Tenchi Muyo: The Final Saga

Disclaimer: I don't own the Tenchi cast, or any of its characters. I did however create The Ebon Shard, the two universe's, Tenchi and Ryoko's son, Yosho [boy with golden eyes] (Please note I DID NOT create Tenchi or Ryoko), Blackshire, Planet Plesruis Commander Katiso, and Kenzar. Thank you.

* Means a note at the end of the story

Tenchi Muyo: The Final Saga:?!

Chapter 15: Dark Days, Forces Gather

THE LEGEND:

The legend of the two Universes' is an ancient one. These days it is told only to calm children with nightmares. You see, in one dimension, called the Universe of Delight, good always triumphs in the end. Things may not be perfect, yet in the end justice and right shall never fail. However, the other universe, The Universe of Torment, is not so fortunate. It is a realm where evil reigns supreme. In the end the evils that roam that plane stand triumphant and those with pure hearts must be prepared, in the end, to die by these monster's hands.

But, that is not the entirety of the legend. For you see, the old legend states that one day a being of purest evil will leave The Universe of Torment, and wage a horrible war with the Universe of Delight. This monster shall be born from love, yet be the bane of all that have love inside themselves. His hate and fury will lay waste entire worlds, and all of time will quake at his passing. If the demon is defeated, then the Universe of Torment will forever be free of its curse. The curse that evil shall always prevail. But if the demon is not stopped, then the Universe of Delight will fall under the same curse as it's parallel, and every living thing in both universes shall know unending pain and suffering for all time.

The horror of this war was but a painful memory to the Masaki family, however recent events have changed that, from dreaded nightmare, to reality.

"Where there's day, there shall come night; when there's smoke, you will find fire; where once there was Yosho, now there is only BLACKSHIRE!"

These are the words spoken by the vile creature that calls himself Blackshire. It is this quote, which has left the extended Masaki family in their current state of shock. No one knows exactly how this demon has survived, and very few actually care. All they know is this; he must be stopped at all costs.

Chapter 15 of 26

The Masaki House:

Five extraordinary women, and a special young man, stood, mouths gaping open, at the television screen before them, which was now blank. They had just witnessed an omen, and none of them had a clue as to how this terror, they were so such had been vanquished, had returned.

"But how? How can this be?" Sasami cried as she buried her teary face into her sister's embrace. "Ryoko and Tenchi said he was dead."

"Because he didn't die. No it's far worse than that." A stern voice asked from behind the gathered family. Stunned by this familiar tone, everyone quickly spun about, there standing with a Tenchi-ken containing no gems, was Yosho, with Ryoko standing right behind him, her arms crossed over her chest. "I had a dream, and in it I knew Blackshire was not dead, but never in my worst nightmares did I see him doing so much damage."

"But how did you-" Ayeka began completely caught off guard by the young man's sudden presence.

"We only arrived moments ago," the golden-eyed young man declared blankly. "Yet even then I can see we are too late." Doing a quick sweep of the area around him, the dimension hopping youth noticed something was missing. "If you don't mind my asking, where is Ryoko?"

Once again the Masaki family cast confused looks at one another. Finally it was Mihoshi, of all people, who answered. " She's right behind you, silly."

After looking over his shoulder at the woman behind him, Yosho merely chuckled. "That's not Ryoko, that's my mother."

"But I thought you were calling Ryoko, mom." Kiyone said still unsure what to make of this bizarre turn of events.


"Yes, I was but… well things have changed in my universe." The young man declared. "It's obvious none of you know where Ryoko is, so I'll find her." Closing his eyes, the black haired youth concentrated trying to mentally find the woman he shared a mental link with, until finally he smiled. "I see, of course. If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back." In a flash, the young man disappeared, leaving Ryoko Masaki alone with these people she knew so well, yet was a complete stranger to.

With her usual winning smile, Ryoko glanced around the room. "I see Yosho is as good at explaining things as Tenchi was. Let me give you the basics."

"There's really no need, Little Ryoko," Washu said calmly as she popped a handful of chips in her mouth. "After all it's obvious that you're the Ryoko from Torment, and you and Yosho have been drawn here by Blackshire's revealing himself."

"Washu…"the cyan-haired woman growled between her teeth. No matter what universe I'm in you're still annoying…. "You got luck there, but unlike you guys," as she spoke the golden-eyed woman held up both arms revealing her wrists. "I came prepared."

"You-You've got all three gems back," Tenchi muttered wondering what kind of devastation the woman before him could cause with all her gems.

"That's right, Tenchi dear." She cooed looking at him with hungry eyes. "Yosho gave them to me before Washu sent us here. I've already killed Blackshire twice, doing it again will be no problem. *"

Mayuka's Room:

Ryoko, the universe's most infamous space pirate stood alone beside Mayuka's, crib. Yosho. She mentally sighed. Why did you have to do it? If you were having trouble coping with me leaving you, all you had to do was come here. I'm sure Tenchi wouldn't mind if you stayed with us. You didn't have to deal with that darkness alone, you didn't have to become Blackshire to get my attention….

That's always nice to know, a masculine voice echoed in Ryoko's mind. Don't get me wrong, I like knowing you were concerned about me, mom, but I can take care of myself.

"Yosho," the silver-haired woman gasped as she slowly turned around to see the black-haired youth standing before her. "What are you doing here?"

"Mother and I came back to finish off Blackshire." He said coldly. "It's time for me to end that monster's life. I should have known killing him wouldn't be that easy, nothing ever is when he's involved."

"No I mean if you're not Blackshire, then who is?" Ryoko asked confused by the recent turn of events.

Shaking his head, the young man could not answer. "I don't know. But there is one thing I would like to know. We haven't seen each other in over a month; don't I even get a hello, or even a hug? Or do you hate me now?"

Wiping a newly formed tear from her eyes, Ryoko smiled, and embraced the man she had once called son. "You know I almost went back to Torment for you. The day after I got here."

