Disclaimer: Tenchi-Muyo is owned by Pioneer and AIC. I do not own the "Lady of Shalott" or any lines I may use from it. Lord Alfred Tennyson wrote the poem.
Author's Note: I will post the poem "The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson at the end of this chapter for those of you who haven't read it. It will be referred to in this chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 9:
Flashback…
The bounty hunter turned towards Kagato.
"So be it."
The bounty hunter returned the gems to Ryoko and watched as her breathing steadied and improved. Also her wounds began to heal and she stopped bleeding. She was going to be ok.
"There is something I'd like to say to Ryoko before I go," began the bounty hunter.
"Alright. But don't take too long." Kagato said as he left the bounty hunter and Ryoko alone. 'It will cause Ryoko more pain once she loses him if she has this chance to hear what he has to say.' Kagato smiled to himself.
"Ryoko…wake up. Wake up, Ryoko." The bounty hunter said as he shook Ryoko awake.
The gems were slowly beginning to heal her, so she managed to have enough strength to open her eyes and see the bounty hunter's emerald green ones starring back at her.
"Did we do it? Did we manage to get away?" Ryoko asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not Ryoko…Kagato just gave me this chance to say goodbye."
Ryoko looked down at her wrists and felt her neck noticing that the gems had been returned to her. Tears welled up in Ryoko's eyes. She was Kagato's once more, and when she had been so close to being free.
"Please Ryoko…don't cry. I will come back and save you…you are so much like her…you and the Lady of Shalott…"
"The Lady of Shalott?"
"There is a story about a woman who was named the Lady of Shalott. She was a prisoner like you are now. Although she was trapped in a tower and you are a prisoner of your own mind. She was only allowed to see glimpses of the real world using a mirror that overlooked to the outside. You are also forbidden to see the outside world but sometimes have glimpses of it when you break free from Kagato's control. You saw shadows of the world appear when you broke free from his control that day, the day you really got to see me. The day I got to see who you really were."
"I am half sick of shadows," said Ryoko. "I want to be free. To be out there in the real world with you."
"I want you to be by my side also, Ryoko. The Lady of Shalott also wanted to be apart of the real world and to be free. But she had to face the consequences of wanting that freedom. There was a curse on her that would befall her if she left her tower. She knew not what that curse was, but one day she decided to leave her prison because she fell in love with someone she saw in her mirror. When she left her prison to be with her love the curse revealed itself as Death. You also have a curse upon you, Ryoko-the gems. You can't live with them but you can't live without them either. They are a part of you, and if you gained your freedom by giving up those gems you would not really be free. I will find a way to free you of your curse Ryoko. Unlike the Lady of Shalott you have a loyal knight and true who will make sure that you will live to enjoy your freedom once you have it. Your story will have a happy ending, Ryoko. Don't forget that. Never lose hope, and never stop dreaming. I will come back and save you, my Lady of Shalott."
"I know you will, my Shadow Bounty Hunter. Until we meet again. I want to thank you for giving me hope. When I dream it will be of you."
"Ryoko before I go I want to tell you something-"
"I'm afraid your time is up." Kagato said walking back into the room.
Ryoko just started crying into her hands. She then passed out from the anguish of her broken-heart.
Kagato allowed the bounty hunter to teleport back to his ship. He was gone. And Ryoko didn't know if she would ever see him again. Would her knight really come back and save her?
End of Flashback.
Adrien cut her off, "No, it's too late for me now…don't forget that I loved you Ryoko…" 'At least I got to tell her this time.' And then he lifted his head to whisper something in her ear. "Goodbye, My Lady of Shalott."
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…
It was Tenchi.
"How could he? How could he leave me no choice! It wasn't supposed to be this way. It's supposed to be a happy ending."
"He died to save you Ryoko…don't hold a grudge against him for that. What he did was a very noble thing…I wish I could have done it…but I'm so faint-hearted…"
Ryoko turned to Tenchi, "Tenchi you aren't faint-hearted at all! I know you to be one of the most courageous people I know! I know that if you could have saved me in any way you would have!"
"But that's just it Ryoko…I didn't stop you from going and facing Kagato alone. You could have died! And yet I let you go even though deep down I didn't want you to and knew you didn't want to go either. I'm such a coward if only I-"
"Tenchi…you weren't deserting me if that's what you think. I wanted you to go and save Ayeka."
"But you had to face Kagato alone…the man that put you through so much misery that you craved death!"
