[Standard Copyright Disclaimer] Tenchi Muyo! and its associated characters are copyrighted material that belong to Animation International Company and the Pioneer LDC Corporation. I don't own any of the characters contained within this story; I didn't create the situations in which they live; as a matter of fact, all I did was put words in their mouths.

[A brief note from the Author]
This is my first fanfic ever. I've written fiction before, but never like this. I hope this doesn't offend anyone, especially true Tenchi Muyo fans. I've simply made an attempt to express my love for this series in a creative manner, which reflects my thoughts and feelings on love and life. As for the mechanics of this story, it loosely follows the storyline of the first 13 OAV episodes, and sort of picks up somewhere after they leave off. The material that this story follows is sort of based on a relationship I once had, so to all the people I know who were involved in that, I thank you for giving me material. This story is intended to be multi-part. This is the last of four parts I intend to write. Once again, Thanks.

The Dark Heart

A work of fiction, by hellthorne

Part 4: Endgame

"He is asleep. Although his mettle was sorely tried,
he lived, and when he lost his angel, died.
It happened calmly, on its own,
the way night comes when the day is done."
~Victor Hugo, Les Misérables ************************************************************************

The warning came to him in a dream.

The immense emotional suffering he had endured had certainly left its mark, but surprisingly, after the revelations of the golden avatar, Tenchi had not been shaken. The news was surprising, and he was initially left in a daze, but the shock had passed, and life had returned to what one could call normal.

Tenchi continued to train with his grandfather and Washu. He continued his home schooling, taking walks with Ayeka, tending to his chores and playing with Sasami. He even found time to talk with Mihoshi, and swore up and down that there were hints of brilliance. Everyone but Washu thought his assertions were ridiculous, but Tenchi knew that there was indeed life on planet Mihoshi.

The only thing that really changed in Tenchi's life was something that nobody could see, hear or otherwise detect. It was so personal and private that Tenchi himself did not realize exactly what it was for two weeks. He had stopped dreaming.

Not even images of his mother were coming to him anymore, and in many respects, it troubled him greatly. His dreams were vivid, filled with incredible detail, color and emotion. He dreamt often of his mother and his father together, in the days of happiness he remembered as a young child, before she became so sick, when his father used to look at her with the joy and admiration of a schoolboy. He dreamt of his future, growing up, graduating, living on his own. He dreamt of visiting America one day, seeing the big cities in all of their glory. And yes, he even dreamt of Ryoko, when she was still with him. Happy, carefree, loving Ryoko. Tenchi used to wake in the middle of the night from his dreams of Ryoko, and tears would stream down his face. He used to wake in a panic, sobbing, calling out her name. But now there was nothing.

Tenchi thought back to something his grandfather had told him. "When you stop dreaming, it's time to die." Tenchi worried that his time was drawing to a close. Perhaps the prophecy was true. Perhaps it was time for him to go. However, for as much as it troubled him, there was no release.

Things remained this way for months. Tenchi had become so adept with his training that he was able to fight with his eyes closed. Katsuhito never approved of this method, especially in real combat situations, but when Washu trained with him, he was blindfolded. Tenchi was beginning to learn how to feel in combat situations, and not just to see. He learned how to sense his attackers, and to react effortlessly. He had become fluid, like cool water. Tenchi had become so proficient that Washu and his grandfather had taken to surprise sparring matches.

On a warm day in the spring, Tenchi stood at the top of the stairs of the shrine office, sweeping, as was part of his daily chores. The sun was high overhead, and as he looked out over the sprawling countryside, he smiled a bit. Today was a better day than most. His heart did not ache so much today and he hoped that it would remain that way. As he was looking out, his gaze was drawn to the foot of the staircase. Ayeka was coming up the stairs, carrying lunch. Tenchi paused for a moment. She didn't normally bring lunch out. Usually, he went back to the house to eat, and either Sasami or Mihoshi would call him in for lunch, but today, Ayeka was bringing lunch.

"She must need to talk about something with me," Tenchi thought. He stood at the top of the stairs, looked down at Ayeka and waved. She looked up at him and smiled. He grinned back, and leaned on his broom. The day was hot and he was glad that it was time for a break. He was glad to see his friend.