"What stopped you?"

"Tenchi said I could go whenever I wanted, and that it would be with his blessing." She muttered. "That's when I realized," Ryoko's voice changed her usual arrogance returning. "Where would the fun be in that? If I left and he was okay with it, then it wouldn't have that hint of danger, now would it?"

Yosho laughed loudly, "I see you haven't changed a bit. Well, come on. We have to see the others. I left them with mother, and you know it's dangerous to leave Ryoko with Tenchi."

"Mother, do you mean?"

"Yes." He said solemnly, his arm around her shoulders as they walked out the door. "She's awake." The silver-haired woman sighed sharply with relief, in the sea of emotional torment she had been in, she could finally draw comfort from the fact that the man she called son, had someone to take care of him. "But we can talk, and reminisce later, right now we need to make a plan about Blackshire."

Later:

The extended Masaki family, and their guests, sat around the living room, in silence, each one trying to figure out what was going on. One minute their lives had seemed to be going smoothly, the next everything was in complete chaos. Ryoko Masaki sat next to her son, occasionally casting glances at the silver-haired woman who sat beside the young man, Tenchi Masaki. On his other side, was the woman who had been Ryoko's archrival, Ayeka Jurai. I remember those days, she thought darkly. Those days were full of joy. I wish I could go back to them. Then at least my Tenchi would be alive, but knowing what I know now, I suppose it's for the best. I don't think I could bear to go on knowing I had Tenchi, and that if I ever had him again he would die. I couldn't go through that, not again. So I guess I'm stuck, the cyan-haired woman mentally laughed as she watched the young man like a hawk, I can't go back, but there's no reason for me to go forward. I guess that's why I'm here. Right old friend**, better to die in battle, than to sit around waiting for my time to run out….

"There is else something I need to tell you." Yosho declared, finally ending the long silence. "I think I know how Blackshire has survived…."

"And how would that be?" Washu inquired leaning towards the youth who was her grandson from another universe.

"It's all my fault, really. I should have known he would try something like this."

"Well enough of your stalling," Ayeka snapped. "Just spit it out!"

"You always were bossy one, Ayeka." The cyan-haired woman with three gems stated. "It's really very simple. I'm surprised none of you figured it out by now. Tenchi…" she asked looking at the young man with predatory eyes. "Where is my necklace?"

"Your necklace? You mean the one that Yosho had…. Well, you see I… I…" looking into her golden eyes, the young man had to bolster all his courage to say three simple words, "I lost it. I'm sorry, but I have no idea where it is. But is this really the time to be looking for a lost piece of jewelry?"

"It's more than just a piece of jewelry. To me it symbolizes the love my Tenchi had for me, but to the rest of you," the golden-eyed woman interrupted. "It's how Blackshire survived."

"What are you talking about?" Kiyone asked, tired of Ryoko Masaki's half answers.

"When he died on the Ebon Shard, don't you remember seeing that bizarre black lighting?" Yosho asked as he looked at each woman, and Tenchi, looking for a spark of recognition in their eyes. "It was the last things I saw before I blacked out, and awoke in Ryoko's arms. After my terrible dream, I realized what I had done. I had unleashed Blackshire on your Universe, when I left that pendant here."

"You weren't entirely to blame," the silver-haired demon announced. "I left it here, after you gave it to me."

"So if we get the necklace back, then Commander Katiso will be back to normal?" Mihoshi said a hopeful look in her large blue eyes.

"Yeah!" Kiyone said, trying to stay on the positive side of things. "Plus this is the Universe of Delight, that means Blackshire doesn't stand a chance here!"

"That would be true, if it was Katiso." Ryoko declared sadly. "But you see there's one problem, I've seen this kind of destruction before. It's the work of Kenzar. Mass destruction, murder, and pillaging those are the trademarks of a true space pirate, not a would be demon."


"So what you are saying is Kenzar is Katiso?" Ayeka asked, not believing a word the former demon of the Masaki shrine said. "How is that possible?"

"Yeah, Ryoko!" Mihoshi agreed thrusting one arm in the air to emphasize her point. "We saw Katiso before, and he doesn't look anything like what Kenzar is supposed to. Plus, Katiso is a Galaxy Police Officer, and Kenzar is a space pirate. I don't think you can be both, can you Kiyone." After everyone got up off the floor, from collapsing anime style, Kiyone, as normal, prepare to yell at her slow-witted companion, but before she had a chance, Little Washu spoke up.

"That's because they were using holographic inducers," the red-haired woman said once again showing off her great intellect. "I didn't mention it sooner to all of you because, I thought maybe Katiso and his men were trying to keep they real identities a secret, but now I can see that they were fooling us."

"Okay," Kiyone said, sounding angry after Washu's statement. "I suppose I can buy that, but how is it possible for them to be alive? The Yenvala blew up right after they dropped Tenchi off. Remember, the ship was going to explode due to some engine trouble?"

"Another one of Kenzar's patented tricks," the lithe silver-haired woman observed. "He always liked to make people think he was dead, and…"

"And having a ship where no one could detect him, would make it impossible to figure out where he was." The emerald-eyed super genius realized. "Then that would also solve who attacked the Science Academy! But why would he-"

"I don't know much about Kenzar, but if I know Blackshire," the black-haired young man cryptically said, "and I can promise you this much, it will not be anything good."

"OH NO!" Tenchi screamed, causing everyone to turn and face him. "I was trying to figure out how Blackshire would have even MET Kenzar, and now I know how he got the necklace. It was when I visited The Yenvala. I let Katiso see it, and he called me Masaki. I remember feeling uneasy; because of the way he said it. Now that I think about it, the voice he used could only have been Blackshire's. DAMN!" Pausing, the young man let him blood cool, and his embarrassment fade. The young man, called Tenchi, was not one to normally curse, yet at the time that had seemed to be the only word worth saying. "Sorry about that. It all makes sense now, that weird dream I had, that experience I had with Mayuka long ago. All of it was Blackshire's doing, his attempt to take over me."