Ryoko was a little surprised that Tenchi knew about how she had once craved death all those years ago when her and Yosho had come to the earth, but spoke to Tenchi, "Tenchi…I'm glad I faced him alone. You see the last time when you killed Kagato I still had dreams that tormented me of my past. But now that I have faced him on my own…I know that I have finally vanquished those nightmares. I know that they are not coming back."
"But how? How do you know? What if-"
"Tenchi…when I managed to defeat Kagato I was so exhausted that I collapsed and fell into a deep sleep…during that time I didn't have a single nightmare…do you want to know what I did dream about?"
"What Ryoko?"
"You…my Tenchi"
"Ryoko I-"
"Tenchi, I refuse to give up on Adrien! I am going to go to Tokimi right now and demand that Adrien be brought back to life! He told me never to lose hope and I don't plan to. Also we still have to save Ayeka. We can't fail people we care about the most. Like I said before, anything you need to say to me can wait until we get home. Ok, Tenchi?" Ryoko had always imagined Tenchi's confession of his love for her to be said under a starlit sky with the moon, shining overhead. Not on a battlefield, not when the second person she cared the most about in her entire life needed her. He had given his life to save her. 'There just has to be a way to save Adrien, there just had to be.' Ryoko wouldn't give up, wouldn't lose hope-not when the person who taught her to have hope needed a miracle.…if she had managed to wait this long to hear those three magical words from Tenchi what would a little longer be?
"Well, if you say to Ryoko" 'Why is it that every time I want to reveal to Ryoko that I love her I miss my chance! I suppose it would be better to tell her how I feel in a more ideal setting but still I don't know how much longer I can wait. It seems that with Adrien's death the last thing she wants to hear about is how I love her.' A single tear rolled down Tenchi's cheek.
Ryoko picked up Adrien's body in her arms, "Come on Tenchi, I can sense a great energy over this way. Here, grab my hand I will teleport us there." Then looking down on Adrien's face she said in a soft voice, "I won't give up on you so easily, my knight."
Ryoko carrying Adrien and holding Tenchi's hand teleported to the location where she had sensed the great energy. What they saw when they materialized appalled them…
Blood…
It was everywhere.
The bodies of several demons were scattered all around them. What were once powerful demons were now masses of gray, bloody flesh. Tenchi and Ryoko found themselves in what appeared to have been a tremendous battlefield. The battlefield was a floating piece of mountainous terrain. Because of the freshness of the blood, the battle could not have happened but a few moments ago. Everywhere Tenchi and Ryoko looked there were dead bodies.
"What could have happened here?" Ryoko asked as she looked upon the bloody carnage.
"I don't know, but I don't like it. Something doesn't feel right." Responded Tenchi.
And then they noticed a flash of light and an evil laugh coming from behind one of the mountains on the floating battlefield.
"Did you hear that? It came from behind that mountain over there. Let's go check it out." Ryoko said still carrying Adrien in her arms as she began to power walk in the direction of where the laugh had come from.
"Ryoko, hey wait a minute. Do you really think this is such a good idea?"
"Tenchi, we have to find out what happened here. If I'm right, then I know who caused this and that's the very person I want to see right now. So suck it up and let's go!"
"Uh, ok…" 'How do I always get myself into these things?'
Ryoko, who was carrying the life-less form of Adrien, and Tenchi made their way to the mountain. Ryoko gently set Adrien down as they hid behind a series of boulders. Then Tenchi and Ryoko peaked behind them to see what was behind the mountain…
Another battle was taking place…
A series of red demons with scaly skin and bulging black eyes were fighting demons that had the body of a snake and the head of a crow. The crow headed demons were hideous with their sharp teeth and gleaming red eyes. The two were attacking each other mercilessly, the red demons using their clawed hands and the crow-headed demons using their sharp teeth.
"HAHAHAHAHA IS THAT THE BEST YOUR DEMONS CAN DO, TSUNAMI?! THEY'LL HAVE TO DO A LOT BETTER THAN THAT IF YOU EXPECT TO DEFEAT ME!" A voice echoed across the battlefield.
"MY DEMONS WILL DEFEAT YOUR ARMY, TOKIMI! JUST WAIT AND SEE! I HAVE YET TO BRING OUT THEIR FULL POTENTIAL!" cried another voice.
