All characters are property of AIC and Pioneer LCD. This story line is based on the Tenchi Muyo OVA. It is not my intentions to rip off other people's work so if this story resembles another, it does so inadvertently.
Chapter 5
Washu tried to wake Ryoko again. However, Ryoko wasn't responsive.
"I guess we are going to have to carry her." Washu suggested. Tenchi moved around to pick up Ryoko when a voice being cleared sounded from above the group.
"Ahem, aren't we forgetting something?" Someone spoke. The group looked skyward to see Ryoko staring down at them.
"Two Ryokos?" Tenchi blurted.
"That's not Ryoko." Washu hissed. The fake Ryoko smiled.
"Why mother, how could you say such a thing." Ryoko's twin responded sarcasticly.
"You are no daughter of mine." Washu growled. The fake Ryoko crossed her arms and drifted to the ground. She touched down right in front of the group.
"Hearing you say such things makes me want remove all of your existances from this reality." The false Ryoko said.
"You are divided in two. You don't have enough power to carry out what you are saying. You are all bark." Washu stated.
"You sound pretty sure of yourself. The little good that was in me is now lying unconscious right there. On top of that, Me has these." Me said as she showed Washu her wrists. Me had two gems on her wrists. Washu looked up sharply to see the third implanted in Me's neck.
"You have ten seconds before we find out how long you can survive inside a fireball...one." Me said. Washu took half a step back.
"Two" Me continued. Washu turned and grabbed Ryo-Ohki. She threw the cabbit into the air and the cabbit instinctively transformed into her ship form.
"Let's get out of here!" Washu alarmed.
"Three." Me counted. Ryo-Ohki teleported everyone except the false Ryoko on board and sped towards space. Me watched as the ship disappeared from sight.
"Hmm. They ran." Me thought out loud. She actually expected the fight to continue and was a little disappointed when it didn't. She looked around and examined her surroundings. The countryside was ripped up from her former self's battle with the others. Me gazed skyward and worked on getting her bearings. She moved from star to star until she focused on a dim light in the sky. Me smiled when she spoke.
"Jurai."
* * *
Ryo-Ohki's bridge was unusually quiet for having everyone back on board. Washu managed to put together a bed for Ryoko and sealed her inside a stasis field. Washu watched Ryoko as she slept peacefully. Tenchi walked over to Washu's side and looked at Ryoko as well. Ryoko looked very tired.
"How long until she is back to normal?" Tenchi asked.
"It's hard to say. She has changed somewhat since the last time I had a chance to examine her. If all things were equal, I would say two days. However, she doesn't have the gems anymore or any means of drawing strength other than the lifeline I connected to her." Washu said as she pointed to the thin cable connected to a bracelet on Ryoko's right wrist. Ayeka, Sasami and Mihoshi walked over to Washu and Tenchi.
"Why aren't we trying to stop her?" Ayeka asked. Washu closed her eyes.
"I need to save Ryoko first." Washu stated calmly.
"She is going to kill more people unless we act soon." Ayeka pointed out.
"Maybe." Washu said without looking away from Ryoko.
"What are you planning to do?" Sasami asked.
"This life support device won't last forever. I need to get Ryoko back to Earth and back to the lab before the power supply runs out." Washu explained.
"Didn't your lab get blown to bits?" Mihoshi asked.
"One of them did, yes. But, I have others." Washu said. A silence lingered before Washu spoke again.
"I know what you are thinking, Princess Ayeka. It does seem selfish of me to take care of Ryoko before worrying about the rest of the galaxy. The reality of the situation is that there isn't much I can do right now. Most of my ability is at my lab." Washu stated. Ayeka felt bad for Washu and even felt bad for Ryoko, but she still wasn't satisfied with Washu's decision. Washu looked over her shoulder and looked at Ayeka's face. She then returned her gaze back to Ryoko and let out a sigh.
"I can't do anything from here but that isn't the real reason why I'm going back to earth." Washu revealed.
