Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! And all its' characters belong to Pioneer LDCA.
The factory was very fine
He wished it all the modern speed.
Yet, after all, 'twas not divine.
That is to say, 'twas not a church.
He never would assume that he'd
Be any institution's need.
But he said then and still would say,
If there should ever come a day
When industry seemed like to die
Because he left it in the lurch,
(Part seven of 'A Lone Striker' by Robert Frost)
Author's Notes: IMPORTANT!!! NOTICE!!! All right, now that I've got your attention I need you to listen. Right now I am VERY pissed at my comp. Want to know why? Because I had this chapter done, I went to save it and the whole damn thing crashed!!! And you know what happened after that?! IT ERASED ITSELF!!! Now I have to write it over again because there is no possible way to recover this lost data. So if the chapter does not seem to be as good as the others, blame it on my computer (I REALLY wanna kick it right now). (kicks it) :P Take that!
All Alone (part seven)
Silver hair flowed, the woman standing on the ground while the cement underneath her feet shattered. The cement then transformed into a void of blackness, showing the Earth and the moon below them, but the air around them seemed to hold itself. There had to be a barrier around it. The woman's two wrist's glowed, along with her neck, and a few seconds later, three golden plates appeared with tiny holes in them embedded themselves into her skin. The holes were filled by another three glowing, blood red gems, which had little waves of power emitting from them. Her eyes half-closed, and the amber was suddenly turned to a bright blue, the color engulfing her entire eyeballs. The color of her battle clothing transformed from red and black to blue and white, her hair growing an inch longer.
A woman nearby was hanging limply in the air by her bruised legs and wrists. The woman's red hair was spiky and was a little messy than what she would claim to be normal. Her emerald eyes watched as the being that was her daughter screamed while the newfound energy surged through her. The woman hanging had her neck glowing, the oval like true-gem disappearing, the black wring it had been holding falling away, then was replaced by a new, more circular gem. The pain seemed to subside.
That lasted for a few seconds though.
Screaming loudly, lurching forward and screaming louder because the bonds that held her were holding tightly. Pain erupted through her as blood sprayed out of her mouth for a second. As quick as it had come, the pain subsided a little, the redhead falling unconscious from such a change in her emotions. Her red hair tapped her sore skin tenderly as her head hung over, the woman's eyes stayed shut.
A man floating in the air was deflecting energy shots that seemed to be coming from the fallen form of Washu. Dodging them effortlessly, though having to acquire a great amount of speed he floated away from the blasts. Using his sword, he knocked away another blast sent to him. He noted, however, that the blasts seemed to be coming from Washu's neck, where a single red dot was glowing madly. Hiding behind a column, he glanced down where Ryo was shielding her eyes from the summoner's power burst. Her forehead, too, was glowing.
The pirate let this one emotion of rage consume her, devour her. She was through.
Ryoko was through with having her emotions toyed with. She was finished with being treated like a rag doll. And she was done and had with not having a mother to cry onto. The three dots glowed fiercer, reminding the person who might have been looking of putrid, vomit, throw-up; whatever you earthlings wanted to call it. The light seemed to fade for a second, but was then again pierced by her loud scream, light erupting from her body. Images flowed fluently into her mind as she continued to scream
Memories…
***
A baby was lying in the middle of a tube, her amber eyes and shortened hair standing out in the darkness around it. Failing to see a person, it cried out. She screamed louder when her cries echoed on the walls and traveled back to her sensitive ears. Rolling over, not knowing how to crawl yet, the baby cried out some more when it's stomach and arms clashed against the walls. She screamed until her breath was no more, then returned to kicking and punching the air around herself. A woman walked up to the tube, with spiky red hair held up in a purple bandana sort of thing.
She was examining her.
The tube around the baby went down, and the woman carefully picked up the worn out baby. Cradling her gently, the woman rocked side to side, the height around the two going up and down, then woman's face appearance slightly changing each time. The baby eyed her face curiously, and giggled. Reaching up, the baby toyed with the woman's face, laughing louder when she started to nip at them. Pulling her fingers back, the baby felt a watery substance hit her forehead. Crossing her eyes, her small arms reached up, then retreated when the water tapped her dry fingers. Yawning, the baby curled up and buried her face into the woman's chest, hearing a couple words before she fell asleep entirely.