"It's Tsunami and Tokimi?!" Ryoko said turning to Tenchi. "But if Tsunami is fighting that would mean that she forced her assimilation with Sasami?! She promised she wouldn't…"
"Ryoko…I…we have to help Tsunami!"
Tenchi and Ryoko stepped out from behind their hiding place. Ryoko was the first to speak, "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? TSUNAMI, I THOUGHT YOU PROMISED NOT TO ASSIMILATE WITH SASAMI! HOW COULD YOU!? AND TOKIMI I HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH YOU ALSO!"
Both goddesses turned in the direction of Ryoko's voice.
"Ryoko? I thought you were killed?" Tsunami said looking at Ryoko like she was some sort of ghost.
"I nearly was killed, but Adrien gave up his goddess power to save me." Ryoko replied and then turning to Tokimi, "TOKIMI I DEMAND THAT YOU BRING ADRIEN BACK TO LIFE! THIS IS YOUR ENTIRE FAULT! IF YOU BROUGHT HIM BACK ONCE, WHY NOT BRING HIM BACK AGAIN?"
"Now there's no need to yell, Ryoko. But really, how is it my fault that my chosen champion died? If it's anyone's fault it's yours. I'm not the one who told him to give his life to save you! Besides I couldn't bring him back to life even if I wanted to. A person can only be brought back to life once. Perhaps we could discuss this later, right now Tsunami and I are kind of in the middle of something."
During this time the two demon armies continued to fight one another.
"What do you mean he can't be brought back to life? Are you or aren't you a goddess!?" demanded Ryoko.
"That's just the way it is, that's the way it's always been. So I suggest you just calm down, maybe later we can come to some sort of deal. I'm sure there's something else you want besides Adrien…maybe I could give you that one thing that you desire the most…" And Tokimi using one of her signature powers entered Ryoko's mind to say, 'I could make Tenchi love you if wanted…'
"Get out of my head! I don't plan to make any deals with you! I rather make a deal with the devil!" Ryoko screamed as she shook her head in her hands.
"Ryoko, are you ok?" Tenchi asked putting a hand on Ryoko's shoulder.
"I'm fine Tenchi." Ryoko said giving Tenchi a comforting smile.
'You must think that Tenchi could come to love you on his own. Let me show you how wrong you are!' Tokimi screamed in Ryoko's head.
"Ahhh get out!" Ryoko screamed. Tenchi was going to try and comfort Ryoko but got distracted by what Tokimi was doing.
Tokimi had raised her arms and they began to glow. A crystal came out of the ground, and inside of it was Ayeka.
"Ayeka!" yelled Tenchi.
The crystal was hollow and so Ayeka was able to move and see out of it. She saw Tenchi and began beating her fists on the walls of her crystal prison while yelling, and even though no one could hear her screams everyone knew she was yelling for Tenchi. "Tenchi!!!! Help me Tenchi! Get me out of here! Tenchi!!!!"
'Take a look at that Ryoko, look at the concern Tenchi has in his eyes for her! Has he ever looked at you that way!?' Tokimi asked Ryoko.
'I told you to get out of my head!' Ryoko screamed in her head.
Tenchi ran up to the crystal that Ayeka was trapped in and looked sadly back at Ayeka while pressing his hands against it. Ayeka gave him a small smile as if to say, "You came for me" pressing her hands where Tenchi's were. Tenchi smiled back saying, "Of course I did"
Tenchi then began to pound his fists on the crystal, "Ah, I have to get Ayeka out of here!"
"Quick Tenchi use your light hawk sword!" Ryoko yelled at Tenchi as she sighed. 'He really should have known better. But it seems he is so worried about Ayeka he forgot all about how he had the ability to summon the Light Hawk Wings.'
"Oh, yeah right!" Tenchi had still been in his light hawk armor and the Light Hawk Wings were still shimmering behind him waiting for him to use them. Tenchi grabbed one of the wings and formed it into a sword, he was about to bring it down on the crystal when…
"GET AWAY FROM THERE BOY! WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULD SAVE HER!" Tokimi yelled as she pointed a hand at Tenchi while gathering a black and red shimmering energy.
Ryoko noticed this and teleported in front of Tenchi, "No Tenchi! Watch out!"
Tokimi let lose a sparkling ball of black and red energy at Tenchi but it hit Ryoko instead.
The energy went through her, electrocuting her, as Ryoko screamed, "AHHHHHHHHH" and then it stopped. Ryoko shook it off. 'Hmmm that wasn't too bad.' Thought Ryoko.
