'What do you think Ryo-Oki? Will I come back alive?' thought Ryoko.
'Mia!' (Of course!)
'I sure hope so. I hate to think what will happen if Tenchi and Adrien have to fight…one of them may die…'
'Miaaaaaaa!' (I hope not!)
'I know…Tenchi…'
****
Ryoko landed Ryo-Oki outside of a huge stone Cathedral. This was where Ryoko and Kagato had been married. Ryoko shivered as she thought about how she was technically married to Kagato.
"The priest had said 'Until death do you part.'" Ryoko thought morbidly.
The stone Cathedral was very beautiful never the less. There was a huge round stained glass window on the front and on the very top there was a black rod-iron cross. The outside of the Cathedral was all gray stone. There were a few spooky gargoyles on the outside of it though. Kind of think of it Ryoko hadn't realized how spooky the Cathedral really was since the last time she was here she was under Kagato's mind control so hadn't really noticed. This time she noticed though…this was where her fight with Kagato would be…
'It's fitting that here where we were brought together in the eyes of God one of us to be freed from the other here as well…in death…' Ryoko thought as she starred up at the Cathedral.
"Well well well if it isn't my beautiful wife!" Said a voice coming from behind Ryoko.
Ryoko turned around to see Kagato…she would have been shaking like a leaf but she had promised herself that she would appear strong in front of him. After all he had done to her, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her afraid…not now. Ryoko took a deep breath as she looked him in the eyes. The sight that met her was even more horrible than she had imagined it would be. There was Kagato a confident expression on his face and next to him was the imprisoned form of Washu. She still had a look of shock on her face from when Kagato had imprisoned her. He was dressed in long black and white robes…the wind rustling them slightly. He began to walk towards Ryoko an evil smirk on his face as he spoke.
"Ryoko, my dear, how good it is to see you. How I've missed you. But my dear, you don't seem at all happy to see me. I wonder why?" Kagato's grin widened seeing Ryoko's obvious apprehension to the way he was talking to her. Then Kagato noticed something…
'Why she has all three gems…this may be a problem…"
Flashback…'I'm not going to cower before him no matter how much it hurts. I will stand strong! I will stay fighting until I can't will my body to move anymore!' Thought Ryoko.
With this new determination Ryoko charged Kagato once more, Kagato doing the same. Their swords met with such a force they had a hard time staying upright. Sparks went in the air as the two swords clashed. Occasionally Kagato managed to wound Ryoko. But she didn't seem to notice or to care. She had had enough. Kagato could tell that Ryoko was weakening and moved in to end this pitiful excuse for a fight. Kagato was about to use his second sword to slice at Ryoko's side when he saw that something was blocking his way. Kagato looked back at Ryoko. She was still blocking his first sword with her one sword held by her two hands, then how was she…Kagato looked back and saw…
'No it can't be?! Ryoko doesn't have the ability to form the Light Hawk Wings!'
But there it was a single Light Hawk Wing protecting Ryoko from Kagato's second sword.
All of a sudden a powerful energy surrounded Ryoko and Kagato found himself flying across the room to where he hit a wall. All the hate that Ryoko felt for Kagato had been released in that blast.
Ryoko fell to the ground panting for breath unable to fight any further. The use of the Light Hawk Wing had taken all her energy to sustain it.
Kagato shakily began to get up from the other side of the room and make his way towards Ryoko.
'I must never underestimate her power again.' Kagato thought looking at Ryoko's fallen form. 'I could be my undoing.'
End of Flashback.
****
'Yes, this time I will not underestimate her. Perhaps I will use this turn of events to my advantage. She forgets that as long as I have my controller device I still have a hold over her. But it would be better to end this fight quickly or for her to give in and come with me. She's no use to me dead and she is still weakened from our last encounter. I fear that if we fight now she might go and do something stupid like kill herself while trying to defeat me!'
"Ryoko, I want to make you a deal. There is really no reason why we should fight. I mean in your condition you are no match for me. If you agree to come back to me now I'll let Washu go. It's not her I want anyways-I want you. I've always wanted you…you will always have a place close to my heart my Ryoko. And because of that I want you to belong to me. That's why I married you, so that you would be mine officially. We are together forever…until death do us part! You left so suddenly the last time that we didn't even get to consummate our marriage! That will have to be amended. That will be the final step in making you completely belong to me…once we have made love your body as well as your soul will be mine! That way when you die you will still belong to me in the next life! You and me will be together for all eternity! What do you say Ryoko? After all you know you can't defeat me. I will let Washu go if you just agree to come back to me. Would you really be so selfish as to fight me and lose when you can just submit to me and save your mother?"
Ryoko stood there unable to respond as Kagato's chill voice washed over her and as the reality of what was happening began to take affect on Ryoko's mental state. Ryoko began to shake with fear as what he was saying began to sink in…was he right? Was it true that in her condition there would be no way she would be able to defeat him? And what about Washu? Would she really put her in harms way because of her selfishness. Would it be fair for her to die and just leave Washu at the mercy of Kagato once more? She knew what that would be like, more than likely Kagato would just imprison Washu again until he found some use for her. Years and years of imprisonment…
Imprisonment…
Ryoko felt a chill go down her spin as she remembered her own imprisonment. She couldn't let Washu face the same fate she had once had to. But could she really submit to Kagato? This time he would not only have her; when he was threw with her he would have her soul as well…
Ryoko couldn't decided what to do…
She just stood there shaking, unable to move or speak as she looked at Kagato. Why was her courage failing her now? She had been so sure of herself before but now that she was face to face with the one being in the entire Universe she feared more than death, she didn't know if she could find the courage she needed anymore. Maybe she was just kidding herself earlier when she told herself she had a chance. Was the situation really as hopeless as all this…and what about Tenchi…
'Wait for me. When all this is over I will come back to you'
She had promised Tenchi she would come back to him…
"Ryoko, I'm waiting. I can see this is a difficult decision for you to make and everything but I don't have all day. I'll tell you something my Ryoko…I've become rather fond of you…I had always desired your body before but now after being so close to having you…I want you more than ever Ryoko…" began Kagato.
Ryoko finding her voice, "But I thought my body disgusted you?"
"Hmmm did I say that? I was lying to myself then."
Flashback…"THEN THAT MEANS YOU STILL THINK THAT A THING LIKE YOU CAN BE LOVED! UNLESS YOU SAY YOU DIDN'T LOVE THE BOUNTY HUNTER AND THAT YOU DON'T WANT HIS LOVE ANYMORE, I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT LOVE IS!" Kagato pulled Ryoko closer to him and began to thrust at her with his pants still on to give her an idea of what would happen to her if she didn't answer him the way he wanted. Ryoko could feel Kagato's manhood hard against her…
"IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT! DO YOU WANT LOVE? DO YOU WANT TO BE LOVED?!"
Screamed Kagato.
