I recently received a nasty little piece of review from someone and I must say I'm a little miffed. Where in all of Fanfiction.net does it say I must adhere to one type of pairing for Tenchi Muyo? Can stories only be about Tenchi\Ryoko romances?
Unless I am gravely mistaken, I haven't read that anywhere. I also must of missed the part where I have no choice in how I name characters of my own creation. Can I not chose how I name people? Not once, but twice this particular person has deemed my work less that appealing. What I'm about to write applies to this particular reader who sought fit to criticize my work.
If you dislike my story so much, then why are you still reading it? No one is pointing a gun to your head yelling "Read or Die!" I do not suffer fools gladly, least of all those of a heavy-handed, dare I say, narrow minded point of view. If you don't like my story that's fine. Move on and find stories that interest you. There are several fine Tenchi\Ryoko stories out there.
But don't try to lecture me that there is only one way to write about Tenchi Muyo, because there isn't. So get over it! I'm not changing my story nor am I removing it from Fanfiction.net!
Now that I've vented my feelings, let me ask those of you who enjoy my story something. Do you feel that what I've written is artificial and forced? Or do you believe it to be a sound work? Some positive info would be most welcome.
Chapter 21--A Vision Becomes Clear
Upstairs, Ryan tossed back and forth. His mind under siege by a dark vision. He strained to focus, sweat mopping off his brow. His body and mind aflame. With some effort he was able to form a clearer picture. He saw an enormous ship made of dark crystal.
Within the ship, row upon row of people encased in individual towers of crystal. Their bodies in suspended animation but their minds awake and active. Ryan clenched his jaw in agony and dropped to his knees as their thoughts ripped through his mind. Their voices pleading for help, their images frightening and unreal.
Monstrous demons springing from the sky and plucking their chosen victims up from the ground after wounding them. The helpless prey of these dark creatures taken back to the darkness, back to the crystal ship that fed off their power and kept them prisoners.
Ryan tried to free them but to no avail. His anger grew and he ran past the towering crystals searching for the source of all this suffering. He challenged who ever was behind this to come out and face him. No one answered. The kenshin continued to run forward until he heard his named whispered softly up ahead of him.
He slowed down and stopped in front of two huge crystal doors that blocked his path. Ryan pushed on these monstrous obstacles with all his might, his arms shaking from the effort. When the doors wouldn't budge, Ryan stepped away and brought his left arm forward. He raised his left palm upward and focused his energy.
The crystal doors shook then swung inward with such force that they fell from their hinges and crashed to the floor.
He entered the room confidently, weapon in hand. He looked around constantly ready for attack. The walls of this dark room seemed to stretch upward forever yet for all the space, little was within it. All Ryan saw were nine empty crystals and what at first glance seemed to be two large throne chairs. When he moved closer, he got a better look and stared in horror at what lay before him. He slowly walked up the crystal steps and approached the throne chairs. Two elaborately shaped crystals formed the backing for each throne. Encased within each crystal, a missing kenshin knight.
"Mia, Keiko." He whispered looking to his left. "Ryo and Tesi." He replied looking to his right. He rushed forward attacking the crystal with his sword yelling in frustration when he couldn't even break a crack. He slumped down in despair then whipped his head up when he heard his name whispered again. The voice he heard was coming from his friends, their thoughts combined so that he could hear them.
"They are coming. Not much time." He heard them say. He turned to face them and asked, "Who is coming?"
"Two sealed in a dark dimension far away from the universe a millennia ago. They seek revenge against Jurai and the one who put them there."
Ryan looked back and forth at the knights. "Who imprisoned them?" He asked.
"Your ancestor, Nagashi, as punishment for breaking every code of the knight. They will stop at nothing to fulfill their perverted desire to rule. They are coming for you."
"For me?" He replied.
"Coming for you. They need you and all your friends to complete their plans. Know that you and your friends are all that stand in the way of their designs. You must stop them at all costs."
"How? I don't know.."
"Look inside yourself. Find the truth. Set your true power into motion and free us all. Destroy the dark force that threatens all life. Look inside.." The voice said then faded away.