Tenchi had started down the steps toward her when something happened. An alarm went off inside his head. He could sense something coming. Tenchi paused for a moment on the staircase as Ayeka looked up at him, puzzled. He had stopped suddenly, and had a troubled, almost panicked look on his face. Tenchi grabbed the broom he had been carrying and swung the handle around into a defensive position. When he could feel them coming, he leapt into the air, swinging the broom handle high. Ayeka looked up at him in terror as he came at her. Then she heard the noise. Two mechanical battle robots burst from the trees from behind Ayeka. Tenchi could see their lasers powering up for a blast. They were aimed at him, but Ayeka was in the direct line of fire. As Ayeka looked on, stunned, Tenchi seemed to glow, and suddenly blazed past her. It seemed like he was moving at a blinding speed. The princess turned her head in time to see Tenchi almost on top of the two battle machines. She fell to the steps as Tenchi charged the two robots. In an almost blinding arc, Tenchi leapt, swinging the broom, striking the mechanical opponents. He landed several feet away, and turned to face the robots again. He watched them momentarily before noticing Ayeka again.

A bolt of fear surged through Tenchi's mind as he saw the princess kneeling on the stairs. She was still in danger. Tenchi jumped again, moving so quickly that Ayeka did not see him coming. All she saw was a brilliant flash of light, and then Tenchi scooped her up in his arms. He carried her up to the top of the stairs and gently placed her down on the brick pathway. Ayeka was stunned. All this had happened in a matter of two seconds. Tenchi turned back toward the stairs just in time to see the battle droids explode. He had struck right at their reactors, and in moments, they had gone critical and melted down. A bright orange fireball could be seen for miles.

Tenchi turned back to the princess, who was in shock. "Are you alright, miss Ayeka?" Tenchi pleaded, looking right into her eyes. He now had a look of panic on his face.
Ayeka blinked momentarily, before regaining her senses. "Yes, Lord Tenchi, I am fine," she said, startled. She paused for a moment, and then spoke. "How were you able to move so fast? I've never seen you move like that."

Tenchi paused. He hadn't realized what he had done either, but he had managed a feat that defied even the new strength that he had developed through his training. He moved almost as fast as light. It was incredible.

"I. I don't know," he stammered. "I just saw you, knew you were in danger. and I had to act." He was suddenly filled with great sorrow. He knew the last time he had felt this way. It was during the battle with Kagato. When he saved Ryoko. It was pure panic. And the determination to not see his loved ones hurting.

"Is everything alright," a voice called from the stairs. Tenchi spun on his heel and headed back down the stairs. He was angry. Standing beside the flaming wreckage, Washu stood, looking up at Tenchi as he descended the stairs. As he walked down the stairs, he passed burning robot parts. One of the pieces had a scorched crab icon painted on the side.

"As I said, is everything alright," Washu repeated, examining the wreckage as Tenchi walked up to her.

"What the hell is the matter with you," Tenchi demanded. He pointed back up at the top of the stairs. "She could have been hurt." He was shouting at this point.
"Calm down, Tenchi," Washu said. "She's fine. Nobody got hurt, and you performed beautifully. I'm very proud of you."

"She could have been hurt," he shouted angrily.

"But she wasn't, alright," Washu shouted back. "They were stun lasers. Not the real thing."

"And the exploding reactors," he demanded.

Washu paused for a moment. "Hmm, you got me there," she muttered, before pausing again. "You shouldn't have him them there, you know. You caused the explosion."

Tenchi sighed. "Look," he said, trying to calm down. "You throw whatever you want at me. You can hit me, you can abuse me. You can beat the hell out of me, but you never, NEVER get anyone else involved." He was shouting again. "She could have been hurt, maybe even killed by that explosion, and I don't EVER want you to put her in the line of fire ever again. You NEVER put ANYONE in this house at risk except for ME. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"

Washu was troubled. Tenchi's eyes were frightening. The color seemed to dance like a flame, and he was irate. She had never seen him this angry, and it scared her.

"I'm so sorry, Tenchi," Washu started. "I won't do it again." Tears were welling in her eyes.

Tenchi was taken aback. This was certainly not what he intended to do, but he had managed to hurt Washu. He apologized profusely, but Washu was not willing to accept. "You've done nothing wrong," she said to him. She meant it, too. She was just surprised that he cared so much. After convincing Tenchi that she was indeed fine, Washu returned to her lab. She had to check on something of great importance.

Tenchi returned to the top of the stairs, where Ayeka waited for him. While he was arguing with Washu, Ayeka had set out lunch and tried to calm herself down.