"Go to sleep, my Little Ryoko…"
***
An overweight man and a red robot were standing silently on a floating red thingermijigger The red floating thing crossing at slow speed over a blue river. The robot had a small, round head, a thin yellow line down the middle of it, its' arms and legs just big, red circular things. The sight before them could be called a holy place, if you looked at it right. They floated for another ten minutes and soon arrived at a docking place. The fat man walked ahead of the silent robot, only to be stopped by another red, floating thing. 'State your name, and reason for being here.'
The man sighed, the robot noted. "Mikish Clay, I wish to speak to D3 and Lady Tokimi," the robot twirled around the both of them, then paused, 'Who is that other being?' Clay grunted, "My marionette, its' name is Zero," the screen flashed on the floating things' so called face, 'Access granted, Lord D3 and Lady Tokimi have been expecting you,' it buzzed off. "Come along, Zero," Dr. Clay muttered, motioning his hand towards the now opening doors. "Sorry Master," it replied, and quickly scurried toward him.
They appeared in a dark room, Zero noticing they had stepped into a section of subspace. The man named Clay walked up to a patio looking thing, and bowed to his knees as an image of an old man appeared before him. Dr. Clay seemed to shudder under the demi-god's gaze.
"What is your reason for being here?" he seemed to mutter, but his mouth made no movement whatsoever.
"I bring important news. I must speak to the Lady Tokimi."
The god's eyes narrowed, "Whatever you may have I will tell her. She is not needed in your presence."
Clay seemed frantic, "But I bring important news! I must tell the Lady myself!"
"…Very well…" D3 closed his eyes for a second, the gem on his forehead glowing a faint red.
Mikish kept his head bent over, his eight curls he calls a beard leaning toward the ground as a more feminine, cat-like voice boomed out, "Does this news have anything to do with Washu?"
The robot watched as its' master and his Lady conversed. Tokimi's voice sent shudders down its' robotic back, and Zero tried to force them down.
A robot such as itself does not own feelings such as fear.
A few minutes went by and the two were teleported outside and back onto their thingermijigger. Zero continued to rub up and down its' arms. "Zero… You're awfully quiet…" Clay muttered, not turning his gaze from the waters. "I am… Sorry Master… The Lady… Her presence makes me feel…afraid…" the Doctor turned his gaze and looked straight at his marionette, "That is impossible! A marionette such as yourself does not own feelings such as fear!"
Zero bowed her head, "Yes, I know Master… But the Lady… Even though she was present right there in front of us her very existence is impossible,"
***
Ryoko clutched at her head, images flowing into her brain at an enormous amount. Even the Zero side of her was surprised to see the block that held her memories of Lady Tokimi was gone. The pirate screamed again, unleashing one last wave of light, snapping the bonds that held her mother, and sent the scientist reeling to the ground, only to be caught by Ryo. The summoner stopped screaming, and the power went away, leaving the transformation complete.
Three red gems were glowing on her wrists and neck.
In her rage, the pirate had stolen the other gem off the Tenchi-ken. She knew she could have done it before, but the summoner wanted the boy named Tenchi to give them to her. Facing Mitis, she drew an energy sword, this one bigger and blood red, "You… I will never forgive you for what you've done. Never!" she cried out, and threw him into a nearby column. Washu watched in a surprised manner. 'Ryoko… She remembers! My Little Ryoko remembers!!!' the scientist passed out into Ryo's protective arms.
The summoner was so fast that by the time the man hit the wall, she was in front of him, sword drawn to his chin. Mitis knew it was hopeless to use his sword now, and he let it disappear into thin air. He smiled.
Ah… The Lady will be pleased she has awakened her powers. I thought it was a lie when Tokimi said that her mother was a goddess. But no… I was foolish. Her powers prove that.
Another voice racked into his brain…
You are FOOLISH!!! The Lady will NOT be pleased! Haven't you noticed she took great care in avoiding awakening hers or Washu's? Did you?! The being called Ryoko is a half goddess, which can, in some cases, be STRONGER than a true one. She is also powered by her other half, being half Deltan and Masu helps her too. When Washu gave up her goddess bio, she SPECIFICALLY became a Deltan because if this ever happened, her child would be more powerful than herself! Do you get it NOW?!
Mitis phased from beneath her grasp, appearing behind his sister and blasting.
His eyes widened when he saw light cutting the darkness.