"I think Lady Misaki would do whatever it took to ensure your or Sasami's safety." Washu paused.
"Losing a child is the worst feeling. I lost a child once. I will never lose another." Washu said coarsely.
* * *
Me flew a long way before she came to the next town. She landed on the outskirts and tried to think of the easiest way to get to Jurai. She could fly by herself or even teleport large distances to get to Jurai but the distance that needed to be crossed was too large to cross in any reasonable amount of time. She needed to find a quicker way there. Me thought for a few moments before a wide smile came to her face. The novelty of her plan was comical to her but actually stood the very best chance at succeeding. It didn't take long before someone recognized Me and alerted the authorities. Law enforcement vehicles steamed from their stations and surrounded Me. Me put her hands in the air at about the same level as her ears.
"I give up." Me announced. Not one of the constables or soldiers lowered their weapons. Me stood in place and waited for some kind of reply. After a while, there was some commotion from the crowd directly in front of Me. A very nervous man stepped out from the crowd and looked at Me with terror. Me looked at the man and she didn't look impressed at all.
"Uhmm..goo..good afternoon." The man stuttered.
"Hey." Me replied.
"It is my understanding that uhh you wish to uhh surrender?" The man barely managed to ask. Me looked at her two raised hands and questioned herself if it looked like she could be doing anything else.
"That's the idea." Me confirmed.
"Then would you please lie down on the ground and place your hands out as far as you can with your fingers spread." The man requested. Me did exactly as the man instructed. The man looked over his shoulder and four large men darted out of the crowd and held either one of Me's ankles or wrists. The two men holding her wrists pulled Me's arms behind her back and bound them together with energy binders. Me remained silent during her imprisonment and patient. The four men lifted Me off the ground and rushed her to a heavily armored vehicle and threw her in. Soldiers and constables alike celebrated when the doors to the armored vehicle slammed shut and sped towards the city jail.
* * *
Ryoko woke to find herself in familiar surroundings. She was sitting at the top of a grass-covered hill with a large oak tree. She gripped the grass with her hands and smiled.
"I remember this place. It sure has been a while." Ryoko said as she lounged back and enjoyed the soft breeze that blew through her hair.
"Good morning." A voice called from behind Ryoko. She recognized it immediately.
"What do you want?" Ryoko grumbled as she turned to face Washu. Ryoko was somewhat surprised to see Washu in her adult form. Ryoko tried to figure out what Washu was up to.
"What's the occasion?" Ryoko asked not really caring about the answer.
"A little change is good from time to time." Washu said with a gentle smile. Washu strolled over to Ryoko and sat down next to her.
"This is a nice place you have made." Washu noted as she enjoyed the cool breeze. Ryoko continued to look at Washu inquisitively and waited for a reason why Washu was the way she was, but one never came. Ryoko gave up and reclined on the soft grass and looked over the rolling countryside. A long silence passed.
"How do you feel?" Washu asked.
"I feel fine." Ryoko answered.
"Why do you ask?" Ryoko returned. Washu looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I don't think I've ever asked you that before." Washu said.
"Is something going on?" Ryoko questioned.
"What's the last thing you remember?" Washu asked. Ryoko was about to object to Washu's questioning when she realized she was having trouble remembering current events. She concentrated as she tried to recollect what the last thing she did. It suddenly donned on her.
"Oh yeah! First you ruin my morning by invading my thoughts, then Mihoshi burns me with her miso, next Princess Priss chips my tooth then it starts to rain and then…then." Ryoko tried to remember.
"Then I fell asleep at the cave. I needed to have a little getaway so I came here." Ryoko concluded.
"Oh, so that's where you are." Washu said with a hint of sadness. Ryoko noticed.
"Why are you talking to me like this?" Ryoko asked again.
"It sure is a nice day. I like this place. Would you mind if I visited this place with you more often?" Washu asked. Ryoko looked to Washu who was still looking out over the grass-covered hills. Ryoko saw something was up with Washu.
