Disclaimer

Tenchi and all associated characters are the property of AIC and Pioneer LDC.  I don't own any rights to them.  Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.

*****

The Great Cabbit Search

Chapter 7

Wherever You Go, There You Are.

Part 4

*****

In Washu's lab back in the "home" reality a being appeared in a flicker of darkness.  A benign smile on his lips and an evil glint in his partially closed eyes, he walked over to the control panel of one of the many machines.  Silently he manipulated the controls, then flipped a switch.  Heh.  That should do it, he thought.  Now to just sit back and watch the fun begin.  Poor Washu.   Another dark flicker and he was gone.

In another part of the lab a goddess was feeding some fish.  Since this was not the type of job a goddess of her stature normally did, she was making a real mess of it.  Fortunately for the fish, they only required feeding once in a great while.  They would last until their master returned.  The goddess suddenly felt a disturbance.  She looked up from her task and scanned the room for the source.  The feeling passed, and not immediately seeing the cause, Tokimi shrugged and turned her attention back to the fish.  Her sister Washu had names for them all and there was one that Tokimi really liked to watch.  She couldn't quite remember its name though. W… W… Wendy?  No, that wasn't it.  Oh well, the damn things never came when you called them anyway.

In a reality not too far separated from Washu's lab, a portal opened in front of a speeding starship.  By the time the ship's cyan haired pilot noticed it was there, it was too late.  The ship entered the portal and vanished without a trace.

*****

"Mihoshi, how much longer until we're there?" asked Sasami.

The blonde GP Lieutenant looked confused, which was quite similar to her normal expression.  "Gee, I dunno Sasami.  We crossed the Jurai border about two hours ago.  Do you know Washu?"

Washu and Ayeka were playing a local variant of Juraian chess on a holographic board across the lounge.  Ayeka had just put the scientist's Emperor in jeopardy and Washu was trying to figure out a valid move without losing.

"Damn it," she said as she tipped her piece, conceding yet another game to the princess.  "What was that Mihoshi?"

Sasami asked her question again, this time to Washu.

Washu chuckled.  Typical kid, she thought before answering.  "At our current speed, about two days dear," she replied.

*****

Ryoko-with-gems spared with her double in Yagami's cargo hold as their respective Tenchi's looked on.  Bringing her energy blade around in a sweeping arc, she grinned as the other teleported out of range just before contact.  So far the two had been evenly matched, as expected.  But Ryoko hadn't played her last card yet.  She'd never done it before and now that she had all three gems…

Back in the lounge Washu and Ayeka's new game was interrupted as Washu's symbol began to glow and light began to shine from under the princess' tiara.  Their heads both snapped up at the same time.

"What the hell?" cursed Washu as she and the princess dashed for the door.

In the cargo hold both Tenchi's watched awestruck as the very air seemed to solidify in front of Ryoko-with-gems.

"Ryoko!  No!" yelled one of the Tenchi's as he realized what she was doing.  He leapt up and formed his Juraian battle armor.

But it was too late; Ryoko's Lighthawk Wings had finished forming.  With a gesture she sent the other Ryoko flying backwards into a bulkhead, leaving a large dent in the durasteel before falling to the floor stunned.  Exhausted, Ryoko let her Wings collapse before tumbling to the deck herself.

Washu and Ayeka charged into the hold to find both Tenchi's cradling a Ryoko in their arms.  One of the Tenchi's was in Juraian armor.

"Tenchi!  What did you do?  What happened here?" Washu yelled as she ran to her daughter.

Tenchi looked up as she approached.  "It wasn't me Washu," he said.  "It was Ryoko.  She formed the Lighthawk Wings herself.  How could she do that?"

Washu looked down at her daughter, who grinned weakly back at her.  "Lady Funaho and I have always suspected that she had the power as long as she controlled the gems.  But I didn't think…"  Washu's eyes got all bright and starry.  "Oh honey, your mommy's sooo proud of you."  She leaned down to give Ryoko a kiss on the forehead.  "And if you ever, ever do anything like this again, Little Ryoko, I'll ground you for life…"

"Yes, mommy," said a dazed Ryoko.

*****

Fortunately neither Ryoko had been injured in the incident and apologies were made, then Tenchi, Ryoko and Ayeka spent some time explaining the concept of the Lighthawk Wings to the other two.

"So you say these 'Wings' are primarily a defensive shield?  Sure didn't look that way to me," said Tenchi #2.

"Well, in some cases they can become very powerful offensive weapons.  Tenchi has used his as such once before, and my ship was able to form an energy discharge using its Wings during our battle with our Kagato.  But that's not their primary use," Ayeka explained.

Ryoko-without-gems looked at Ayeka.  "Can you make those things too?" she asked.

Ayeka looked down at the floor.  "No, I don't think I can…" she answered.

Washu snickered from across the room.  "Oh, I believe you can, if you tried hard enough.  I mean, look; Tenchi can do it, right?  And now Ryoko can too.  You three were drawn together so it stands to reason that the third part of the trio must have the same abilities as the other two.  Doesn't it?"

"I suppose so Miss Washu.  But I'm afraid to try," responded Ayeka.