Ryoko was facing him, the tattoo on the side of her face glowing white and four white wings around her.
On in her front, one on each side, and another on the back. Four smaller ones appeared between them, and two tinier ones appeared on the top and bottom of her.
Mitis blasted another, although he knew it was hopeless. The blast deflected easily off the shield and flew off in another direction, shattering when it crashed into the cement column. Ryoko's eyes closed for a second, a serene look planted itself on her face. A second later, the summoner was upon Mitis, seeing terror well up like jets in his eyes. Smiling wickedly, she pressed harder, also seeing he was suppressing most of the terror now exploding within him.
Ryo watched silently as her sister battled it out with their enemy. She was well hidden behind a column, and held her mother's limp body protectively. Trying to get used to having a fake gem, she closed her eyes, trying to block out all disturbances. A flash of red caught her attention beneath her, glancing down, her eyes widened in shock as a ship approached.
Yagami…
Ryoko pressed harder, feeling his arms failing him greatly.
Mitis tried to search for words. 'Oh! Shit! Shit-shit! My arms! Goddammit!!! What now, what now?! Ergh… I-I know!' using the last strength remaining in his tired arms, he shoved her away, not pausing a moment to shout what he wanted to say, "Tugda icomea shumis yare!!" Ryoko's eyes widened at the sound of the Deltan tongue. Now remembering what had happened before she was abducted, she searched through her brain and brought the meaning out, "Come to me, my Lady!!" what the hell did he mean by that? The answer was quickly given.
Mitis and his clothes transformed, his clothing matching that of Tenchi's Jurian armor but blood red instead of green and purple. One, single, green tattoo appeared on his forehead and trailed down to his cheek, covering the rest of his neck. His eyes blazed an unnatural red that emitted a glow not unlike her own blue glow. A putrid green sword came into his grasp, and he readied his position.
Concentrating harder, the pirate lunged herself at the insane man, sparks flying when the two swords clashed. The half-goddess glared straight into his heartless eyes.
She saw that Mitis was not really Mitis anymore.
She pushed with all her weight and slowly shoved him into a nearby column, the cement melting when his skin hit it. Both were equal in strength at the present time.
That would soon change.
"Ryoko!" a masculine voice called out, distracting the attacking pirate. The man named Tenchi watched in horror as Mitis batted her away easily in her lost track of concentration. The man slapped her hard, sending the tyrant flying back into the wall. Tenchi mentally cursed himself for distracting the pirate. The half-goddess was immediately slammed into a column, the cement melting underneath her body. The young man glanced at her, and arched his brow at her appearance.
'Is THAT Ryoko? She looks all goddessy and stuff… Wait a sec… Where's Ryo-ohki and Washu? They must be around here somewhere! Ah… First things first. Eh-AHHH!!!!' Tenchi felt a sudden rush of heat in front of him as an explosion exploded in front of him.
The blast never made contact.
Unshielding his eyes, the dark haired man stared in disbelief at the sight in front of him.
Ryoko had ten light hawk wings in front of her, all different sizes.
"Tenchi… Get out of here. This is my fight. I need to do this myself," her voice echoed, it sounded vaguely familiar.
"Tsunami! Ryoko! You sound like Tsunami!" he cried out, pointing at her. Her glowing eyes turned to him, scaring him, "…I know Tenchi." His mouth dropped, "S-So, that means… T-That you're a-a-a…" he trailed off. "A goddess. Sorta. I'm half. Now get the hell outta here before I blast you," her hand turned on him, the other maintaining the wings. A faint blast conjured to her fingertips. A faint trace of guilt raced across her face as the boy ran away, giving her a serious look before disappearing back into the other room. She turned her attention back to Mitis, her face turned into a glare.
The man floated down to her level, his red sword placed in front of him, his hand gripping it firmly. He spoke, in a cat-like voice the Zero part of her remembered.
"Ryoko… Come to me. I will let Washu go if you come with me…"
Zero didn't fall for it,
Don't listen Ryoko! Her name is Tokimi-she's the goddess of War and such- she just wants you under control like Kagato! If you go, Washu will definitely die, not because of her wounds, because of you! If you go, she'll go insane!!!
The pirate listened. She pulled her sword up and faced her opponent, "I ain't falling for it." Mitis's face contorted with an anger that was not his own. "Fine.. So be it. You have sealed your fate fighting with a goddess!" he flew at her.