"NOOOO!! I…I DON'T WANT LOVE ANYMORE. PLEASE KAGATO I'LL NEVER LOVE AGAIN. I DIDN'T LOVE THE BOUNTY HUNTER AND I NO LONGER WANT HIS LOVE. PLEASE KAGAGTO STOP! I DON'T' WANT TO BE LOVED ANYMORE! BY ANYONE! LEAST OF ALL YOU!" Ryoko pleaded.
Kagato stopped thrusting at Ryoko.
"You will never know love Ryoko. No one will ever be able to love a thing like you, not after all you have done. You may have once had a chance at love Ryoko but I took that away from you and I want you to understand that. I want you to understand that I have power over you and that you are under my control and that you will follow my orders without resistance. Understood?"
"Yes, master, it is understood." Ryoko choked out looking at Kagato, tears in her eyes.
Kagato got off Ryoko and walked to the door.
"Did you really think I would have made love to a no account whore like you?! HaHaHaHa. Do you still want a room now?" Kagato asked looking at the shivering heap that was Ryoko. He enjoyed making her afraid of him.
"No master"
"Do you think you deserve a room? That you are good enough to have one?" Kagato asked menace in his voice.
"No Master I am not worthy to have my own room."
"That's right. I think this has taught you a valuable lesson Ryoko-to never defy me again."
"Yes master"
"And to never love again…"
"I will never love again…master…" sobbed Ryoko.
Kagato left Ryoko turning off the light and slamming the door. Kagato wanted Ryoko to be afraid of the word bedroom, and this had done it. Ryoko crawled off the bed and fell asleep on the floor crying herself to sleep.
Kagato walked down the hall thinking to himself…
'Why do I have the urge to go back in there and ravage her body over and over again!? What is this feeling? Is it desire? Do I really desire her body like this? No! She cannot have this hold over me! I am her master and she is nothing more to me than my puppet! But being up against her like that…her soft skin and breasts…her silky cyan hair…No! What is wrong with me? She is just a disgusting creation, not worth thinking of! I can't really desire her, can I? Ryoko…what is this feeling you have given me? Why do I crave to be up against your body again? Why do I want to have my hands all over you…your hands all over me! Damn this insanity! What has come over me! Damn you Ryoko for making me feel this way! This is your entire fault! I'll have to remember to take this out on you during our next training session!' Kagato thought to himself as he resolutely decided that he would never have such thoughts about Ryoko again…or so he assured himself.
End of Flashback…"When Tokimi brought me back to life she asked me, 'what is thy desire? Ask it of me and I will grant it to you' what I responded was your name Ryoko. Even after being dead I failed to forget about you…forget the way you made me feel when I was so close to you. I wanted to feel that way again…I wanted to be that close to you again. That's why Tokimi came up with the plan of me impersonating the bounty hunter. That way you would want me how I wanted you. But for some reason the plan failed. Somehow you were able to see through my disguise, and when I had been so close to making you want me. I knew then that there was no way I was going to let you slip from my fingers again. No, I realized then that I wanted your body and I will have it! I am a man and men have needs Ryoko. I'm surprised I didn't realize it before, but when I was on top of you…caressing you…I realized you were worth something more to me than I had originally thought. You had a new purpose in my eyes…I knew then that you could bring me pleasure as a woman and not just as my weapon. I've been alone too long my Ryoko…and you…you were always there. Always with me…I was never alone as long as you were around. I just have to have you Ryoko! I have to! You could almost say that I love you…"
"LOVE ME? Are you insane? That's not love at all! That's just pure obsession. Insanity really. You don't want me at all. Love is not at all like that Kagato. I know what love is because of my love for Tenchi…"
"SILENCE! I don't want to hear that name spoken in my presence! Where is your precious love now anyways Ryoko? He deserted you didn't he? He chose to go and save his princess and leave you to face me alone. Would you call that love?"
"QUIET! TENCHI HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GO AND SAVE AYEKA! JUST BE QUIET!"
"NO I WON'T BE QUIET. You better wake up and smell the roses, Ryoko, because Tenchi doesn't love you and if this doesn't make it obvious then I don't know what will. He'll never love you Ryoko, not in that way you want. He won't even take your body when you offer it to him. I wonder why that is? Maybe it's because you disgust him! But you don't disgust me Ryoko…not anymore."
"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT KAGATO! I WON'T LISTEN!" Ryoko said covering her ears with her hands.
"YOU BETTER LISTEN! Tenchi left you to die! Don't you get it? He doesn't care about you, and if he did it's clear now who he cares about more. It was all down to you and Ayeka and he chose Ayeka! He went off to save her while you went away to your death. He knew you have no chance in defeating me and yet he sill let you go! He knew you were coming to face me in a weakened state! But did he care? No! He still let you go! To him you're better off dead. You are only in the way of his true love, Ayeka! Sure you were good to keep around to make the princess jealous but now that he's sure about who he really loves you have lost your purpose."
"NO KAGATO IT'S NOT TRUE! IT'S ALL LIES!"
"I'm afraid not Ryoko. But I'll tell you something, you haven't lost your purpose with me yet! Come back to me Ryoko! Can't you see we are meant to be together you and me?! You and I are one and the same! No one else will be able to love you after all the sins you have committed but I!"
"NO! NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE! THAT CAN'T BE?! WHERE'S THE LOGIC BEHIND THAT?!"
"THE LOGIC? THE LOGIC! We have always been there for each other Ryoko! You and me were a team! Sure I may have been hard on you at times but I had to be in order to bring out your full potential! Don't you see Ryoko…We belong together! Together we could rule the Universe! With you at my side I would be an unstoppable force!"
"I…I…don't understand. I thought you hated me and now you want me to join you? I JUST DON'T GET IT!"
"Yes, Ryoko! I want you to join me. Things will be different if you come to me willing. Maybe you'll even forget all about that boy, Tenchi, once I show you how loving I can be. You…you belong to me! Come Ryoko, join me. I can offer you all the power in the Universe! If only you join me!"
"I WILL NEVER JOIN YOU!"
"YOU LITTLE FOOL! Don't you realize what I'm offering you, a place at my side, as my equal. It's inevitable that you will be mine so why not agree to be mine of your own free will! Things would be better for you that way. But I can always make you mine the hard way. It's up to you Ryoko. Join me of your own free will and be by my side as my wife, or be by my side as my puppet once more! And I'll take what I want from you whenever I want it! If you join me Ryoko I will give you power. I will give you everything, even love!"
"YOU COULD NEVER LOVE! YOU AREN'T CAPAPBLE OF LOVE! YOU DON'T LOVE ME! HOW DARE YOU OFFER ME SOMETHING YOU COULD NEVER GIVE! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT LOVE IS!"
"Oh, but you're wrong, Ryoko. What is love but the want to be with someone anyways? Isn't that all you want from Tenchi? To be wanted?"
"NO! NO, THAT'S NOT IT AT ALL! To be loved isn't just to be wanted! It's for that person to care for you, to care if you're hurt, sick, or happy.
"AH! And so doesn't that just prove my point! Tenchi doesn't love you because he doesn't care about you! He doesn't care about you being hurt obviously because he let you come here alone!"
"NO!"
