nice and proper during the day, snoring and loud at night. Still, Sasami still loved her. As she did everyone.

It just didn't sit in Sasami's brain that she should simply just go to bed. Somewhere, a great evil was about that threatened these people. Sasami had to something to help. It was at that moment of Sasami's urge to defend the others, that an all too familiar voice rang out in her head.

Sasami....I understand how you feel...

Sasami had no trouble recognizing it. She whispered out, "Tsunami..."

But now is not the time to be worried. Soon, we may have to temporarily unite again...

Sasami was excited to hear this, "Like when that bad man took over Son-kun's body?"

Exactly. Even though you are not yet ready for a permanent merging, we can still become one for quite a while.

Sasami was steadfast, "What should we do? I can go right now if you like."

No, go get some sleep. There are several factors I must observe before we go this course of action. You'll know in the morning.

With that, the voice of Tsunami stopped ringing in Sasami's ear. She stayed a moment, listening if she would say anymore. A minute passed, then 5. The night was silent as ever.

Sasami stood for a moment in the hallways of Yosho's shrine, and opened the door to her make shift bed, along with all the others. Tsunami said sleep, and that's what Sasami intended to do.

**********

Time Elapsed in Room of Spirit & Time : 1 year, 0 months, 0 days
Time Elapsed in Real Time: 24 hours, 0 minutes

Ryoko knew upon waking up that morning that it was time. Not because the calendar said so, or because Tenchi had mentioned it last night.

It was just that 'feeling' one gets deep in their body; an unconscious building up of anxiety and shivers. She lay in bed for a moment, staring up at the ceiling. And despite her 365 days spend here, the ceiling remained unfamiliar, aloof...

No matter where she slept, it always seemed much more at home in the Masaki house. Her whole world was centered around that building. Sasami, Washu, Yosho, Mihoshi, Noboyuki, Tenchi...even Ayeka...they all were a deep and important part of her existence. Despite Washu's 'interesting' way of showing her love towards her daughter...Mihoshi's ever clumsy way of getting things done...Ayeka's prissy mode towards her...it was all worth Ryoko's while to stand up to whatever threatened them.

Ryoko got up, and began to get ready for the day. Not much time would be spent in this room...most of the day would be spent testing their year's worth of training against the real thing.

As she walked out of her bed, Ryoko smiled and thought, 'Well, at least I don't have to TELL the others how I feel...Ayeka might think I'm going nuts, *giggle*.'

Tenchi was already up, eating the last few bits of rice. He saw Ryoko coming, and nodded towards her.

"You ready?", he asked.

Ryoko patted him on the shoulder, "Couldn't be any more so. How about you?"

Tenchi went over, and washed his rice bowl out. Everything else was packed and ready for whomever might desire to use the room of spirit and time next. Ryoko and Tenchi's turn was up.

"Same as you, I say we go out and prove to Zyroko what we've learned. I think the tables will be slightly turned."

Ryoko ran her hands across her biceps; feeling how much larger and toned they were. "I think you're right. Nothing left to hold us here..."

They both looked each other in the eye, standing in front of the door. Tenchi grabbed the door handle, "Well, one step for man.."

He twisted the knob, and the door creaked open.

Ryoko grinned, "...One giant leap for mankind."

**********

Kami was uneasy, as usual. Not only were Ryoko and Tenchi going to come out soon, but for some reason he could not sense the ki of little Son Gohan anymore. Strange, indeed.

His old, restless body paced back and forth along his palace; his feet making monotonous footsteps across the whole area. Popo was down, waiting for the two children to emerge, so he had nothing better to do than to watch over Earth. He had taken the job of Kami to do just that....by now, he should be an expert on what happens on the Earth and how to avoid endangerment to the planet.

He sighed, "Yet...something is not right..."

"God!"

Kami turned back, and saw that Popo was running towards him. "Yes, Mr. Popo. What is it? Are Ryoko and Tenchi..."

He had no need to speak further, for behind Popo, walked a dark pair. Ryoko and Tenchi had finally completed their full, one year within the room of spirit and time. And he could already see the results.

Both were incredibly more disciplined, their expressions stern and dedicated. Their bodies were much more powerful; their muscles more refined and toned than ever before. Most of all, he could sense their ki soaring through anything he could imagine. Even though they were suppressing.

Kami was astounded, "Amazing...right now, if I didn't know any better....I'd say there were two pure blooded Super Saiyan in front of me!"

Ryoko smiled, "And you're not too far off in that, either my god."

Kami smiled back and nodded, "Yes, I am most pleased with how your training went. Was there anything the matter while you were in there?"

Tenchi stretched out some of his tight muscles, "No, it went fairly well actually. After we got used to the gravity, and I could accept what had actually happened aboard the Shunga II...speaking of which, how close is Zyroko?"

Kami's expression suddenly grew much more grim, "I'm afraid that about an hour ago, I felt his ki reach around Earth's orbit, and then it disappeared! He is hiding somewhere close, and I feel he may even be on the Earth!"

Tenchi was surprised, but did not show any fear, "I see...where was he above the last time you sensed his ki?"

Kami pointed out west, "Over there, about 500 miles in that direction. He may or may not be there. You intend to search? Are you sure that there is nothing to fear from Zyroko?"

Ryoko exchanged glances with Tenchi, smiled, and replied back, "If you ask me, it's Zyroko who should be afraid. We won't let you down, god."

Both bowed, and Kami chuckled a bit at their decisive action. Always wanting to jump ahead and save the world...just like Chibi Son Goku so many years ago...