They exchanged blows as Tenchi, Ayeka, Kiyone, and Mihoshi watched from the other room quietly. "Damn! Dammit! Why won't she let us help?! It's obvious she can't defeat him on her own turf like that!" Tenchi cried, banging a nearby wall. Ayeka watched him pitifully, then stared at Ryoko, "I don't know, Tenchi… I mean, look at her. She's moving so fast I can barely keep my eyes on her, and her eyes… They're glowing…"
That's right, Princess Ayeka.
All four of them looked around, only three of them knowing whom it was. "Tsunami?" Mihoshi asked dumbly, scratching her head.
Yes…
"What's going on?!" Tenchi cried out, pointing to where they were fighting, where a barrier was sealing them away.
Tenchi.. Do not be frustrated. Ryoko feels she has to do this on her own, so let her. She is very strong, more so than I.
"Wha-? That's impossible! Don't speak madness!" Ayeka cried, her arms flailing.
Ah, but it is the truth Ayeka.
"But-But-But-But how?! That's almost impossible! We Jurians have the Light Hawk Wings!"
Yes, we do. Princess Ayeka. Have you heard of a power greater than the Jurians? Before us?
"…No…" her voice sounded weak, as if she knew she was lying.
Yes you do. Now, have you heard of the Deltans at least?
"Yes, but my tutors always seemed apt on avoiding the subject, like they didn't want me to know something…" Ayeka trailed off. "Wait a second. Deltans? I've heard of a few that are A1 class criminals in the galaxy police headquarters!" Kiyone said, pulling out a picture of one.
Very good Officer Kiyone. The Deltans were a race of immense power. They were the greatest power in the universe before Jurians came along and did what they did.
"What did they do?! And what does this have to do with Ryoko and her goddess like nature?!" Tenchi called out, running up to the image of Tsunami and scrunching his fists.
It has to do with a lot, Tenchi. Ryoko is a half-goddess, I told her that in her transformation a few minutes ago.
Everyone wore a shocked look, even Tenchi, who had heard it from Ryoko. "Uh… Uh… That's absurd! If Ryoko's a half-goddess, that means that Masu is a god?" Ayeka shrieked, glaring at the goddess. The sound of quiet laughter rang out.
You have that backwards Ayeka. Washu is the goddess.
Ayeka's jaw dropped to the floor. Tenchi was bug-eyed, and Kiyone was blushing. "You mean that… We have had two goddesses in our house and we didn't know it?!" Tenchi whispered, his eyes still too big.
Yes, you have had two goddesses in your house. Oh… the Kodak moments… You should see the look on your faces! Ahem, well, they are goddesses but they don't know it, except for Ryoko.
"So… She can handle herself?" Mihoshi asked, sounding a bit saddened. Tsunami's voice suddenly turned serious.
No. Ryoko alone can defeat Karagi, but with the power of my sister helping him, she can beat him, but it's a very slim chance.
"Karagi? I thought his name was Mitis," Kiyone mumbled.
True, he names himself Mitis, only because if he revealed his true name to Ryoko, she would have remembered quicker than this. Kagato was his father.
They were speechless.
Kagato-or rather-Onakna, meaning power hungry in Deltan, created Karagi to serve as a spy to watch over Ryoko on her missions. What Ryoko didn't know while he was his partner was that Karagi is her brother, half, she figured it out while she was attacking Jurai and he fled in the Tiapora.
"But... If Mitis-er-Karagi is her brother, then why is he so eager to beat her up and take Washu and her with him?" Tenchi asked, concern etching into his serious face.
You see Tenchi, he is now in liege with Tokimi that is why he fled in the Tiapora all those years ago. Kagato is the creation of D3 and Tokimi.
"C-Creation?!"
You heard me right. Creation. They created her just like the way they created the former human beings. They created him to serve as a Destiny-swerver.
"Destiny-Swerver? I thought they were only stories!" Ayeka said, her hands clenched in disbelief.
It is no story. For the rest of you, especially Tenchi, a Destiny-Swerver is a person said to be sent by the gods to defy fate. Tokimi chose Kagato to get Ryoko and make her become his slave, though Kagato himself didn't know he was being half-controlled. Back on the subject of Deltans. When Washu gave up her mortality, she chose to be Deltan, because that was the race that she herself created. Meaning that Ryoko is half-Deltan.
