Legal Disclaimer:
All "Tenchi Muyo" references are copyrighted by Pioneer and AIC. This is an amateur non-commercial story, which is not produced, approved of, or sponsored by the holders of the trademarks/copyrights from which this work is derived. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author.
On Wings of Change: Part One
Chapter 9: Wings of the Beginning's End
Sasami shot straight up, her hands wrapped tight around the arms of the chair, her knuckles turning white. Through Tsunami's thoughts she could see Tenchi's defeat on the battlefield. The sight of Ryouko's devastation churned her stomach. "Tsunami, can't we do anything?!" Sasami cried to herself, a tear slipping down her cheek, landing in her lap.
She could feel the Goddess's emotions stirring inside of her. "I'm sorry Sasami, but there is nothing we can do."
"But we need to help them!" Sasami protested.
"Please trust me Sasami, they do not need our help. I believe that Tenchi and Ryouko possess a power to rival even our own." Tsunami whispered.
* * *
Sweat rolled down the brow of the young boy as he ran through the field, the tops of the grasses standing as tall as his own head. He clutched his butterfly net close to his chest as he ran behind the winged creature, giggles escaping his mouth as he tried to catch up with it's erratic flight pattern. He was getting closer and closer with each bound of his little legs until he suddenly ran through a line of trees and broke into a clearing.
He looked around, his eyes scanning a place he recognized. There was a large cave, the afternoon sun shone down on the gray rocks that formed the mouth of the dark cavern. He wondered what amazing creatures could live in such a place. 'This is the Masaki Shrine where the legendary demon was laid to rest.' He realized as he remembered his Grandfather's tales. He had never been to this place by himself before.
Loosing interest in the butterfly he had been chasing, the young boy cautiously tiptoed closer to the cave. The birds sang in the trees around him and the insects chirped in the grasses on the hot summer's day. He could barely smell the dank, stagnant air wafting from the mouth of the cave.
That was when he noticed her. For the first time, he really saw her. She had her back turned to him, and she sat on the top of the cave. She wore a pink and aqua dress, her cyan hair trailed down her back and she held her head propped up on her hand. 'She must be thinking about something, but what could it be?' The boy wondered.
'She's beautiful. More beautiful even than mother.' He thought to himself as he wondered who the woman was. He tiptoed ever closer, mindful of his footsteps on the dusty ground beneath his sneakered feet.
Placing his palm on the cool stone of the cave, he looked up at her. The gentle curve of her face seemed so soft and smooth, her expression both caring, yet seemingly troubled. 'What could be on her mind, what could be bothering her?' He wondered. 'Maybe she's lonely and I can cheer her up.'
He climbed up the side of the cave, cautious and carefully. He did not want to scare the mysterious woman by his approach. When he reached the top and he pulled his little body up, she was already turned around to face him, almost as if she was waiting for him. As if she knew he was coming to meet her.
She looked at the boy with gentle eyes as he stood before her, panting slightly from his run through the field and the climb up the side of the cave. He did not know what to say to her. Suddenly, he wondered if he was wrong for trying to approach her.
"Hello, Tenchi." She said.
The boy gasped as the woman spoke his name. Her voice was soft, deep and warm. He was frozen and in awe. She giggled as she took in his reaction. "Do not be afraid, young Tenchi. I will not hurt you."
He finally got his mouth to work. "How...how do you know my name?" He asked.
"I've known your name for eight hundred years, and I've been waiting for you as long." She said, a sad smile on her lips.
Tenchi could only look at her with a confused expression. 'Eight hundred years? How could that be?' He wondered.
"My name is Ryouko." She offered.
The boy thought of the butterfly he had been chasing, and suddenly, at learning the name of the mysterious woman, it felt like that butterfly was fluttering in his stomach. Somehow, she seemed vaguely familiar to him. "R...Ryouko." He repeated. She nodded. "Do...do you want to play with me?" He asked.
The woman nodded again. "What would you like to play?" She asked him in her sweet, deep voice.
"How 'bout tag?" Tenchi asked, excitedly. Ryouko nodded eagerly. "I'll be it first!" Tenchi insisted as he urged his new friend to get a running start.
As Ryouko stood, the young boy looked up in awe at her height. She looked off towards the sun for a brief moment and he noticed the sun twinkle in her cat-like eyes. She surprised Tenchi by seeming to jump from the top of the cave to the ground below. But she didn't jump, it was more like she disappeared and then reappeared again below.
She turned to watch the boy carefully climb down the side of the cave before she ran from him as he started to come after her. An angelic smile was painted on her face as she jogged slightly before him, staying just out of reach of his grabbing hands as he laughed gleefully while he tried to tag her. Finally, she stopped a little way before him.
He could feel a smirk make its way to his lips as he prepared himself. "Tag! You're it!" Tenchi yelled as he jumped and raised his hand to tag her on the shoulder. A shiver traveled up his spine as his hand passed through her body.
Ryouko felt her heart tear. She frowned and looked at the ground. Tenchi brought his hand to his face in amazement and confusion. "I'm sorry Tenchi." She said sadly. "You can't touch me."
"Why not?" He asked softly.
The woman stopped to consider her words. "Because I'm not really here. My body is back in our world, hoping that you'll come back to me."
Tenchi's blood ran cold. Suddenly, he began remembering people, places, things that his five years of life shouldn't have known. "Wh...what do you mean, Ryouko?"
Tears began to well up in Ryouko's eyes and Tenchi's own heart felt pain for her. "Tenchi, we need you. I need you. Please, come back to us." She said.