Tsunami who had been watching mumbled in a low voice, "Oh no."
"Ryoko…thank you" Tenchi said turning to Ryoko with appreciative eyes.
"Don't worry about me Tenchi just save Ayeka!" Ryoko said and then turning to Tokimi, "TOKIMI NO ONE DARES TO HURT MY TENCHI! YOU'LL PAY!" Ryoko then ignited her energy sword and flew at Tokimi. Unlike her usual red saber she found that her energy sword was a bright green color.
Tenchi looked on worriedly at Ryoko but knew what he had to do. Tenchi reignighted his energy sword and brought it down on the crystal that was imprisoning Ayeka…
Ryoko was almost upon Tokimi when several of the red demons with the bulging black eyes materialized in front of Tokimi blocking Ryoko's way.
"AHHHH you demons will die!" Ryoko said as she began to attack the demons.
Tsunami noticed this and motioned for her demons, the crow-headed ones to go to Ryoko's aid. Soon the two demon armies were fighting again and distracted from Ryoko leaving her free to attack Tokimi.
Ryoko turned to Tsunami, "Thanks, we can defeat Tokimi together!"
Tsunami looked sadly at Ryoko, "I'm afraid I still can't attack my own sister. We can fight each other using demon armies but never face to face. It's up to you or Tenchi to actually defeat Tokimi."
"What do you mean you can't fight her face to face because she's your sister? What does that have to do with anything? She's not really a sister to you anyways, family doesn't hurt each other through their family like she has done. Somehow she even got you to force your assimilation with Sasami, I will never forgive her for that."
"Tokimi didn't force my assimilation with Sasami…"
"Then why? You promised me you wouldn't?!"
"When I saw what you did to stop Tenchi and Adrien from killing each other I thought you were as good as dead. Sasami told me then that she wanted to punish Tokimi for what she had done and so I forced the assimilation. It was what Sasami wanted, I am now Sasami too Ryoko. I'm sorry Ryoko, I thought you were dead. I know you didn't want me to lose my childhood, I thank you for that. But you should also know that if I could help you fight Tokimi I would, it's just that us goddesses are forbidden to fight each other. If we do the goddess that is above us will cast punishment. And this time I may not get off so easily as being imprisoned in a tree."
"Oh, Sasami! I'm so sorry that it all turned out this way. But I'm glad now that I understand why you can't fight with me. I wouldn't want something bad to happen to you just because you went against the goddess laws for our sake. This is my battle as much as it is yours. Tokimi has interfered with our family long enough. It's time for her to pay!"
Ryoko turned to Tokimi.
"HAHAHAHAHA! You won't be able to defeat me Ryoko! You forget where you are getting your power! The goddess gems that I gave to Adrien, and thanks to an old friend of yours I now have a device that will allow me to control you! No matter how hard you try Ryoko there is no way you will be able to overcome my control over you! HAHAHAHA" Tokimi said as she held up the controller-device mocking Ryoko with it.
"You're wrong Tokimi! No one can control me anymore! AHHHHHHH!" Ryoko screamed as she charged Tokimi but then she just stopped…
Ryoko found that she couldn't move no matter how hard she tried.
'Oh no, not again' Ryoko thought desperately as she continued to try and move.
"HAHAHAHA! You see Ryoko! You are no match for me! I am a goddess! I-what?!"
Tokimi turned around to see Tenchi, he had snatched the control device out of Tokimi's hand when she wasn't looking.
"Foolish boy, give that back!" cried Tokimi.
"No!" Tenchi said as he crushed the controller in his bare hand cutting his hand and causing it to bleed. Showing his hand in a fist to Tokimi, "You will no longer have control over my family!" The blood from his wound was running down his arm.
"What! You dare to defy me! You will pay!" cried Tokimi.
"I don't think so Tokimi. I won't let you lay a finger on my Tenchi!" Ryoko said as a shimmering green aura began to surround her. Her red and black dress turned into a green and black stripped one. Soon ten green Light Hawk Wings shot out of her back. And her eyes began to glow…
"I also will not allow you to harm Lord Tenchi!" Cried the voice of Ayeka. Tenchi had managed to free her from the crystal.
The two girls came and stood between Tenchi and Tokimi.
"Uh, girls, I can help too, you know" Tenchi said with a hand behind his head.
"But Lord Tenchi I just couldn't bare it if you were hurt!" said Ayeka.