"Do whatever you want. You would probably do that anyway." Ryoko replied. Washu smiled and stood up.
"What's up?" Ryoko asked again.
"I have some important work I need to get back to at my lab." Washu said as she walked towards the shade of the oak.
"Don't work too hard." Ryoko said without looking back. Washu stopped and looked at her daughter laying out in the bright sunlight. She smiled.
"You know me." Washu answered before she faded away. Ryoko looked at the sky over the horizon and admired the high cirrus clouds as she thought about what just took place.
"Weird." Ryoko commented.
* * *
Washu opened her eyes and looked over at her daughter lying on the bed next to her. She reached over and ran her fingers through Ryoko's hair.
"You shouldn't be here. You should be outside enjoying the day." Washu commented. Washu snapper her fingers and the skylight on the ceiling of her lab opened. Three bright suns shined in the sky and lit up the lab. Washu looked at the light shine off of Ryoko and smiled. Someone knocked on the door to Washu's lab.
"Come in." Washu answered. The tin crab noisemaker rattled as Tenchi stepped into Washu's lab. Tenchi shielded his eyes from the bright sunlight as he approached.
"Wow! That sure is bright. Won't that wake her up?" Tenchi asked as he slowly removed his hand from his face and squinted.
"She's a way from waking up but she will be fine." Washu said with a smile.
"You look tired, Tenchi. You should be getting some sleep." Washu advised.
"I slept enough on the way here. Besides, I can't sleep during the day anyway." Tenchi answered as he made his way over to Washu.
"By the way, Sasami made this for you." Tenchi said as he lifted a tray of food into view. Washu brightened noticeably.
"Bless that child!" Washu sang as she snatched the food from Tenchi's hands. Washu gave a quick prayer then dug in like she hadn't eaten for days. Tenchi smiled at Washu's exuberance then turned his attention to Ryoko.
"How is she?" Tenchi asked with a more somber expression. Washu swallowed a mouthful then set her tray on a nearby desk.
"It turned out that there was a total of forty seven subversive programs implanted into her genetic structure. I removed them without a problem. I can't believe I never noticed them before." Washu said. She looked at Tenchi who was listening attentively and could tell that he was concerned.
"She is doing well, though. She is dreaming of nice places and she has her old attitude back." Washu said. Tenchi cheered up.
"That's good news." Tenchi observed. Washu tried to hide her worries but Tenchi noticed.
"What is it?" Tenchi asked.
"She has no memory of what has taken place after we found her in the cave." Washu stated.
"That's good though, isn't it?" Tenchi asked.
"Maybe for the time being but she will eventually know what she has done and she will not react in a good way." Washu stated.
"You know of some of the terrible things she's done before?" Washu asked.
"Yes, but that wasn't her fault." Tenchi said without missing a beat. Washu smiled for a moment then looked serious.
"I feel the same way but Ryoko doesn't. I think Ryoko blames herself for everything bad she's been through." Washu explained.
"What?" Tenchi asked not understanding.
"I mean, she can't believe that she can ever be better than things that she has done, although we know it wasn't her fault. Two things that has helped her cope was the fact that it happened so long ago and she knows that she was a different person then. When she finds out about the things she has done in her altered state, both of those excuses won't be valid anymore.
"What do we do?" Tenchi asked.
"We hope for the best." Washu answered.
* * *
Me sat back in her cell and relaxed as she waited for the Galaxy Police frigate to deliver her to Jurai. The cell's other occupants didn't know what to make of the attractive young woman sitting in the same cell as them. Usually, they would be hitting on such a pretty lady but the fact that she had on energy binders meant that she might be more than a handful considering no one else in the jail was strong enough to warrant such restraints. One particularly large man decided to test the waters.
"Hey! What are you doing in here?" The man called out to Me. Me looked to the large man and replied without hesitation.
"Well, I needed a ride to Jurai so the local authorities are providing me with transportation." Me answered.