"But didn't he tell you in that dream that you would die embracing him?" Ayeka asked with concern for her beloved prince. "I don not think you would ever hug that monster."

"True, but he also wasn't sure what he was talking about." Tenchi stated morbidly, "maybe it was all a lie, or maybe he was going to try and get Mayuka, like he did when he first showed up."

"OH!" Ryoko snarled in frustration, "We're wasting time! I know more about Kenzar than anyone else, with the exception of Kagato, but he's dead! So that makes me the expert, and I say we better get going if we are gonna stop that mad man!"

"I don't think you'll be getting very far without your gems, Ryoko." Washu declared pointing to her own wrists merely to add to her point. As she looked at her wrists, the silver-haired woman realized, to her own anger, her mother was right. "Not only that, but the last time you fought Blackshire, you had only one gem, and he nearly killed you. What good do you think you'll do with no gems? "

"Okay, fine, then give me the gems, Tenchi!" Ryoko shouted holding out one hand, waiting for her reward.

"Your gems?" Tenchi asked, his mind still not up to the current conversation. "Why do you need them back?"

"Because without a gem on my left wrist," the silver-haired woman complained, "I can't control Ryo-Ohki. You know that! I told you the first time we met."

"Oh yeah, of course." Tenchi mumbled, ashamed of his poor memory. "But you know Ryoko, I just thought of something. The last time we fought Blackshire, he DID hurt you really badly. Maybe you should just stay here."

The look on the silver-haired woman's face said it all. She was stunned, or rather hurt, that he would leave her behind. Especially since she would do anything to protect him, even at the cost of her own life. "But Tenchi, I thought you said you loved me?" With a lightning quick motion, the young man clasped his hand over the silver-haired woman's mouth, preventing her from saying anything else. Of course, this drew the attention of everyone in the room.

"Was something wrong with what my daughter said, Tenchi?" Washu asked, an evil grin on her face. "Or were you lying to her when you said you loved her? Because that really doesn't sound like your style, to be perfectly honest."

Blast, Ryoko I wanted to break the news to them in a little more gentle setting. Especially Ayeka, I can picture what she'll say and do. At that instant a chibi version of Ayeka appeared in his mind, rivers of tears pouring from her eyes as she fell to the floor in a massive temper tantrum. Oh well, I suppose there's no turning back now. "Well you see, girls," the young man stammered embarrassed. "I recently discovered how much I care for Ryoko. I still care for all of you, but finally after all these years, I can actually say that Ryoko is foremost in my heart."

The reply the young man received was not what he had expected. Instead of crying, and threats from Ayeka, all the girls merely stared at him indifferently.

"We already knew that, Lord Tenchi," Ayeka replied solemnly. "Ryoko told us at dinner, just after you left. Although I must admit that it did upset me at first, as I have had some time to cope with it, I realized in the end it was your decision. Yes, I would have rather you choose me or at least a woman of noble birth, one worthy of your affections, but if you have made up your mind to give your love to this mons… to Ryoko, then I shall not stand in your way."

Before her counterpart from Torment could reply, the silver-haired woman pulled Tenchi's hand away, an easy feat since the young man was stunned, and spoke, "I figured we'd try a different approach than the style you and your Tenchi used. I wanted to be out in the open about it."

Congratulations, Ryoko. Yosho said mentally, I told you that no one could take from you what was rightfully yours. Now aren't you glad you came back?

Not really sure what the silver haired demon was talking about to her other self; Tenchi focused his attention on the purple haired princess beside him. "Ok, I guess I can understand that." He replied in a semi-confused tone, "But if you already knew, then why were the two of you still fighting?"

"Old habits die hard, I suppose," the purple-haired princess said, sounding a little embarrassed. "Besides, I said we knew you loved her, I never said anything about my own opinion changing of that monster woman."

"Excuse me!" Washu snapped entering the conversation. "I'm glad my Little Ryoko and Tenchi are so happy, but if you don't mind, I would like to talk about a more pressing issue. Namely that nut job on Plesruis, you know BLACKSHIRE!"

"Tenchi!" Ryoko shouted flinging her arms around him, causing Ayeka to look away in mild disgust, while commenting on the 'fair maiden worried about her knight routine.' Looking up at him with tears streaming down her face, Ryoko shook her head. "You can't go fight him. If you do I just KNOW something terrible will happen. Just like in my nightmare…."

"Alright!" The young man snapped, holding her by the shoulders so he could look her square in the eyes. "I know you don't want to talk about it Ryoko, but you've been dropping too many hints to avoid it anymore. Nothing else is happening until you TELL ME what it was you dreamed last night."

At that the room fell completely silent. Tenchi Masaki was not one to lose his patience easily, and when he did, everyone knew better than to argue with him. Coughing, almost as if she was embarrassed, the silver haired woman looked first at Tenchi, then at the others around her. "All right, but if any of you decides to laugh at me…." The golden-eyed space pirate declared forming a crimson energy ball to accent her point.

"No one will laugh," Tenchi reassured her, sounding just about out of patience, yet at the same time very soothing. It was one of the things she loved so much about him, how no matter how grim the situation, he always seemed in control of himself.

"Okay then." Sighing painfully, the still shaken woman began her tale. "I'm not sure how it happened, but when my dream began, I was back on The Ebon Shard. When I opened my eyes I saw Ayeka, in her Jurai battle suit, laying on the floor in front of me with a hole in her chest." As she said this, all eyes shifted the purple haired princess, who had turned a shade whiter. "But that wasn't what made me scared, what got to me was still to come. I knelt down, noticing blood on my hands, Ayeka's blood. When I picked up her body, I heard something behind me, it was you Tenchi." Taking a tattered breath, the silver haired woman slowly restarted her story. "You looked at me, with a furious look in your eyes, and said; 'you killed Ayeka, how could you?!' Before I could make a reply, you stabbed me in the chest with the Tenchi-ken, and smiled. Then just before everything faded to black, you looked down at me, pointing the blade at my face, and said; 'It's obvious you never loved me, no one who loves me would kill those who mean so much to me. But if you want me to believe you, then do me, and the whole universe a favor, and die. Not only that, but burn in hell, for me.' With that you walked away, and then everything faded to black."