"A demon afraid to use power?"  Washu chuckled.  "Ayeka, you really surprise me.  I'm glad you're you; any other demon, Mara for instance, would be reveling at the chance to use a power like the Wings.  Well, to each their own I suppose."

Tenchi #2 turned to the scientist, "Washu, do you think that we could use that power as well?"

Washu looked as him quizzically.  "Hmm.  I don't know.  I don't have my instruments here…  Wait, let me try something."  She closed her eyes and her goddess symbol appeared on her forehead.  "Ahhh."  She opened her eyes.  "Yes, I think you can; both you and your Ryoko.  But it'll take much training and practice.  My Tenchi had a distinct advantage in that Tsunami implanted the knowledge into him during the battle with Kagato.  You'll have to learn it on your own.  And remember, Ryoko's Wings were the first to be formed in this reality.  The power feedback was what weakened her so much.  It'll happen to you too the first few times you're successful.  If you succeed that is."

*****

Not far ahead on Yagami's current heading energy began to crackle in space, seemingly from nowhere.  Out of the center of the energy field a ship emerged, drifting almost powerless, it's cyan haired pilot unconscious from the stress of being transported across the realities.

Slowly instruments in the cockpit began to illuminate and come back online.  The pilot moaned, shook her head and opened her golden eyes.

"Hinase, status," she called.

"Power at 10% and climbing.  Weapons and defensive shielding are currently offline.  Communications are online, but there's no one to talk to.  We will have power to move in about five minutes.  Our position is unknown, we are currently somewhere outside Juraian space," the ship's main unit replied.

"Any idea what happened to us?" the pilot asked.

"We seem to have been instantly transported some 1376 light-years from our last position.  As I said, we are well outside the space currently mapped by Jurai.  I calculate it will take us approximately one month at full speed to return to Earth from here.  Two weeks to Jurai and one week to Juraian space."

"At full speed."

"Yes."

The pilot closed her eyes and sighed in frustration.  "How long before our sensors are working?"

"Short-range sensors are online.  Long-range sensors are coming up as we speak.  Oh my!" the ship exclaimed.

"What?  What is it?" she asked.

"There is another ship approaching us.  It scans as a GP patrol cruiser.  I wonder what they're doing out here."

"Oh, goody.  Hail them please," the pilot commanded.

"You do know that you're still wanted for space piracy, right?" the ship called Hinase came back.

"It's not like we have much choice, is it?"

"No, I suppose not," the ship said submissively.

*****

Mihoshi was watching a tape of her favorite TV show on one of the monitors when the comm panel began flashing.

Oh my! she thought.  Who would be calling us way out here?   She sat up straight in the pilot's chair, spilling the popcorn she'd been munching on.  OH!  Kiyone's gonna kill meee!  She said no food in the control cabin.   She pushed the intercom button to the cabin she'd been sharing with Kiyone for the trip because Washu and Skuld were using hers.  "Kiyone, we have an incoming message," she called.

"Who's it from Mihoshi?  I was in the shower." the image of a naked Kiyone wrapping a towel around herself appeared on the screen.

"I dunno.  It's pretty short-range though," the blonde replied.

"Well, answer it.  I'll get dressed and be there in a couple of minutes."  The GP Colonel cut the connection.

"Answer it, answer it.  Ok.  And I've got to clean up this popcorn."  Mihoshi punched a button on the comm panel then bent over to scoop up the spilled kernels.

"Hello?" came over the speakers.  "Is anyone there?"

Mihoshi finished putting the popcorn back into the bowl and popped her head up.  "Oh.  Hi.  Can I help you?" she asked.

"Oh, there you are!" came the voice, which had a familiar ring to it.  "Can you turn on your visual so I can see you?"

"Sure," answered the blonde, "just a sec."  She dumped the popcorn into the disposal chute and pushed another button.  "How's that?"

A smiling face appeared on the screen.

"Mihoshi!  Is it really you?  I thought I recognized your voice!  What are you doing way out here?" the face asked with a look of joy.

"Ryoko?  Bu… but aren't you already here?  Twice?  Are there three of you now?" the GP wondered.

The face of the other pilot expressed consternation, "I'm not Ryoko, Mihoshi.  It's me, Minagi.  And what do you mean 'three'?"

"Um… Do I know you?" asked GP Lieutenant Mihoshi, scratching her head.

Kiyone came striding into the cabin.  She looked at the screen, then at her partner.  "Mihoshi!  You made me get out of the shower to talk to Ryoko?  And what's Ryoko doing off the ship anyway?"

"Excuse me," came the voice from the speakers.

Kiyone paid no attention as she continued chewing out Mihoshi.

"I SAID EXCUSE ME!"

Kiyone looked up at the screen.  "What do you want?  Get back on the damn ship, and which Ryoko are you anyway?"

"I'M NOT RYOKO!"

"STOP YELLING!  And what do you mean you're not Ryoko.  Who are you if you're not her?"

"I'm Minagi.  And who are YOU?"