Tenchi looked down at the ground, wanting to block out her words. "But...I like it here, why can't we stay and play like this forever?" He protested, his small round face pouting.
Ryouko looked at him fondly. "Because, this isn't where we belong. We are the only ones that can defeat the power that still threatens our family. Tenchi, can't you see that this is a dream?"
The boy kicked at the dirt near his feet. "But it's so much easier here." He whispered.
Ryouko wiped at a tear that had rolled down her cheek. "Tenchi, I wish I could stay and play all day too, but you know we can't allow ourselves to do that. We have to stand up and fight for what we believe in. I...I've learned that from you, Tenchi."
The young boy looked up, astonished as more thoughts and memories flooded his mind. Of their friends, their family, their new relationship together. This was the woman he loved. He needed to protect her, and their family. He needed to go back to them. She was right.
'How could I be so selfish?' He asked himself as he stepped up to the angelic woman. He reached for her shoulders, and suddenly he was standing at his real height, back to himself. They made solid contact as Tenchi wrapped his arms around her and held her to him.
"I'm sorry Ryouko, let's go back." He said. Ryouko nodded, happiness and a grim determination in her eyes as she leaned up and they shared a kiss.
* * *
From her dimension, Lady Tokimi smirked. Washu's guinea pig had been destroyed. All that was left to do was to collect her creation and then wait for her sister to find her.
She thought back to when she had first seen Tenchi in action after employing Doctor Clay to capture Washu. At that time, she had decided to avoid further conflict with Tenchi, but now that her new minion had so easily destroyed him, she laughed in triumph. "That was easier than I would have imagined. I had expected more from the guinea pig of my sister, even after granting Masamitsu my powers." Tokimi said.
D3's mouth hung open. "My Lady..." He began as he monitored a readout that was displayed before him.
"What is it?" Tokimi asked shortly.
"I...I do not think that this Tenchi has been defeated." He said worriedly.
"Impossible. Nothing should be able to withstand that amount of dark energy." Tokimi said dismissively. And yet D3's mouth continued to gape. What happened next caused Lady Tokimi to falter for the first time in many millennia.
* * *
A flash of light illuminated the battlefield and Tenchi suddenly coughed and sat up, his hands reaching for his chest, feeling for the gaping wound. Seeing no blood on his hand, he realized his injury was gone, healed as if it had never been there at all. He looked down to see Ryouko's limp body lying across his lap, unmoving.
'Did she...do this for me?' He wondered. Suddenly remembering his situation, he looked for Masamitsu to find him beaten and tattered, laying at the other end of the battlefield. Although it was obvious that the attack had taken a lot out of the Prince of Umano, Masamitsu had begun to move, pushing his body to one knee as he began to gather his strength. 'It's not over.' Tenchi realized.
He rolled Ryouko onto her back and applied two fingers to her neck, sighing deeply when he felt her pulse. Pushing her hair away from her neck, a flash of red caught his attention. His heart skipped a beat as he looked closer. He discovered that her second gem was inset in her wrist, and her third was in her neck. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Tenchi-ken and sure enough, the gems were indeed gone.
Ryouko blinked twice, starting to wake. Seeing Tenchi holding her she smiled at him. ::You came back:: She thought to herself.
::Of course. You saved my life. Now I'm going to save yours.:: He replied.
Ryouko's jaw dropped. ::Tenchi, we're not talking to each other.::
"What to you mean?" Tenchi asked.
::This is what I mean.:: Ryouko thought to Tenchi. ::It's a mind link, like what I share with Washu, but how is it possible?::
A shocked look on his face, Tenchi thought back to her. ::Maybe it has to do with whatever just happened.:: Then he pointed to her two newly returned gems. ::Or maybe it has to do with these?::
::You gave them back to me?:: Ryouko asked, her eyes twinkling.
Suddenly, Washu's mind joined their conversation. ::Actually, Ryouko, somehow you called them to yourself. It's a power I didn't even know you were capable of. You must have taught yourself how to do it when you feared you had lost Tenchi.::
::Mom! What about the bracelet?:: Ryouko asked.
::Look at your wrist.:: Washu prompted. Ryouko looked down and sure enough, the bracelet was broken, one half of it hanging from her wrist. ::It broke when you collapsed over Tenchi. I'm sure you've got all your powers back, and from what it looks like, my holotop tells me that you've somehow melded your powers and Tenchi's together into something greater.::
Tenchi looked at Ryouko. "When you came to me. You saved me. It was your power." He said softly, drawing her into him. ::I love you.::
Tears rolled down Ryouko's face, her head resting on Tenchi's shoulder. Seeing Masamitsu slowly stand, she growled. "Tenchi, Masamitsu is preparing himself."
"I know. I have to fight..." Tenchi began.
"Let's end this, Tenchi." Ryouko said, cutting him off.
Tenchi looked concerned. "Are you sure you can fight?"
"Positive." Ryouko said, her eyes narrowed, determination glowing in them.
Tenchi jumped up to his feet, mentally preparing to fight again. He offered his hand to Ryouko to help her up to shaky feet. Whatever it was that she had done to bring Tenchi back had taken alot out of her, but the warmth of all three gems were rapidly restoring her energy.
Tenchi spun Tsunami's ring on his finger, and the familiar flash of light traveled over his body, transforming him directly into his final battle suit. Ryouko whispered to her gems and her tattered outfit phased into her black and red battle suit. With grim expressions on their faces, they walked forward to meet Masamitsu together.
Glaring at each other, tense in ready positions, Masamitsu unceremoniously launched himself at Tenchi and Ryouko, swinging his massive Dark Hawk blade at Tenchi. Tenchi raised his Light Hawk blade in time, and their two blades clashed. This time, the power of Masamitsu's blade wasn't too much for Tenchi to handle. He smiled a cocky smiled and pushed back against Masamitsu, causing him to stumble backwards.