"And you're worried about that happening?" The brown-haired youth shouted. "You know I would never hurt, or say anything like that to any of you girls."

"Of course I know that, but…" Ryoko from delight paused, feeling uncomfortable once again. "But it wasn't so much what happened, but this feeling I got seeing you walk away. You were walking into the darkness, and I knew you wouldn't survive. Don't you see, if I have to die no that ship, that's fine with me, but I will not let anything happen to you, Tenchi!"

"Besides," Ayeka said looking at her archrival wickedly, "there is no way someone as barbaric as you could ever hope to kill me. I am really just too much for you Ryoko, darling."

"I've got an idea!" Mihoshi shouted, getting a look of surprise from everyone. "What if Tenchi didn't go? We can take care of Blackshire, and then no one will have to die!"

"No, I can't do that." The young shrine caretaker in training declared. "I am responsible for what's happening on that planet, and it's my job to stop that monster. This time for good. "

"Well you can count me in!" The youthful looking demon shouted.

Standing up, Tenchi sighed heavily, as he cast his eyes downward on her. "Ryoko…."

Not one to be scolded, the silver-haired woman also leapt to her feet, "Listen Tenchi, I have to be there to make sure my dream doesn't happen. Why don't you make Ayeka stay behind? She's the most worthless!"

"WHAT!" the purple haired woman shouted shooting to her feet. "How dare you say such a thing? I'll have you know as a Jurain Princess I have more power than a monster like you could ever hope to wield!"

"Oh Really? I can prove you're weaker than me," Ryoko snarled glaring into Ayeka's red eyes.

"Oh please, stop fighting," Sasami said tugging her sister's kimono. "This really isn't helping anything, and…"

"Ryoko!" Washu said pulling on her daughter's dress, "we really don't have the time for this sort of thing! Just do what Tenchi says, and…"

"Oh dear," Mihoshi said, trying to get to her feet to stop the war, which was brewing. "You two really! Don't fight or… Whoa!" Rising to her feet too quickly, the ditzy blonde tripped over the edge of the coffee table and tumbled right back into Kiyone's lap, causing the teal-haired detective to moan in pain.

"Get off me Mihoshi!" Kiyone screamed trying to push the dark skinned woman off her lap, yet instead she only seemed to be making the situation worse, somehow.

As chaos blossomed in the room, Tenchi Masaki could only look around in sheer amazement. The only two, besides himself, who was not involved in the battle raging in his living room, was Yosho, and the Ryoko from torment. The young man merely stared into the battle, as if possessed by it, while the cyan-haired woman seemed strange, he couldn't place what it was about her, yet as he looked at her looking at his family fighting, the young man felt sad. Finally after a few moments, Tenchi could stand no more, "RYOKO!" He shouted, ending the yelling and fighting around him, as well as causing both women who bore that name to instantly turned to face him.

"What is it Tenchi?" The two Ryoko's sweetly asked, appearing directly in front of him, both smiling cheerfully.

Taken back by this turn of events, after all having two Ryoko's before you would be enough to unbalance anyone. "You," he finally said, having regained his assertiveness, as he pointed to the visiting Ryoko, "stay here." Then he quickly turned to his Ryoko. "You, come with me." Grabbing her wrist, the young man quickly led her into the kitchen.

"Well that ended things abruptly," Washu said with her hands on her hips. "I wish he would have done that sooner."

"I agree," Ayeka, said trying to calm herself down, as she straightened the few hairs that had gone wild in her combat with Ryoko.

Silence once again claimed the living room, yet even this silence was soon to end. It was ended by a sudden laughing, "That's what we looked like!" Ryoko laughed, falling onto the couch behind her in laughter. "You all looked so hilarious!"

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Ryoko," Kiyone said, grateful to have her blonde partner no longer on her lap.

Ayeka growled, having finally calmed her nerves, and straightened her hair. "It seems no matter where she is from, Ryoko is Ryoko." Looking away, the purple haired princess quickly muttered under her breath, "aren't we the lucky ones…."

Minutes Later:

Tenchi Masaki slowly came out of the kitchen a serious look on his face. Breathing deep the young man noticed everyone was staring at him. "All right. I managed to convince Ryoko to stay behind." He said with finality. "We need someone to watch Mayuka, and I figured since we went through all the trouble of getting Ryoko back, it would be best to have her stay behind."

"Well I shall not stay behind, Lord Tenchi," Ayeka proclaimed. "If this monster is still alive, then it could become a threat to the entire universe, including Jurai's territory. It is my duty as first princess to deal with this before it becomes a crisis."

"If Ayeka's going, then I wanna go too!" the little blue haired girl chimed.

"I think this is a job for the Galaxy Police, Sasami," Kiyone said stepping forward.

"Yeah," Mihoshi agreed, "and we're gonna be hungry when we get back, and I could really go for some rice balls!"

"Tenchi," Sasami yelled wrapping her tiny arms around his waist. "I want to help out, please don't make me stay!"

Shaking his head, the young man hated what he was about to say. "I'm afraid Mihoshi and Kiyone are right, it's too dangerous for you to go with us."

Releasing him, as if he was on fire, Sasami's eyes welled with tears. "It's not fair!" she yelled turning him as she ran towards the stairs. However instead of running up the stairs, she instead ran into Yosho, who looked down at her with concern in her eyes in his golden eyes.

"Aunt Sasami," he said quietly, glancing up at the clock on the wall. "It's getting late. Shouldn't you be getting ready for bed? I'll tell you what, why don't I take you upstairs. Maybe I can make you feel better about staying behind. Besides, there's something very important I need to ask you to do for me, okay?"