They spoke briefly of the events that transpired, Ayeka assuring Tenchi that she was indeed fine. She was rattled, but otherwise okay. They were silent for a while, enjoying the meal that Sasami had prepared. Finally, Ayeka turned to Tenchi and asked, "How are you doing these days?"

"I feel strange and fine, all at once. I feel strangely fine," he said, grinning. "My work is hard, but I enjoy being here. I love being here with you all. I feel like everything is okay, but I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. I feel like something is supposed to happen, and I worry that I am not going to be ready for it."

"What do you mean, Lord Tenchi," Ayeka asked, not understanding completely.

"Well," Tenchi started, "I feel like there is something huge on the horizon, and I can't tell what it is. I feel like there is something coming to test me, and I don't know that I have the strength to endure. I worry that something horrible may be coming, and it may be up to me to stop it."

Ayeka nodded and thought for a moment. Then she spoke. "I know what it feels like to be filled with self doubt. I am worried about my people. I worry that I am not doing them a service by being here, but I know in my heart of hearts that I belong here with you and your family for now. I know that I was not always this willing to admit weakness and that for the longest time, I wanted to be perfect. But I know that's not possible. So I do the best that I can." She stopped and looked at him. He was smiling at her. "As far as your doubt is concerned," she continued, "you just have to have faith in yourself. You have to realize that you can only do your best, and that everything will fall into place when you believe in yourself. You are an amazing person, and if you can't save us from whatever is coming, then nothing can. You're the best person I can think of to bear this incredible burden. I am sorry that it troubles you so, but please remember that you are loved by everyone here. And, I hope, even someone out there. Even if you can't feel it."

Ayeka blushed a bit. She hoped that she had not said anything to upset Tenchi. She believed in his ability to do well, and knew that he could handle anything that was coming. It may be hard, but she knew that he could do it.

"I've stopped dreaming, Ayeka." Tenchi was looking right at the crown princess of Jurai. "I haven't had a dream in months, and I am scared. I am scared that the end is near. I worry that something terrible is coming."

Ayeka hugged him tightly and smiled. "You'll do just fine. I trust you," she said, still hugging him. And for the first time in months, he felt assured.

Washu sat at the console in her lab, playing back the video her surveillance had captured of her and Tenchi. Right as they were arguing, she looked over at the various screens. She could see a huge power surge come from Tenchi, and then suddenly it dissipated as he calmed himself down. "Oh God," the scientist whispered. "I think it's almost time."



The colors were so vivid that it was scary. The flames leapt from the burning wreckage of buildings, starships and weapons. Corpses smoldered on the ground where they lay. Everything he could see was laid to waste. Destruction was everywhere, and the smell of death hung in the still, thick air. Although Tenchi had never been here before, he knew what it was. The gates of the Jurian royal palace. And as he looked around in horror, he realized that the time had come to test his mettle. It was time to fight, or die trying. He looked up from the smoldering wreckage, and he saw her. She was coming toward him at a lightning fast pace, and he readied himself.

"Ryoko," he called out, sitting up in bed. That was it. The sign had come in a dream. It had been several more weeks since he had told Ayeka that he had stopped dreaming, and now he knew that it was time. He understood what would be happening, and he knew where he had to go.

Tenchi dressed quickly and plainly, and before darting out of his room, he grabbed tenchi-ken. His fingers ran over the small grooves where the gems used to sit. A flash of pain shot through his heart momentarily. Then, with determination, he ran to Washu's lab. When he flung the door open, Washu was standing there waiting for him, along with his grandfather. They both had grave expressions on their faces.

"I see that you're aware of how bad it is," Washu began, with a sullen look. "She is a lot more powerful than I thought possible. It is going to be a slaughter. We don't have much time."

Tenchi nodded silently. "What do I need to do to get there," he asked.

Washu typed a few commands into her console, and ship that looked like a modified version of Ryo-ohki appeared behind Washu. "This will provide you with the speed you require," Washu said. "It is the fastest ship I could build, but things are bad. She's going to reach landfall before you, and she's going to be hard to stop. A lot of people are going to die. A good number have fallen already. She has a good head start."

Tenchi started toward the ship. Katsuhito approached Tenchi with a solemn look on his face. Tenchi smiled at his grandfather, placed his hand on Katsuhito's shoulder and said, "I won't let you down."

