Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Tenchi characters Pioneer does. Matt is my character however and if you would like to use him please obtain my permission first.

The Beginning of a Quest

"Umm, miss," Tenchi stammered, "I don't think you understand..."

"I know what has transpired," The woman said as the pair entered the living room, "Take me too him."

As the woman walked in her imperious gaze swept the room as she took stock of all of them. The indecisive bumbling child who had met her at the door. How he had bested Matt was beyond her. The blonde was of no threat to her, she moved on. The small one was protected and powerful in her own right, the woman would not hurt a child, her gaze continued. She settled on the purple haired girl, so she was the one he had chosen to act as the bearer, she was powerful enough to protect his memories. Lastly her sweeping gaze found what is was after, her eyes narrowed as she fixed on Ryoko. Such power! No wonder he was drawn to her. It had been this girl, not the boy, who had been the key figure in the undoing of her charge.

Everyone in the room stared in mute shock at the woman, the aura of power surrounding her was palpable, her imperious manner stemmed from the fact that she had yet to find anyone that was her match. She was taller than even the swordsman had been, and the way she carried herself made her seem larger yet. She wore tight dark blue pants and a tank top that seemed to be in a losing battle to contain her heaving bosom. Over this she wore a knee length brown trench coat held partially closed by a single button. A pendant formed of two serpents wrapped around a sword hung from a single chain around her neck. Her long dark hair was pulled back from her tanned face and fell down her back in a shimmering wave. Her face held a mix of Asian and Western features that melded into feminine perfection. Like the traveler though it was her eyes that were most peculiar, a ring of blue around mostly green except for a four pointed star of purple that seemed to pulse with life.

"I will not ask again," spoke the woman in low tones, turning her glare on Tenchi, "Where is Matthew Aaron Carson."

"Miss, I've been trying to tell you," Tenchi stammered under that dreadful look, "He has, I mean that this morning, oh I'm so sorry." The woman merely stepped forward the heat of her glare intensifying, in a quick motion she back handed Tenchi hard enough to knock him off his feet. Ayeka was on her feet in an instant ready to come to Tenchi's defense. The woman turned to face her and with a gesture Ayeka found herself sitting down again her anger washed away. The regal stranger reached down and lifted Tenchi easily off his feet holding him by the front of his shirt, she pulled him close her face a scant inch from his. Tenchi gulped and looked around for a way out. Suddenly her eyes bore into him and he felt himself begin to drift, nothing else existed except her, he wanted nothing more than to surrender to her. Then he felt time begin to fall back, back to the events of that morning.

After reading the note Tenchi knew that Ryoko would go after him, he also knew that it could very likely end in violence once the couple met. Without hesitation he out the door running hard towards the path that led to town. He faintly heard Sasami chasing after him but in his overwhelming need to stop the confrontation he just ran faster and harder. He ran until his lungs burned, he ran until his muscles protested and would not let him take a step further. Then he heard the agonized cry and need overrode his body and he ran on.

He flew out of the trees an onto the battle field just in time to see Matt drive his crackling blade through Ryoko. Tears ran down Matt's bloody face as he removed the sword from the gaping wound. He caught Ryoko in his powerful arms and gently laid her on the ground. He whispered something to her and held her hand for a moment. Matt looked up at the sound of Tenchi's anguished cry and was about to say something, but with a scream of rage Tenchi ignited his blade and launched himself at the swordsman. The fight was brutal in the extreme and in the end Tenchi had been defeated. But the swordsman hadn't killed him, instead he gave his life to restore Ryoko. Even more confusing was how Matt managed to make it back to the house and impart his memories to Ayeka. He didn't understand any of it.

"Neither do I," Her voice brought Tenchi back to reality, and for a moment he saw past the regal exterior to the woman underneath. But in a snap the door slammed shut and the ice returned to her eyes. she dropped Tenchi to the floor dismissively and walked across the room to Ayeka. The princess rose to meet her and met her regal stare with equal haughtiness. Before the woman could begin Ayeka cut her off finding her anger once more.

"How dare you," Ayeka hissed, "You come into our home unannounced, make demands, and then assault people whom you hardly know. I will not tolerate such behavior, have you no shame."

"You will not speak to me in such a manner princess," The tall woman snapped, "And I doubt you would be so kind if it was Tenchi who had been murdered."