Although she had only known him a short time, as the little blue-haired girl looked into his golden-eyes, she saw the kindness of Tenchi, yet also the power of Ryoko. "Okay," she said in a tiny voice, letting him take one of her small hands into his own.

After the duo had ascended the stairs, the cyan-haired woman looked at those around her, "Well, you know that Yosho and I are going with you. It's why we came here."

"Excuse me, Ryoko," Ayeka asked her curiosity showing, "but what favor is it Yosho is going to ask my sister?"

"How should I know," the golden-eyed woman declared staring at Tenchi as she spoke. "I can't read the boy's mind or anything."

Trying to diffuse a fight, before it started, Tenchi quickly looked at the small red-haired who had been silent for the last few minutes. "What about you, Washu? Are you going to come with us?"

"No," she declared with a shrug of her shoulders. "I should probably stay here to watch those two. After all, Ryoko isn't the most responsible person we know. But here," Washu said as she typed on her ethereal keyboard, suddenly a small box fell from a portal, which opened over her head. "Take this with you. Once you get the necklace off that black armored weirdo, this should be able to contain his essence."

"There really is no need for that thing, Washu." The cyan-haired woman declared. "Since I'm going to kill him for what he's done to my son. The only thing that'll be left of him when I'm through will be a bad memory."

"All right then," Tenchi said interrupting the ready to fight woman, "then it's decided. Washu, Sasami, and Ryoko will stay here, and the rest of us will go to fight Blackshire. Just let me go get my sword, and-"

"Wait a moment, Tenchi." An old voice said from the door. Turning everyone noticed Lord Katsuhito standing in the doorway, a wooden training sword slung over his shoulder. "So, you are all off to face this Blackshire person again? Very well, if you must, but I must insist you leave the sword here."

"How long have you been standing there, grandpa?" Tenchi asked as startled as the others.

"But why, brother?" Ayeka asked worriedly. "The sword is Tenchi's, you gave it to him. Why shouldn't he take it?"

"I have been here, long enough, to know what's going on." He began, looking solely at the visiting Ryoko. "As you know, the gems are Ryoko's source of power, if anything should happen to all of you, and Blackshire was able to take Ryoko's gems, then we would be completely unable to defend ourselves against his power."

"But, what will I use to protect myself?" the young man asked starting to get flustered. Instead of replying, the old man tossed him the wooden sword he had carried.

"Use this if you must, but I would have thought one with access to the Lighthawk sword wouldn't need something like this," having said that, the old shrine priest turned and walked back towards the shrine.

Meanwhile:

Upstairs:

"There you are," Yosho said softly as he tucked Sasami into her bed, smiling broadly as he did.

"You know what I like about you," the little girl said happily. "You're always so happy, that it makes me not feel sad anymore when I look at you."

Slowly the young man shook his head. "I'm not really that happy a guy, Aunt Sasami. It's just that…well, as I look at you laying there, it reminds me of when I was a little boy, and you would tuck me in at night. Now it seems I'm doing the same for you. Not only that, but your saying things that I used to tell MY aunt Sasami when she would comfort me after a nightmare."

"Really," the blue-haired princess said, always fascinated to hear about her other self, "you know, you never did tell me, where is the me of your Universe? She wasn't killed was she?"

Turning his head slowly, Tenchi's son gazed out the window at the sea of stars before him. "No. She's still alive, but right now… right now she's busy attending to her duties as the first princess of Jurai. I haven't seen here since that day."

The two sat in silence, looking out at the infinite splendor of the night's sky. Finally Sasami's teary voice shattered the quiet meeting, "I don't wanna be the first princess, Yosho." She said as if it explained everything. "Please make sure Ayeka comes back safely, and make sure Mihoshi, Kiyone, and Tenchi stay safe too. Pleaasse!"

Yosho laughed, placing one of his muscular hands on the little girl's head. "I promise. Now I have a favor to ask of you."


"Sure, I'll do anything to make sure my family comes homes safe." Sasami declared passionately.

"Great, because I need you to get me something. I'd ask mother, but she can't do it." Casting him a confused glance, the pink-eyed girl continued to wait for the man with golden eyes request. "It shouldn't be that hard for you, but what I need is…"

A Few Minutes Later:

Coming down the stairs, Yosho did his best to steel his nerves, as he prepared to face the others. He felt quiet unnerved when he arrived at the base of the staircase, and saw everyone staring at him. "I see you all must be ready. Sorry to keep you waiting, now then, shall we be off?"

"Wait!" Washu shouted seeming to come out of a trance, "don't forget these!" Pressing a few keys on her ethereal laptop, the little red haired woman once again produced six small devices, or to be more exact six communication relays. "I made some more of them in case an emergency came up, and it's a good thing, since we always seem to have our fair share of emergencies. You do remember how to use them right? You just put them over your ear, and that way I can measure vital signs, as well as teleport you here, if anything should go wrong."

Ryoko Masaki looked at the small ear sized machine. "Well, I don't think we'll need them, but if it'll shut you up so we can go…." Placing it on her ear, the golden-eyed woman grinned, looking at the brown-haired young man nearby. "So Tenchi, how do I look?"

"Uh, well you look fine, I guess…" the young man replied unsure how to answer the double of the woman he cherished.

"Mrs. Ryoko!" Ayeka shouted having finally finished putting her own transmitter on her ear. "It wasn't bad enough you had to seduce Lord Tenchi once, can't you leave the one you're working on alone?"

The two girls snarled as they looked at each other, like two lioness' ready to leap at their prey. Yet before any violence began, the cyan-haired woman straighten up, smiling heartily. "All right, Ayeka. Besides I'd much rather pick on you."

This is gonna be a long trip…. Tenchi mentally groaned as he shook his head in defeat.