"YES! JOIN ME RYOKO! THIS IS MY FINAL OFFER! JOIN ME OR BECOME MY PUPPET ONCE AGAIN! It's up to you. Like I said I could love you. I will love you! I will have your silky smooth skin underneath me every night! Whether that will be forced or of your own free will is to be decided right now!"
"NO KAGATO! I WILL NEVER COME TO YOU OF MY OWN FREE WILL! I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN TO HAVE TO BE SO CLOSE TO YOU! I WILL NEVER JOIN YOU!"
"YOU STUPID BITCH! YOU DON'T REALIZE WHAT A MISTAKE YOU'VE JUST MADE! NO MATTER, YOU WILL STILL BE MINE WHETHER YOU CHOSE TO BE OR NOT!"
"THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE WRONG KAGATO!"
Ryoko who had been fumbling around in her pockets out of nervousness came upon the Dimensional Travel Door that she had borrowed from Washu.
'It's now or never.' Ryoko thought as she teleported to Washu's side and threw the Dimensional Travel Door up into the air where it became a black void in the shape of a door. She quickly flung the crystal that Washu was imprisoned in through the gateway.
"WHAT?!" An enraged Kagato yelled as he realized what was happening. Ryoko was about to pass through the door way too when…
"OH NO YOU DON'T!" Kagato yelled as he teleported to Ryoko's side in an instant and grabbed her arm. She had been halfway through the door before he yanked her out again. Ryoko knew she had missed her chance but she wouldn't let Washu loose hers.
"HOME! NOW!" Ryoko yelled her command at the doorway, which immediately closed taking Washu to safety.
Ryoko smiled in relief, 'She got away! She's safe now! I didn't fail her like I did the last time! She's really safe…mom…I'm so glad you're safe!' Ryoko thought as Kagato held roughly onto her arm.
"Don't look so pleased with yourself, Ryoko. It's not over yet!" Kagato said roughly shaking Ryoko's arm. "You still haven't managed to get away from me!"
"Let go of me Kagato!" Ryoko said as she shrugged his arm off of her. "I will never let you touch me again!"
"Famous last words. Remember them well Ryoko when I make you scream for me every night!"
"You will never have me Kagato. You should really feel ashamed of yourself for lusting over me as badly as you are. Seems the big bad boogie man has a weakness after all and it seems that weakness is me!" Ryoko said to Kagato a grin spreading across her lips, if she was going down she was at least going to have some fun first.
"Silence! You don't know what you are talking about! I only want your body! I don't lust for it! I wouldn't be able to call myself a man if I didn't desire the body of a beautiful woman! What man would turn down a body like the one I designed for you to have anyways? Oh I almost forgot that stupid boy Tenchi did! I wonder what's wrong with him? Maybe he's not into women! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Shut up Kagato! Just because Tenchi isn't some horny bastard like you are doesn't mean there is anything wrong with him. Unlike you Tenchi has a little self-restraint! He can actually control his emotions when around all the beautiful girls that are staying in his house. If he just gave in to his emotions he would have been with the first girl that offered herself to him without deciding first who he really cared about, who he really loved, or taking everyone's emotions into consideration. Tenchi is not like you in so many ways! He actually cares! You are the one that's weak! You are the one who can't control the feelings you have for me! You can't even decide whether you hate me or love me! You see I am the one that really has a hold over you Kagato! If I really wanted to I could manipulate you instead of you manipulating me! Who's in control now! Hmm?!"
"Shut up! You don't know what you are talking about! You have no hold over me! I could just get some other woman if I really wanted to but you are so close at hand…"
"Admit it Kagato I have an affect on you!"
"Shut up!….you….you don't affect me!"
"HAHAHAH! Is that so! Oh, Kagato! I want you! Kagato! Oh, please! Don't stop!" Ryoko said as she began to caress her own breasts in front of Kagato. He just stood there watching her too shocked to move. A small trickle of blood was coming from his nose…
"Oh, I'm sorry did I do that?" Ryoko asked innocently as she pointed to Kagato's nosebleed.
Kagato was outraged as he wiped the blood from his nose away.
"You go to far! I may have wanted you by my side out of your own free will at one point but now I can see you aren't worth the trouble! You'll never be good enough for me! After all you are only a mere creation! I deserve far better than you! I shouldn't have to take your shit! I deserve to be treated with respect! I'll ask Tokimi if maybe there's a way to brain wash you and make you the perfect humble wife! How would you like that Ryoko! To have your memories erased and never know what you've become! Maybe I'll even go so far as to make Tokimi make you love me! She has a way with controlling people's minds you know! HAHAHAHA! You will be mine! And there's nothing you can do about it! You will be made to love me! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"No! I will never love you Kagato! In some sick way you may have come to think you love me but I will never love you! What ever happened to 'emotions are weak Ryoko and can be used against you' hmmm? Isn't the feeling you have for me now an emotion? Whatever it is, be it lust or want or even love! You feel something for me and like you said emotions can be used against you! Who's so weak now Kagato! Don't you want me Kagato?! Don't you want me to want you! Isn't this what it's all about! Your desire for me! HAHAHAH Oh Kagato, please I want you! Isn't that what you want to hear come out of my mouth! Kagato, please I want you in me now!" Ryoko said as she continued to run her hands over her body tauntingly in front of Kagato as he tried to retain his composure.
"Enough! You little wench! When I'm through with you you'll be begging me to offer you a place at my side! AHHHHH!" Kagato yelled as he ignited his ice-blue energy sword and charged at Ryoko.
"Ha! Bring it on Kagato! I will never beg you for anything!" Ryoko said as she also ignited her energy sword and charged at Kagato.
Their swords clashed sending sparks into the air.
"You haven't even begun to see how powerful I really am, my Ryoko!" yelled Kagato.
"I am NOT yours!" Ryoko yelled as she ignited a second energy sword and slashed Kagato's side wounding him.
"AHHH you bitch! You'll pay for that!" Kagato yelled also igniting a second energy sword and stabbing Ryoko in her ribs.
"AHHHHHH" Ryoko screamed in pain as she teleported several feet away from Kagato to catch her breath as she clutched her wounded side. Ryoko's breath was uneven, exerting herself so soon after latest recovery was taking its toll on her body. But she wouldn't give up, through all the doubt, through all of Ryoko's mixed emotions one thought continued to come to her mind…
'Tenchi…I promised Tenchi…'
"AHHHHH Kagato you won't win this time!!!!!" Ryoko came at Kagato attacking him with her two energy swords and Kagato defending himself with his two blades. SWING BLOCK SWING BLOCK The two stood there both sets of blades crossed over each other in a stalemate.
'She really is powerful. But she is no match for me.' Kagato thought smiling at Ryoko.
"Wipe that stupid grin off of your face! AHHHHH" Ryoko screamed as she back flipped kicking Kagato underneath his chin sending him backwards. He quickly regained his composure though as he straightened and spit some blood out of his mouth.