"No! That cannot be true! That cannot!" the princess shrieked, clutching at her head.
Ryoko parried the sword flung at her, another lock of hair falling to the floor.
"Ayeka? What's the matter?" Tenchi asked, catching the woman before she fell.
Karagi made another sword appear, and charged at the pirate.
"Deltans.... It can't be true! Ryoko can't be Deltan!"
Two swords met, sparks radiating with a sick beauty by the two fighters.
Mihoshi watched helplessly as Ayeka continued to deny what a goddess had said, Kiyone was utterly surprised that Tsunami had shown up in front of them.
Karagi slashed the pirate away, both of them having icy glares meant to kill toward each other.
"Tsunami! What is a Deltan? Why is it making her so upset?!" Tenchi asked, holding the fallen woman as he stared at Tsunami.
Tenchi... A Deltan is a race. A race that the Jurians killed. The band of pirates that began the Jurai Empire came together and formed a plan. They invaded Deltan territory and killed many people. They treated the Deltans much like your Earth's "holocaust." Washu fought hard to keep it secret from Ryoko, because her foster parents were both killed in the act. May they both rest in peace. Ayeka is in pain because she hates what her ancestors did, she hates her blood because of it. Ayeka was so afraid that when she became Queen, that she might lead an attack much like they did. Her father found out, and beat it out of her. She is in pain because she remembers.
Two warriors flung blasts toward the other, the purple and orange canceling each other out as the crashed together.
Tenchi stared at Tsunami in disbelief, then averted her gaze and stared at Ayeka, whom was still clutching at her head. The goddess watched them quietly, then listened as Tenchi cried out at her, "Why did you let them?! Why did you let the Jurians kill them?!"
Ryoko floated in the air defiantly, her breath slightly shaken.
I couldn't Tenchi. They hadn't been tapped enough into their power. Even the Jurians now haven't realized the true potential of their power. I would have if I could have. But even as a goddess I can't control more than a thousand minds at once. Tokimi made sure of that.
"You're pretty good... For a half breed that thinks she has a soul," Karagi muttered, his sword pointing in front of him.
"But why?! Couldn't you have stopped it when one mind started it?!" Tenchi asked, helping Ayeka to her feet.
No Tenchi... I am not permitted to control minds, if I do, I corrupt fa-
"To hell with fate! Who cares about fate?! Fate is a myth, a legend, it may not be real. Do you know if it is?" he asked, an elbem of power faintly glowing on his head.
"I do have a soul, Tokimi. Washu used her ovum," Ryoko stated bluntly, knocking away another blast sent by him.
Do not send fate to hell in my presence Tenchi. You curse your very life if you do that. Fate may be real, I may be wrong, the only person who knows for sure is Washu.
"Why Washu? Is it Washu everything to you gods? What is she anyway?" the half-breed asked, the elbem growing fiercer.
"Silly girl. Do you believe what your mother has said?" Karagi asked, inching closer to her.
Washu is the median in our world. The Goddess of Chaos. She created this dimension, along with Earth! She is the strongest of us all, the only one that can match her power is Ryoko.
"If Ryoko is so strong, then why exactly couldn't she kill Kagato? Wouldn't he be a flea bite compared to her?" Tenchi asked, the rage growing inside him welling up. Ayeka watched in silence, still denying that Ryoko was a Deltan, her family's former enemy.
Ryoko glared at Karagi, now only feet away. "Blaca stour kmuty we," he spoke, using her tongue again. "I ain't going to your hell, there is no way," the summoner responded, knocking his sword away and pointing hers to his chin.
Kagato would be a fleabite compared to Ryoko. But you see, Washu was afraid of the gems power, seeing the destructive force it could do. She had killed an entire army of pure blood Jurians in mere seconds in the attack-It is known by most as the Attack of Claimance-she was scared, and because of that, she only gave Ryoko one gem, two other phony ones while she kept one, and Ryo-ohki kept one. Onakna didn't know of this, because he was on strict orders just to get Ryoko and seal Washu up if she put up a fight. Tokimi was the one who knew, because she controlled him one night and made him insert flaws into the gems that could permit her to control Ryoko through him. She thought it to be an unbreakable plan. That is-until you came along Tenchi.