"But that's not how it happened," Tenchi protested coming to his feet, "It was Matt who attacked Ryoko, we were defending ourselves." The woman turned and fixed her deadly glare on Tenchi once more, with three long strides she once again caught hold of his shirt and hoisted him from the floor.

"You know nothing boy," the woman spat and threw him to the floor again, "do not presume to understand the actions of my lord."

"Please stop," everyone turned to Ryoko when she spoke, her first words since the incident, "No more fighting. I've had enough."

"Oh Ryoko," Sasami called running down the stairs to comfort the distraught pirate, she sat next to Ryoko and held her hand. The little princess turned an angry eye on the tall woman, "We're all sorry about what happened to Matt, but hurting Tenchi doesn't help."

"The wisdom of youth," the woman mumbled to herself walking up to Sasami she knelt to look the girl in the eyes, "I apologize princess, I am most distraught over what has happened to my master."

"With that said," Washu started coming to stand before the regal woman looking up at her, "Might we have the pleasure of your name, and could you please explain why you keep referring to Matt as you lord master?"

"My name Sor-ra-eyu," the woman said promptly, "The answers to your other questions will be given in time, but now I must see my lord Matthew."

"His body is in my lab," Washu said leading the woman to the door beneath the stairs, "I have kept him in stasis after I learned he gave his memories to Ayeka."

"Then it is a good thing I got here quickly," Sor-ra-eyu said moving behind Washu, "He could be lost forever if kept too long in such a state."

"You mean he's not dead," Ryoko called from the couch.

"As long as Ayeka has not gained all his memories there is a chance," Sor-ra-eyu explained over her shoulder.

"What do you mean," Washu stopped perplexed, "Matt his memories to Ayeka before he died so we could understand his actions."

"The foolishness of presumption," Sor-ra-eyu chuckled, "Ayeka has all his memories, but she can only recall the most recent ones."

"Are you saying soon I'll have all of Matt's memories," Ayeka said alarmed.

"Only if I am too late," Sor-ra-eyu said gravely. With that the tall woman turned and followed Washu into the lab. before anyone could do anything the portal shut and disappeared.

"Who the heck do you think she is," Ryoko asked the question that was on everyone's mind.

"Well she obliviously knows Matt," Ayeka surmised, "And as angry as she was I bet she's his girl friend."

"No way," yelled Ryoko with a little too much feeling for Tenchi's liking, "Matt never said anything to me about a girl friend."

"Yes, you do know him the best out of us all," said Ayeka with a smirk.

"What are you implying princess," Ryoko growled.

"Just that you and Matt seemed awfully close, that's all." Ayeka returned.

"That is none of your business Ayeka," Ryoko hissed through clenched teeth.

"None of my business is it," Ayeka shouted coming to her feet, "Your dalliance with that, that person almost got Tenchi killed."

"Ayeka, Ryoko both of you please calm down," Tenchi said coming between the two, "What's important right now is figuring out who she is."

"Well if she's not his girl friend then who do you think she is Tenchi," asked Sasami.

"I don't know," Tenchi answered honestly scratching his head, "but I agree with Ryoko I don't think she's Matt's girlfriend."

"And why not," Ayeka said turning on Tenchi.

"She kept calling him 'lord', and 'master'," Tenchi reasoned, "maybe he's some kind of long lost prince."

"I, I, think she might be his sister," Mihoshi piped in. four confused faces turned to the blonde in surprise, "I mean she does look a lot like Matt, especially the eyes."

"You could be right Mihoshi," Tenchi admitted, "she does look like him now that I think about it, and I she uses mind powers like Matt did."

"But how can that be," Ryoko asked, "Matt told us he doesn't have any family."

"I just don't know Ryoko," Tenchi said looking to the door to Washu's lab, wondering.

"Here he is Sor-ra-eyu, in exactly the same condition as he died," Washu said proudly displaying the stasis tube. The tall woman seemed unimpressed. The two were deep in Washu's lab surrounded by all manner of equipment and gadgets. The stasis tube was about eight feet high and most of the glass was covered by flashing lights and various condition monitors. Within Matt floated in suspended animation, his many wounds still apparent, though the blood had been cleaned away. Next to the tank lay what was left of his clothes and his sword.