"I would expect no less from the woman I chose to be my wife, my Ryoko." Kagato said as he brought his hand up to wipe away some of the blood that was trickling down the side of his mouth. He looked at the blood rubbing it between his fingers as if to make sure it was really there. "Hmm like I said…I would expect no less. But it still won't be good enough."
"Shut up! I am not your wife! I am only going to be the wife of the man I love and that man is Tenchi Masaki!"
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO SPEAK THAT NAME IN FRONT OF ME! AHHHHHH!" Kagato said as he sent an energy blast hurtling at Ryoko.
"TENCHI MASAKI! TENCHI MASAKI! TENCHI MASAKIIII!!!!!!" Ryoko yelled mocking Kagato as the blast he sent towards her collided with her energy shield. Ryoko had to use all her strength to keep the blast from getting past her shield but she managed to block it successfully.
"You'll have to do better than that Kagato! TAKE THIS! AHHHH!" Ryoko yelled as she sent her own energy blast hurtling towards Kagato. I blast was huge at least 6ft tall and yet Kagato's shield defected it effortlessly.
"HAHAHAHAH! Is that the best you've got!" Kagato cried as he used one hand to motion to Ryoko to bring it on.
"I'm not done yet!" Ryoko began to build up huge amounts of energy in her two hands to get ready to send at Kagato. A huge energy blast was formed, a sparkling red and gold ball of energy. She let out a scream as she sent the blast in Kagato's direction. "AHHHHHH DIE KAGATO!!!!!"
The blast sped towards Kagato but he just stood there as the blast got closer and closer until…
He opened his mouth and began to suck the energy from the blast inside himself. The blast had stopped inches from him as if commanded to do so and Kagato just stood there sucking up the red and gold energy. This was one of his new powers.
"What the hell?" began Ryoko watching Kagato suck up the energy ball.
"MMMMM your energy tastes sweet Ryoko!"
"You really are a Psycho!"
"Here Ryoko how about a kiss! HAHAHAHA!" Kagato laughed as he opened his mouth and let out a hurtling blast of fire towards Ryoko. The blast collided with Ryoko's shield but this time she wasn't able to deflect the blast as it keep coming and coming at her out of Kagato's mouth. The pressure on her shield was just too much.
"AHHHHHHHHH" Ryoko screamed as she was sent flying backwards onto the ground where she skidded for several feet before stopping.
"HAHAHAHAH Am I a little too hot for you to handle, my Ryoko? Maybe next time I'll use a breath mint! HAHAHAH!" Kagato laughed as he looked at Ryoko's fallen form.
"Shut up…Kagato" Ryoko said as she struggled to stand. She couldn't lose to him. Not now. Not again. Ryoko got to her two feet and turned to face Kagato a smile on her face.
"I won't be defeated as easily as you thought Kagato!"
Kagato was surprised that she was able to get up after that attack but remained calm. He knew it was never wise to underestimate an opponent. He would just have to change his strategy.
"Oh, so you still want to play do you?" Kagato asked as he raised his hand at Ryoko. "I suggest you run! HAHAHAHA!" Kagato laughed as he sent various mid-sized energy blasts at Ryoko.
"Ahhh uh Ahhhh uh Ahhh" Ryoko screamed as she avoided the energy blasts. Each one barely missing her as they exploded behind her. The last one was so close that when it exploded Ryoko was send flying forwards.
"Ahhhhh" Ryoko screamed as she landed face first on a rock hard surface. Ryoko tried to get up and found that she was lying on the stone steps that lead into the Cathedral. Ryoko began to crawl up them towards the Cathedral's front door…maybe if she hid from Kagato for a while she could regain some of her energy before attacking him again.
"Ah ah ah where do you think you're going Ryoko!" Kagato said shaking a finger back and forth at Ryoko as he slowly walked towards the Cathedral's entrance. When he got there Ryoko had already managed to get inside. Once inside he found that he couldn't see Ryoko. "Now Ryoko now's not the time for hide and seek! Come out. Come out. Where ever you are! HAHAHAHA! You can't hide from me forever Ryoko I will find you! There is no escape." Kagato said as he walked down the main aisle. There were rows of church benches along either side of him as he walked down the center towards the cross that was hanging on the far wall. A huge black and gold cross…
Ryoko was hiding on one of the beams that were situated above the benches just under the ceiling of the Cathedral. She was trying hard not to move or make a sound as Kagato passed by underneath her. She gasped as he passed and let out a sigh of relief when he continued on his way to stand right in front of the cross. Kagato turned to face the door.
"Well, we did have a beautiful wedding here didn't we Ryoko? You did make a lovely bride! I remember how passionate you were when you kissed me…"
Ryoko knew Kagato was trying to make her angry but she wasn't going to fall for it. She still needed to regain her strength.
Kagato began to pace as he talked to Ryoko, "You know, Tenchi will never marry the likes of you. He will marry the princess Ayeka. The wedding will be on Jurai and everyone but you will be invited. You probably remember how beautiful the planet Jurai was from our last mission. The trees…such beautiful trees…wouldn't you agree Ryoko? I remember how I made sure you would use the back entrance to get to Tsunami…do you know why I made sure you went that way? Well, the princess Sasami's room was there…right where I made you enter and I know how much you enjoy killing little girls! Had she still been there she would have been killed instantly…luckily for her she had left to go and explore the tree room…and yet your blast still managed to cause Sasami's death…or should I say assimilation with Tsunami. When all this is over and you are by my side once more Ryoko I will send you after Sasami to complete your mission. You didn't bring be Tsunami before but this time you won't fail me…not now that you are friends with her…yes…I will use the friendship you have with Sasami to trick her to come to you and then I will finally have her! HAHAHAHA!"
"NOOOO!!!!!" Ryoko cried jumping down from her hiding place. "I won't let you harm Sasami!"
"Ah so you finally show your self! I was beginning to think you were too cowardly to care about your friends!"
"You're wrong Kagato! I do care! I care about them all very much! I will not let you near them! You will die here today! And then I will be free of you and free to marry my Tenchi!"
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO SAY THAT NAME! AHHHHHH!" An icy aura began to surround Kagato as the church doors blew open. An icy wind filled with snow entered the Cathedral. Ryoko shivered from the cold. A blue energy began to surround Kagato as he powered up. His eyes began to glow silver as several silver Light Hawk Wings began to appear around Kagato.
'The Light Hawk Wings…it can't be?'
'Oh yes it can'
Ryoko jumped, she had forgotten that Kagato could read her thoughts.
There must have been at least five shimmering wings surrounding Kagato. He took one of them and formed it into a sword pointing it at Ryoko.
"Now…beg for me to spare your life. BEG FOR ME!"
"I WILL NEVER BEG TO YOU!"
"So be it! YOU STUPID BITCH HERE'S A TASTE OF MY TRUE POWER!"
Kagato continued to power up and the power that Kagato was emitting caused all the stained glass windows that were along the side of the Cathedral to shatter and break into a million pieces. Shards of glass flew through the air. A few hitting Ryoko…
Ryoko looked down to see that the scrapes she had gotten were bleeding…
'Oh no…I must be losing my strength.'