Twenty Minutes Later:

Washu stood at the window, watching the large red GP cruiser blast off into outer space. When they were no longer in sight, she still continued to look out into the vastness of space, as if by doing so they would be back sooner. Finally, when the house had become so quiet she could hear a pin drop, the small scientist went into the kitchen, to grab herself a snack before bed.

The Kitchen:

"OH!" Washu started as she opened the door, to a well-lit kitchen. Yet that was not what had surprised the diminutive genius. Instead it was what she saw was Ryoko, with her hand on her right cheek and a stunned look Washu hadn't seen on the silver-haired woman's face since that night long ago when Mayuka had first joined the unique family. "What's wrong, Ryoko?" The smaller woman asked nonchalantly as she made her way to the refrigerator.

For a few moments, Ryoko merely stood there, as if in a shock. "Tenchi," she finally said in a whispered tone. "He…."

"He didn't hit you again, did he?" the small red haired said dropping her plate of goodies. It was a sight she could never forget. Despite how long ago it happened, it had left a scar on the little genius's heart, and would always be foremost in her mind. Mayuka had been lost, apparently by Ryoko, and when the orange-eyed girl returned home, a vicious battle between her and Ryoko had broke out. Tenchi, to his credit, did his best to calm the two girls, even stepping in between them and trying to hold back the silver-haired woman, but in the end the stress of the situation had got to him, and the young man did something which to this day still made Washu cringle.

He hit my little girl, the small woman remembered. It had been just a slap, and no physical harm had come to the golden-eyed woman, but nevertheless, it was something the green-eyed genius had wished she had never seen. According to her daughter's memories, which she checked periodically, and of course it was only a surface scan, to check up on her daughter, that night the entire episode had been apologized for and everything was all but forgotten.

"No," the silver haired woman said, her face finally changing expression, turning into a smile. "He kissed me on the cheek, and told me something." A single tear rolling down her face. "Tenchi told me that when he was a kid, he used to always dream of coming home, and being greeted by the woman he loves. He would picture how they would hug, since they were so happy to see each other. The woman he met each day would be his wife, the woman who was to be the mother of his children, and Tenchi asked me…. He asked me to make sure I met him when he got home."

"Oh…." Washu declared sounding disappointed, despite the fact she sighed in relief. As she picking up her snack tray, "so like a good little girl, or should I say a good doggie, you're going to wait for him?"

Almost instantly the lithe woman grabbed the small scientist, who had just enough time to place her food on the counter, before she was violently shook. "WHAT DID YOU SAY? How dare you call me a dog, Washu?"

"It was…just a … joke," the red-haired woman declared as she shook in her daughter's arms. "Honest…. Look, why don't we go to the Onsen, it'll calm you down. It'll be great, just like old times. We can sit in the warm water, and tell girly stories about boys, while we have some Saki…."


"The only one of those things we've ever done is drink Saki, Washu," Ryoko reminded her smaller mother in an irritated tone. "But all right, if it'll shut you up. I'll go."

Shaking her head in amusement, the red-haired woman smiled. Ryoko is Ryoko, no matter where you are. "Alright, I'll be there in a minute. I want to get a snack first, see you there."

Ryoko prepared to leave, but before she teleported, the golden-eyed woman looked at the night sky. Tenchi…please be careful. Please, let me welcome you home. I didn't say it earlier, but I'm certain of it now. The Ryoko in my nightmare had three gems; I don't want to think about what that could mean…. Please, my Tenchi, come home safely, and come home as you.

An hour later:

Aboard the Yagami:

Kiyone sat at the helm of her starship, the controls clenched tightly in her hands, as she peered into the endless darkness of space. I can't believe how easily we were tricked, how easily I was tricked. Never mind that Tenchi's losing the necklace let Blackshire loose on the universe, I handed The Ebon shard to Kenzar without even asking for any ID! What kind of rookie mistake is that? Now, thanks to me, this monster is even stronger than before.

Before the teal haired woman could continue to berate herself a sudden noise, caused by the opening of the door behind her, interrupted her. "Hello, Ryoko," she said looking over her shoulder, "what's up?" The cyan-haired woman said nothing; instead she merely stared at her companion. "Is something wrong?" the blue-green eyed woman asked feeling unnerved by the quiet visitor's unending stare.

"No." Ryoko finally said. "Nothing at all. It's good to see you again, Kiyone. It's been too long." Turning around Ryoko slammed into Mihoshi, causing the ditzy blonde to spill her drink all over the two of them.

"Sorry about that, Ryoko." The tanned skinned galaxy police officer declared, looking at the stains on their clothes. "But I didn't know you were in here."

"It's okay," the woman from Torment declared, as she examined her dress. "I haven't had you spill anything on me in… well it's been a long time." An eerie silence filled the air, as the three women sat and stood in discomfort. Coughing the cyan-haired space pirate spoke up, "Tenchi and Yosho wanted me to come ask you how long it would be before we reached Plesruis."

"Two hours," Kiyone said with a grim determination, "at the most."

"Okay then. See you then," the former demon of the Masaki shrine said heading out the door. "When this is all over, we'll all go home, and have a bottle of Saki. It'll be like old times…."

"But Ryoko," the blue-eyed woman said not following Ryoko's message. "We did that last night." Even though it was a completely innocent statement, the time and space traveler's heart still felt the sting of those words.

For no matter how much they looked, sounded, or acted like the women she had shared so many adventures with, they would never be them. Steeling her nerves, Ryoko Masaki slowly flew away, waiting to let her tears come out until she was far from the eyes of anyone else.

In another portion of the ship:

Tenchi Masaki, and the young man who could have been his son, stood side by side looking into the unending darkness of space. "I am sorry about all this, father…" cursing himself under his breath the young man continued sounding angry at his mistake. "I mean Tenchi. This whole thing is my fault."

Placing his hand on the muscular youth's shoulder, the brown-haired youth smiled. "You can call me father, if you want Yosho. It's no problem, really. After all, in a way I am your dad, and none of this is your fault. I lost my mother when I was younger than you, and I know how painful it can be. What matters is that you are ready to face your own demons."