Sor-ra-eyu walked up to the tank and with sad eyes looked into the dead eyes of her creator and tried to hold back the tears. Gone from his eyes was the inner glow of his soul, she was too late. Looking down she caught sight of the katana. The snake skin wrapped handle was still covered with his blood, the magnificent blade gleamed in the dull light reflecting the many instruments on the tank. Sor-ra-eyu sank to her knees at the sight and began to weep. She ran her hand along the finely crafted blade as tears streamed down her face.

Matt was gone and she was alone, but if he was gone then why did she still exist? Her head snapped up and she continued to hold her hand on the cool metal of the sword. Yes it was there, she thought as her right hand grasped the hilt, in response the blade was lined with arcs to crackling blue energy. It meant that there was still a chance. She let go of the sword, and as she did the energy died away. In a rush Sor-ra-eyu came to her feet and stared hard at Matt's body through the glass.

"Are you alright," Washu asked concerned, coming up beside teh woman as she stood up.

"Open this tank now," Sor-ra-eyu demanded, "There sis till a chance to save him but he will die if he remains in this state."

"But he's already dead," Washu protested, "I put him in there after I examined him and saw that there was no way to restore him his wounds were too many."

"He is not dead," Sor-ra-eyu answered succinctly, "I am proof of that. Now open this tank."

"How do you know that," Washu said as she began to punch buttons on the control pad.

"I will explain once you have him out of this tank and the others are gathered," Sor-ra-eyu said walking back the way they came, "I will find them and return, by the time I get back I expect my master will be out of that tank."

As the woman departed Washu merely shook her head and began punching buttons. She happened to look down at the sword and thought she saw a blue spark run up the blade of the katana. The greatest scientific genius in the universe shrugged it away and went back to work. Stranger things had happened after all.

An hour later eight people stood around Matt's body in Washu's lab. Pipes and ducts ran in every direction, while various machines hummed as they went about their work. Nearby a group of Masses stared out of their tank in curiosity. On the table in teh middle of the room lay the traveler Matthew Aaron Carson, dressed in a pair of cargo pants and a black shirt Washu had found with his things. None of the grisly wounds he had received were visible and his strange eyes were closed. Next to him lay his katana the scabbard resting along side the blade. Of the eight gathered only one seemed to know what was going on the others looked on in confusion.

"Ok we're all here," Ryoko stated, "now what?"

"Now we learn if together we can save him," Sor-ra-eyu said simply.

"That is easier said than done," said Yosho pushing his glasses up on his face.

"You are correct sir," Sor-ra-eyu answered, "I suppose I should explain to you who I am."

"About time," mumbled Ryoko.

"As you know my name is Sor-ra-eyu, in an ancient language it means death to life," she began, "I am the other part of the person you see before." She indicated to Matt's lifeless form.

"What," said a stunned Ryoko, "You mean that you and Matt are lovers"

"No," to Sor-ra-eyu shook her head sadly, "I do not exist when he is conscious."

"Then what do you mean," asked Ayeka.

"I am his other half," Sor-ra-eyu repeated, "I exist is his subconscious as a ghost, when Matt was wounded he used his power to give me physical form and asked me to help him."

"So what you are saying is," Washu interrupted, "Is that you are some sort of construct given life for the sole purpose revive Matt."

"That's terrible," cried Sasami grabbing on to Tenchi's arm.

"In this instance yes," Sor-ra-eyu continued with a sad smile, "But I am more than that, I am what Matt has been searching for his entire life, he just doesn't know it."

"Your one of his people then," Tenchi half guessed. Sor-ra-eyu shook her head and continued, "His people no longer exist, I am Matt's image of perfection personified."

"You mean your Matt's ideal woman," Ryoko said her mouth hanging open. How could she ever compete with that. Sor-ra-eyu was more beautiful than any woman Ryoko had ever seen. She outshone both her and Ayeka, even Tsunami would have a tough time competing. But she was so pushy and arrogant, why would Matt's ideal woman be such a bitch?

"He liked you didn't he," Sor-ra-eyu said with half a grin. Arrg she can do it too, thought Ryoko as she humphed and crossed her arms looking away, "Anyways, What I am getting at is that I represent everything Matt seeks in life. I am the woman he hopes to one day find, though I don't really exist. I also know everything he seeks to know about himself."

"But if he created you how can you know what he doesn't," questioned a perplexed Washu.

"All of us know things about ourselves but are unable to face them," Yosho answered before Sor-ra-eyu could begin to speak.