Ryan snapped awake, his body trembling from the ordeal of his vision. He struggled against the sheets that were wrapped around him and managed to break free only to tumble out of bed , hitting the floor with a loud thump.
Downstairs the two knights, who had heard the thump, rushed upstairs. They found Ryan on the floor, crawling toward the door.
"What are you doing kenshin?" Kamedaki said helping Ryan to his feet. Ryan leaned against him for support. His body glistening with sweat, his skin flushed.
"Have to save them.." He replied weakly.
"Who?" Azaka asked, his eyes etched with concern.
"People in trouble..Dark crystal ship. Two coming..Danger..Must stop them.."
"He's rambling." Kamedaki said sympathetically.
Azaka nodded. He placed his hand on Ryan's forehead then away again. "He has a high fever. His body is working overtime to heal him." The older knight said then motioned toward the bed. He helped Kamedaki tuck Ryan back in bed.
"Must help them." Ryan repeated weakly shaking his head.
"You need rest kenshin." Kamedaki said as he placed a comforter over the kenshin.
Ryan was silent for a moment then nodded slowly falling back asleep.
"Maybe we should watch over him tonight." Kamedaki whispered.
"I'll do it." The two knights heard behind them.
Azaka smiled. "As you wish miss Ryoko." He replied as the two warriors slid quietly past Ryoko and gently closed the door behind them.
Ryoko settled down in a cushioned chair beside Ryan's bed and watched over his troubled slumber.
At about three AM, Ryan awoke free of his fever; his wound healed. He looked to his left and saw Ryoko sleeping in a chair next to his bed. He smiled and tossed his drenched sheets back. He stood up slowly and dressed. Ryan then gently lifted Ryoko and dematerialized.
He reappeared in Ryoko's room, walking over to her bed and gently laying her down. Ryan tucked a soft down comforter over her. Brushing a stray strand of hair away from the space pirate's face, the kenshin leaned forward to kiss Ryoko's forehead lightly. "Sweet dreams Miss Ryoko." He whispered then backed away and disappeared.
Outside, in the moonlit darkness, Ryan appeared then soared high above the trees. The wind whipped through his hair, his eyes focused toward the dark horizon. He continued to speed along for several minutes before he stopped and floated down to the ground. Walking forward with purpose, Ryan removed a small device from his left pocket and pointed it straight ahead. The kenshin pushed the center button and suddenly the air grew heavy and shimmered with color. Within seconds a large ship appeared, its metallic exterior sparkling like diamonds in the moonlight. Though it was large, the ship was sleek; designed to travel the cosmos at breakneck speed.
Ryan pushed a different button. A sharp clang erupted. A large side door that doubled as a ramp hissed open. Gliding up the ramp with ease, he shut the door with another tap of the button and turned left.
If the exterior of the ship was flashy, the interior was just the opposite. The corridors, though well-lit, were bare. The twenty four rooms spread throughout the ship were also Spartan. The exception was the research lab where Ryan was headed.
Ryan stopped in front of the lab's door and punched in a series of numbers. Obeying his numerical commands, the door swooshed open. He stepped inside and headed for one of the many shelves along the walls that stored known facts and figures on every known planet and system in the form of informational disks and books. He studied a row at eye level before choosing one disk marked Middle Juraian History. Ryan inserted the disk into the ship's main computer and sat down. He typed in a few keywords and waited. Sometime and several disks later, he found what he was looking for.
Sometime later, the first rays of morning sunshine flowed through Ryoko's bedroom window. Her sleep disturbed by a loud knock at her door. For a moment she was disorientated. She pulled the covers over her head and ignored the insistent rapping on the door.
"Go away." Ryoko muffled under the covers as the door opened. Someone approached the bed and ripped the covers off. Ryoko slowly opened an eye and saw Ayeka's smirking face staring down at her.
"Miss Ryoko, are you going to stay in bed all day or are you going to join the rest of us downstairs. Ryan has important news to tell us."
At the mention of Ryan, Ryoko bolted upright. She looked around and realized she was in her room. "What.. How did I.."
Ayeka quirked her eyebrows but said nothing. She turned and walked toward the door. "Coming?" She said over her shoulder.