With a weak chuckle, the golden-eyed young man turned to look at his father. "It's funny how our lives are always intertwined with demons, some we can love, and some we have to fight."

Catching his hidden meaning, Tenchi nodded. "Yeah it is. Although my demon is also the woman I love."

"Ah…" the young man sighed coyly, nudging his elder in the ribs. "Do I hear wedding bells in the future?"

"No!" the Jurain prince shouted. "I just said I loved Ryoko, I never said anything about marriage!"

"Oh come on," the man from torment said, locking his arm around his dad's neck. "Don't tell me you never thought about it…."

"No!" Tenchi screamed nervously, as he always used to when Ryoko was near him.

Ayeka Jurai watched the entire scene from her position across the room. They look so happy together. Like they really are related. I wonder… is a son like this in Lord Tenchi's future? Walking to the door the purple haired woman smiled. If he is, he will be a welcome addition. I think I'll leave them be for now. I wonder where that demon woman they're talking about ran off to?

Opening the door, the young princess soon had her answer, as she collided with Ryoko, who seemed to be floating aimlessly down the hall.

"I see you are never paying any attention to what's going on around you, Ryoko." Ayeka said as she dusted herself off, sitting on the floor in a very unlady-like manner.

"And you still assume everyone is gonna just get outta your way, don't you little princess," the cyan-haired woman snarled, as she looked down at the purple haired woman from where she floated in the air. Ayeka Jurai opened her mouth to make a rather nasty rebuttal, however she was stopped by what the cyan-haired woman said next. "I guess that's why I always considered you my best friend, since we're quiet a like."

Rising to her feet the young princess of Jurai cast her rival from another universe a stunned glare, "have you been drinking, Ryoko? You and I have little in common. I mean really…."

"One," the golden-eyed woman holding up one finger, "we both love Tenchi, and would do anything for him." Ayeka shrugged, muttering her agreement on that point. "Two," she continued holding up a second finger, "both of us are too stubborn to just give up on getting something we want. We may have different methods, but deep down, we're the same. And of course, three," the golden-eyed woman grinned broadly, "we both love to drink. Now don't lie, I've seen you put it away…." With that the cyan-haired woman cackled loudly, lying back in the air, amused by her own statement.

"Very well, Ryoko." The purple haired princess admitted. "Yet I would hardly call you my friend, more like a sister gone bad, than anything else."

Ryoko Masaki stopped laughing looking the woman who was, in a way, once her rival, square in the eyes. "Thanks, Ayeka, and I just wanted to say… I'm sorry I let you down. I'm sorry you got killed."

Placing her hand on the cyan-haired woman's skinny shoulder, Ayeka smiled. "Think nothing of it Ryoko. Besides," she mused, "There is no need to apologize, especially since I know you would never do such a thing normally. My getting killed was, from what Yosho told us, my own choosing. You said we'd each do anything for lord Tenchi, and that would have been the way I chose to die, protecting his memory, mother-in-law, and his child. Now if you'll excuse me, I wish to freshen up before the coming battle." With that, the purple haired princess turned, walking down the long hallway of the Yagami.

"Thanks…." The cyan haired woman whispered. It had done her soul good to speak with her friends, who had died so long ago. Ayeka's last words made the silver haired woman laugh. "Going to freshen up before battle, what is she thinking? I…. Wait a minute!" Ryoko's voice changed from happy to angered as she recounted the people her Ayeka claimed to die fighting for. "That little sneak! Dying for Tenchi's memory, Yosho, and Washu, but if it was for me, NO! Well, little princess, see if I'm nice to you anymore!" Whirling about, the cyan-haired woman continued on her random path, now obsessed with vengeance on the Jurain Princess.

2 Hours Later:

Planet Plesruis:

The galaxy police that had been nearby when the carnage began battled with all their might against Blackshire's newly risen army, as well as his new recruits. However even with all their weaponry and training, it seemed they were outmatched. It would only be a matter of time before the battle turned to the evil creature's aid, even if aid came it was doubtful they would live long enough to benefit from it.

"Damn it all!" a young officer said from his hover bike, as he fired repeated shots at a passing space pirate. He was a slender man, yet his physique showed that he was also quiet strong. At first glance, he would appear to be more of a tiger than a human, with his sloping forehead, and brown moss like hair, which drooped over his face. This was no normal GP officer, this was a Priderian*, a member of a noble and proud race. Currently his orange fur was matted down from his own sweat and blood, which had been spilled many times during this battle, and his lime green eyes, which were the same color throughout, blazed with a furious passion as he continued to fight against his seemingly unstoppable foe.

What are these guys made of? I don't understand! When uncle gave me the job of guarding this planet, no one EVER said anything about fighting undead beasts. I figured it was one of the perks of being the commander's nephew*. Still that name I keep hearing over and over, Kenzar, does make this a big job. So the backup I called in for should be here soon! From what I've heard of Kenzar, Commander Katiso is supposed to be tracking him down. Does that mean he killed the Commander? The young captain did his best to banish such dark thoughts from his mind. "No one could kill Katiso," the tiger-man snarled, firing once again, finally bringing down one of the space pirate's jet bikes soaring down.

"Captain Koreas!" a new recruit said, coming up beside his superior. "What are we going to do? We're hopelessly out gunned, and out manned!"

"We do what Galaxy Police do!" Koreas shouted. "We protect the good citizens of Plesruis, with our lives if we have to, and we pray reinforcements arrive!"

"Sir!" the new recruit shouted. "I just got a message from head quarters. Some ships are on the way, and will be here…"

"WHEN?" the captain shouted in no desire to play games.

"But it will be a full day, even at max speed, before any help shows up!" the young man with golden hair sighed, "the only ship that can get here anytime soon is the Yagami."

"The Yagami! Isn't that the ship owned by First Class detective Kiyone, and her partner Mihoshi?"