"What? Why am I different? I'm just a man whose part Jurian, part Earthling." he said, the rage bubble letting out some air.
Karagi was cornered, Ryoko had a sneer grim on her face, "Hah! How does it feel to be afraid, Tokimi?"
Ah, but you are much more than that, Tenchi. You see... You, too, are a Destiny-Swerver.
Ayeka's eyes widened at the statement, and she backed up into Mihoshi, who caught her. Tenchi's armor went from basic, to his Light-Hawk clothing, the elbem on his forehead glowing brightly. Tsunami smiled.
You have yet to awaken your true power, Tenchi. And if you do, you will regain memory of living in my ship for nine months while your mother was pregnant.
Karagi smiled, "How do you know what fear is? Have you experienced true fear yet?" he knocked the sword away. The tyrant named Ryoko glared fiercer, "The hell yes! Try being tortured-raped-and having your being created shoved in your face for 5000 years! Try being locked up in a cave, with no one to talk to except yourself and a person who shares a link with you!"
Kiyone watched seriously as Tenchi transformed to a Jurian warrior in front of her eyes. 'A Destiny-Swerver... Tenchi a Destiny-Swerver!' the thought of it brought a tingle to her fingers, 'This is top-secret... No one, not even headquarters can know about this! Ryoko and Washu being Deltan, Tenchi and Kagato being a Destiny-Swerver! People from all over would crowd Tenchi to death! No... The universe isn't ready for this knowledge...'
Good thinking, Kiyone. Yes, you cannot tell the universe about this yet, though it's bound to slip out sometime. Tenchi, Ryoko needs you more than ever, be true to your feelings or your bound to lose her to the endless voids of space.
Tsunami disappeared.
Ryoko threw another blast at Mitis, who swiftly blocked it away and countered her with his own.
Tenchi flung himself at the barrier, shocks of lightning protruding through the boy trying his best to enter. Ryoko looked in fear as the half-breed entered their battleground, which looked more like a trashed dump than a battleground. Her punishment was being thrown to the ground next to him. "Ryoko!" he cried out again, running toward her. "Don't touch me Tenchi!" she shrieked, motioning toward the melting cement beneath her. Karagi flew to the ground, and the pirate quickly shoved herself up. He grinned snidely, "So the couple is now together? How sweet..." Ryoko's eyes darkened, "...I told you this was my fight, Tenchi..." she muttered, some energy sparks conjuring on her fingertips. "I'm not leaving, Ryoko. I don't care if you blast me to hell, I'm not leaving," a slight sigh escaped her lips, but soon her energy was concentrated on making Lighthawk wings as Karagi neared them. "Don't come near here, Karagi, the odds are stacked against you," she whispered to Tenchi roughly, "Fine, you can fight, but I'd better get the last blow, I want to end this hell I call a life right now," he nodded, and summoned up his sword.
Ayeka tried running after Tenchi, but was flung back by the energy shield. "Let me in! Let me in! Tsunami! Let me iiiiinnnnn!!!!" she cried, and bounced back a fifth time as she ran toward it. "Ayeka, stop this, you won't be able to help them if you've got a split head! Ayeka, listen to me!" Kiyone cried out, and tried to hold the crazy princess back. Mihoshi stepped in front of her, "Ayeka, Kiyone's right, don't try to kill yourself!" Ayeka seemed beyond reasoning, "No! Karagi will hurt him! Kill him! Lord Tenchiiiiii!!!!"
Ryoko's hair was now six inches shorter, the locks in front of her ears were gone, it looked to Tenchi that Mitis had thrown his sword a dozen times (she looks like she did in the "Time and Space travels" when she was in the high school, without the locks in front of her ears.) Tenchi deflected another blast and it flew over to a pillar, where the cement collapsed to reveal..
Ryo holding Washu protectively.
"Shit! Tenchi, get them out of here!" Ryoko cried out, holding the weight of Karagi with his sword on her own. He rushed over to them and helped Ryo-ohki carry her mother out of the battleground, dodging another blast sent by the villain's hand. Three Lighthawk wings surrounded the boy as he bounded for the exit, half-dragging the humanoid. He handed the tired people through the barrier to Kiyone, who had socked the princess to knock her out. "Keep them there. After this we can all go home and eat dinner-all of us," he ran back.
Ryoko was slapped across the face again, but managed to hold her ground as something whizzed by her face. A loud scream entered her ears. She looked at Karagi, who had the Lighthawk sword embedded in his stomach, the end protruding through his back. Her gaze went back to Tenchi, who was in the position of just throwing a baseball. He motioned her onward and she proceeded, drawing her sword again and pointing it to him.
He made a feeble attempt to grasp at a sword, but the color in his eye vanished, his clothing changed back, and the sword disappeared.
Mitis was Karagi again, Tokimi had left.
As a last effort, he grasped at his old sword, and despite the pain, ran at her, rage controlling him.
They exchanged blows, one was to be the victor.
Ryoko turned around and saw Karagi struggling to stand up.
He smiled.
"My... You sure have gotten strong. There is no better honor than to fall at the hands of my sister and her beloved." Closing his eyes, his body disappeared, though his face was more peaceful than his father, who had suffered the same fate as himself.
An eerie silence surrounded them, and Tokimi's voice hissed in the air, "This won't be the last Ryoko! Your crutch is dying!" the voice disappeared.
The pirate stared at Tenchi, who had a look of hateful emotion planted on his face. Their battle clothing died away, and Ryoko rushed toward the boy, hugging him. "We won Tenchi! We won!" she cried, clutching tighter. Gasps of air escaped him. "Ry-Ryoko... I-I can't breathe..." she released him, and giggled as he sagged to the ground. Dragging him, she made her way back to the people behind the barrier. Her eyes bulged when she saw the sight, Tenchi falling to the ground as he gasped for the air Ryoko had squeezed out of him. The pirate rushed to the small crowd forming around her mother.
You crutch is dying.
Washu lay motionless, small breaths coming out of her blood-covered lips.
A smile was planted on her face.
Your crutch is dying.
Ryoko sent some energy into the scientist's limp form, only to see the energy rebuked and sent back at her. The body was rejecting it. Tokimi's snide voice echoed back into her head.
Your crutch is dying.
'What did she mean?! What crutch?! Crutches aren't even alive!'
Your crutch is dying.
Your crutch is dying.
'Shut-up! I don't have a freaking crutch! My leg's not even broken!'
Your crutch-
'SHUT-UP!!!!!'
Ryoko blocked the voice off, and picked up her frail body, she whispered in a weak voice as Mihoshi hoisted Ayeka on her shoulders, "C'mon... Mom needs help... She's lost a lot of blood....." they all understood her concern, Ryo ran ahead and transformed to her crystal-like starship form, a loud meow invading their eardrums. "All right, everyone, Kiyone, you go on ahead and get onto Yagami... I'll meet you at Earth..." Kiyone nodded again, and ran toward the place they crashed into. "Everyone, just put a hand on each of my shoulders and we'll be off." Both her shoulders were glomped in a matter of seconds.
She phased onto the ship, setting Washu into the pilot's seat and herself standing up. She didn't let the block fall, afraid she might see things in her mother's mind she didn't want to see.
Your crutch is dying.
"Let's go, Ryo-ohki!" she cried, shoving the voice out of her head again.
The cabbit sped toward Earth, Tiapora lying dead in space.
***
Three days later...
Ryoko stayed in the lab, not leaving even for food, no one disturbed her as the pirate worked carefully on her injured mother.
"Screw this, damn machine isn't working..." she mumbled, watched the wires that had healed Kiyone being blasted back by Washu's unconscious body. The pirate's body was tired, weak, hungry, and thirsty, but she refused to eat or sleep until her mother had at least shown signs of progression.
This went on for two weeks...
"Damn, damn, damn, dammit. Damn this stupid thing to hell." she cursed, throwing another handheld device over her shoulder.
Your crutch is dying.
Ryoko still ignored it, watched her mother silently.
Washu was not breathing.
The pirate's eyes widened.
Your crutch is dying.
Your crutch is not dying.
Tears spurted out of the summoner's eyes.
Your crutch is not dying.
Your crutch is dead.
Washu Hakubi was dead.
Author's Notes: Three words. DON'T HURT MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! I promise it will not end like this! Dammit. I just spoiled it! Oh well. LAST CHAPTER WILL BE UP SOON!!!! I swear by the high heavens that something will happen. I DO I DO!!! Go ahead and flame if you like, I don't care. This chapter is shorter, I know. I'm sorry if it went a little fast, I told you I wrote the whole thing and it erased itself.