"Tenchi," Katsuhito said, "Do not be afraid. Remember what you have been taught. Remain steadfast in the face of danger and know that we are proud of you." He was silent for a short while and then spoke again.

"Do you need me or Washu to come with you?"

"No grandpa," Tenchi replied calmly. "I think I'm going to be okay. Have faith in me and know that it will be alright." He looked at his grandfather and Washu, sighed, and then said, "Tell everyone I will be home soon. And don't let Mihoshi go to pieces."

Katsuhito said a short prayer for Tenchi, and then looked on as Tenchi boarded the ship. Even though the ship was fast, Tenchi knew he had a long trip ahead of him. It would give him enough time to think.



Ryoko's flight had been long and difficult. Pushing Ryo-Ohki as hard as she could, it still took a long time for her to make it all the way back to Jurai. And the Galaxy Police and the Jurian royal guard were not about to let her waltz in. They were waiting for her, but indeed, it was a slaughter.

The normal soldiers in the Jurian royal guard were no match for her, as she killed at will, slicing through any who opposed her. She was unstoppable. Even the best the guard had to offer struggled greatly at best, and were slaughtered with more vengeance than the normal guards.

The one trouble Ryoko faced were the numbers. There was a seemingly endless supply of attackers for her to face. They seemed intent on not letting her destroy their way of life.

After what seemed like hours, Ryoko faced the very last of her Jurian soldiers. She was close to the palace, and knew that victory was within her grasp. All she needed was the head of the Jurian king. Then she would destroy the origin tree, and all would be lost for Jurai.

Ryoko charged up the stairs to the palace gates. She was eager to finish this fight off, as it had been a lot harder than she anticipated. She stopped dead in her tracks when she reached the top.

Tenchi was standing at the gates to the palace, waiting for her. She could see him standing there, in his battle gear. He held tenchi-ken in his hand.

He looked angry. She noticed this first. He seemed like the same, sweet loving boy she had left, but he had a look of fury about him. Despite her feelings, however, she knew that this was her finest hour, and she could not stop, not even for him. She could take him easily. She could feel her three lighthawk wings forming, and she took hold of one of them, and with it formed a great sword. He would just be another casualty of war. He would be another faceless victim.

"Get out of my way. You have no business here. This is between me and Jurai," she said, glaring at him. "I'm much more powerful than you are now, Tenchi. Get out of my way, before I have to hurt you."

Tenchi stood completely still. He was angry, he was hurt, and a million painful memories crept back into the forefront of his mind. He felt many different emotions as he stood there, but he was unafraid. And that made all the difference.

Tenchi raised his sword in front of him, and said nothing to Ryoko. Tenchi- ken's energy blade crackled to life, and he stood tall, still looking directly into her eyes. Tenchi's lighthawk wings began to form around him, and Ryoko noticed that he now possessed seven wings. He reached out, grabbing one and joined it to tenchi-ken in a brilliant flash of light. A wide, flat blade of blue energy formed from the hilt, and tapered to a fine point at the end. It looked like a fierce weapon, and Tenchi looked stately wielding it.

Tenchi assumed a defensive stance that Ryoko had once taught him, and holding his head high, readied himself for battle. He looked into Ryoko's eyes, his brow furrowed with steely, unflinching gaze. To Ryoko, it felt like he was piercing her soul, looking in on the very depths of her being.

He looked at her, and the memories flooded his brain. The flames in his eyes that Washu had previously seen erupted, and a great anger overtook him. His lighthawk broadsword became engulfed in golden tongues of flame, and he began to shine brilliantly. Tenchi dug his heels into the ground, and as his eyes narrowed to slits, he felt his own power begin to surge. Wielding the power of the lighthawk wings, Tenchi could feel the two disciplines of his study melding into one. The power of Jurai was now unified with the rage of the Kill Rhythm. Tenchi had become the golden avatar.

"No, you have no business here, Ryoko" he spoke, plainly, despite the look of rage in his eyes. "Not one more soul shall suffer under your wrath. Your terror ends here. I will see to it. Drop your sword, return the sacred gems to me, and go back to wherever you came."

"You're a fool to take me on, little boy," Ryoko growled. "If you want a fight, then you've got one. But be warned, I will not be kind or merciful to you."

"Nor I to you," Tenchi replied. "Let's go." He extended his left arm toward her, his palm open toward the sky. He stood there motionless for a single moment, and then curled his fingers in toward himself, motioning to Ryoko, as if to say "come and get me."