"Ms. Ayeka I can form the Light Hawk Wings now I should be able to fight on my own alright." Responded Tenchi.
"Well, I'm still going to help you!" Ayeka said smiling at him.
"This is a very touching moment and everything but aren't you forgetting something!" Tokimi yelled as she sent another blast of red and black energy at the group.
"WACTH OUT! DON'T LET THE ENERGY TOUCH YOU!" Sasami/Tsunami cried.
The energy came hurtling towards them and then…
"Don't worry Lord Tenchi, I have my energy shield to protect us!" Ayeka said as she activated her shield blocking Tokimi's attack with ease.
"Wow, thanks Ms. Ayeka!"
"It was nothing Lord Tenchi!"
"AHHHHH you will die Tokimi!" Ryoko cried as she came at Tokimi with her green saber.
Tokimi's Light Hawk Wings began to form around her as well and just as Ryoko was upon her she had nine shimmering wings around her and pulled one of them off to meet Ryoko's sword.
The two swords clashed emitting sparks and waves of energy into the air.
"RYOKO, BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET ANY OF TOKIMI'S ENERGY TOUCH YOU!" Sasami/Tsunami cried out once more.
Ryoko was confused by Sasami's warning because the last time Ryoko had been able to withstand Tokimi's attack but decided to head Sasami's warning anyways.
Tokimi send another energy blast at Ryoko and Ryoko dodged out of the way instead of meeting it head on like she would have wanted to.
"There's no point in you avoiding my attacks, Ryoko!" Tokimi cried as she sent another blast hurtling at Tenchi. "It's your friends you should be worried about!"
"Tenchi No!" Ryoko screamed and was about to teleport when she saw that Ayeka was already there to block the blast. Again Ayeka was able to block the attack.
Ryoko turned to fly at Tokimi again. She was just about to bring her sword on Tokimi again when…
"Ayeka? What are you doing?" Ryoko asked in shock as she saw Ayeka blocking her path to Tokimi. But then Ryoko noticed Ayeka's eyes…
"You forget that I can control people's minds as long as they have hate in them! And she hates you Ryoko! HAHAHAHAH!" Laughed Tokimi. "Would you really kill her to get to me? That would get rid of your competition for Tenchi's heart since Ayeka is your rival. But what kind of person would Tenchi think you are? Could he ever love a murderer like you! HAHAHAHAHA!"
'Tenchi…' Ryoko thought as she tried to decide what to do. She really didn't want to hurt Ayeka but what else could she do? She had to get to Tokimi. Ryoko was about to attack Ayeka when…
"What!? Let go of me Lord Tenchi! What do you think you are doing! I have to get rid of that demon woman once and for all!" Ayeka cried as Tenchi was restraining her from behind.
"I'm sorry Ms. Ayeka but I can't let you harm Ryoko." Tenchi said as he continued to hold on to the struggling Ayeka. "Now Ryoko! Do it now!"
"Right, I owe ya one Tenchi!" Ryoko said as she attacked Tokimi again.
Ryoko knew she was never going to be able to defeat Tokimi if she kept having to avoid her energy attacks. Somehow she had to restrain Tokimi arms…
If one could see inside Ryoko's body, one would see that her gems were glowing…
Again the goddess and half-goddess fought. Ryoko was applying pressure on Tokimi's energy sword and Tokimi was doing the same. Each goddess trying to overpower the other. Then from out of the ground popped out the same gray demons that had first attacked Tenchi that day long ago. But instead of the demons attacking Ryoko they went up to Tokimi and grabbed her arms trying to restrain her.
"What!? What do you demons think you are doing? I control you! Stop what you are doing this instant!"
"We only obey the true goddess…that goddess is Ryoko. She is a demon like us, when you are a pure goddess, therefore, we obey Ryoko before we obey you, Lady Tokimi!" The demons cried.
"What? This is madness! You should bow before me! Not some half-goddess half-demon! Stop let me go!" Tokimi said as she tried to break free from the demon's grasp. This was Ryoko's chance, it was now or never…
She summoned the power of her remaining wings to attack Tokimi's, each one of her wings wrapped around one of Tokimi's. Ryoko still has one extra wing at her disposal so she took that wing off and formed it into an energy sword. She now had two humming energy swords pointed at the struggling Tokimi.
Tokimi knew what was coming, "Ryoko wait! Like I said before I could make Tenchi love you! Would you really leave that to your own devices? You'll never be able to win him on your own!"