Ryouko suddenly vanished from Tenchi's side and reappeared again, phasing in behind Masamitsu as she launched at him an energy bolt three times larger than ones that Tenchi had previously seen her produce. The bolt's color was deep crimson in shade, unlike that of her normal orange. It clipped Masamitsu in the side, and he doubled over from the pain.
Tenchi jumped, barely realizing that he wasn't jumping at all, he was floating, flying through the air just like Ryouko could. He held his blade of light over his head as he let out a yell, aiming for Masamitsu's prone form. Masamitsu's force field caught Tenchi's sword, but wavered in and out of strength as his power level fluctuated. His battle suit hung in shreds, blood trailed down his body from his injuries, but he managed to protect himself.
Ryouko concentrated and suddenly, she appeared in front of Masamitsu, weaponless. He took the bait and swung at her, his Dark Hawk Sword passing right through her, an image. He stopped in confusion, realizing too late that he had been fooled by Ryouko's doppelganger as the real Ryouko behind him scored a hit with her energy blade to his back, slicing through his battle suit and into his flesh.
With a thought, Tenchi taught himself how to phase as he suddenly appeared next to Masamitsu and swung at his left side as Ryouko turned her energy into a crimson blade and swung from the right. Masamitsu transformed another Dark Hawk Wing into a second sword and shakily blocked both blows, pushing Tenchi and Ryouko away from him.
* * *
"My lady, Aoyama will fail. His power reserves are too low." D3 urged.
Lady Tokimi watched the battle, speechless. She had never seen such a show of power. Her mind was turbulent with the possibilities of things to come as she watched the battle unfold, not even thinking about her avatar.
"My lady!" D3 urged again.
Lady Tokimi snapped out of her bewilderment, closed her eyes, and concentrated the available power she had not distributed.
* * *
Ryouko phased behind Tenchi, her hands on his shoulders. ::Let's end this now.::
Tenchi nodded in agreement as they realized Masamitsu was gathering his remaining power. He held a sphere of dark energy between his palms. His eyes were closed in concentration, his body hunched over as he prepared himself. He opened his pupil-less eyes and glared at his opponents before running towards them, the dark sphere gaining size.
Masamitsu launched his sphere of dark energy and Tenchi sent his force field of Light Hawk Wings to deflect the blast. Instead of his regular three, five pure white Wings spread before Ryouko and himself. Struggling to control all of them, he connected three of his Wings to catch and diffuse the bolt of dark energy as it dissipated into nothingness.
Unfazed, Masamitsu continued, still running towards Tenchi and Ryouko, transforming two of his five Dark Hawk Wings into two blades that he carried as he ran straight for them. Leaping high, his swords held out in front of him, Masamitsu prepared to cut through Tenchi's Light Hawk Wings. When his dark swords connected with Tenchi's shield of Wings, bolts showered on the opponents like electricity, the two powers fighting for the upper hand. Masamitsu's blades began cutting into Tenchi's force field.
Ryouko shut her eyes, grasped Tenchi's shoulders, and summoned every ounce of power she had left. A bright light grew between herself and Tenchi, and suddenly, in an eruption of blinding light, another set of five Light Hawk Wings appeared as an inner offensive ring before Tenchi's Wings.
Masamitsu's face contorted into a grimace of pain as the offensive Light Hawk Wings pushed through his Dark Hawk force field. Bolts of white energy sliced through his power as the strength of his Wings faded in and out. He made one last attempt to push his swords through Tenchi's force field, rallying his power and pushing forward.
Ryouko's offensive Light Hawk Wings overwhelmed Masamitsu's Dark Hawk force field, her Wings passing through Masamitsu. His blades blinked out of existence and he fell to the ground in a boneless clump. Ryouko's Light Hawk Wings faded away, leaving Tenchi's up before he extinguished them as well, his battle suit fading away with them.
::Ten...:: Ryouko began.
Tenchi felt Ryouko's grip on his shoulders loosen and he looked back to see her slipping, her eyes rolling back into her head as she fell backwards. He scrambled to catch her before she hit the ground, kneeling with her in his arms.
"Ryouko! Ryouko!" He repeated, shaking her gently. She cautiously opened one eye and Tenchi relaxed, realizing that she was just drained from expending all of her power. ::It hurts to use the Light Hawk Wings for the first time.:: He told her.
::But how did I even create them in the first place?:: She asked.
He shrugged. ::Like your mom said, our powers melded together when you called your gems to you. I'm sharing some of your powers also. A lot of things have happened that we don't have answers for, but that's not important right now.:: He thought to Ryouko.
Tenchi looked at Masamitsu's beaten and bloody body, his Jurian camouflage he had worn earlier barely hanging onto his body. Tenchi helped Ryouko to the ground before standing up and pulling the Tenchi-ken from his pocket once more. Holding it in front of himself, he ignited the blade again and held it over Masamitsu's body.
::What are you doing?:: Ryouko asked him.
::Making sure this doesn't happen again.:: Tenchi replied evenly as he raised the Tenchi-ken above his head.
Ryouko watched as Tenchi swung for Masamitsu's prone body. 'This is what he deserves. It has to end like this.' She thought to herself as the blade swung almost in slow motion, whistling through the air as it prepared to end Masamitsu's life.
"Tenchi, no!" Ryouko yelled.