Ryoko growled at his gesture. It was a taunt, meant to shame her. Her pride roared to life, and Ryoko began a mad rush toward Tenchi. She would run him through, and gut him like a fish.

Tenchi's broadsword flashed in an arc, clanging against Ryoko's blade. The two lighthawk weapons crackled with energy, and the force of the impact pushed Tenchi back a bit. They glared at each other at close range, and Tenchi could feel Ryoko's hot breath on his face. Her chest was heaving, she was breathing heavily, and she was filled with rage.

Their swords held each other in check, and Ryoko struggled with Tenchi. Their strengths were matched evenly, and the space pirate began to worry that she would not be able to overcome, much less overwhelm Tenchi. As she struggled, her dark training began to surface.

She could hear the Darkride speak in her memory. "The only objective is to win, Ryoko. You must crush, kill and destroy at any and all costs. All shall suffer. All shall DIE. You alone must triumph."

Ryoko's eyes narrowed, and reaching her left arm back, she fired an energy bolt at Tenchi. Through her training, she had learned to concentrate her power, and the bolt was over three hundred times more powerful than anything Kastuhito had ever faced when he was prince Yosho. Tenchi's training reacted instinctively, and one of his lighthawk wings formed into a shield to deflect the blast. Only, the shield neither deflected nor absorbed the blast.

Tenchi's eyes widened with surprise as the blast incinerated the shield. The energy ball struck him full force, and he was thrown backward. He landed face down on the palace steps, and for a short while, he did not move. Ryoko watched curiously for a moment, and then laughed to herself. He was just a boy, and now he was no more.

She had taken only two steps toward him when he began to stir. Tenchi's eyes were now fiery red. He grabbed tenchi-ken as he rose, and brought the flaming broadsword back to life. Tenchi stood and faced Ryoko, and he let out a blood curdling yell that could be heard for miles. His body tensed, and the anger ran through his veins like blood. Ryoko staggered back and watched as Tenchi began to transform. His soul was in anguish, torn by Ryoko's betrayal. His seven lighthawk wings became as gold, and he was surrounded by the power of the Kill Rhythm.

Tenchi lunged at Ryoko, swinging his lighthawk broadsword furiously in a controlled rage. He was ever mindful of his training, and used his swordsmanship to beat Ryoko back. Her lighthawk blade was able to withstand the blows that Tenchi dealt, but she was losing ground.

Ryoko began to panic. She realized that she could lose everything here. She would not be able to hold him back for much longer, and she feared that she would fall, so close to her goal. Ryoko fired another energy blast at Tenchi, but again, he did not flinch. Another lighthawk wing shielded him from the blast, only this time, the barrier held. His wings were fortified by the rage of the Kill Rhythm, and each and every blast from Ryoko's hand seemed to lend new strength to Tenchi's fury. She fired an intense volley at him, but Tenchi simply closed his eyes and guided his lighthawk wings by feeling instead of sight. The wings effortlessly shifted in and out of position to counter each and every attack that Ryoko dealt out. The space pirate was stunned by Tenchi's level of mastery, and she staggered backward in awe.

Tenchi took advantage of Ryoko's momentary lapse and struck. He opened his eyes and charged, lunging at her with his broadsword, and ripped through the side of the space pirate's abdomen. Blood poured out of a gaping wound in her side, down the side of her red and gray battle gear, but she stood, ever defiant. She could not afford to lose. Her hate, her fear and all the ill will conceived toward Tenchi began to concentrate into Ryoko's left hand. She remembered every word of doubt that escaped from Tenchi's lips, and she remembered the mistrust in his gaze.

The raw emotion materialized as an orange-golden energy ball in her hand, and before she knew it, Ryoko had summoned the Kill Rhythm's most feared weapon. The hell sabre was about to be unleashed. The Darkride sat at his throne of anguish, watching the battle unfold. He was disappointed by Ryoko's performance, but knew that Tenchi had grown and matured into a powerful opponent.

"One shall destroy the other, and the outcome is of no concern to me," the Darkride mused. His sinister designs seemed without flaw. While he had trained Ryoko to fight fiercely enough to destroy Tenchi, he had not discounted the power of the Golden Avatar. He understood Tenchi's destiny, and knew that if Ryoko could not slay him, then he would decimate Ryoko. Tenchi was teeming with hatred, and this would be enough to set the prophecy in motion. The Golden Avatar would fall, and with him, the entire universe would be obliterated. The Darkride would be free of this hell, and when the heavens handed out divine justice, Tenchi would become the fallen angel, and to this end, he would replace the Darkride at the mouth of heaven and hell. And should Ryoko somehow be victorious, then she would replace the Darkride. He would finally be free of his prison.