"Shut up Tokimi! Your end has come!"
'Wait Ryoko…you don't realize that I have infected you with a deadly virus…if I don't tell you the cure you will never be able to live your life with the one you love!' Tokimi pleaded in her mind.
"I will not listen to your lies Tokimi!" 'I will not hesitate, not now. I will not let this chance pass by, I only hope that what Tokimi has said is not true.'
And with that said Ryoko brought her two swords upon Tokimi slicing her in two across her midsection.
"AHHHHHH!!!!" Tokimi screamed as her body was severed in half, her blood spilling onto the already bloody battlefield. A dark shadow lifted up out of the fallen body, it appeared to be the shadow image of Tokimi.
"AHHHHH" The shadow rose into the air a little ways before screaming as it was sucked into the earth by an invisible force. The goddess Tokimi along with her evil power to control minds was finally gone.
****
"Is there anything else we can do for you, my Lady." Asked one of the gray demons to Ryoko.
"No, I will no longer be needing your services. Thank you for your help." Replied Ryoko.
"You really are our true goddess Ryoko. We will always be glad to serve you." Another demon said as they sunk into the ground from which they came.
Ryoko turned around to see Tenchi still holding Ayeka.
"Oh, Lord Tenchi? What happened? The last thing I remember is using my shield to deflect one of Tokimi's energy blasts and now here I am in your arms." Ayeka said as a slight blush began to creep upon her cheeks.
"Uh, Ms. Ayeka are you sure you are ok?" Tenchi asked also blushing slightly at the way he was holding Ayeka.
"Yes, Lord Tenchi how could I not be, here in your arms like this."
"Ahem!" Ryoko cleared her throat.
Tenchi immediately released his grip on Ayeka while she reluctantly left Tenchi's arms.
"Hehe, Uh, hey Ryoko." Tenchi said with a hand behind his head, he hadn't realized how bad him and Ayeka had actually looked.
But Ryoko just smiled at him, something was still bothering her…
Tsunami/Sasami came up to them.
"Is everyone ok? You fought very bravely Ryoko" said Sasami smiling.
"Thanks kido, uh, I mean, uh, Lady Tsunami." Ryoko stammered she still wasn't quite sure what to call Sasami now.
"You can just call me Sasami, Ryoko. If you like." Said Tsunami/Sasami.
"Alright Sasami."
"Oh Sasami can I still call you my sister?" Ayeka asked tears in her eyes.
"Of course you can Ayeka! You still are my sister!"
"Oh Sasami!"
"Ayeka!"
The two sisters embraced.
"Hey Sasami, maybe you know of a way that Adrien can be brought back to life! What Tokimi said had to have been a lie!" asked Ryoko after the two sisters had finished their embrace.
"I'm afraid not Ryoko, what Tokimi said was no lie. A goddess can only bring someone back to life once. Just like how I brought Tenchi back, if Tenchi were to die again…"
"Sasami, don't talk about Lord Tenchi dying!" cried Ayeka. "Oh, Tenchi if you were to die I don't know what I'd do!"
"Uh, Ms. Ayeka I don't know what to say. I'm deeply touched that you care so much for me."
"Of course I care for you Lord Tenchi because I-"
"That's enough of that." Ryoko said interrupting Ayeka. "Now, Sasami, is there really no way to help Adrien?"
"Well no unless-"
"Unless what? You have to tell me Sasami! Whatever it is I'll do it!"
"Ryoko, I'm afraid it's not so simple as all that. Once someone is brought back a second time and dies, in order for that person to be brought back again one would have to sacrifice their life to bring them back."
"So you're saying that if I want to bring Adrien back I have to sacrifice my life?"
"Yes," Sasami said looking at the ground sadly.
"Well how about I sacrifice my life for Adrien and then you just bring me back!" suggested Ryoko.
"Ryoko? You can't be serious?!" exclaimed Tenchi.
"I must agree with Lord Tenchi on this one Ms. Ryoko, is that guy really worth it?"
"Yes, yes he is worth it." Replied Ryoko.
"Well, if you're really sure that's what you want to do Ryoko I can do this for you." Sasami said looking at Ryoko hesitantly.
"Wait Sasami there has to be an easier way, if Ryoko sacrifices herself for Adrien are you really sure you'll be able to bring her back?! What if something goes wrong?!" Tenchi asked looking worriedly at Sasami.
"An easier way…" Sasami said as she thought.