Ryoko narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Give me a minute all right." She answered testily, swinging her legs out of bed.
"As you wish." Ayeka said, smirking as she closed the door behind her.
Ryoko sighed then followed Ayeka downstairs a minute later. She looked around to find everyone else gathere in the living room. Even Tenchi was there. After calling his grandfather and hearing what had happened to Ryan, the crown prince had decided to return home.
In front of the group, Ryan stood, smiling warmly at Ryoko as she sat down beside Sasami near the back of the group. All eyes were riveted on the kenshin as they waited patiently for him to begin.
"Now that everyone is here, I want to tell you about my vision." Ryan began, clasping his hands in front of him. "Last night, I caught a glimpse of who and what we're up against. The force we sensed all those months ago is a massive ship made of dark crystal. Within this ship, thousands of people are being held prisoner; encased in crystal which absorbs their power to the point their bodies shut down."
Ryan paused, turning away from the group, hiding the painful features that spread across his face as he relived the experience in his mind. "I felt all their pain and suffering. They cried out for me to save them but I could not. I couldn't even save my fellow knights." He said dejectedly, his head bowed. No one spoke. After a long moment, the kenshin lifted his head, turning around to face everyone. Over his little slip into the past, Ryan focused his attention back to the present. "Although I could not free them, the knights told me two imprisoned by Nagashi were behind this. Somehow they managed to escape the dark dimension they were sealed away in over a thousand years ago."
"Who are they?" Tenchi asked.
Ryan turned to him. "That part of the puzzle took a while to solve. I spent a few hours in the lab on my ship. I now know whom it is that seeks to control the universe. I suspect Azaka and Kamedaki know as well." He said, looking at the two noble warriors.
Azaka and Kamedaki looked at each other knowingly the back towards the kenshin. "We do indeed but, pray continue." Azaka said.
"These two beings were kenshin knights twisted and seduced by the dark forces that lie within the universe. They tossed aside all the values and duties of the order. They felt that protecting those weaker than oneself was a waste of time. Love, happiness, peace were all folly to them. These corrupted beings believed in ruling the weak with an iron fist. They conquered several planets with ease and inserted themselves as rulers over them. Being so far away from Jurai, these two managed to block any sense of imbalance emulating from that particular area of space. Any who tried to send messages to Jurai were caught and executed. They were ruthless and delighted in playing mind games with anyone who crossed their path." Ryan paused, catching his breath before continuing once again.
"When their evil reign was uncovered, Emperor Keito sent four knights to bring the warped duo back to Jurai to face trial. The knights never returned. Finally Nagashi received word and sought to challenge the two dark knights to battle. Fighting ensued. Combined, the two seemed invincible. Every move Nagashi made was countered. But Nagashi, being a royal member of Jurai, had a power that surpassed theirs and managed to capture them. They were put on trial and sentenced to be sealed in the forever zone, a lifeless domain no one escaped from."
"And yet," Ayeka interrupted. "These two have found a way to do it. What are they're names?" She asked.
Ryan looked at her. "The woman is named Kylia and the man is called Bagon. They will stop at nothing to capture us and use our power to complete their plans. We must not let that happen." Ryan said, determined. The others nodded in agreement, pondering what their next move should be.
Chapter 22--Villians Revealed
Far away from earth, two sinister figures were also plotting their next move. They sat upon their crystal throne chairs, eyes closed.
"Well, well my dear." Began the tall, broad shouldered man, his long hair as black as the outfit he wore. He opened his sea green eyes and stared straight ahead. "It seems our young kenshin knight has discovered our true identity."
"It's about time!" snapped his tall, lithe and darkly dressed companion as she swiped a strand of green hair away from her neon blue eyes. "What a pathetic excuse for a kenshin."
Bagon waved his hand. "Now, now Kylia. He has managed to escape our net so far."
"Only because you never send more than one minion to retrieve him and his friends." Kylia interjected, angerily. "If you'd just listen to me for once.."
"But what fun would that be?" Bagon interrupted. "You're problem Kylia is that you want everything now."
"And you're problem Bagon is you always have to do things you're way."
She answered, crossing her arms.
