Chapter 42--A Devious Plan
My lord, scanners indicate two intruders have boarded our ship. Navolic thought to Bagon.
Yes I know. Bagon thought back, I sensed it before they even registered on our scanners.
What do you want me to do?
Bagon stalked down from his throne and began to pace. His thoughts jumbled.
My lord? Navolic repeated.
Send out the demons. Give the intruders a little sport before they meet their fate. The dark kenshin replied, shutting off communication with Navolic. He turned to face Kylia as she walked towards him.
"We have visitors." She said stopping before him.
Bagon turned from her to stare at the crystals. "Yes, but how could they have beaten us here! It's impossible!" He exclaimed, angrily.
"Well" Kylia said to Bagon's back. "Its a little late to worry about that. We must prepare for them."
"Yes." He murmured clenching his fist at his sides. "Let them enter our domain." He leered, raising his clenched left fist , squeezing with all his might. "And we will crush them like the insects that they are. We will inflict pain unlike any they've experienced before." He spat relaxing his fist, his face brightening.
"What is it?" Kylia asked.
Bagon smiled wickedly. "I just thought of something that will bring the kenshin literally to his knees."
"Which is?"
He turned to face her. "Let's just say I've found the heart of our solution." He replied, his gaze falling upon Ryoko.
Kylia read his thoughts and matched his smile.
Chapter43--Warm Up
"How did they find out so quickly?" Tenchi inquired as they stood in the center of the corridor.
"Because." Ryan replied. "I had to use my powers to teleport us onto this ship. That split second drop of my mental defenses was more than enough for Bagon and Kylia to sense our presence." He explained.
Tenchi was about to speak when Ryan held up his hand in a gesture of silence. His eyes and body alert. He saw shadows bouncing off the crystals that surrounded them. Ryan swiftly unhooked his saber from his belt and engaged the blade. Tenchi also engaged his sword. The two warriors stood back to back and waited. Suddenly demons burst from the rows and quickly surrounded them. The demons flashed wicked smiles, exposing their teeth; their eyes manic.
"There's at least twenty of them." Tenchi said, never taking his eyes off them.
"I count twenty seven." Ryan replied.
"Can't we just materialize into another corridor?"
Ryan shook his head. "No matter where we go we'll have to deal with them. So we might as well get it over with."
The demons cut Ryan's and Tenchi's conversation short by lunging forward from all sides. The duo held their ground, making wide sweeping arcs with their swords. Their effort keeping the demons temporarily at bay.
Until the demons pressed their assault, forcing Tenchi and Ryan to face them at close range. The first few demons to charge forward met their fate at the end of the crown prince and the traveler's swords. They fell to the floor, mortally wounded. The other demons jumped over their injured comrades, striking two to three at a time. Ryan quickly dispatched the demon closest to him by thrusting his sword up to the hilt into the demon's chest, the blade erupting out the back. Ryan quickly withdrew the blade and began to fight two demons at one time. Tenchi was having similar success, destroying any demons that challenged him. One did manage to slice Tenchi's right arm, causing blood to flow freely downward. Tenchi grunted in pain but continued to fight.
Ryan took out two more evil beings with ease. But a demon that lay on the ground stirred, stabbing his sword deep into the traveler's right leg. Ryan cried out in pain, collapsing onto his injured leg. He fired a quick burst of energy from his hand dispatching the horrid creature. Ryan looked downward, sweat pouring off his brow.
Tenchi sensed his friend's distress than raised his eyebrows when he felt the traveler's power rising rapidly. A demon lunged toward Ryan, his sword high above his head.
"Ryan!" Tenchi cried trying to get his friend's attention.
The demon was almost upon the kenshin when Ryan lifted his head slowly, revealing two glowing blue orbs. His whole body began to glow. The demon stopped his assault, backing away in fear. Ryan grunted as he stood back up, his power growing by the second. With lightening quick reflexes, he hooked his saber onto his belt and lifted his hands skyward. The demons were tossed upward, struggling to break free form the traveler's psychic hold; their weapons dropping onto the ground.
Tenchi watched in awe at Ryan's abilities.
"Ryan?" He whispered apprehensively.
"Don't worry about me Tenchi." Ryan replied. "Just shut your eyes."
Tenchi did so, squeezing his eyes shut.
Once sure Tenchi would not be blinded, Ryan discharged several bursts of energy blasts at his opponents. Soon the corridor was engulfed with green light. Tenchi heard the explosions but didn't open his eyes. The aftershock of the blasts started to send Tenchi backward, but Ryan grabbed his arm and kept him steady. Tenchi was amazed at the kenshin's ability to hold his ground against such a tremendous force of energy.
Soon the light faded. Tenchi slowly opened his eyes and gasped when he saw it was just Ryan and he in the corridor.
"How did you..." Tenchi stammered, at a loss for words.
Ryan relaxed his grip and smiled. "You could of done the same, Tenchi if you really wanted to." He said, his breathing slightly labored.
Tenchi shook his head emphatically. "No way. I could never do what you just did."
Ryan looked at him quizzically. "Are you not also a direct descendent of Jurai."
"Well....yes.. but.."
"Trust me Tenchi. The power you possess is immense. Deep inside you it lies. Can you not sense it.?"
Tenchi frowned. "No. I don't really."
Ryan patted Tenchi's shoulder. "Well, when the moment comes to use it, you will." He said, cranking his neck to the side. "Now let's go free our friends and loved ones."
Tenchi nodded and started to follow the kenshin when he noticed that Ryan was still limping. "Are you all right Ryan?" He asked.
Ryan smiled. "No worse than you." He replied, turning and pointing at Tenchi's bleeding arm.
Tenchi clasped his arm and grunted.
"You know Tenchi, I can take care of that for you." Ryan said.
Tenchi shook his head. "It's not that bad." He replied starting forward.
Ryan smiled. "Very well Tenchi. Let's go." He said, clasping his right arm and closing his eyes.
"Do you know where your going?" Tenchi asked.
"I do know. But then I've been here before." He replied as the two disappeared from the corridor.
Chapter44--Darkness Prepares
High above, Kylia and Bagon sat upon their thrones. They opened their eyes and sighed.
"Well, well. His power has grown tremendously." Bagon said.
"Yes, but still no match for us." Kylia replied. "Which they'll find out soon enough." She added, rising from her seat.
"Yes indeed." Bagon replied, standing up as well. The room quickly darkened as the two dark travelers disappeared.
Chapter 45--The Battle Begins
Outside the throne room, Tenchi and Ryan materialized in front of two gigantic crystal doors. Ryan let go of Tenchi's arm and stared at the door.
Tenchi let out a whistle of awe. "Wow!" He exclaimed. "Those are the biggest doors I've ever seen."
Ryan smiled eyeing the door up then down. "And also the heaviest." He said.
Tenchi turned his gaze from the door to the kenshin. "So how do we open them?" He asked.
Ryan brought his left arm forward. He raised his palm up and back. "Like this." He replied, focusing his telekinetic energy on the massive doors. The doors exploded inward, exposing the darkened throne room.
The kenshin lowered his arm and unhooked his saber. Tenchi also armed himself as the two crept inside, the near darkness swallowing them as they entered.
"Where are Kylia and Bagon?" Tenchi whispered, looking about the room as he tried to gain his bearings.
Ryan shook his head, his eyes scanning the darkness before him. "I'm not sure just yet Tenchi. We should proceed with caution." He whispered back as he continued forward.
A soft light erupted far to the right, drawing the attention of the two men. Both gasped at what they saw.
"Ryan look!" Tenchi cried excitedly, clasping Ryan's arm.
There, some distance away, stood the nine crystals encasing the Masaki household.
Without thought, Tenchi rushed forward much to Ryan's dismay.
"Tenchi wait! It may be a trap!" He yelled, stretching out his arm in a warning gesture. Seeing his warning fall on deaf ears, Ryan shook his head, hooked his saber, and cautiously followed.
When the kenshin reached the crystals, he found Tenchi quickly passing each one before stopping in front of Ayeka's. The crown prince, hooked his sword as he studied the pale features of the princess. Slowly, softly, he reached out, resting his right hand lovingly on the crystal above Ayeka's unmoving left hand.
Ryan smiled sadly as he watched Tenchi. With a sigh, he inspected everyone before standing in front of Ryoko.
After a long silence Tenchi spoke. "Are they all right?" He asked, looking from Ayeka to Ryan.
Ryan nodded, closing his eyes. "They're fine Tenchi..." The kenshin began, stopping mid sentence, his features a mask of concentration.
Tenchi frowned. "Kenshin?" He said in concern.
Suddenly, Ryan opened his eyes, whirled around and, grabbing Tenchi's arm, disappeared. At that precise second, two red energy beams struck the ground where the two men had just been.
Reappearing just beyond the crystals, Ryan released Tenchi's arm and shouted out a challenge. "Cowards! Come out and fight!" He yelled.
Maniacal laughter filled the room, causing the hairs to stand up on the back of Tenchi's head, his eyes darting about the room, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Ryan clenched his jaw, determined to flush them out. "What's the matter Bagon!" Ryan taunted as he stared defiantly upwards. "Afraid to face me!"
The laughter stopped.
Ryan smiled. "I sense it you know. The fear. Are you afraid Bagon. Afraid to be beaten by the likes of me." He continued, hoping to rouse Bagon's anger.
At that second, Bagon appeared instantly in front of Ryan and blasted him with such force that Ryan was tossed through the air and subsequently through the far wall. "I fear no one." Bagon spat, totally ignoring Tenchi. He began to laugh again. But his laughter was short lived when Ryan zoomed straight through the hole in the wall towards Bagon.
Bagon clenched his jaw and furrowed his eyebrows. "Still alive heh, well not for long." Bagon vowed as a dark red-black sword materialized from his left hand.
Ryan gave a battle cry and charged forward, swiping at Bagon viciously and very nearly slicing the larger man in half.
Nearby, Tenchi sensed a malevolent presence behind him and turned around, his sword at the ready. Kylia appeared with a sword of her own. Without warning she swung viciously at Tenchi, releasing a surge of energy that sent the crown prince reeling backward. He crashed into the crystals at full force,the breath exploding from his lungs, rendering him stunned and gasping for air.
Tenchi sat nearly motionless as he struggled desperately to catch his breath, blinking his eyes in shock.
Slowly Kylia advance upon the crown prince, grinning wickedly.
Suddenly, Tenchi heard a voice call out to him. "Tenchi! Tenchi you must get up! You must help us!"
The crown prince's eyes widened. "Ayeka?" He murmured, looking around and up. There, behind him, stood Ayeka's crystal. She seemed to be smiling at him. Tenchi looked from Ayeka back to Kylia. With renewed strength, the crown prince rose to his feet, reengaged his blade and adopted a defensive pose.
Kylia flew forward, sword stretched outward.
Tenchi met her charge, blocking the attack and countering with one of his own. For a while the battle was a draw, neither able to gain the advantage. But Tenchi began to grow weary from Kylia's constant attack, the force of the blows driving him backward.
Ryan was also having problems. He was attacking Bagon aggressively, giving his all. But with little success. Bagon yawned and acted bored. As if Ryan were an annoying pest not worth battling with.
Suddenly Bagon blocked a slash by Ryan and pressed forward until he and Ryan's faces were a few inches from each other. "My turn." Bagon leered, unleashing a furious attack that sent the kenshin flying up and backward. Bagon was upon Ryan in seconds, slashing the traveler's right arm then his left. Ryan clenched his jaw, grunting in pain, but continued to defend himself.
Bagon slashed at Ryan's midsection but missed. The smaller man using his speed and agility to avoid the blow. Ryan floated quickly upward and away. He landed near the crystal doors, his breathing labored. The sweat poured off his handsome face as Ryan narrowed his eyes. He watched Bagon stalk purposefully toward him. He glanced quickly at his friend and saw that Tenchi was struggling against Kylia's constant attack, being able to defend himself but little else.
Ryan looked back at Bagon, who was almost upon him. He thinks he's won. Ryan thought. He believes he is stronger than Tenchi and I , but why.. Ryan's face suddenly brightened in realization. Of course. He thought excitedly. He's drawing power from the ship to achieve this. The kenshin's thoughts suddenly darkened. How can I beat such immense power?