Tenchi faltered and fought to redirect his swing, realizing it was too late. He managed to cut off the energy to his blade fractions of a second before slicing into his enemy's body, the hilt of the Tenchi-ken coming to rest on Masamitsu's stomach.
Hunched over Masamitsu's body, Tenchi turned his head to look at Ryouko. "Ryouko?" He asked, confused.
She scrambled to her feet, limping over to Tenchi. "You can't...you can't kill him."
"But Ryouko, he injured and wanted to kidnap you, he tried to kill me, and he put the rest of our family in danger!" Tenchi protested, still gripping the hilt of the Tenchi-ken.
"It wasn't him." She whispered. "True, I think he would have wanted to see me dead, but he was being controlled by someone else. And Tenchi...I know what it's like to be controlled. Please, spare his life."
Tenchi looked in Ryouko's eyes and saw her compassion, her understanding. He lowered the Tenchi-ken and stored it away again. ::You're right.:: He admitted, pulling her to him.
Suddenly, the voices of all the girls rang out. "Tenchi!"
Tenchi and Ryouko looked up to see Washu, Aeka, Mihoshi and Kiyone all running towards them. Aeka threw her arms around Tenchi and Ryouko's necks, crying into both of them as Mihoshi tried to wrap her arms around all three of them, sobbing uncontrollably. Washu squeezed in near the couple, her holotop up and running scans on their health. Kiyone stood near the group hug, a tear in her eye and a smile on her face.
Stepping back from the couple, Aeka said, "Lord Tenchi, Washu has told me all about what has happened. I have already alerted my parents. They will be here at any moment with the Galaxy Police."
Ryouko's breath caught in her throat as she shot a glance at Tenchi, a worried look on her face.
::It's okay, Ryouko. They have to know what happened here. Don't worry, I won't let them place the blame on you.:: Tenchi reassured her.
Just then, a number of vehicles and ambulances could be seen making their way down the dirt path that Tenchi and Ryouko had rode their horses in on. The vehicles came to a stop, and people began pouring out of them. Medical Technicians rushed out of the ambulances to tend to the fallen men. Nozomi and Kamui were the first to get to Tenchi and Ryouko.
"Are you guys okay?" Kamui asked urgently.
Tenchi nodded. "Sorry to worry you two. We were attacked, but everything is alright now." Tenchi craned his head to look down by the barn. "The horses are hiding under the overhang, but they're okay."
Nozomi glanced down by the barn. "We're just glad you are alright. Are the rest of you uninjured?" She asked the others.
"We are all fine. Thank you for your concern." Aeka replied for the rest of them.
Kamui and Nozomi went to take care of the horses as the Galaxy Police escorted the Emperor and his wives to the group. Misaki broke ahead of her husband and sister-wife, the bodyguards scrambling to keep up with her. She ran right into Aeka, picking her up in a bear hug. "Aeka, I'm so glad you're okay!" She cried.
"I demand to know what has happened here!" Asuza barked.
"Father-" Aeka began.
"Emperor Asuza..." Tenchi said, cutting Aeka off. Asuza turned to glare at Tenchi, impatience in his eyes. "Aoyama Masamitsu, the Prince of this planet had tried three times to attack Ryouko and myself. What you see here was done entirely in self defense. These men were under the command of the Prince, and were after the two of us. Luckily, Princess Aeka, Washu, and Mihoshi and Kiyone came to our defense, possibly saving our lives. You'll find that everyone on this battlefield is alive, as we aimed only to defend ourselves, not to kill them. Please accept our apologies, but understand that we had no choice in the matter."
Asuza turned to his daughter. "Is this true?" He demanded.
Aeka nodded. "Yes father."
The emperor looked back at Tenchi, contempt in his eyes as he ground his teeth together. "Very well." He turned to a police chief standing next to him. "Gather all the fallen and apprehend them after medical treatment. There will be much...questioning to follow."
Funaho looked at each member of the group, examining them. "Are you positive none of you are in need of medical assistance?" She asked.
Everyone shook their heads. "No mother, we all seem to be just fine." Aeka said.
Asuza caught Ryouko's eye. "I would only assume that all of this is related to you."
"Emperor A-" Tenchi began.
Funaho cut him off. "We will have to do something to make sure that this does not happen to Ryouko again. Perhaps a press conference to the Jurian people would be sufficient to help those that do no understand the situation get over their prejudices. Don't you agree, Ryouko?"
Ryouko looked at Funaho and nodded honestly. "Thank you, Empress Funaho. I very much regret what has happened in the past, and what has happened today." She said, bowing her head.
Washu stifled a giggle.
"What's so funny...mom?" Ryouko asked through clenched teeth.
"Just you being so respectful!" Washu replied through laughs as the other girls broke into smiles and giggles as well.
Asuza cleared his throat and glared at Tenchi one last time before turning to attend to other matters with the police.
* * *
Tokimi snarled. A blast resounded through her dimension as she obliterated a random galaxy without a second thought, the shockwaves of sound beginning a journey that would last several millennia. D3 remained silent. Tokimi would think as little of him as she had that galaxy should he invoke her wrath as well.
"Impossible." She growled. "How was Washu's creation and her guinea pig capable of defeating my dark power? Those two now pose a greater threat than even Washu herself. Something must be done, and it must be done quickly."
"But my Lady-" D3 began.
With a snap of Tokimi's fingers, D3's ethereal head disappeared. "When I need your help next, you'll know it servant." She barked.
Tokimi continued to watch Tenchi and Ryouko, eyeing Washu carefully, laying plans and setting strategy. Her grim determination to capture her sister was her sole motivating force.
"This is far from over, sister. Far from over." She said in a deep, drawn out voice.