"How about instead of using the life force of one person to save Adrien you get a whole bunch of people to donate a little of their life force each to save him!" Said a nasal voice. "That way no one actually has to die!" The speaker was none other than the Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe.
"Washu?!" Ryoko cried as she ran up to hug Washu but realizing all eyes were on her coughed saying, "uh, I'm glad you're here."
"I'm glad too, little Ryoko! I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you!" Washu responded beaming at her daughter.
"Ms. Washu how did you get here?" asked Tenchi.
"My Inter-dimensional Travel door of course! It's one of my greatest inventions!"
Everyone sweat dropped.
"Hey there sweet thing! Are you ok? I heard some evil goddess took you away or something?" said a voice next to Ayeka.
Ayeka turned to see Raiden.
"Raiden how did-"
"Washu brought us all here to help!" cried the bubbly voice of Mihoshi. "You should have known we couldn't stay away! Tenchi's dad and Lord Katsowhatsit decided to stay though"
"It's Lord Katsuhito." Sighed Tenchi.
"I knew that!" said Mihoshi in an even more bubbly voice.
"Hey Raiden what's that on your shirt collar?" Ayeka asked Raiden noticing a pink stain on Raiden's shirt collar.
"Oh that? That's uh…" stammered Raiden.
"Oh, that's from when me and Raiden were making out!" said Mihoshi.
"Making out!" cried everyone as they all fell over.
Mihoshi had definitely taken good care of Raiden…
****
"So are we going to save Adrien are not!" Ryoko said getting impatient.
"So what do you think of my suggestion Tsunami?" Washu asked the goddess.
"I think that just might work, Ms. Washu. But everyone has to agree to this first…"
"Well I agree!" said Ryoko.
"Count me in" said Tenchi.
"If Lord Tenchi is going to lose some of his life energy to help that demon woman, the least I can do is donate some to so that he'll lose less that way" responded Ayeka.
"I'll do that same for you babe" said Raiden.
"Hey what about me?" pouted Mihoshi.
"Uh yeah I'll just donate extra, ya got that goddess?" said Raiden.
Sasami sighed.
"Well, count me in too I guess, should be fun!" said Mihoshi. "I've never donated life energy before!"
Everyone nearly fell over again.
"Anything to help my little Ryoko!" replied Washu
"All right then it's settled. Since there are so many of you donating life energy not that much will be needed from each you. Now, Ryoko would please bring Adrien's body." Sasami asked Ryoko.
Ryoko went to get Adrien's body from behind the mountain. She gently carried his body over to where everyone was and set him down on the ground. They all stood around him.
"I just want to thank all of you for helping me like this." Ryoko said looking around at everyone before resting her gaze on Adrien's form.
"We're your friends Ryoko! Of course we're going to help you save your friend. Any friend of Ryoko's is a friend of mine, especially when he's cute! I can't wait to meet him!" said Mihoshi excitedly.
Ryoko just smiled at Mihoshi…she had friends that cared about her this much…
"Yeah Ryoko we'll always be there to help you when you are in trouble" Tenchi said smiling warming at Ryoko.
"Well if Tenchi's going to be there, I suppose that will mean I'll be there as well" said Ayeka.
"Ok everyone get ready I am about to transfer your life energy into Adrien." Sasami said as a blue aura surrounded her and she began to glow. She closed her eyes as she concentrated…
She began to form a ball of golden energy in her hands, the ball sparked and glowed. She then released the ball of energy and it began to pass through everyone's bodies collecting life energy. Everyone gasped as the energy ball passed through them. When the ball first entered they felt cold but when it left they felt a warm tickling sensation. When the ball was done collecting life energy from everyone it shot into the air and came down at breakneck speed colliding with Adrien's body. His whole body began to glow as a golden aura surrounded him. And then…
Adrien slowly opened his eyes…
The first sight that met him was a teary eyed Ryoko. 'An Angel…she must be an Angel…' Adrien thought looking back at Ryoko.
"Adrien…you're ok…" Ryoko spoke looking at Adrien.
"Adrien? Is that my name?" Adrien asked the golden-eyed Angel before him as he began to stand.
Ryoko gasped in realization, 'He doesn't remember who he is…oh Adrien…'
"Yes…yes that's your name…"
"Oh I see, and may I ask what your name is?"
"It's…it's Ryoko…"
"Ryoko…."
End of Chapter 9!!!!