Bagon sighed. He stood up and walked slowly down the steps toward the nine empty crystals. He stroked the one closest to him. His silence prompted Kylia to ask, "What do you have in mind Bagon."
"Lord Tenchi and Lord Ryan share a similar weakness. I will exploit that weakness and snare them in a trap like the vermin they are." He said in loathing.
"How!" Kylia snapped impatiently.
Bagon whirled around, his black cloak swirling violently from the sudden movement. "Read my mind." He answered.
Kylia saw his thoughts and laughed wickedly. "Oh how delicious. This will be great fun. I can't wait to begin tomorrow."
"Yes." Bagon murmured turning back to the crystal. He drew his pale lips into a small smile. "I've waited patiently for over a thousand years to get my revenge. Soon the last living decedent of Nagashi will be within my grasp. Then all of Jurai will feel my wrath. I will make them all suffer for what they've done to us." He snarled then backed away, laughing as he walked back to his throne.
Chapter 23--Evil Arrives
At the Masaki house, everyone was preparing for the arrival of Kylia and Bagon. Weapons were checked, fighting techniques critiqued and strategy discussed.
Ryan left the meeting early, heading to his ship to gather some last minute supplies. Marching into his bedroom, the kenshin moved purposely forward, stopping at a large metallic closet beside his bed. Ryan reached forward, tapping a small button that lay to his left. The closet doors slowly opened, revealing several sets of uniforms similar to the ones worn by Azaka and Kamedaki hanging neatly on the long metallic bar that rested slightly above the kenshin's head. Ryan gently clasped a uniform and laid it out upon his bed. Slowly and methodically,the kenshin changed into his uniform, folding his old clothes neatly before placing them in the open bag that lay at his feet. After attaching his cloak, Ryan walked to the other side of the room and pushed a small button. A long, thin mirror appeared. Inspecting his appearance, the kenshin made some minor adjustments to his belt and shirt stopping when he caught sight of a picture frame to his right. Turning slowly around, Ryan walked over to the metallic dresser beside his bed, picking the picture up for a closer view. His sad eyes studied the three figures encased within the frame. A dark haired man with soft brown eyes had his left arm wrapped around a petite woman with long flowing blue hair and twinkling green eyes that looked down upon a smiling boy with jet black hair and eyes that matched the man standing beside him. The kenshin slumped down upon his bed.
"Mother, father." He murmured, frowning slightly as he felt himself drawn to the past, to the small place in his mind where the terrible images he had witnessed so long ago came back with a vengence. Ryan closed his eyes, trying hard to push back the images that began to form inside his head but to no avail. Visions of his parents, bloodied and unmoving, their lifeless eyes open. He saw, sensed and heard himself crying out in despair as he crawled through the debris that littered his path, his broken legs dragging uselessly behind him. The twisted wreckage of his parents ship cutting deep into his soft flesh. His grief and fear threatening to overwhelm him as he struggled to reach his family. Soon another image formed and he saw the men who had shot down his parents ship as they entered the ruined vessel, pillaging the safes that held millions in Juraian currency.
The kenshin cringed as he remembered their cruel laughter. And oh the pain he had felt when one of them, noticing that he was alive, ripped him off the floor and tossed him across the room, his scream of agony cut short when his head smashed against the metallic wall with a thud, knocking him out cold.
So much pain. He thought sadly,rocking back and forth. I can't ... At that same moment he heard an insistant voice in his head which penetrated the painful mental fog that had engulfed and threatened to consume him.
Kenshin you're needed back here. Lord Yosho sent out to him.
Focusing on Yosho's voice, Ryan was able to escape his own private hell and return to the present. I'll be right there. He replied, opening his eyes. He looked down at the photograph he held and frowned. Now why did that happen? He thought in confusion. Could this have something to do with the dark knights arrival? Shaking his head in uncertainty, Ryan replaced the photograph on the dresser and stood up. He drew in a deep breath, taking one last look before teleporting back to the house.
When he got there he found that Yosho had assigned everyone to guard duty either inside or outside the house.
Ryan took his allotted position atop the house and watched the darkening sky warily.