* * *
End Chapter 9
All "Tenchi Muyo" references are copyrighted by Pioneer and AIC. This is an amateur non-commercial story, which is not produced, approved of, or sponsored by the holders of the trademarks/copyrights from which this work is derived. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author.
On Wings of Change: Part One
Chapter 9: Wings of the Beginning's End
Sasami shot straight up, her hands wrapped tight around the arms of the chair, her knuckles turning white. Through Tsunami's thoughts she could see Tenchi's defeat on the battlefield. The sight of Ryouko's devastation churned her stomach. "Tsunami, can't we do anything?!" Sasami cried to herself, a tear slipping down her cheek, landing in her lap.
She could feel the Goddess's emotions stirring inside of her. "I'm sorry Sasami, but there is nothing we can do."
"But we need to help them!" Sasami protested.
"Please trust me Sasami, they do not need our help. I believe that Tenchi and Ryouko possess a power to rival even our own." Tsunami whispered.
* * *
Sweat rolled down the brow of the young boy as he ran through the field, the tops of the grasses standing as tall as his own head. He clutched his butterfly net close to his chest as he ran behind the winged creature, giggles escaping his mouth as he tried to catch up with it's erratic flight pattern. He was getting closer and closer with each bound of his little legs until he suddenly ran through a line of trees and broke into a clearing.
He looked around, his eyes scanning a place he recognized. There was a large cave, the afternoon sun shone down on the gray rocks that formed the mouth of the dark cavern. He wondered what amazing creatures could live in such a place. 'This is the Masaki Shrine where the legendary demon was laid to rest.' He realized as he remembered his Grandfather's tales. He had never been to this place by himself before.
Loosing interest in the butterfly he had been chasing, the young boy cautiously tiptoed closer to the cave. The birds sang in the trees around him and the insects chirped in the grasses on the hot summer's day. He could barely smell the dank, stagnant air wafting from the mouth of the cave.
That was when he noticed her. For the first time, he really saw her. She had her back turned to him, and she sat on the top of the cave. She wore a pink and aqua dress, her cyan hair trailed down her back and she held her head propped up on her hand. 'She must be thinking about something, but what could it be?' The boy wondered.
'She's beautiful. More beautiful even than mother.' He thought to himself as he wondered who the woman was. He tiptoed ever closer, mindful of his footsteps on the dusty ground beneath his sneakered feet.
Placing his palm on the cool stone of the cave, he looked up at her. The gentle curve of her face seemed so soft and smooth, her expression both caring, yet seemingly troubled. 'What could be on her mind, what could be bothering her?' He wondered. 'Maybe she's lonely and I can cheer her up.'
He climbed up the side of the cave, cautious and carefully. He did not want to scare the mysterious woman by his approach. When he reached the top and he pulled his little body up, she was already turned around to face him, almost as if she was waiting for him. As if she knew he was coming to meet her.
She looked at the boy with gentle eyes as he stood before her, panting slightly from his run through the field and the climb up the side of the cave. He did not know what to say to her. Suddenly, he wondered if he was wrong for trying to approach her.
"Hello, Tenchi." She said.
The boy gasped as the woman spoke his name. Her voice was soft, deep and warm. He was frozen and in awe. She giggled as she took in his reaction. "Do not be afraid, young Tenchi. I will not hurt you."
He finally got his mouth to work. "How...how do you know my name?" He asked.
"I've known your name for eight hundred years, and I've been waiting for you as long." She said, a sad smile on her lips.
Tenchi could only look at her with a confused expression. 'Eight hundred years? How could that be?' He wondered.
"My name is Ryouko." She offered.
The boy thought of the butterfly he had been chasing, and suddenly, at learning the name of the mysterious woman, it felt like that butterfly was fluttering in his stomach. Somehow, she seemed vaguely familiar to him. "R...Ryouko." He repeated. She nodded. "Do...do you want to play with me?" He asked.
The woman nodded again. "What would you like to play?" She asked him in her sweet, deep voice.
"How 'bout tag?" Tenchi asked, excitedly. Ryouko nodded eagerly. "I'll be it first!" Tenchi insisted as he urged his new friend to get a running start.
As Ryouko stood, the young boy looked up in awe at her height. She looked off towards the sun for a brief moment and he noticed the sun twinkle in her cat-like eyes. She surprised Tenchi by seeming to jump from the top of the cave to the ground below. But she didn't jump, it was more like she disappeared and then reappeared again below.
She turned to watch the boy carefully climb down the side of the cave before she ran from him as he started to come after her. An angelic smile was painted on her face as she jogged slightly before him, staying just out of reach of his grabbing hands as he laughed gleefully while he tried to tag her. Finally, she stopped a little way before him.
He could feel a smirk make its way to his lips as he prepared himself. "Tag! You're it!" Tenchi yelled as he jumped and raised his hand to tag her on the shoulder. A shiver traveled up his spine as his hand passed through her body.
Ryouko felt her heart tear. She frowned and looked at the ground. Tenchi brought his hand to his face in amazement and confusion. "I'm sorry Tenchi." She said sadly. "You can't touch me."
"Why not?" He asked softly.
The woman stopped to consider her words. "Because I'm not really here. My body is back in our world, hoping that you'll come back to me."
Tenchi's blood ran cold. Suddenly, he began remembering people, places, things that his five years of life shouldn't have known. "Wh...what do you mean, Ryouko?"
Tears began to well up in Ryouko's eyes and Tenchi's own heart felt pain for her. "Tenchi, we need you. I need you. Please, come back to us." She said.
Tenchi looked down at the ground, wanting to block out her words. "But...I like it here, why can't we stay and play like this forever?" He protested, his small round face pouting.