"Ha! It looks like we are all getting a free lift to Jurai. What did you do?" The large man asked again. Me was starting to get annoyed but she played along to pass time.
"I killed a few police and some soldiers. I destroyed a few tanks and knocked down a couple of buildings." Me said with little interest.
"Did you now? It's hard to believe such a fragile looking thing could have done that. But even if you did, you have binders on." The large man said not believing Me. He sat down next to Me. Me looked at her binders.
"If I broke free, I would have had to wait for the GP to send a battleship to transport me. I'm not in a mood for waiting and I'm starting to lose patience with talking." Me said with a hint of agitation.
"I don't think you are who you say you are. I think you are telling fibs to keep me away from you." The man said as he moved closer to Me and put his hand on her leg. Me looked at her knee then her eyes cut back to the large man.
"We are three quarters of the way to Jurai. I guess I can go it the rest of the way by myself. Let's play." Me said with an evil smile. Me stood and pushed the large man into the group of other inmates on the other side of the cell. The man smiled as he jumped to his feet.
"You got some fire in you. I like that." The man said. He was nearly twice Me's size.
"You will owe me a little more now." The man said as he charged Me. Me waited until the man had his entire wait forward. She stepped to her right and the large man flew past her and hit the door to the cell.
"Ha! Ha! You look funny." Me laughed. The large man looked angry as he turned to face Me once more. One of the other men jumped at Me from behind as the large man came at Me from the front. Me turned quickly and snatched the newcomer to the brawl by the back of his head. She completed her turn and blocked the large man's right with the other man's face. The smaller man went limp in Me's grasp.
"Vorin?!" The large man yelled upon realizing his error. Me laughed even harder.
"I see you two have already met." Me taunted. The large man was now furious. He threw a left/ right combo but both of his punches landed on Vorin's face again. Me laughed all the harder. Me cast Vorin to the floor and stood, still laughing, like a sitting duck to the large man. The man lunged at me and caught her by the neck and squeezed as hard as he could. Me continued to laugh. The large man tried to lift me off the floor but she didn't move. He slowly loosened his grip then stepped back. He now looked worried as he noticed Me's laughter was starting to sound more sinister.
"I hope that's not all you have. If it is, you had better pray for a quick end which I will insure never comes." Me said and then stood silent. The man backed until he was against the cell door. Me raised her bound wrists in front of her face so the man could see them clearly. She pulled her arms apart and the energy binders shattered like glass. The man cowered to the floor. Me wasn't smiling any more. She walked up to the man and looked down at him. She reached out for the man. He tried to push Me away but Me caught his hand with her right. She reached up and grabbed the man's pinky finger between her index finger and thumb. She applied gradual pressure. At first, the man tried to scurry away but as Me increased pressure the man turned and beat and kicked Me. Me smiled as the man's pinky cracked then broke. The man yelled in anguish. Me smiled. She snatched her hand back and ripped the man's pinky finger from his hand. The man screamed and tried to run to the security of the group on the other side of the cell but the crowd broke around him and the man was standing alone. Me raised the severed finger into her field of view and examined it. She held it out in front of her as though she were giving it back to man she had just ripped it from. The finger started to smoke then it burned to nothing in the palm of her hand.
"She's the devil." One man remarked from the corner.
"I'm worse than the devil. I'm real and I'm now." Me said without an expression. Me raised her hand at the group of men next to her and she unleashed a focused energy attack that burned them and a portion of the wall to nothing. The lights went out for a moment then a red emergency light flashed behind Me. The large man looked up but he was to terrified to cry out. Me's white iridescent eyes glowed from the darkness and her flashing silhouette grew larger as she stepped towards the man.
"They died rather quickly. You still have many things to experience before you go." Me chuckled.