"Yes sir. According to reports, they are on the way right now…"

Snorting arrogantly, the angered Priderian smiled. "One ship, with two first class detectives…. What can one ship possibly do? Against that!" as he yelled, the feral officer fired a shot at the massive black vessel, The Yenvala, which hovered high in the sky overhead.

On a Rooftop not far away:

"Kenzar! This is Sigius on the Yenvala, do you copy?" the small commander's voice echoed in the black armored monster's headpiece.

"Yes I read you, Sigius, but please do remember the name is Blackshire now, there really is no need to hide it any longer. Not since the whole universe knows I'm out here."

"Very well, Blackshire, the Yenvala's sensors detect the Yagami has arrived, they'll probably be here any second."

"Excellent, the time I've been waiting for is finally at hand. After so many months, I can finally kill my enemies once and for all!" the evil monster from Torment declared, firing two shots from the massive blasters in his hands. "But don't call my ship the Yenvala, that sounds too peaceful. Please, call it what it was born to be known as, The Ebon Shard! Now summon the men, I want to have a welcoming party for my guests, one worthy of their skills. The time for looking is over. The time for pure vengeance is at hand!"

"What about the Yagami?" the ruby eyed man asked his concern showing in his weasel like voice.

"Destroy it," Blackshire stated casually. "I have no need for such a worthless, underdeveloped weapon. But this would be a good time to test the new weapon system of The Ebon Shard."

"BLACKSHIRE!" a voice thundered behind the ebon behemoth.

"Well, Sigius time to go to work." The large man laughed ending the communication abruptly.

"Or Kenzar, whatever you call yourself, I'm here! Now turn and face me!" the voice continued to thunder.

Turning slowly the black armored beast smiled, his eyes flaring their emerald light proudly. There standing before him was the man who had created him, Yosho Masaki. Standing behind the young man was his aunt, Ayeka, his mother, Ryoko, and Tenchi. "Welcome Prince Tenchi, Prince Yosho, and Lady Ayeka. You'll have to excuse me, if I don't address you as by a proper title, Ryoko, but we each know you too well to know you are no lady."

"You're as cocky and rude in this universe as you are in mine," the cyan-haired woman declared, cracking her knuckles.

"In your universe… what are you…Ah I see," the vile demon hissed. "You must be Yosho's mom. His true mother, the one who I kept sleeping with drugs for a year. Nice to see you've rejoined the world of the living, to bad it's only to die."

"Are you here to fight Blackshire," the golden-eyed woman said stepping in front of her son, "or talk?"

Reacting before the ebon titan could speak, Yosho brandished his blade, appearing right in front of his dark persona. With an equally fast reaction, the emerald-eyed villain fired both of his blasters into his attacker, the resulting explosion hurling the young man away from him and obliterating the vile creature's weapons. "All right, boy, you want to die first, that's fine with me! But I feel I should warn you, I've gotten a lot stronger than I was the last time we met. You see, adding Kenzar's power to my own, which I managed to copy from your own impressive powers, has made me unstoppable."

Rising to his feet, the Tenchi-ken still clutched in his hand, Yosho grinned. "No, I don't care kind of power you think you have, I will kill you. You may have power, but in a fair fight you know I can always take you."

Once again Blackshire chuckled. "My dear, Yosho," he said with a weak sigh, "who said anything about playing fair?"

It was then that a horrible screech filled the air behind the young golden-eyed prince; it was the scream of his mother in pain. Turning nearly instantly, Yosho's eyes were met by a terrifying sight. In the sky behind him stood, at least, thirty men, dressed in black clothing, their names written in blood on their chests. Each figure's eyes glowed just like Blackshire's, yet these men seemed to have no will of their own. Behind these floating monstrosities, was a line of savage looking men, who the young prince quickly realized was what remained of Kenzar's living crew.

"Beautiful aren't they? Everyone who has ever come in contact with me is mine to control. I could have you, Ryoko, or even lord Tenchi if I wanted. But that would ruin the fun. Instead I'm going to kill you all, here and now." Holding out a clawed hand, Blackshire fashioned an emerald energy sword, one resembling a broad sword from Ancient Earth lore. "You might be can't beat me, Yosho. Not even you, your aunts, or those stupid insects, the Galaxy Police, can stop me. Besides, I don't want to kill any of you, not yet any way. I merely want to kill Tenchi, I want to see how good those Lighthawk wings of his truly are!"

"Then you'll have to kill me first, Blackshire!" Yosho snarled gripping his weapon firmly before him.

"If you are in that big of a hurry to die, then I shall not disappoint you." The ebon monster declared, holding his broad blade before him. With his free hand he beckoned his youthful adversary towards him, "come then, Prince. Let all the past grievances between us end here and now!"

"For once we agree," the young man hissed holding the Tenchi-ken firmly in his hands as he charged the ebon titan before him. In mere moments this epic battle would be joined, Blackshire verses Yosho, while Tenchi, Ayeka, Ryoko, and the remaining handful of Galaxy Police would wage war against the vile creature's diabolical minions. It was obvious the beginning of dark days, had now begun….

Next Time: It's time for a real fight! Ryoko and the others take on a Blackshire possessed Kenzar and his evil minions. While Kiyone and Mihoshi on the Yagami, along side Ryo-Ohki must engage in combat with the newly powered up EBON SHARD! It's an action packed chapter not to be missed. Plus see a new ability Blackshire has learned, and what is Yosho's request (don't worry this is NOT a hentai / lemon!)? Also how will Ryoko seek vengeance on Ayeka? Will Ryoko's dark dream come true? In one week, Chapter 16: Dark Days are here

  • Ryoko refers to The Blackshire Interval, and Vegeta Muyo 2
  • Once again remember Vegeta Muyo would have occurred in Ryoko Masaki's universe. She's just thinking of an old friend.
  • Captain Koreas is referring to the Commander who dispatched Mihoshi to find Kagato.
  • Thanks to Unholy dragoon for the name of the tiger/human race.