'Really? That's too bad!'
"Uh," Ryoko gasped as she felt Kagato emitting more energy. Once he was fully powered up he charged Ryoko.
Ryoko quickly dove behind one of the church benches as Kagato came down on her with his sword missing her and destroying the bench instead.
"You can't avoid me forever Ryoko!"
Ryoko began to crawl under the benches towards the front of the Cathedral as Kagato came up behind her blasting the benches away with his energy blasts. Each one was right behind her as she crawled on. She finally crawled out from under the last bench and ran a little ways. She found herself standing in front of the cross…above the cross the ceiling was arched and there was a glass dome leading outside to the roof. Ryoko was standing right under it.
"Ah there you are" said Kagato as he destroyed the last bench and saw Ryoko standing in front of the cross. He began to walk towards her, his Light Hawk Wings still shimmering behind him. "It's time to come back to your husband Ryoko. You wouldn't want to make God angry now would you?" Kagato said as he dissipated his energy sword stretching a hand towards Ryoko as he began to get closer and closer. "Come to me Ryoko…there is no escape."
Ryoko looked up at the glass dome that was above her and summoned her remaining strength to fly. She flew straight up and through the glass dome. The glass shattering all around her, cutting her as she flew past.
"HAHAHA you really are amusing! Do you really think you can get away from me that easily?" Kagato said as he rose off the floor and flew after Ryoko.
Ryoko found herself on the Cathedral's roof. She looked around at her surrounding…
On either side of her was a sloping side…
She tried to balance herself on the ridge of the roof. At the opposite end there was the black cross…
She ran to the black cross and looked down…
There was nowhere for her to go.
Kagato flew up and landed opposite her on the other side of the ridge. The two stood there facing each other-Ryoko standing on one end of the ridge, Kagato at the other end.
"Ahh there you are Ryoko. I'm so glad I found you." Kagato said as his aura shimmered, his silver wings glowing. Kagato slowly began to walk towards Ryoko hand out stretched. "Careful Ryoko…you wouldn't want to fall…in your weakened state a simple fall may be able to kill you."
Ryoko backed up against the cross…
What was she going to do?
"Don't come any closer Kagato! Or I'll jump! I swear it!"
"Ryoko…I know you wouldn't kill yourself…what about Tenchi…you promised him that you'd come back to him when all this was over."
'He must have read my mind then too…Tenchi…I did promise Tenchi I'd come back to him…'
"Maybe if you're good Ryoko I'll let you visit Tenchi once in a while…come to me Ryoko there is no other way" Kagato said as he got closer to Ryoko…hand still outstretched.
Kagato was only a few feet away from her now…
The only emotion that Ryoko was feeling was hate…hate for Kagato…hate for herself that she had failed to keep her promise to Tenchi…hate for Tokimi that if she did kill herself Kagato would probably just have the goddess bring her back to life and maybe without memories…a subdued version of herself that would bow to Kagato's every command…be at his every beck and call…obey his every whim…was that really her future…was there really no way out…
'Tenchi…I'm sorry…'
Kagato was less than a foot away from her now…
"Ryoko…come to me…you belong to me…" Kagato said reaching out his hand to grab Ryoko.
"NOOOOO!!!!! I DON'T BELONG TO YOU! I CAN'T BREAK MY PROMISE TO TENCHI! I WON'T! I SAID YOU WOULD NEVER TOUCH ME AGAIN!" A red and gold aura began to surround Ryoko and she began to power up much like Kagato had. There was a huge burst of energy and Kagato found himself flying backwards landing on the opposite side of the ridge once more. He got up shakily…
'Not again…' Kagato thought as he looked in disbelief as Ryoko's battle outfit changed into a beautiful red and black dress…several Light Hawk Wings began to form around her as well, each one a blood red color. 'It can't be…she has the power to summon the Light Hawk Wings…'
'You forget Kagato this link we share goes both ways if I want it to! And yes Kagato these are the Light Hawk Wings…and if you haven't noticed I have nine when you only have five!' But Kagato's reaction was unexpected…
"AHHAHAHAHHAHAHAH! Aren't you forgetting something Ryoko?!" Kagato yelled looking at Ryoko a smile forming on his face…
Ryoko looked at him perplexed…what could he be talking about…
Meanwhile…at Tokimi's Lair…Tenchi and Tsunami(speaking to Tenchi while in Sasami's body) had just arrived at Tokimi's lair. It was the most peculiar place with floating building and gardens. They had materialized on one of the floating gardens…
From out of a dark patch of trees came a voice…
"So I see you've arrived, Tenchi Masaki" Adrien said as he stepped out from the trees.
Tenchi looked at Sasami and said, "Tsunami I think it would be best if you and Sasami left before-"
"Before what Tenchi? Before it gets messy around here?!" Adrien asked.
"But Tenchi I really think I should stay in case I'm needed." Tsunami said.
"Well, if you feel you have to just stay out of the way, ok?" Tenchi said looking concernedly at Tsunami.
"Alright Tenchi. When and if you need me I will come to your aid." With that said Tsunami vanished.
Tenchi turned to face Adrien as Adrien ignited his energy sword.
"Come and fight me!" Adrien demanded pointing his sword at Tenchi.
"I will not fight you." Tenchi simply replied.
"What do you mean you won't fight me? Don't you want to save the princess Ayeka? The only way you can do that is if you manage to defeat me and then defeat Tokimi. Or is it that you won't fight me because you realize you are no match for me."
"No, that's not it. Ryoko…she told me to save you. You are probably under mind control at this very moment. Ryoko told me that you were someone worth saving and I want to believe in what she said. That's why I won't fight you."
"I hate to tell you this Tenchi, but as we speak I am not under mind control."
"Then why fight me? We should try and stop Tokimi together. It would be the right thing to do."
"The right thing to do?! What do you know about the right thing to do? Do you really think you did the right thing by letting Ryoko go and face Kagato alone!?"
"I…I…it's something she has to do."
"Something she has to do? Is that all that goddess Tsunami had to say in order to convince you to let her go off to her doom!?"
"No, she also said that as long as Ryoko had the gems she would be alright…"
"HA! The gems! They are the very things that will lead to Ryoko's downfall. That and her dependence of them!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you know so little about Ryoko that you're telling me you don't know what that means? As long as Ryoko has the gems that means that Kagato will be able to control her using his controller-device. Even if she manages to bring out the gems' full potential her power will only be turned against her!"
"Ryoko…what have I done? I've made a terrible mistake."
"You idiot! You don't deserve Ryoko's love! I would never have let her go to face Kagato alone! If it hadn't been for Tokimi I would be with Ryoko now helping her save her mother. The mother she loves but hasn't gotten the chance to show it to her yet. What if that chance is taken away from her? Do you know what it's like to lose someone you care about?!"
Tears began to build up in Tenchi's eyes as he thought of his own mother and how he had lost her when he had been so young…he remembered that day and running to the cave by the shrine for comfort although thinking back he couldn't remember exactly why he had gone there for comfort...
"Yeah, I know what it's like to lose someone."