Ryouko looked at him fondly. "Because, this isn't where we belong. We are the only ones that can defeat the power that still threatens our family. Tenchi, can't you see that this is a dream?"
The boy kicked at the dirt near his feet. "But it's so much easier here." He whispered.
Ryouko wiped at a tear that had rolled down her cheek. "Tenchi, I wish I could stay and play all day too, but you know we can't allow ourselves to do that. We have to stand up and fight for what we believe in. I...I've learned that from you, Tenchi."
The young boy looked up, astonished as more thoughts and memories flooded his mind. Of their friends, their family, their new relationship together. This was the woman he loved. He needed to protect her, and their family. He needed to go back to them. She was right.
'How could I be so selfish?' He asked himself as he stepped up to the angelic woman. He reached for her shoulders, and suddenly he was standing at his real height, back to himself. They made solid contact as Tenchi wrapped his arms around her and held her to him.
"I'm sorry Ryouko, let's go back." He said. Ryouko nodded, happiness and a grim determination in her eyes as she leaned up and they shared a kiss.
* * *
From her dimension, Lady Tokimi smirked. Washu's guinea pig had been destroyed. All that was left to do was to collect her creation and then wait for her sister to find her.
She thought back to when she had first seen Tenchi in action after employing Doctor Clay to capture Washu. At that time, she had decided to avoid further conflict with Tenchi, but now that her new minion had so easily destroyed him, she laughed in triumph. "That was easier than I would have imagined. I had expected more from the guinea pig of my sister, even after granting Masamitsu my powers." Tokimi said.
D3's mouth hung open. "My Lady..." He began as he monitored a readout that was displayed before him.
"What is it?" Tokimi asked shortly.
"I...I do not think that this Tenchi has been defeated." He said worriedly.
"Impossible. Nothing should be able to withstand that amount of dark energy." Tokimi said dismissively. And yet D3's mouth continued to gape. What happened next caused Lady Tokimi to falter for the first time in many millennia.
* * *
A flash of light illuminated the battlefield and Tenchi suddenly coughed and sat up, his hands reaching for his chest, feeling for the gaping wound. Seeing no blood on his hand, he realized his injury was gone, healed as if it had never been there at all. He looked down to see Ryouko's limp body lying across his lap, unmoving.
'Did she...do this for me?' He wondered. Suddenly remembering his situation, he looked for Masamitsu to find him beaten and tattered, laying at the other end of the battlefield. Although it was obvious that the attack had taken a lot out of the Prince of Umano, Masamitsu had begun to move, pushing his body to one knee as he began to gather his strength. 'It's not over.' Tenchi realized.
He rolled Ryouko onto her back and applied two fingers to her neck, sighing deeply when he felt her pulse. Pushing her hair away from her neck, a flash of red caught his attention. His heart skipped a beat as he looked closer. He discovered that her second gem was inset in her wrist, and her third was in her neck. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Tenchi-ken and sure enough, the gems were indeed gone.
Ryouko blinked twice, starting to wake. Seeing Tenchi holding her she smiled at him. ::You came back:: She thought to herself.
::Of course. You saved my life. Now I'm going to save yours.:: He replied.
Ryouko's jaw dropped. ::Tenchi, we're not talking to each other.::
"What to you mean?" Tenchi asked.
::This is what I mean.:: Ryouko thought to Tenchi. ::It's a mind link, like what I share with Washu, but how is it possible?::
A shocked look on his face, Tenchi thought back to her. ::Maybe it has to do with whatever just happened.:: Then he pointed to her two newly returned gems. ::Or maybe it has to do with these?::
::You gave them back to me?:: Ryouko asked, her eyes twinkling.
Suddenly, Washu's mind joined their conversation. ::Actually, Ryouko, somehow you called them to yourself. It's a power I didn't even know you were capable of. You must have taught yourself how to do it when you feared you had lost Tenchi.::
::Mom! What about the bracelet?:: Ryouko asked.
::Look at your wrist.:: Washu prompted. Ryouko looked down and sure enough, the bracelet was broken, one half of it hanging from her wrist. ::It broke when you collapsed over Tenchi. I'm sure you've got all your powers back, and from what it looks like, my holotop tells me that you've somehow melded your powers and Tenchi's together into something greater.::
Tenchi looked at Ryouko. "When you came to me. You saved me. It was your power." He said softly, drawing her into him. ::I love you.::
Tears rolled down Ryouko's face, her head resting on Tenchi's shoulder. Seeing Masamitsu slowly stand, she growled. "Tenchi, Masamitsu is preparing himself."
"I know. I have to fight..." Tenchi began.
"Let's end this, Tenchi." Ryouko said, cutting him off.
Tenchi looked concerned. "Are you sure you can fight?"
"Positive." Ryouko said, her eyes narrowed, determination glowing in them.
Tenchi jumped up to his feet, mentally preparing to fight again. He offered his hand to Ryouko to help her up to shaky feet. Whatever it was that she had done to bring Tenchi back had taken alot out of her, but the warmth of all three gems were rapidly restoring her energy.
Tenchi spun Tsunami's ring on his finger, and the familiar flash of light traveled over his body, transforming him directly into his final battle suit. Ryouko whispered to her gems and her tattered outfit phased into her black and red battle suit. With grim expressions on their faces, they walked forward to meet Masamitsu together.
Glaring at each other, tense in ready positions, Masamitsu unceremoniously launched himself at Tenchi and Ryouko, swinging his massive Dark Hawk blade at Tenchi. Tenchi raised his Light Hawk blade in time, and their two blades clashed. This time, the power of Masamitsu's blade wasn't too much for Tenchi to handle. He smiled a cocky smiled and pushed back against Masamitsu, causing him to stumble backwards.