"Stop your petty thoughts." Bagon said disdainfully. "There is no way to defeat me boy. I have waited for over a thousand years to have my revenge and no infant will prevent me from achieving my goal."
Ryan hung his head low as if in defeat. Bagon laughed wickedly. "That's right boy. Give up. Make my job easier." He said stopping just a few feet before Ryan. He raised his sword high, ready to deliver the death blow to the kenshin. "Say goodbye!" He yelled beginning the sword's descent towards Ryan's head.
Ryan lifted his head, his eyes closed as if to welcome the end of his life. But the sword suddenly stopped a few inches from Ryan's forehead.
Bagon frowned. "What is this!" He yelled angrily, trying with all his might to make the sword hit its mark but without avail.
Ryan's eyes shot open, his eyes crackling with blue light. The area around his body glowed so brightly, so intensely, Bagon had to close his eyes or risk being blinded. The crystals shook violently, nearly cracking from the energy, as each member of the Masaki household awoke. The light soon faded and all in the room saw that the kenshin's gaze was hard and unrelenting, focused solely on Bagon who stared at him, paralyzed by Ryan's psychic grip. The kenshin hooked his saber upon his belt, no longer in need of a weapon. He stepped away from Bagon and released his psychic hold. The dark kenshin stumbled forward but quickly gained his balance, swinging his sword as he whirled around, hoping to take the kenshin's head. But Ryan ducked down and brought his fist upward, driving it straight into Bagon's stomach. Bagon dropped to his knees, gasping for air. Ryan turned from the fallen Bagon and headed slowly toward Kylia who instinctively backed up.
Tenchi looked away from Ryan towards the the crystals, his eyes widening as he saw that they were awake and watching, before returning his gaze upon Ryan who raised his arm and opened his palm. Kylia's face blanched in fear. She instantly disappeared from view. He lowered his arms and turned back to Bagon. The dark kenshin had struggled back to his feet. Bagon cast his hateful eyes upon his enemy and clenched his jaw. "Im...possible!" He stammered. " No one possesses such power!"
Ryan smirked. "You're not the only one who can channel this ship's energy." He replied stepping forward. "It's over Bagon. You're finished." He said making his way toward Bagon. The dark kenshin shook his head. "No. Not until I say it's over!" He yelled. And with that he disappeared as well.
"Come out!" Ryan cried as he maneuvered several 360's , trying to see and sense his opponents. "Finish the game that you started." He challenged as he stood next to an astonished Tenchi. For a moment there was nothing. Ryan narrowed his eyes, his mind and body alert. Tenchi also cast his eyes about, wondering what would happen next.
Without warning, a thin beam of energy shot downward, rocketing straight for Ryoko's crystal. Ryan leaped forward, hoping to absorb the energy beam before it reached it's target. His body tensed for impact but he had leaped too late. The beam hit its mark, invading the crystal and striking the defenseless Ryoko. Ryan hit the floor hard but bounced back up. He stared in horror at the scene before him. Ryoko's features full of shock as she turned towards Ryan, her eyes a mixture of fear and pain.
Ryan stared back at her, touching the crystal with trembling fingers. Ryoko smiled softly, matching his hand movement before closing her eyes. Her arms fell limp and her head lolled forward.
Ryan frowned and began to pat the crystal gently. Ryoko! He thought bleakly, leaning his forehead against the crystal. "Its all my fault, all my fault." He murmured in despair.
That's right boy. He heard in his head. It is your fault. But you can still save her.
Ryan whirled around, his eyes laced with absolute fury as he searched high and low for some sign of his tormentor. "Come out and face me you coward!" Ryan yelled at the top of his lungs.
Bagon laughed, the sound reverberating around the room. "What's it going to be kenshin huh? Waste precious seconds trying to flush me out or save your precious Ryoko? Tick tock, tick tock. Times wasting kenshin." He taunted.
Ryan clenched his jaw. He turned back to Ryoko and placed his left hand upon the crystal. The kenshin closed his eyes and focused. Within seconds he envisioned the wound. Bagon had nicked Ryoko's right ventricle, causing blood to well up in her chest. He sensed a faint heartbeat that was becoming weaker by the second. Ryan opened his eyes and slowly backed away . He dropped to his knees, clutching his chest, his head dropping forward.