The Darkride stood and watched as Ryoko mounted her final attack. He grinned, his heart full of malice. The end was at hand.



A wide, uncontrolled beam of energy erupted from Ryoko's open palm. The hell sabre ripped across the land, obliterating trees, buildings and even mountains, turning all into ash. The intensity of Ryoko's anguish was staggering, and Tenchi received the full brunt of the attack.

As he saw the blast coming, Tenchi closed his eyes and concentrated. All of the power of his lighthawk wings shifted, forming a protective shell around him.

Ryoko was unaware that she was capable of such awesome power. She had reached a breaking point, and instead of falling down, she had struck back in the hardest way she could. The embodiment of her hate, anger and fear streamed from her hand, and it startled her greatly. She closed her eyes tightly as the beam exploded forth. After what seemed like hours however, Ryoko began to wane, and gradually the hell sabre diminished.

Her eyes were still closed, and she was afraid to open them. "Nothing could have survived that," she reasoned, but still she was afraid. For the first time in two years, she was afraid of what her selfishness had wrought. Unable to resist, however, she slowly opened her eyes, and what she saw stunned her beyond words.

There Tenchi stood, leaning forward onto the hilt of his broadsword. He was looking down at the ground, and he said nothing. There was no sign that he had been hurt. There wasn't even a scratch on him.

Tenchi finally lifted his head, looked at Ryoko lying on the ground, nearly worn out, and frowned. He looked at her and said, "are you finished?"

Ryoko gasped. Tenchi was unfazed. What had taken her completely by surprise and had sapped most of her remaining strength had not even startled him a little bit.

Tenchi stepped toward her, swinging his broadsword like a stick or a cane. He stopped just in front of Ryoko, who had curled up into a ball, as a last ditch defensive effort. He pointed the tip of the sword at Ryoko's throat.

"That was amateurish at best, Ryoko. Your power is uncontrolled, you have no focus," he growled. "You're lazy and you're sloppy. That could never destroy anything larger than a few mountain ranges. If you want to destroy a planet or even a galaxy, then you have to do it like this."

Tenchi raised his lighthawk broadsword skyward, and closing his eyes, he could feel his power surging through his body, amassing in his raised arms. A bright, thin beam of white light shot up from the sword. It pierced the sky, and continued out into the heavens, seemingly lasting forever. Tenchi held the sword up, and concentrated. The energy he controlled was pure white, and it began to flow through him like water. Tenchi opened his eyes and looked down at Ryoko, who was trembling.

"You need focus and control to realize your full potential, Ryoko," Tenchi shouted. A great vortex had descended upon him, and the wind swirled about, causing an almost deafening roar. "Only with controlled rage such as this can you destroy evil, Ryoko. Only with power such as this can you wipe it all away."

Ryoko was sobbing, the tears streaming down her face. This was the end of her existence, and she was terrified of the monster that Tenchi had become. More than anything, however, she was suddenly burdened with immense guilt. She had made him what he was. She had turned him into a crazed maniac. The tears continued to roll down her face as Tenchi looked on.

"And now, space pirate Ryoko, we shall end this once and for all," Tenchi shouted. "I am the great protector, the Golden Avatar of Jurai, and it is my duty to see to the end of your days of terror. Your dark heart is the embodiment of all in this world which I despise, full of malice, greed and hate. Your dark heart is the reason so many have suffered and died. You are a monster, Ryoko, and with the purest of light, I shall extinguish your dark heart."

Tenchi began to arc the beam downward. The moment of destiny was at hand. Tenchi was about to strike the great daemon Ryoko with such a force that would tear the universe apart.

As he moved to kill, Ryoko whispered, "Tenchi please. I still love you and I'm sorry. Please do it quickly."

She closed her eyes, and was engulfed in an incredible, searing heat. It felt as if her flesh was on fire, and she was consumed with pain. The world faded from her.



She awoke to the sound of a woman humming. As Ryoko's sight faded in, she realized that she was in a cold, mechanical place. She was lying on a stainless steel table, covered by a sheet. The humming seemed to come from behind her.