Ryouko suddenly vanished from Tenchi's side and reappeared again, phasing in behind Masamitsu as she launched at him an energy bolt three times larger than ones that Tenchi had previously seen her produce. The bolt's color was deep crimson in shade, unlike that of her normal orange. It clipped Masamitsu in the side, and he doubled over from the pain.
Tenchi jumped, barely realizing that he wasn't jumping at all, he was floating, flying through the air just like Ryouko could. He held his blade of light over his head as he let out a yell, aiming for Masamitsu's prone form. Masamitsu's force field caught Tenchi's sword, but wavered in and out of strength as his power level fluctuated. His battle suit hung in shreds, blood trailed down his body from his injuries, but he managed to protect himself.
Ryouko concentrated and suddenly, she appeared in front of Masamitsu, weaponless. He took the bait and swung at her, his Dark Hawk Sword passing right through her, an image. He stopped in confusion, realizing too late that he had been fooled by Ryouko's doppelganger as the real Ryouko behind him scored a hit with her energy blade to his back, slicing through his battle suit and into his flesh.
With a thought, Tenchi taught himself how to phase as he suddenly appeared next to Masamitsu and swung at his left side as Ryouko turned her energy into a crimson blade and swung from the right. Masamitsu transformed another Dark Hawk Wing into a second sword and shakily blocked both blows, pushing Tenchi and Ryouko away from him.
* * *
"My lady, Aoyama will fail. His power reserves are too low." D3 urged.
Lady Tokimi watched the battle, speechless. She had never seen such a show of power. Her mind was turbulent with the possibilities of things to come as she watched the battle unfold, not even thinking about her avatar.
"My lady!" D3 urged again.
Lady Tokimi snapped out of her bewilderment, closed her eyes, and concentrated the available power she had not distributed.
* * *
Ryouko phased behind Tenchi, her hands on his shoulders. ::Let's end this now.::
Tenchi nodded in agreement as they realized Masamitsu was gathering his remaining power. He held a sphere of dark energy between his palms. His eyes were closed in concentration, his body hunched over as he prepared himself. He opened his pupil-less eyes and glared at his opponents before running towards them, the dark sphere gaining size.
Masamitsu launched his sphere of dark energy and Tenchi sent his force field of Light Hawk Wings to deflect the blast. Instead of his regular three, five pure white Wings spread before Ryouko and himself. Struggling to control all of them, he connected three of his Wings to catch and diffuse the bolt of dark energy as it dissipated into nothingness.
Unfazed, Masamitsu continued, still running towards Tenchi and Ryouko, transforming two of his five Dark Hawk Wings into two blades that he carried as he ran straight for them. Leaping high, his swords held out in front of him, Masamitsu prepared to cut through Tenchi's Light Hawk Wings. When his dark swords connected with Tenchi's shield of Wings, bolts showered on the opponents like electricity, the two powers fighting for the upper hand. Masamitsu's blades began cutting into Tenchi's force field.
Ryouko shut her eyes, grasped Tenchi's shoulders, and summoned every ounce of power she had left. A bright light grew between herself and Tenchi, and suddenly, in an eruption of blinding light, another set of five Light Hawk Wings appeared as an inner offensive ring before Tenchi's Wings.
Masamitsu's face contorted into a grimace of pain as the offensive Light Hawk Wings pushed through his Dark Hawk force field. Bolts of white energy sliced through his power as the strength of his Wings faded in and out. He made one last attempt to push his swords through Tenchi's force field, rallying his power and pushing forward.
Ryouko's offensive Light Hawk Wings overwhelmed Masamitsu's Dark Hawk force field, her Wings passing through Masamitsu. His blades blinked out of existence and he fell to the ground in a boneless clump. Ryouko's Light Hawk Wings faded away, leaving Tenchi's up before he extinguished them as well, his battle suit fading away with them.
::Ten...:: Ryouko began.
Tenchi felt Ryouko's grip on his shoulders loosen and he looked back to see her slipping, her eyes rolling back into her head as she fell backwards. He scrambled to catch her before she hit the ground, kneeling with her in his arms.
"Ryouko! Ryouko!" He repeated, shaking her gently. She cautiously opened one eye and Tenchi relaxed, realizing that she was just drained from expending all of her power. ::It hurts to use the Light Hawk Wings for the first time.:: He told her.
::But how did I even create them in the first place?:: She asked.
He shrugged. ::Like your mom said, our powers melded together when you called your gems to you. I'm sharing some of your powers also. A lot of things have happened that we don't have answers for, but that's not important right now.:: He thought to Ryouko.
Tenchi looked at Masamitsu's beaten and bloody body, his Jurian camouflage he had worn earlier barely hanging onto his body. Tenchi helped Ryouko to the ground before standing up and pulling the Tenchi-ken from his pocket once more. Holding it in front of himself, he ignited the blade again and held it over Masamitsu's body.
::What are you doing?:: Ryouko asked him.
::Making sure this doesn't happen again.:: Tenchi replied evenly as he raised the Tenchi-ken above his head.
Ryouko watched as Tenchi swung for Masamitsu's prone body. 'This is what he deserves. It has to end like this.' She thought to herself as the blade swung almost in slow motion, whistling through the air as it prepared to end Masamitsu's life.
"Tenchi, no!" Ryouko yelled.
Tenchi faltered and fought to redirect his swing, realizing it was too late. He managed to cut off the energy to his blade fractions of a second before slicing into his enemy's body, the hilt of the Tenchi-ken coming to rest on Masamitsu's stomach.