A short distance away, Tenchi stared in horror and gasped as he watched his friend fall.
Ryoko, now healed, opened her eyes and patted her chest. She let out a sigh of relief that was short lived when she gazed outward and saw Ryan on his knees, blood spreading across his chest. Her eyes widened in shock as she began to beat her fists against the crystal. "Ryan!" She screamed, her voice full of fear and grief.
Bagon chose that moment to appear beside Ryan, his smile mocking. Ryoko pounded harder against her prison, trying in vain to break free. "Get away from him!" She yelled.
Bagon ignored her as he raised his right boot to lift Ryan's head. The kenshin's eyes were glassy, as if he was far, far away from the room. "I told you boy. It's not over.
As evidenced by your weakling expression of compassion, you are at my mercy. Which is why you can't stop me; why I will prevail. Time to die." Bagon said. With a smirk he backed away and lifted his arm. He opened his palm and with a blast of psychic energy tossed Ryan up and through the air. The kenshin smacked against the wall, sliding downward and onto the floor. He sat motionless, too weak to defend himself.
Bagon began to laugh, Kylia reappearing beside him. They stared at the scene before them, full of triumph. "No one can stop me!" Bagon said between his bouts of laughter.
Tenchi, who had been a paralyzed spectator to all the horror, could take it no longer. His body began to tremble with rage. The words Ryan had told him earlier began to fill his mind. He felt the power surging within him. "No more!"The crown prince screamed at the top of his lungs.
Bagon stopped laughing and stared at Tenchi. Kylia did the same.
The crown prince began to glow a bright green. The ship began to shake. The crystal prisons throughout the ship began to crack before exploding, releasing the prisoners of Bagon and Kylia.
In the throne room, the remaining crystals also exploded, freeing both the Masaki household and the four kenshin knights. They covered their eyes, blinded by Tenchi's building power. The four knights sensed Ryan's distress and teleported over to him. Ryoko stumbled away from the group, also making her way to the fallen kenshin. She fell to her knees and cradled him in her arms. Ryo, Tesi, Mia, and Keiko looked on in concern.
After a few moments the light faded. Everyone looked upon Tenchi, whose eyes were full of rage. He stared hard at Bagon and Kylia, ready to fight. "You're days of terrorizing the universe are over." Tenchi said confidently. "I will make you pay for what you've done ." Bagon crossed his arms. "And how do you propose to do that." He said smiling.
"In a few moments the only people on the ship will be you two and me."
Bagon and Kylia stared at each other in confusion. "What are you talking about?" Bagon asked.
"You're a mind reader, so read my mind." Tenchi taunted.
"You're bluffing." Bagon said after a moment.
"Am I?" Tenchi replied tapping his head to the side.
Yosho nodded in understanding. "Everyone follow me." He ordered, heading for the door.
Ryoko and the kenshins turned back to Ryan and gazed upon him in concern. Ryoko laid her head upon his chest and listened for a heartbeat. In a few seconds she heard it, slow and steady, gaining strength. Ryan began to stir. He opened and blinked his eyes. Ryoko removed her head and smiled at him. "Come on." She said with urgency. "We've got to get the people out of here now." She helped Ryan to his feet. He grunted in pain as he leaned against her for support. He focused his eyes upon his fellow knights. A silent communication commenced between them as they saw the others coming towards them.
Yosho and the others stopped before them. "Kenshin, we need to get the people to safety." He said.
Ryan shook his head. "The only way to get around this ship is by dematerialization. Unfortunately, you are incapable of such travel." He said, breathing heavily as sweat trickled down his face.
"Then what do you propose we do?" Yosho asked..
Ryan gazed over at the kenshins and nodded. They closed their eyes, their eyebrows furrowed in concentration. The area around the Masaki household began to glow a bright blue. Within seconds they were gone.
Aboard the transport ship Banshee, Kia waited patiently for some signal to begin. "I wonder what is taking them so long?" Kia thought out loud.
Suddenly, blue light erupted before her. Soon she could see that within the light were people. "What the.." She exclaimed. Soon the light faded revealing the Masaki household. "Lord Yosho, princess Ayeka!" Kia exclaimed in surprise.
"Hurry." Yosho replied. "We haven't much time."