"Shut up! Just shut up! Don't you realize what he will do to her! Let alone Washu! You practically gave him Ryoko! You might as well have stuck a bow on her head and said "Merry Christmas Kagato"! She deserves better! She deserves someone who would actually care about her going to face her worst nightmare alone! Don't you even understand what Ryoko had to go through while she was under his control?! Don't you realize how scared she must have been when she found out that the one person she believed in the most, the one person she loved wasn't going to help her in her fight against Kagato!? That she would have to face him all alone! You don't seem to realize the true gravity of the situation! Ryoko must be so scared right now! And it's your entire fault because you were too much of a shirker to tell her how you feel! Just because she puts on a happy face doesn't mean that's how she's really feeling. You know so little about her even now! She can appear to be the strongest woman in the world but really she is the most kind-hearted and sensitive woman I know! She puts on a mask to hide her emotions. Kagato is responsible for that! She was probably so scared and yet she probably told you that it would all be ok and that she would come back to you. Am I right?"
Flashback…"Well, I guess this is goodbye, Ryoko." Tenchi said turning to Ryoko.
"I guess so, and Tenchi wait for me before you decide to do something you'll regret. I don't care how hopeless the situation seems. Wait for me, Tenchi. When all this is over I will come back to you." Ryoko said looking at Tenchi as he stood their starring at her, getting lost in her beautiful golden-eyes. "Well you don't have all day Tenchi! You better get a move on you're wasting time!"
"Right, you take care of yourself Ryoko." Tenchi said turning towards Sasami/Tsunami.
"I will, you be careful too, my Tenchi" said Ryoko.
End of Flashback…"Yeah…she said for me to wait for her…that when all this was over she'd come back to me…"
"But she won't be coming back to you Tenchi. Not this time. You let her go off to face the Grim Reaper alone! She's at death's door as we speak and until we end this fight neither of us can go and save her! And I plan to be the leading entrant out of all this! I deserve her love more than you and so I will come out of this fight victorious! You had your chance to love her and now it's my turn! You treated her love for you like it wasn't worth a damn! But that love that you discarded I will pick it up and have it as my own! I will mend her broken heart with my love…and she will need comforting after you're dead!"
"It doesn't have to be this way…please for Ryoko's sake we mustn't fight each other…it was what she wanted. She cares for the both of us very much. Would you really want to go against her will?"
"What do you know about her will! If she realized just how heartless you were to let her go off and face Kagato alone I think she would take her unrequited love elsewhere! And I think she finally will! Don't you see? When you left her to come here and save Ayeka you broke her heart. Because in a way you were showing where your priorities lie. From her prospective you care more about the princess than about her. She already thinks you've chosen because in a way you have. You didn't care enough about Ryoko to stop her!"
"But that's not true I do care about Ryoko…it's just I didn't know…I thought-"
"That's the whole problem with you-you think but you don't know! That is why you will never be able to love her the way she deserves to be loved!"
"You're wrong! I will be able to love Ryoko in a way she deserves. I just haven't had the chance to tell her how I feel yet. Something always happens before I have a chance to-"
"That's a lie! She's given you countless opportunities for you to reveal your love for her but each time you've let it pass you by. Unlike you I can give her the love she deserves because I have the courage to show her how I feel! To let her know that she is in fact loved and deserves to be loved! You will never understand a woman as complex as Ryoko to understand her needs! Ryoko is the type of woman that will never tell you to say you love her but wait patiently until you do; she's the type of woman who will never complain that you never give her compliments because she thinks she's not good enough to receive them! If I had the chance to have Ryoko's love like you have I would have told Ryoko how much I loved her and needed her every God damn day! I would have given her compliments on her beauty on the days she was having a bad hair day! Because it's really the little things that make a woman like Ryoko happy."
"I can do all those things! And I will when she comes back to me! I'll show her how I feel about her once and for all. I'll be able to give her the love she deserves. I know more about love than you think I do because I love Ryoko!"
"Do you? Because Love is more complex than meets the eye. Just because she throws herself at you doesn't mean that she's only interested in your for your body. She wants the whole package as do all women even if they won't admit it! She wants all of you…your mind, body and soul. Once you have given all of yourself to the person you love that is when you really have become one with that person. That is what true love is all about! Finding your soul mate and actually getting to live your life side by side with that person! If you don't know all that then you would have lost her even if you had decided to fess up your feelings! Are you really willing to make that kind of a commitment to Ryoko because it seems that with your behavior here today you're shown that you aren't ready to make a commitment to her, even if it meant making such sacrifices as rescuing the Princess Ayeka after you helped Ryoko. That's what love is all about-sacrifices and I don't think you're cut out to make those kinds of sacrifices for your love. You're just not cut out to love someone like Ryoko!"
"You're wrong! I was making a sacrifice when I left Ryoko! I knew she couldn't have been completely alright with having to face Kagato on her own but she wouldn't have had it any other way. Ryoko knew it would be wrong for me to forsake Ayeka and so because she loved me she supported me in every way that she could. Ryoko was not selfish with her love. It would have been selfish for Ryoko to ask me to forget about Ayeka and beg me to help her and by God if she had begged me I would have gone with her instead of coming here to face you and Tokimi. But the fact is that she didn't beg for me to stay and did a self-less thing by letting me come here and try to rescue Ayeka instead of going with her. So you see we are already making sacrifices because of our love for each other. We would both have rather been together to face Kagato but she and I both knew that the right thing to do would be to have one of us rescue Washu and have the other rescue Ayeka. I was only fitting that Ryoko rescue her mother and I my close friend."
"You still don't get it do you! You shouldn't have let her leave even if that was what she claimed she wanted. If you knew that that was really not what she wanted then you have forsaken Ryoko instead! You don't deserve to claim that what happened here today was because of the sacrifices made by the love you and Ryoko share! You will pay for taking advantage of Ryoko's kind heart! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Adrien yelled as he charged Tenchi.
"Adrien please! Think of Ryoko!" cried Tenchi.
"I am thinking of her. She'll be better off when you're dead!"
"If it has to be this way then so be it!" 'Ryoko I'm sorry….' Tenchi ignited his energy sword as he charged Adrien also. "AHHHHHH"
Back at the Cathedral…on Terra Nova…"I believe you are forgetting that you are not your own master! As long as you have those gems I can control you! HAHAHAHA!" Kagato said as he began to take control of Ryoko's body…
An immense pain filled Ryoko's whole body as her gems began to glow…
"AHHHHHHHHH" Ryoko screamed in pain, the pain was almost unbearable. She couldn't let Kagato gain control of her body, she just couldn't. She was fighting his control with everything she had.
"Don't try and fight me Ryoko! It's pointless to resist! I think I need to show you just how in control I am of your body! AHHHHHH" Kagato yelled as he gained more control over Ryoko's body. Although she was still able to keep consciousness he now had control of her body.