Kami nodded, "You have my blessings...now go young ones. Save our planet."

Ryoko and Tenchi nodded, "Hai!"

With no need for further talk, Ryoko and Tenchi let their ki build up quickly. A ring of white fire burned around them, and they blasted off. Their bright, white outlines streaked across the sky, heading west.

Kami stood there a moment, watching the two retreating outlines. Mr. Popo spoke up, "Do you really think they have a chance?"

Kami looked over at him, "Do we have a choice?"

Popo replied, "No..."

But Kami looked back to the horizon, and smiled, "But in answer to your question...I say yes."

**********

A few light bulbs sparked to life. Several monitors whirred and buzzed to life. Washu's lab was busier than ever.

Washu busied herself with a few final wires. She and Bulma were hooking up twin capsule units, and thanks to Bulma's miniature tools (encased in a CC capsule), they were both able to get the contraption up and running fairly soon.

Nearby, Chi Chi and Sasami watched. They were wheeling in the stretchers containing Goku and Vegeta. Washu needed their help holding them for the moment.

Chi Chi was a bit impatient, "You said that whatever you're doing down here could heal my Goku, right? Well, heal him already! I'm getting tired of watching you just stand around, using your 'high tech' tools preparing another toy."

Washu stifled some of her frustration, and coolly replied, "Now Chi Chi, this 'toy' will get your husband up and running good as new. Bulma and I have just finished the preliminary checks and attachments, and both chambers are ready to receive your husband and Vegeta. If you'd just calm down we might..."

Washu had walked closer to Chi Chi at that time, and at the top of her lungs Chi Chi screamed into Washu's ear.

"CALM DOWN?!?!? MY HUSBAND IS NEARLY DEAD AND YOU TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!? WHAT KIND OF WIFE ARE YOU?!??!"

*Crash!*

From the sheer force of the yell, Washu went flying backwards and fell on her head. She was stunned, and she lay there with birds flying around her head.

She slowly got up, "Uhhh...okay...Chi Chi...a few things...ONE...you're husband is not nearly dead. TWO, I was a wife long before your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was an infant...THREE...This will heal them both, and unless you let me go through with this, AKA CALM DOWN, they won't get healed. Simple as that, my friend."

With that, Chi Chi kept quiet. Moving on, Washu started explaining the device. "This is actually a Saiyan style healing tank. However, due to the fact that I have pretty much been isolated from any hard space technology, it's not perfect. In fact, after the occupant is healed in this model, it's nearly impossible to wake them up! I could never finish my work on the subject, seeing as Kagato captured me for a good 700 years. I have made a make shift brain wave amplifier, which will eventually wake up the occupant being healed. That has a few quirks as well. One, it will take an hour for the wave to fully wake the person being healed. Two, it needs a specific, ample energy source. Since none has presented itself in the last few days, I simply molded the energy input for one gem. That should be plenty....BUT..."

Sasami bit her lip, "Zyroko has two gems...and Ryoko has the last one."

Bulma nodded, "And we don't know the whereabouts of either."

Chi Chi spoke up, again, "Still, can't we do something?"

Washu started pushing the two Saiyans towards the two tanks for healing. "Yes, we can at least start their healing process. That shouldn't take more than a few hours...but, we just won't be able to wake them up."

Bulma opened one door to the machine, "Unless Ryoko returns or Zyroko is defeated."

With everything said, no one could do a thing but help put the Saiyans in their tanks. Bulma and Washu helped put Vegeta in place, fastening the various attachments to his body, hooking up pulse takers, breath registers, etc. Sasami and Chi Chi put Goku in. After both were secure, Bulma hit a switch on the consol, causing the the doors to slide down and shut.

A hiss of air was ejected, and they were ready. Washu began typing rapidly on an opposite computer, and before long got the healing process underway. Bluish liquid flowed into the two chambers, rising up to Goku and Vegeta's waists, then shoulders, and finally completely submerging the both of them.

Chi Chi stood by, nervously. "Hang on Goku...Vegeta..."

**********

NEXT TIME ON DRAGONBALL Z AND TENCHI MUYO!

"Hey guys, this is Goku. Sorry to keep you all in suspense, but it looks like we finally have a great shot at Zyroko! Will Tenchi and Ryoko's efforts be enough to stop a monster that has already absorbed Yamcha and Piccolo? I sure hope so, because it looks like Washu and Bulma's healing plans are going to be a bit delayed. Tenchi is the first up against Zyroko...but what's this? Having the towel thrown in already by Washu and Tsunami? Don't miss the next chapter....you know you'll kick yourself for it!"

Chapter 14 - Tenchi's start, Tsunami's end

Washu: It's unquestionably time to get back for what Zyroko has done!

**********

Hey guys, I know what happened. Chapter 13 took just as long, if not longer than chapter 12. I hope not too many of you are mad. I got caught up in a lot of things; web mastering, administrating message boards, and most of all........SCHOOL. I had two weeks of midterms, and several research papers and quarter projects I had to work on over nearly all of January. Now that they are over, I could finally sit down and write some. I am fairly impressed with this chapter. Tenchi's new ki technique, the Hitokousen, is actually a legidimate japanese attack, so to say. 'Hito' means supernatural fire, and 'kousen' means beam. So Tenchi is firing a Supernatural fire beam... A lot of time and effort went into it. I can only hope the future chapters will be as good, and get up a lot quicker. SSJ Nate, out.