Hunched over Masamitsu's body, Tenchi turned his head to look at Ryouko. "Ryouko?" He asked, confused.
She scrambled to her feet, limping over to Tenchi. "You can't...you can't kill him."
"But Ryouko, he injured and wanted to kidnap you, he tried to kill me, and he put the rest of our family in danger!" Tenchi protested, still gripping the hilt of the Tenchi-ken.
"It wasn't him." She whispered. "True, I think he would have wanted to see me dead, but he was being controlled by someone else. And Tenchi...I know what it's like to be controlled. Please, spare his life."
Tenchi looked in Ryouko's eyes and saw her compassion, her understanding. He lowered the Tenchi-ken and stored it away again. ::You're right.:: He admitted, pulling her to him.
Suddenly, the voices of all the girls rang out. "Tenchi!"
Tenchi and Ryouko looked up to see Washu, Aeka, Mihoshi and Kiyone all running towards them. Aeka threw her arms around Tenchi and Ryouko's necks, crying into both of them as Mihoshi tried to wrap her arms around all three of them, sobbing uncontrollably. Washu squeezed in near the couple, her holotop up and running scans on their health. Kiyone stood near the group hug, a tear in her eye and a smile on her face.
Stepping back from the couple, Aeka said, "Lord Tenchi, Washu has told me all about what has happened. I have already alerted my parents. They will be here at any moment with the Galaxy Police."
Ryouko's breath caught in her throat as she shot a glance at Tenchi, a worried look on her face.
::It's okay, Ryouko. They have to know what happened here. Don't worry, I won't let them place the blame on you.:: Tenchi reassured her.
Just then, a number of vehicles and ambulances could be seen making their way down the dirt path that Tenchi and Ryouko had rode their horses in on. The vehicles came to a stop, and people began pouring out of them. Medical Technicians rushed out of the ambulances to tend to the fallen men. Nozomi and Kamui were the first to get to Tenchi and Ryouko.
"Are you guys okay?" Kamui asked urgently.
Tenchi nodded. "Sorry to worry you two. We were attacked, but everything is alright now." Tenchi craned his head to look down by the barn. "The horses are hiding under the overhang, but they're okay."
Nozomi glanced down by the barn. "We're just glad you are alright. Are the rest of you uninjured?" She asked the others.
"We are all fine. Thank you for your concern." Aeka replied for the rest of them.
Kamui and Nozomi went to take care of the horses as the Galaxy Police escorted the Emperor and his wives to the group. Misaki broke ahead of her husband and sister-wife, the bodyguards scrambling to keep up with her. She ran right into Aeka, picking her up in a bear hug. "Aeka, I'm so glad you're okay!" She cried.
"I demand to know what has happened here!" Asuza barked.
"Father-" Aeka began.
"Emperor Asuza..." Tenchi said, cutting Aeka off. Asuza turned to glare at Tenchi, impatience in his eyes. "Aoyama Masamitsu, the Prince of this planet had tried three times to attack Ryouko and myself. What you see here was done entirely in self defense. These men were under the command of the Prince, and were after the two of us. Luckily, Princess Aeka, Washu, and Mihoshi and Kiyone came to our defense, possibly saving our lives. You'll find that everyone on this battlefield is alive, as we aimed only to defend ourselves, not to kill them. Please accept our apologies, but understand that we had no choice in the matter."
Asuza turned to his daughter. "Is this true?" He demanded.
Aeka nodded. "Yes father."
The emperor looked back at Tenchi, contempt in his eyes as he ground his teeth together. "Very well." He turned to a police chief standing next to him. "Gather all the fallen and apprehend them after medical treatment. There will be much...questioning to follow."
Funaho looked at each member of the group, examining them. "Are you positive none of you are in need of medical assistance?" She asked.
Everyone shook their heads. "No mother, we all seem to be just fine." Aeka said.
Asuza caught Ryouko's eye. "I would only assume that all of this is related to you."
"Emperor A-" Tenchi began.
Funaho cut him off. "We will have to do something to make sure that this does not happen to Ryouko again. Perhaps a press conference to the Jurian people would be sufficient to help those that do no understand the situation get over their prejudices. Don't you agree, Ryouko?"
Ryouko looked at Funaho and nodded honestly. "Thank you, Empress Funaho. I very much regret what has happened in the past, and what has happened today." She said, bowing her head.
Washu stifled a giggle.
"What's so funny...mom?" Ryouko asked through clenched teeth.
"Just you being so respectful!" Washu replied through laughs as the other girls broke into smiles and giggles as well.
Asuza cleared his throat and glared at Tenchi one last time before turning to attend to other matters with the police.
* * *
Tokimi snarled. A blast resounded through her dimension as she obliterated a random galaxy without a second thought, the shockwaves of sound beginning a journey that would last several millennia. D3 remained silent. Tokimi would think as little of him as she had that galaxy should he invoke her wrath as well.
"Impossible." She growled. "How was Washu's creation and her guinea pig capable of defeating my dark power? Those two now pose a greater threat than even Washu herself. Something must be done, and it must be done quickly."
"But my Lady-" D3 began.
With a snap of Tokimi's fingers, D3's ethereal head disappeared. "When I need your help next, you'll know it servant." She barked.
Tokimi continued to watch Tenchi and Ryouko, eyeing Washu carefully, laying plans and setting strategy. Her grim determination to capture her sister was her sole motivating force.
"This is far from over, sister. Far from over." She said in a deep, drawn out voice.
* * *
End Chapter 9