Okee, here's chapter 3….
Tenchi yawned loudly, receiving a glare from his mother. He rolled his eyes in response and tugged at the tight collar of his shirt. His navy blue cloak felt smothering in the warm spring air and, his gold plated tunic weighed heavily, making his movements stiff. His ceremonial circlet of carved wood continually slipped to one side of his head. While Tenchi adjusted the circlet, a palace servant announced the arrival of the Balsi Royal family. The first name called was that of King Azusa. The king was a large, fierce man with a shaggy black beard and a solemn expression. A teal-haired officer stuck closely to his side. Tenchi could almost feel the hostility radiating from Mihoshi, who was posted between him and his mother.
The friendly, blue-haired queen followed her husband. Ayeka, Tenchi's possible fiancé stepped forward. She is very pretty, Tenchi thought dubiously. But she looks so…polite, and formal.
The servant opened his mouth to announce the next individual, then gasped, stuttering uncontrollably. A slim, silver-haired woman strode forward, glancing at the troubled servant.
"The name's Ryoko," she said loudly, in a clear voice. The man swallowed nervously and repeated her name. Tenchi looked at the princess sharply. Same build, similar hair, she even sounds like her, but…The distinctly golden eyes were missing. And the idea that the notorious space pirate was in actuality a princess was utterly ridiculous. Still, this one is very interesting, Tenchi thought, gazing at the princess. She walked with both arrogance and confidence, glancing around the room with a hint of amusement. For a splint instance, her gaze locked with Tenchi's, and he could've sworn her step faltered. But her expression revealed nothing, and she gave the prince an impish smile. The little princess Sasami came last. She grinned cheerily, following the example of her less formal sister.
The Balsian Royal family was seated at the long, ornately decorated table. As the Juraian Royal family seated themselves, the servant announced each of their names.
"Their Royal Highnesses, the King Nobuyuki and Queen Achika." The two were seated at the long end of the table, across from King Azusa and Queen Misaki.
"The first crown prince of Jurai, Tenchi." Tenchi sat across from Ayeka.
"Son of Tokimi, the sister of Achika, Kagato." The tall, green-haired, red-eyed cousin took a seat across from Ryoko.
"Daughter of Tokimi, the sister of Achika, Yugi." A small, blond, blue-eyed girl sat across from Sasami. Sasami offered her a bright smile, and the other girl, looking startled, smiled timidly in return.
Servants wheeled in trays loaded with food. The dishes contained both cuisine native to Balsi and to Jurai. Each person selected the food of his or her preference, and the feasting began. After a few moments of silence, Queen Achika politely tried to begin a conversation.
"I was not aware that there was a third princess of Balsi. And with such a notorious name, as well." King Azusa cleared his throat nervously.
"Er, yes, you can imagine our horror when we discovered a space pirate existed by the same name." Achika nodded sympathetically.
"Yes, and being such an uncommon name…demon summoner is the translation, is it not?"
"That is correct. Ayeka and Ryoko's mother was unique, to say the least." The queen laughed softly, smiling.
"Hmm, yes. I had the privilege of meeting her once…such an intelligent woman. She created the princess' ships, did she not? The Ryo-ouh and the Tsunami?"
"She did create the Ryo-ouh, but the Tsunami appeared much later, around Sasami's birth." Achika looked at him sharply.
"Appeared?"
"It's really quite amazing. When Princess Sasami was born, Ryo-ouh produced a seed, which then grew into a ship. We soon found that the ship would only respond to Sasami."
"Incredible!" Achika exclaimed.
"Truly. We knew Ryo-ouh could reproduce itself, but to produce other ships…it completely baffled our team of scientist."
"Understandably. Washu was a genius in her own league. I was so sorry to hear of her disappearance." There was a brief lull in the conversation. Achika stood up suddenly. "Well, King Azusa, would you and Queen Misaki care to join my husband and I in a more comfortable room, to begin peace negotiations? Give our children a chance to become better acquainted?" The Balsian king nodded and stood, followed closely by Queen Misaki.
"Kiyone," Azusa called over his shoulder, "Stay with the children."
"You too, Mihoshi," Achika ordered. The four adults retired from the room, leaving the two galaxy police officers glaring hatefully at each other. The children looked at them uncertainly.