"What the?" Ryoko began as her nine Light Hawk Wings began to bend and distort changing shape. 'No way! He can't be planning to use my Light Hawk Wings against me? Can he?!" All of Ryoko's nine Light Hawk Wings were pointed back at her…all nine Light Hawk Wings simultaneously stabbed Ryoko…nine blades pierced her skin…nine very powerful energy blades…
Ryoko screamed in horror…
The blades dissipated as all of Ryoko's energy was expended. Ryoko collapsed on the roof in front on the cross. Her nine stab wounds bleeding…soon she was laying in a pool of her own blood…
Ryoko's eyes began to close as she remembered…
Flashback…
The doors at the back of the room opened and a masked man passed through them. He was dressed in leather from head to toe. Along with his leather facemask. Other than that you couldn't really tell any other features about him. He pulled out a wooden sword and pointed it at Ryoko.
"I see," said Ryoko, "But how am I supposed to fight without my energy sword?"
The Man in Black threw another wooden sword to Ryoko.
"Alright then" said Ryoko.
The two faced each other off. It looked like they would be fighting in the main entrance hall, 'oh well, how much damage can wooden swords do anyways,' thought Ryoko.
The two charged each other at breakneck speed, their swords clashing. Ryoko swung high and man low, each managed to block each others attack; they stepped back from one another.
"Not bad" said the man.
"I know," said Ryoko.
"Guess I shouldn't hold back then" said the guy smirking.
"Guess I shouldn't hold back either" responded Ryoko.
End of Flash back…
'I see…I can fight without the power of my gems…I know now what I must do…' Ryoko thought as she used all her remaining strength to open her eyes.
Kagato had watched Ryoko being stabbed with all nine of her Light Hawk Wings and was worried that he had gone too far.
'I may have overdone it. No matter, if she dies I'll just have the goddess bring her back…with a few alterations of course…' Kagato thought to himself while looking at Ryoko's unmoving form. Kagato was so deep in thought about all the changes he could have Tokimi do to Ryoko to keep her in line that he failed to notice that she had started moving again.
Ryoko struggled to move her bloodied hand to her other wrist. With all her strength she painfully pulled out the gem that was usually imbedded there. She then removed her gem from her other wrist and then finally the gem from her neck. The spots where the gems had been had began to bleed even more so than her other wounds but Ryoko had a plan. If she managed it, she would be able to live through the blood lose. Slowly Ryoko began to stand…
Kagato had noticed that the link between himself and Ryoko had been severed somehow. He turned to see the three bloody gems that Ryoko had taken out of her wrists and neck in the outstretched palm of Ryoko's hand.
"I don't need these gems to defeat you Kagato. I can defeat you of my own ability!"
"Foolish girl without your gems there is no way you will be able to survive the lose of blood you have suffered!"
"We shall see." Ryoko said as she placed the gems into her pocket.
'Now what had Kagato said earlier… "I've always wanted you…you will always have a place close to my heart Ryoko." Hmmmm so I'm close to his heart am I?'
Ryoko swiftly turned around and dislodged the black cross that was behind her. It was made out of black rod-iron and was about the same size her energy sword had been. She stood there holding the black cross pointing it at Kagato.
"HAHAHAHAHA you expect to fight me with that? So be it!" Kagato said igniting his energy sword.
Ryoko and Kagato charged one another. Kagato stabbed Ryoko through the chest as Ryoko managed to get by all of Kagato's defending wings using her natural agility and pierce Kagato's chest with the black cross.
"So you managed to stab me…what good will that do you…I stabbed you too…now you will surly die…"
But Ryoko just smiled at Kagato as Kagato's chest seemed to bulge. It looked like there was something inside of him that was about to explode.
"My controller-device!"
Ryoko's smile widened. She quickly took out her gems and placed them back in their usual spots. The gems began to glow as Ryoko's wounds began to heal. She knew she had to bring out their full potential if she was going to survive.
"You really think you have a chance don't you! WELL THINK AGAIN! AHHHHHHH!" Kagato yelled as he ignited two of his energy swords and charged Ryoko. He lifted both swords and was going to slice Ryoko in two but something was in his way…
"What? IMPOSSIBLE! IT CAN'T BE! NOT NOW! IT ISN'T POSSIBLE!" Kagato cried.
Two Light Hawk Wings were blocking Kagato's two blades. Ryoko looked back at him smiling.
"Now Kagato…it's your turn." Ryoko pulled two of her light wings off forming them into swords. Kagato was too shocked to do much of anything besides trying to get past Ryoko's two other defending wings. This time Ryoko was able to form her final wing…she now had the power of ten wings. Six of them were at her disposal besides the ones she was using now. Kagato only had three left at his disposal since both of the blades he was using now were formed out of his Light Hawk Wings. Ryoko's six wings shot forwards and wrapped themselves around Kagato's three Light Hawk Wings restraining them and putting them out of commission. It was two wings against one so they were over powered easily. Ryoko using her two energy blades stabbed the unprotected Kagato with each blade in the chest. Ryoko then left the blades there to detonate. Kagato staggered backwards with the two protruding blades sticking out of his chest and back.
"It looks like you've won my Ryoko…" Kagato said as the wings exploded obliterating him and finally giving him the coup de grace.
"It looks like I have…Tenchi…" Ryoko said as she fell to her knees passing out.
Back at the floating garden….Tokimi's Lair…
Tenchi and Adrien's swords clashed. This was it. Whoever came out triumphant would be left to win Ryoko's heart.
The two warriors let out a battle cry as they attacked each other with rapid speed and agility. Tenchi using Sword Tenchi was managing to dodge all of Adrien's attacks as quick as lighting while remaining on the defensive. Meanwhile Adrien was attacking Tenchi like a bat out of hell. Tenchi brought Sword Tenchi down upon Adrien swiftly but Adrien just casually blocked his attack as if it were nothing. Tenchi hastily switched to an offensive attack position to try and catch Adrien off guard but his form soon faulted and Adrien was gaining the upper hand.
"I think it's time I ended this fight so I can go and save my Ryoko!" Adrien said as he began to power up. An emerald green aura surrounded him as three Light Hawk Wings shot out of his back. His outfit changed into a dark green and black battle suit. His mask became stripped with green streaks. He dissipated his usual energy sword and took one of the Light Hawk Wings from his back forming it into a light green energy sword. "Now you die! Ryoko's soon to be former love!" Adrien yelled as he charged Tenchi.
Tenchi stayed firm as Adrien's sword clashed with his own. However, as hard as Tenchi tried the energy that Adrien was putting into the sword over powered that of Sword Tenchi and Tenchi was thrown back knocking into several trees before stopping and sliding down the base of one. Tenchi's body ached all over and his head hurt. Tenchi dizzily tried to stand.
"It looks like I've won! Once I finish you off there will be no one in the way of me winning Ryoko's love!" Adrien teleported in front of Tenchi getting ready to run him through. Adrien pointed his sword at Tenchi and brought his sword upon him when…
"What's this? A Light Hawk Wing? But I thought only the chosen of a goddess can form the Light Hawk Wings?"
There protecting Tenchi was a single Light Hawk Wing. Tenchi steadied himself against the tree as he straightened himself to stand and face Adrien.
"You're right. Only the chosen of a goddess can form the Light Hawk Wings. I am the chosen of Tsunami."
"I see. That's why Tokimi would have us fight. Once you're out of the way she can take control of the entire Jurai Empire!"
"That's right, but I won't let that happen!" 'Ryoko I won't give up on you…forgive me for what I am about to do.' Tenchi threw Sword Tenchi aside as he began to concentrate. Soon two more Light Hawk Wings formed around Tenchi and he was now dressed in the Light Hawk Armor. "Now, we will see who will be the one left to have Ryoko's love!" Tenchi said as he took one of his wings forming it into a silver energy sword.
"I see. I wouldn't think you'd give her up so easily. Ryoko is quite the catch to have two men fighting over her!" Adrien said sword still pointed at Tenchi.
All of a sudden Tenchi brought his sword upon Adrien while his other Light Hawk Wing continued to block Adrien's energy sword. One of Adrien's own wings just blocked the attack. Tenchi then decided to take one of his other wings and turn it into a sword also. Adrien quickly followed suit. Soon the two chosen warriors began attacking each other blow after blow with their two energy swords. They still had one wing each to defend themselves with. The blows were becoming faster now and the energy put into each attack was more and more intense. This caused both warriors to use all their energy not to go flying backwards each time their swords met. It wasn't long now as the warriors prepared for their final attack…
This was it…
Who would survive?
The two warriors charged each other getting ready to deliver the other their deathblow. By the looks of things they would just end up killing each other but the two warriors were so into their battle that they didn't seem to care or failed to notice how extreme their fight had become. They both wanted Ryoko for themselves so badly that they would not allow the other one to win whatever the cost-even if it meant death. The two combatants brought their swords down upon each other…
Or did they?
What stood before them was as a sight that was as welcome as it was unwanted.
There stood Ryoko…four energy swords piercing her body.
She had come in between the two fighters when she realized what they were about to do. She had arrived on the scene just before they began to charge each other and had called out for them to stop but her cry went by unnoticed. At that moment she knew what she had to do. She was not going to let the two people she had come to care about the most kill themselves. So she did the only thing she could do-sacrifice herself for the ones she loved.
Everyone failed to notice that a certain blue haired girl had watched the entire scene…then she vanished as quickly as she had come…
Both Adrien and Tenchi were in shock as they removed their energy swords from Ryoko. When they did this Ryoko's body began to convulse and the gems that were on her wrists and neck exploded. The force of impact of both of their finishing attacks was too powerful for Ryoko's gems to take. She then collapsed to the floor.
Both boys went to her side immediately…
Tenchi letting Ryoko rest her head and most of her upper body in his lap…much in the same way he had comforted Zero when she was near death…
"Ryoko…why?…" began Tenchi as he starred down into her eyes. He knew she was dying. The gems had been the only thing keeping her alive after her fight with Kagato and after her severe lose of blood.
"I…uh…told you not to fight him Tenchi…I really should be asking you…uh…why…" Ryoko barely managed to get out as the blood from her internal injuries began to fill her lungs with blood.
"Ryoko…I'm sorry…I made him fight me…" Adrien said as she looked down at Ryoko's limp and bloody body…her strength was already failing her and so were her powers…
Ryoko turned her head to look at Adrien and for the first time she noticed his deep emerald green eyes…
"It's you. It's been you all along, hasn't it? My shadow…uh…bounty hunter…" It was getting harder for Ryoko to speak as it began to get hard for her to breath.
"Ryoko I…" Adrien began as he looked at Ryoko and then at the way Tenchi was looking at her. They were both looking at each other so intently. 'They really are in love…'
Adrien then decided to take his mask off.
"No…what are you…uh…doing…" Ryoko tried to speak as she saw Adrien begin to take his mask off. "You don't have to take it off for me…I know how you don't want death to find you…"
"No Ryoko…" Adrien said as he watched Tenchi cradling Ryoko in his arms. "I'm already dead."
Adrien kneeled down and then stretched out the palm of his hand and it began to glow…
Soon Adrien's Light Hawk Wings dissipated and his clothes returned to normal. Then three gems appeared in Adrien's out stretched hand. The gems were a light green color. He then put them into Ryoko's hand and clasped her fingers around them as he spoke…
"These gems are my goddess power Ryoko…they can save you…" At first Ryoko looked relieved but then she saw Adrien's expression and realized what this meant.
"No! I…uh…can't let you do this!" Ryoko cried as she tried to shove the gems back into Adrien's hand.
"But you must Ryoko! Forget about me! What about Tenchi? He cares about you very much…he needs you to help him defeat Tokimi!"
"Tenchi…" began Ryoko looking at Tenchi. Tenchi had an expression of longing on his face. He truly wanted Ryoko to accept Adrien's offer even if it meant what he thought it did.
Ryoko looked back at Adrien tears in her eyes…as he pressed her hand gently and the gems were transferred into her body. Ryoko gasped she hadn't expected them to transfer to her that way…she didn't have a chance to really make a decision…had it been the right thing to have happen…
"I just want you know that those gems were what brought me back from the dead…I won't be coming back this time…but I'm glad I was able to save your life Ryoko because…I love you…" Adrien said as he fell backwards trying to support his weakened body with his arms.
Ryoko looked at him in shock…
'He did this for me because…he loves me…'
"Oh Adrien!? Why! Why does it have to be this way! Why must I lose you again!"
Adrien turned to look at Ryoko one last time…
"Don't lose hope Ryoko…stay the strong woman I fell in love with ok?"
"Oh Adrien!" Ryoko cried as she got to her feet. The gems were already beginning to take affect and heal Ryoko's body. Ryoko stumbled to Adrien's side and sat down putting his head in her lap while stroking his hair and looking into those deep emerald green eyes…that she never forgot…
"Thank you! Thank you so much! You said you would save me and you really have!" Ryoko said looking down at Adrien with shinning eyes.
Adrien just smiled as he looked back up at her. 'If I could have chosen a way to go…it would have been like this…' Adrien thought as he starred into her beautiful golden eyes that were shimmering with tears of joy and sorrow.
"Never…never forget me ok…" said Adrien.
"Of course I'll never forget you! But you just hold on! Maybe we can get you some help or something-"
Adrien cut her off, "No, it's too late for me now…don't forget that I loved you Ryoko…"
And with that said his eyes closed…
"Adrien? Adrien! Adrien!!!!!" Ryoko sobbed as the tears started flowing from her eyes. "Oh why?! Why did it have to be this way!? Why!" Ryoko then felt a hand on her shoulder…
End of Chapter 8!!!!!
Hope you liked it! Much more to come, like the battle with Tokimi! And is Adrien gone for good?! Is Washu ok? Where did Tsunami/Sasami run off to? Will Tenchi manage to save Ayeka? Find out in the next exciting chapter of Power of a Goddess.
Oh and if any of you think you may be craving a sequel I am only going to make one in this fic's time line if I get at least 50 reviews total! So don't forget to review!!! C-ya!