Ryoko tried to move, but found that she was secured to the table by restraints. She looked around in a panic and tried to cry out, but found that she was without a voice.

"You have a lot of explaining to do, missy," Washu said, walking over toward the table. Just as Ryoko had suspected, she was inside Washu's lab. "You damn near had us all destroyed."

Washu leaned in closely to Ryoko's face and whispered, "but you managed to save us, my stupid, stupid daughter." Ryoko had a startled look on her face.

Washu tapped Ryoko's lips with her fingers, and suddenly the space pirate felt like she could speak again.

"How," she pleaded with a scratchy voice, sore from the screaming earlier.

"Simple," Washu replied. "You put his raging heart at ease. You said the one thing he was longing for. You said 'I love you,' and that was all he needed."

"What happened," Ryoko inquired.

"Tenchi sustained a lot of damage, Ryoko," Washu sighed. "He absorbed the full impact himself, and the results were terrible. He was in really bad shape, but I managed to patch him up. He'll never be the same, but he is alright."

Ryoko put her head back on the table and closed her eyes. She wanted to cry, but was so shaken that even tears would not flow. Her emotional self began to collapse, and she was filled with sorrow.

Washu turned and walked away. Later that evening, the door to Washu's lab opened. Ryoko awoke to the sound of footsteps. She heard some whispering in the background.

"Are you awake," Washu called out. Ryoko did not have the strength to answer, but she stirred, and Washu knew that she was conscious. "You have a visitor."

Ryoko heard the sound of more footsteps, and then a figure appeared, looking down at her on the table. "Tenchi," she exclaimed with a whisper, still unable to speak normally.

"It's me, Ryoko," Tenchi replied. She became overwhelmed with emotion, and before she knew it, she had passed out.

Tenchi sat beside her all night as she slept, and when she awoke in mid- afternoon on the following day, Tenchi was still there.

"What are you still doing here," she asked.

"I was worried about you, so I thought I should sit here with you and keep you company. We've been through a lot together," Tenchi replied.

"I. meant what I said, Tenchi," Ryoko stammered. "I still love you."

"I love you too, Ryoko. I think I have always loved you, and even in dark times, I loved you still." Tenchi smiled.

Her face lit up with excitement, and she was filled with hope. Ryoko sat up and looked at Tenchi as he sat beside her.

"Do you think that we can start over, Tenchi," Ryoko asked, full of anticipation. "I want to be with you."

Tenchi paused for a moment, carefully thinking. He smiled at Ryoko warmly, and then spoke. "No, Ryoko, I don't think we can. I don't think I can ever go back to what I was, and I don't think it can be the same anymore. I don't think we can be together anymore."

Tenchi stood up from her bedside, and with a sigh, whispered, "I'm sorry Ryoko." With that, he turned and left the room.

Tears again began to stream down Ryoko's face. What she did not know is that Tenchi walked out of the lab, silently weeping, as well. That was the hardest thing he ever had to do, and it broke his heart. But it had to be done.

Days later, Ryoko was strong enough to stand. She spent her time in the lab, too ashamed to set foot in the Masaki house.

"Washu," Ryoko began, looking over at her mother, who was working at her console. "You know, while I was on the dark planet, I never saw the great treasure it was supposed to keep. What happened?" "You mean the Blade of Gabriel," Washu said. "Do you remember that bright white beam that came out of Tenchi, right before he almost destroyed the universe? Well, that was it. Only the Golden Avatar has the strength to wield it. The Blade of Gabriel is not a real object, Ryoko. It was power endowed upon the only being with enough strength to bear its incredible weight. It was only meant for Tenchi."

Tenchi sat on the top of the Masaki shrine staircase, looking out at the beauty of the land. Crown Princess Ayeka of Jurai sat next to him. They were both lost in thought.

"Tenchi," Ayeka said, finally breaking the silence that had lasted for almost an hour. "Why did you say 'no' to her? You still love her, don't you?"

"I do," he sighed. "But I am a different person now, and she will never be the same again. I love her, sure, but I don't think that I can be with her that way. She nearly destroyed me, and I almost destroyed us all, and I don't think I can go back to being a 'normal' person with her ever again. It just won't work."

"Oh," Ayeka mused. She paused for a long time, and then spoke again.

"Do you think you will ever love again?"

"I don't know, Ayeka. I don't think so, I just don't know. Right now, I just want to be at peace."