AHHHHHH! Adrien doesn't remember who he is! What about how he loves Ryoko! Will Adrien get his memory back? Will Tenchi finally admit his love for Ryoko? What was Tokimi talking about? Is Ryoko really infected with some kind of virus? What does it do? Wait and see in the next exciting chapter of Power of a Goddess!!!!
Don't forget to read and review!!!
Like I said the next chapter will probably be the second to last one unless I get at least 50 reviews for this story!!!!!!
Below is a copy of the Lady of Shalott:
Part I
On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky;
And thro' the field the road runs by
To many-tower'd Camelot;
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island there below,
The island of Shalott.
Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Thro' the wave that runs for ever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to Camelot.
Four gray walls, and four gray towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.
By the margin, willow veil'd,
Slide the heavy barges trail'd
By slow horses; and unhail'd
The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd
Skimming down to Camelot:
But who hath seen her wave her hand?
Or at the casement seen her stand?
Or is she known in all the land,
The Lady of Shalott?
Only reapers, reaping early
In among the bearded barley,
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly,
Down to tower'd Camelot:
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers " 'Tis the fairy
Lady of Shalott."
Part II
There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.
And moving thro' a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot:
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the surly village-churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls,
Pass onward from Shalott.
Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad,
Or long-hair'd page in crimson clad,
Goes by to tower'd Camelot;
And sometimes thro' the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two:
She hath no loyal knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.
But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often thro' the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights
And music, went to Camelot:
Or when the moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed:
"I am half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.
Part III
A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,
He rode between the barley-sheaves,
The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves,
And flamed upon the brazen greaves
Of bold Sir Lancelot.
A red-cross knight for ever kneel'd
To a lady in his shield,
That sparkled on the yellow field,
Beside remote Shalott.
The gemmy bridle glitter'd free,
Like to some branch of stars we see
Hung in the golden Galaxy.
The bridle bells rang merrily
As he rode down to Camelot:
And from his blazon'd baldric slung
A mighty silver bugle hung,
And as he rode his armour rung,
Beside remote Shalott.
All in the blue unclouded weather
Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather,
The helmet and the helmet-feather
Burn'd like one burning flame together,
As he rode down to Camelot.
As often thro' the purple night,
Below the starry clusters bright,
Some bearded meteor, trailing light,
Moves over still Shalott.
His broad clear brow in sunlight glow'd;
On burnish'd hooves his war-horse trode;
From underneath his helmet flow'd
His coal-black curls as on he rode,
As he rode down to Camelot.
From the bank and from the river
He flash'd into the crystal mirror,
"Tirra lirra," by the river
Sang Sir Lancelot.
She left the web, she left the loom,
She made three paces thro' the room,
She saw the water-lily bloom,
She saw the helmet and the plume,
She look'd down to Camelot.
Out flew the web and floated wide;
The mirror crack'd from side to side;
"The curse is come upon me," cried
The Lady of Shalott.
Part IV
In the stormy east-wind straining,
The pale yellow woods were waning,
The broad stream in his banks complaining,
Heavily the low sky raining
Over tower'd Camelot;
Down she came and found a boat
Beneath a willow left afloat,
And round about the prow she wrote
The Lady of Shalott.
And down the river's dim expanse
Like some bold seer in a trance,
Seeing all his own mischance--
With a glassy countenance
Did she look to Camelot.
And at the closing of the day
She loosed the chain, and down she lay;
The broad stream bore her far away,
The Lady of Shalott.
Lying, robed in snowy white
That loosely flew to left and right--
The leaves upon her falling light--
Thro' the noises of the night
She floated down to Camelot:
And as the boat-head wound along
The willowy hills and fields among,
They heard her singing her last song,
The Lady of Shalott.
Heard a carol, mournful, holy,
Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,
Till her blood was frozen slowly,
And her eyes were darken'd wholly,
Turn'd to tower'd Camelot.
For ere she reach'd upon the tide
The first house by the water-side,
Singing in her song she died,
The Lady of Shalott.
Under tower and balcony,
By garden-wall and gallery,
A gleaming shape she floated by,
Dead-pale between the houses high,
Silent into Camelot.
Out upon the wharfs they came,
Knight and burgher, lord and dame,
And round the prow they read her name,
The Lady of Shalott.
Who is this? and what is here?
And in the lighted palace near
Died the sound of royal cheer;
And they cross'd themselves for fear,
All the knights at Camelot:
But Lancelot mused a little space;
He said, "She has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott."