Chapter 46--The Destruction of The Dark Ones
"What just happened?" Ryoko asked, still holding Ryan who slumped against her. She looked down at Ryan and frowned. "Ryan?" She said apprehensively when he didn't respond. She gently lowered him to the ground, cradling him in her arms. She checked for a pulse. She felt it, but it was weak. Ryan began to stir, opening his eyes and staring up at Ryoko.
"Ryan?" Ryoko repeated in a frightened whisper. "Ryan?"
Slowly, the kenshin opened his eyes. "I'm... Okay." He responded wearily, struggling to sit up. Ryoko helped him, pulling him forward.
"Come on. We've got to go." Ryoko said , wrapping her arm around Ryan's mid section, pulling him up. She started to move forward but the kenshin didn't budge. Instead he gently removed his arm and hers, slowly straightening his frame as he backed up on shaky legs.
Ryoko looked at him, her eyes narrowed. "Your not coming are you?" She said in sudden realization.
Ryan shook his head, his countence grim. "I cannot yet. Not while Tenchi is still here."
The former space pirate frowned. "I can't. I won't leave you like this, I .." She replied, shaking her head emphatically.
The kenshin hobbled close to her and enveloped Ryoko in his arms. Then slowly he brought his hands up to her face and pressed his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes in sadness. "It is for the best Ryoko. Please do this for me." He whispered.
Suddenly the ship began to shake violently. The crystal that surrounded them began to crumble.
Ryan opened his eyes and gazed around then turned back to Ryoko and slowly backed away. "You've got to leave here now, the ship is destabilizing." Ryan yelled above the noise, gazing desperately upon her.
Ryoko looked at Ryan bleakly, then with great reluctance, disappeared.
Ryan watched her go before collapsing onto his knees, clasping his chest. I'm so sorry Ryoko. Ryan thought sadly, grimacing in pain, his breathing shallow as he felt his heart slowing down, his lifeforce leaving his body. The kenshin turned his head slowly. Now Tenchi. He communicated telepathically to the crown prince before falling forward, having spent his last reserve of energy on his telepathic messege.
Tenchi nodded in response to Ryan's signal, smiling as he saw the panic spread across the dark ones faces.
"What is happening!" Kylia shouted.
"You're end is what's happening." Tenchi replied, raising his arms upward. "It's time to pay for all the damage you've done!"
Above him, Tenchi created a massive ball of energy, the sum of all his rage and grief, and unleashed it upon Bagon and Kylia. Behind the crown prince, all the kenshins but Ryan held out their hands, clenching them and enacting a psychic hold that kept the two dark ones from escaping.
"No!" They screamed in unison, when the energy reached them. The impact so powerful they were killed instantly, absorbed by the energy. The ball exploded, rocketing backward toward the crown prince. Tenchi dropped to his knees, exhausted. He disappeared in a haze of blue light just seconds before the destructive blast could reach him.
Chapter 47--Loss of A friend
Tenchi reappeared aboard the safety of the Banshee. Seconds later, the crystal ship exploded, shattering into a billion pieces.
For a moment Tenchi kept his eyes cast downward, too tired to lift his head. When he did he saw his friends and loved ones standing before him. Ayeka rushed forward, enveloping Tenchi in her arms. "Oh Tenchi! You did it! You saved us all!" She cried joyfullly.
Tenchi returned her hug, swinging her around gently, and laughed. After a moment he stopped, kissing her quickly on the lips. "I had a lot a help." He said twisting left then right, still holding onto Ayeka, as he scanned the room for some sign of his friend. There was none.
"Where's Ryan?" Tenchi asked, frowning.
Everyone in the room looked at him then each other in confusion.
"He must be around here somewhere." Yosho said, vocalizing what everyone else must have been thinking.
"He didn't make it." Ryoko said softly, her features pale, withdrawn. "He knew he wouldn't survive. He...." She started, her voice trailing off as she covered her face with her hands.
Tenchi gently released Ayeka and walked slowly towards Ryoko, sensing the pain and fear that radiated from the Space Pirate. "Ryoko?" Tenchi asked in concern as he edged closer to her.
The young woman responded by raising her left arm in a halting gesture. Tenchi stopped.
Ryoko wiped her tears away with her right hand and straightened herself before lowering her arm. "Please excuse me, I need to be alone for awhile." She said weakly, her voice threatening to break and she headed out the door before anyone could stop her.
Tenchi made a move toward the door but Yosho stopped him.
"Let her go Tenchi."
"But.. Grandfather..." Tenchi stammered.
Yosho held up his hand. "I know you're concerned about Ryoko, Tenchi. Her heart is broken with grief right now." He began, but Tenchi interuppted him.
"All the more reason to go comfort her." Tenchi interjected.
Yosho shook his head. "Tenchi listen. Each of us deals with grief differently." He said, pausing to make sure Tenchi was paying attention. The crown prince nodded in understanding.
"So let Ryoko deal with this tragedy in her own way." He added staring at his young grandson.
Tenchi looked away from his grandfather toward the door. After a few seconds Tenchi reluctantly turned back towards Yosho and nodded in silent agreement. The two members of the royal house then walked toward the command bridge screen. Displayed upon the monitor was the section of space once occupied by the crystal ship. Tiny fragments bounced harmlessly off the Banshee as it began it's turn back toward the check point.
"Do you think Ryan's really dead?" Tenchi asked, his voice soft yet full of hope.
Yosho closed his eyes, his features focused in concentration. Tenchi waited patiently for his grandfather to speak. After a moment, the older man spoke. "I can sense no presence of the Kenshin anywhere. I fear he is lost to us." Yosho replied then opened his eyes. "Tell me?" He began looking toward the woman who commanded the Banshee. "Did any of the other transport ships pick up the knights?"
Kia, who had up till now been a silent observer of what had just transpired aboard her ship, stepped forward.
"No Lord Yosho." She began, her features as somber as her voice. "I just received reports from the other vessels. Lord Tenchi was the last registered transport to take place before the explosion." She said pausing to collect herself. "I'm afraid the Kenshin didn't make it." She finished lowering her head in sadness.
Everyone else on the bridge mirrored her actions. The air heavy with grief and loss. "What now grandfather?" Tenchi whispered as he continued to stare out at the emptiness of space.
Yosho removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. "I'm sure the council of Jurai will want a full report of what happened. After we talk to them we will head for home." He said with a weary sigh before replacing his glasses to stare out into space once again.
Tenchi nodded slowly then bowed his head. "What do you think happened grandfather?" He whispered.
There was a brief silence before Yosho replied. "I don't know Tenchi." He said with a pause. "I don't know." he added with a shake of his head wondering, as did the rest of the group, what had really happened to the Kenshin.
Below deck, Ryoko wandered aimlessly down a long, darkened and empty corridor. Her head was bowed, grief and anger threatening to overwhelm her. After walking for some time Ryoko stopped and leaned heavily against the cold metallic skin that covered the inner wall and gazed out the small window opposite of her. The stars streamed by in streaks but Ryoko paid no notice, her thoughts light years away from where she was.
Why Ryan? She thought angerily. Why didn't you escape when you had the chance. Now I'll never...be...able to...tell you... Ryoko broke down, unable to finish her thought as she slid slowly down the wall until her backside rested on the carpeted floor. She wrapped her arms around her legs before burying her head between her knees to muffle the tortured scream that escaped from her throat.