"Is everything alright, Kiyone?" Ayeka asked. The G.P. jerked her head towards the woman opposite her.
"We used to be partners, Mihoshi and I. We both graduated top of our class; I was first, she was second. Then she stabbed me in the back - "
"Oh, you liar! First of all, I was first in our class, and second, you were the one who - "
"You? Graduating first in class? Don't make me laugh!" Tenchi shifted uncomfortably as the two continued to bicker loudly. He glanced around the table at the various expressions, and then noticed that Ryoko was gone. He twisted around in his seat, catching a flash of blue exiting the room. Where is she going? he wondered.
"Won't you please excuse me?" he said to Ayeka, standing up. The princess nodded quickly, smiling faintly. She looks about as eager to marry a stranger as I am.
* * * *
Ryoko hurried down the garden path, pulling off her tiara and kicking her heels into a bush. She had already found a spot for Ryo-ohki - hidden deep in the surrounding woods. Now she was scouting out a spot to wait for Tenchi. At the end of the path, a small, quiet pond lay undisturbed. Ryoko paused, looking at it longingly.
"Oh, what the hell," she muttered, struggling out of her dress. Leaving her clothing in an unceremonious heap, she ran down the short dock and dived into the water. She surfaced quickly, shivering a little at the cold temperature. Her hair had freed itself from the bun and now hung in long, damp locks. Blinking experimentally, Ryoko realized that she had also lost both her contact lenses.
"Well, crap," she murmured, annoyed.
"You can say that again," a wry voice spoke up. Ryoko gasped and covered her chest, blushing furiously. Prince Tenchi stood at the edge of the dock, eyebrows raised and arms crossed. "Hello princess Ryoko. Or should I address you as 'the notorious space pirate Ryoko'?"
"Either will do," she responded weakly, sinking lower into the pond water. He shook his head and frowned. Ryoko looked at him indignantly. "Well what about you? Should I address you as prince Tenchi, or 'the boy whose ass I kicked six months ago'?" Tenchi blushed faintly.
"You just wait until after our next fight."
"Fine. Would you turn around, please?" Ryoko said impatiently. I can't teleport here unless I want to take this pond water with me. God, I wish mom had taught me how to phase into clothing before she… Tenchi grinned, amused.
"Well, I don't know. How do I know that you won't just make a break for it, now that I know your 'secret identity'?"
"I'm no coward!"
"Sure, but the honor of your family is at stake."
"I suppose you'll just have to trust me!" Ryoko snapped, slowly making her way to the dock. Tenchi watched her carefully, still grinning. With one hand gripping the dock and her other arm covering her chest, Ryoko glared up at the prince.
"Turn around and I'll phase both of us to my ship." Tenchi paused, considering, then nodded once and wheeled around. Ryoko pulled herself up onto the dock and edged closer to the boy. Hesitating a little, she slid both wet arms around his waist. Tenchi made an exclamation of surprise.
"I have to be touching as much as your mass as possible. Otherwise I might only transport a piece of you," Ryoko explained. Tenchi shuddered, then clasped her hands firmly. Ryoko jumped, blushing, and quickly transported them both to Ryo-ohki. She released him and backed away slowly. "Don't you dare turn around," she warned. Tenchi merely laughed. "Ryo-ohki, the purple, orange and white dress," she commanded. The outfit lifted up through the metal floor with a 'mreow' from Ryo-ohki. Ryoko slipped into the dress, muttering, "I really have to remember to get my battle outfit back someday. Alright Tenchi, you can turn around now." The prince turned, studying her.
"New dress," he commented.
"Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's new," she pointed out.
"I like it," he decided. Ryoko looked at him in surprise, thrown off guard.
"Oh, well, um…I'm glad," she faltered, then cleared her throat. "I want to raise the stakes of this fight."
"What did you have in mind?"
"If I win, Jurai continues peace negotiations with Balsi, but you don't marry Ayeka." Tenchi stared at her.
"So you do care about your family."
"I never said I didn't!" she snapped testily. "Is it a deal or not?"
"What if I win?"
"I'll…return the money I stole."
"And?"
"And promise never to steal from a Jurai bank again."
"And?"
"And what? Isn't that enough?"
"If I win, you return the money, never steal from Jurai again, and tell me why you turned to piracy."
"That's none of your damn business!"
"Your sister sure is cute…"
"Fine! And I'll tell you why I became a pirate, happy?!" Ryoko demanded furiously. Tenchi nodded and followed the fuming pirate princess outside.
* * * *
For the second time, the prince and the pirate faced each other. Once again, Ryoko attacked first, igniting her sword and thrusting forward. Tenchi blocked, the two swords sparking with the force of the collision. He backed off first, somersaulting over Ryoko. She whirled around and batted his sword away with her own before taking to the air. She immediately flipped back to the ground and shot a few thin blasts in Tenchi's direction. He blocked each one with his sword and darted forward to close the gap between him and Ryoko. The two fighters engaged their blades in a series of attacks and blocks, slowly rotating in a complete circle. Ryoko suddenly dropped beneath Tenchi's blade and kicked his feet out from under him. With a shout of surprise, Tenchi rolled to the side just as Ryoko's blade struck the ground. He jumped to his feet quickly, raising his sword. Ryoko raised her own sword, laughing breathlessly.
"You'd better watch out Tenchi!" she called, teasing. Suddenly Ryoko felt someone roughly grab her arms and lock them behind her back. She lost her grip on her sword and it immediately dissipated. "Hey! What the - " Before she could resist, Ryoko felt cold metal bracelets encircle her wrists tightly.
"Space pirate Ryoko, you are arrested on the grounds of grand-theft, the destruction of property, and disturbing the peace."
"Disturbing the peace…?" Ryoko muttered. Tenchi looked on with horror.
"No, Mihoshi, you have the wrong idea!"
"Thanks for that tip you gave me, Lord Tenchi," Mihoshi called cheerfully.
"I might have known," Ryoko growled, glowering at the boy.
"Ryoko I didn't mean to - "
"Just drop the act Lord Tenchi! It was my own fault for trusting a royal," she spat at his feet before being dragged off by Mihoshi. Tenchi watched the two receding figures for a moment, dismay clouding his features.
"This is going to be one hell of a night."
* * * *
Mihoshi led her prisoner into the throne room where the others waited. Sasami and Yugi were chatting happily, legs dangling over the edge of their chairs. Both Ayeka and Kagato were sitting silently, apparently deep in thought. Kiyone was standing with her arms folded. At the sight of Mihoshi and Ryoko, she groaned loudly, covering her face. Ayeka looked up and copied Kiyone's actions. Sasami gasped in horror, leaping to her feet. Mihoshi mistook their reactions for that of fear.
"It's alright, I have the criminal under control," she announced.
"I doubt that," Ayeka muttered. Tenchi ran in the room, calling to Mihoshi. The G.P. officer didn't seem to hear him and proceeded to drag Ryoko towards the conference room where the four highnesses were located. Sasami ran after her, followed by Yugi. Ayeka and Tenchi were close behind the two children. Kiyone dashed after them as well, muttering worriedly. After a moment, Kagato rose grimly and followed at a slower pace.
Mihoshi burst into the conference room, pushing Ryoko in forcefully and causing the pirate to fall to her knees. The four adults rose in surprise.
"I have caught the famous criminal Ryoko!" Mihoshi shouted proudly. "She was in the gardens, locked in a vicious battle with Lord Tenchi."
"Tenchi?" Achika repeated in surprise.
"No! Don't hurt Ryoko!" Sasami screamed, stumbling into the room. Yugi ran in looking at her new friend with concern. Ryoko twisted to look at Sasami.
"Get that princess brat outta here!" Ryoko yelled desperately. Sasami burst into tears.
"Stop it Ryoko! I won't let them hurt you!" Achika looked on with confusion.
"Nobuyuki, please take princess Sasami and Yugi to a spare chamber while we get this mess straightened out," the queen said at last. Her husband nodded and took both girls by the hand, leading them out to the hallway. Sasami struggled weakly at first, still sobbing uncontrollably. Ayeka and Tenchi sprinted in next. Ayeka fidgeted with her hair, trying to compose herself. She glanced at Ryoko, tears filling her eyes.