"I am Colonel Makibi Kiyone, Galaxy Police.  And you look just like our favorite space pirates.  Both of them."  Kiyone sagged into the pilot's chair.  She felt something sticky on the armrest.  Lifting her hand to her nose, she sniffed.  Butter?   She gave Mihoshi a look.  I don't even want to know…

"Listen Colonel, I'm kinda stuck out here.  Do you think you can give me a lift?" the woman who looked like Ryoko and wasn't asked.

Kiyone glanced at the sensor screen.  "Yeah.  We'll be at your position in about four minutes.  I think Washu'll want to talk to you anyway…"

"Little Washu's with you?  And you said there are two Ryoko's, I don't understand…" Minagi replied, puzzled.

Kiyone gave her a weak smile.  "It's kinda hard for me to work with too.  See you in a few…"  She cut the connection.  "Mihoshi?"

"Yes Kiyone," Mihoshi asked meekly.

"Prepare Yagami for docking and a tow.  And get this mess cleaned up."  She held up her fingers, butter dripping down her palm.

"Yes Kiyone, Colonel Ma'am."

"Now, Mihoshi."  Kiyone said sternly, then turned and left the room before she broke into laughter, on her way to break the news to the others that another Ryoko type would be joining them.

*****

Once again the group was gathered in the lounge, this time to meet the new arrival.  Both Ryoko's stared at the newcomer while Minagi kept her head down, wishing she could hide from all the scrutiny.  The only person missing was Washu.

"Are you Ryoko's sister?" Sasami innocently asked Minagi.

"Well…  Kinda.  Ryoko's more like my mom though," was the quiet reply.

Sasami looked at Ryoko-without-gems.  "So, you're her mom?"

"Get real.  I've never seen her before." Ryoko snorted.

Sasami turned to the other Ryoko.

"Not me kiddo.  The only kids I want are with Tenchi."  She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"They're both right," came Washu's voice from the doorway.  "Our visitor isn't from either one of our realities."  She walked over to Minagi, touching her on the shoulder.  "But I've seen you before, when I was scanning the realities for cabbits.  There's only Ryo-ohki in your reality, like in ours.  In fact, your reality's very close to ours in the scheme of things, the biggest difference being you.  The question however is, how'd you get here?"

Ryoko-with-gems spoke up, "Wait Washu.  I wanna know why she thinks one of us is her mom."

"Ah, ah, ah, Little Ryoko.  First things first!" Turning back to Minagi the scientist asked, "Now, tell us how you got here please."

Minagi sighed deeply and looked at each person in the room before answering.  "I don't really know.  Hinase and I were just minding our own business and suddenly a portal opened in space.  The next thing I know, here I am and here you all are."

"A portal?" Washu wondered aloud.

"Yeah," Minagi agreed,  "you know, sorta like one of your subspace pockets.  A big dark spot in the middle of nowhere."

Washu tapped a finger on her chin, "One of my pockets?  Hmmm.  I wonder if Tokimi…  Nah, she wouldn't touch anything she doesn't understand.  I think.  Anything else you remember?"

Minagi tilted her head back against the bulkhead.  "Well, as we entered the portal I thought I heard laughter, male laughter.  But it was probably just my imagination."

Washu looked over at Skuld.  "Your uncle, Loki.  I don't suppose…"

Skuld shook her head.  "Nope.  Father suspended his license for the next 150 years.  He can't open a portal or travel the dimensions until then."

"Well, then I don't…" she suddenly blanched.  "No.  It couldn't be.  He has to be invited damnit."  Then she remembered what Tokimi had told her about that night over the lake.  "Sonovabitch!  She did invite him!"  Deep within her head she heard a muted chuckling that slowly faded away.  XELLOS YOU BASTARD!  Two can play the practical jokes game, just you wait!

I look forward to it My Lady Washu.  You know where to find me, came the soft response in her head.

*****

Author's Notes

For those that haven't read the manga's, Minagi considers Ryoko her "mother" because she was created with some of Ryoko's DNA that one of Washu's students, a Juraian named Yakage, stole during Ryoko's creation; much the same way Washu created Ryoko from her own DNA.  Yakage mixed in some of his own DNA as well, thus Minagi is also Yakage's "daughter".  Washu however considers Minagi to be a younger sister to Ryoko.  Minagi is a "good" space pirate; she only loots "bad" ships.  She looks exactly like her "mother" except she has a large crescent-shaped scar (or tattoo, I can't tell) on each cheek.  She also has all of Ryoko's powers and a somewhat childish sense of humor and outlook on life along with a bouncy personality.  And she's not particularly attracted to Tenchi although she considers him a friend.

I've got the next (and hopefully last) chapter in this reality not quite half done.  I was going to include it here making this a long chapter, but that's what it would have been, a looong chapter.  I try to keep them between 6 to 10 pages in Word 2000.  Anyway, I hope to be totally finished with it in a few days, depending on what else comes up.  I still have to write two Midterms for my students by 12/19.  I really want to finish up here and move on to the next reality, there are three more (two original) that I want to visit.

Review Reponses

Priest – Did you get that e-mail I sent with Ayeka's picture?  I hope it gives you some idea of what her hair looks like.