After a short time, the wind began to pick up, tossing the traveler's cloak all about. The rain began to flow down from the clouds drenching Ryan's hair and his uniform. The kenshin shook the rain off and continued to study the sky. He knew the dark force was close and it took all of his training not to go off in search of them himself. The violent memories he had revisted on his ship a short while ago had shook him. He was now certain the two dark ones were behind it and as much as he wanted to challenge them, he had to wait for them to make the first move.
"Anything?" Someone yelled from below.
"Nothing yet Azaka." Ryan yelled back wiping more rain from his face. Just then he felt it. The sensation was unmistakable. Ryan flew off the roof and floated quickly down to Azaka. "They're here." He shouted over the rumbling thunder. Azaka nodded and the two headed inside.
"Everyone make ready." Azaka warned. Suddenly a burst of lightening hit nearby and all the lights in the house went out.
"Ahh!" Everyone screamed.
"Quick! Get a flashlight." Ayeka cried.
"How! We need light to find light." Ryoko replied, trying hard to keep from falling over in the darkness.
"Quiet!" Yosho ordered.
Everyone stood still. Outside the wind picked up, shaking the windows. Lightening erupted everywhere, rocking the house violently. Just then everyone heard two wicked voices inside their head. " Come out and play." They taunted. " Come out and meet your fate Juraian scum."
Yosho ignored the voices and asked calmly. "Kenshin, do you know how far away they are?"
"Yes. About five miles from here. Their hiding. They want us to go out and seek them." Ryan answered, his jaw clenched.
"Then we shall." Yosho said. "Everyone head for the door."
"How. We can't see anything." Tenchi replied.
"I'll take care of that." Ryan said and floated high above everyone. He engaged his blade and led them to the door. Everyone headed out with Ryan taking up the rear.
While the others marched ahead, Ryan continued to hear taunts in his head. Finally he could take no more and went off in search for his tormentors . Ryoko, who had been near the back of the group was the first to notice him missing.
"He's gone!" Ryoko yelled. The others turned and saw that indeed the young knight was not with them. Without thought they split up in different directions in the hopes of finding him.
Some distance away Ryan flew above the trees. Where are you? He thought angerily as he continued forward. Above him, Kylia and Bagon floated. Kylia released a quick burst of energy. At the last second, Ryan felt their presence and dematerialized before the blast could strike him. He reappeared in front of them.
"Greetings lord Ryan." Bagon said with a snicker plastered on his face. "Are you ready to play?"
The young kenshin frowned. "Play?" He replied, confused.
"Yes play." Kylia repeated her mind open. She sent images to Ryan who blanched. Kylia then disappeared.
"No!" Ryan shouted. Before he had a chance to stop her, Bagon attacked furiously with his sword. Ryan responded by engaging his weapon, their blades clashing in mid air.
Far below and some distance away, the Masaki household was on the move.
"Where could he have gone?" Tenchi asked. Ayeka and Sasami were beside him.
"I don't know lord Tenchi, but we must find him. He will need our help." Ayeka replied.
Another burst of lightning stuck the ground nearby, shaking the trees along with the ground.
"Ahh!" The girls screamed, clutching onto Tenchi.
"Ladies.. I.. can't .. breathe.." Tenchi wheezed between his clenched teeth as they stood in the darkness.
The two knights were having little luck as well. "Why can't we sense anything?" Kamedaki shouted above the wind that whipped his red hair around.
"I'm not sure." Azaka replied, his eyes alert, ready for attack. The two crept along in the woods ever closer to Ryan but unaware of it.
Lord Yosho and Washu also crept closer.
Ryoko flew high above the treetops searching frantically for some sign of Ryan. The rain assaulted her eyes, causing Ryoko to shake the rain off her face. Come on Ryan where are you? Why can't I.. Suddenly she spotted the kenshin engaged in battle with a larger man dressed in black. "Ryan!" Ryoko shouted, flying towards him.
"Ryoko stay away it's a trap!" Ryan managed to yell in between blows.
"What!" Ryoko exclaimed. Behind her several bright flashes of light erupted. Ryoko whirled around. In front of her floated five demons with swords drawn. "Oh crap." She murmured.