"Father?" she called, her voice breaking. "You won't let them…" she trailed off, unwilling to finish her sentence.
"Mother, this is all just a big mistake!" Tenchi yelled. Achika groaned in despair.
"I don't know what's going on, but I do know that Ryoko is a wanted criminal. Mihoshi, please escort her to one of our cells while we sort this out." Mihoshi nodded, stepping closer to Ryoko.
"I can't let you do that," Azusa said tiredly. Achika turned to stare at him.
"Why is that?"
"Because she is my daughter. Ryoko the space pirate and Ryoko the princess of Balsi are one in the same." Achika dropped into her chair, letting out a long whoosh of air.
"Please, someone, explain!" she said woefully.
"The King here is obviously wacko. At this point, I'd be happy to go to a cell, just to get away from these people," Ryoko said forcefully.
"No, Ryoko," Azusa rumbled, "I've turned my back on you long enough! I ignored the problem, believing I could simply wish it away. Now I have to face my responsibilities as a parent, rather than a king." Ryoko swallowed, settling her weight onto her legs. Azusa turned to face Queen Achika.
"I suppose Ryoko was around 7 years-old when Washu disappeared. As you can imagine, it was hard on all of us, but Ryoko took it the hardest. She and Washu had a certain unexplainable bond. They would always finish each other's sentences, and seemed to know exactly how the other was feeling.
"When Washu simply vanished from her laboratory, without any clues, nobody had much hope of ever finding her. Except, of course, for Ryoko. I spent almost two years searching for my first wife before I moved on and married Misaki. But Ryoko has spent over ten years searching, and has yet to give up."
"I still fail to see how pirating fits into all of this," Lady Achika said pointedly.
"At first I would only sneak out at night with Ryo-ohki and visit neighboring planets," Ryoko spoke up heavily, "I would talk to the local police, post fliers, ask around…Then as the G.P. became less involved, my trips would lengthen, until I was gone for years on end. And if I had to cover every planet in every galaxy, how could I hold down a steady job? Stealing became a necessity, and then eventually, second nature."
"But what I don't understand is how your powers are so different from those of your sister Ayeka's. Not to mention your ships are completely different designs." Ryoko shrugged and Azusa shook his head.
"Once again, this is really Washu's expertise. However, I seem to remember that she was disappointed in her first design, the Ryo-ouh. Though Ayeka's ship is quite powerful, my wife was always an overachiever. At some point she determined that an animal species of ship could handle a higher energy level, thus the Ryo-ohki was created.
"As for the princess' powers…Both Ayeka and Sasami have the normal royal family powers: controlling and manipulating a shield. Ryoko, as you know, has a far greater range of powers. I am convinced that not even she knows the extent of her abilities. In any case, her power source comes from the gems embedded on each wrist and at the base of her neck." Ryoko cooperated, lifted up one wrist and revealing the shiny, deep red gem. The one on her neck pulsated dimly. A sharp gasp alerted the occupants of the room to the arrival of Kagato.
"It really is a sad story, your highness, and I can understand how she might feel, losing someone so close to her. But what about the money she's stolen? What about the families she's thrown into poverty, the people she's injured? My conscious simply cannot allow her to escape without punishment," Queen Achika told him firmly.
"I realize the position you're in. Don't you think I went through the same thing? As a father, it was easy to excuse her actions. As a king, it was nearly impossible. But I have compensated the planets she has stolen from. If your officer contacts headquarters, I am certain they will inform her that all charges against Ryoko have been dropped." Achika nodded to Mihoshi, who immediately whipped out her wrist communicator. A few moments later, she confirmed the King's statements. "All I'm asking is that you release her into my care, so that I may decide upon her punishment." After a moment of indecision, the queen nodded curtly.
"Mihoshi, go ahead and remove her handcuffs." Mihoshi stepped forward, only to be intercepted by Kagato.
"Sorry, officer, I can't allow you to do that," he drawled, and sent a jolt of electricity through her. Mihoshi screamed and collapsed at his feet.
Ahhh, cliffhangers. Please keep the reviews coming…and let me know what you like/don't like so's you can have a more enjoyable fanfic experience :)