"Yes that is right," Sor-ra-eyu nodded, "Matt fears what he is almost as mush as he wants to know."

"Ok enough of the philosophy," Ryoko broke in, "How do we bring Matt back."

" As you can see," Sor-ra-eyu started clearing her throat, "His body appears dead, but Matt does not want to die yet, in his desperation to live he has sent me."

"Right we got that," Ryoko said impatiently, "Get on with it."

"Before he died Matt did several specific things to ensure his survival," Sor-ra-eyu began turning to Ayeka, "As you know he gave his memories to Ayeka for safe keeping."

"Next," she continued picking up the katana from the table, the blade sparked to life as she touched the handle, "He imparted his power into his sword so that it would not be lost."

"And lastly," she said turning to Ryoko, "he has imbued you with his soul."

"What!" came the simultaneous cry form seven mouths.

"But he didn't get to me before he died he only made it as far as Ayeka," Ryoko said stunned, "How could I have his soul I don't feel any different."

"Matt knew he was dying after his fight with Tenchi," Sor-ra-eyu explained, "When he healed you he imparted to you his life force. He only had the strength to heal one person, instead of curing himself he chose to save you." Ryoko stood there for a moment in stunned silence, her mind unable to comprehend the meaning of it all. Then it hit her, He loved me, but then why did he leave that awful note.

"All of us know things about ourselves but are unable to face them." He hadn't come to that realization until it was too late. Ryoko turned to Ayeka for confirmation. The princess nodded.

"It's true Ryoko," Ayeka said quietly looking down, unable to meet the others eyes, "He did love you. Look under your pillow for the real message he wanted only you to read."

"What real message," Ryoko asked confused, "he only left one note, and you know what that said."

"Yes I know what he wrote Ryoko," Ayeka said, "But he left another note for you, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"Do you know what it says," Ryoko said her voice just above a whisper.

"No he must have wrote it the night before," Ayeka said looking up, "You will have to read for yourself."

"But not now," Sor-ra-eyu interrupted, "We must focus on reviving the master."

"What do you keep referring to Matt as your Master," Tenchi couldn't help but ask.

"It's part of his fantasy," Sor-ra-eyu admitted shaking her head, "I can't help myself." This brought several nervous chuckles from the others as they tried to digest all the information.

"Alright that out of the way please tell us how we get all these pieces of Matt back into his body," Washu said drawing everyone's attention back to the problem at hand.

"The three parts must be drawn out of their respective hosts and returned to his body, then I will impart my life force to him," Sor-ra-eyu explained.

"And how are we supposed to do that," Ayeka asked.

"Each of the bearers must come to their full power and overcome Matt's various aspects," The tall woman said, "In order to do this we must find the place where your individual essence is strongest and there when you activate your abilities you will force out my master's aspects. Then you must overcome that aspect, by yourself, and force it to return to Matt's body."

"You must be kidding," Tenchi exclaimed, "It took both Ryoko and I to beat Matt, and you expect Ayeka to fight him alone!"

"I kid you not," Sor-ra-eyu said with dead calm, "This is not an easy task, however you should consider the consequences of not helping my lord."

"What do you mean," said Washu worriedly, "What consequences?"

"My time is not infinite," Sor-ra-eyu said grimly, "When I fade nothing will exist to keep Matt's various aspects in check, each will overwhelm and destroy the bearer. Matt's memories will break Ayeka's mind, his power will cause the sword to explode destroying everything within several miles, and Ryoko will die."

"Then we have no choice but to help you," Tenchi ground his teeth in frustration.

"That is the way of it," Sor-ra-eyu concluded looking at all of tehm, "Do you all understand what is we must do."

"Nope I don't understand at all," Mihoshi smiled. Seven people and one cabbit hit the floor with a groan.

Authors Note

I want to thank William "Thundergod, Nichols for his continued reviews of this little tale, please go read any of his stuff it's great. For some reason when I last updated this fic got removed form the Tenchi muyo list you could only find it if you looked it up by searching under my author name. It's been fixed so please review. So what do think? Things are going to get vary interesting ass the gang rushes to save Matt and themselves. I swear this fic has taken on a life of it's own and I'm just along for the ride. I also want to apologize for not having Washu give her report in chapter 4 but worry not it will come soon.

Smack54