* * *
Ryoko opened her eyes and looked to the ceiling to see one full sun and a half sun shining through the skylight. She sat up and looked around to find herself in one of Washu's labs. Ryoko wasn't sure why she was in the lab. The only reason she could come up with was Washu was up to one of her usual stunts. Ryoko pulled back her sheets and moved her legs over the edge so that she was sitting on the edge of the bed. Ryoko paused and listened. She almost expected an unwelcome surprise complements of Washu but the lab remained as it was. Ryoko stood up and realized that she was naked. She donned her usual blue and yellow dress and made for the door. Ryoko was held fast by her wrist. She looked down to see a bracelet attached to a chain holding her in place. Ryoko examined the bracelet and found the latch on the back was easy to unfasten. Ryoko walked to the door. She opened the door and stepped towards the living room. The house was dark but voices could be heard in the dining room. Ryoko stepped to the doorway leading to the dining room to see Tenchi and Washu sitting at the table. She didn't interrupt. She stood next to the door and listened for a little while. Unfortunately, it was hard to make out what the two were discussing so Ryoko just walked in. Tenchi looked up as he saw Ryoko walk in. He jumped to his feet and looked with disbelief at Ryoko. Ryoko stopped and looked back at Tenchi. Washu turned around in her spot. She spat out her tea when she saw Ryoko standing behind her. She jumped to her feet as well. It was obvious that Tenchi and Washu were surprised to see her. What Ryoko couldn't figure out was why they were surprised to see her.
"What are you two doing?" Ryoko asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Drinking tea." Washu said not understanding why she said what she had just said. Ryoko was just as confused about Washu's comment as Washu was so she dropped that subject and decided to start a new one.
"What was I doing strapped to a table in your lab?" Ryoko asked Washu. Washu got over her surprise.
"You weren't doing so well." Washu said.
"What do you mean?" Ryoko asked.
"We uhh.." Tenchi tried.
"We found you in the cave. You were cold and you looked like you were sick." Washu explained.
"I don't get sick." Ryoko said suspiciously.
"You sure were this time." Tenchi said. Ryoko examined Tenchi's expression and concluded that he was telling the truth. She shrugged and made her way towards the hall. Tenchi and Washu looked at one another then looked back to Ryoko.
"Where are you going?" Washu asked.
"Upstairs." Ryoko answered.
"She seems to be back to her normal self." Tenchi observed. He saw that Washu wore a curious expression.
"Something wrong?" Tenchi asked.
"Does she? She normally flies or teleports to wherever she wants to go." Washu observed.
"But she doesn't have any gems." Tenchi offered.
"That's true but how did she recover so fast?" Washu asked. Tenchi shrugged. Washu made her way upstairs and stuck her head into a few rooms in order to find Ryoko. After a few atempts, Washu was becoming frustrated. Tenchi tapped Washu on the shoulder and smiled. He motioned for Washu to follow him. Tenchi stepped out onto the balcony then stepped up onto the guard rail. He looked over the ledge of the roof and smiled. Tenchi pointed up and shook his head to let Washu know that Ryoko was found. Tenchi hopped off the rail then he bent over and interlaced his fingers so he could give Washua lift. Before Tenchi knew what happened, he was standing behind Ryoko. Washu walked up right behind Ryoko.
"Ryoko, are you alright." Washu asked.
"You question me in my dreams and you question me when I wake up. Will you ever leave me alone?" Ryoko complained.
"Can we talk, Ryoko?" Tenchi asked. Ryoko leaned her head back and looked at Tenchi. Tenchi had never asked her to talk before. Ryoko sat up and turned to face the two.
"What do you want to talk about?" Ryoko asked. Tenchi looked to Washu. Washu concentrated then she sat down. Tenchi sat as well.
"Let me start by saying that you have been really sick over the last few days. Everyone has been very concerned about your well being." Washu said. Ryoko looked to Tenchi and he looked concerned. Ryoko then knew that something was wrong.
"What happened?" Ryoko asked.
"Well, Tenchi and I found you in the cave like I said. We were barely able to keep you alive in my lab. Then without warning, you started to recover at an accelerated rate. I found out later that there was a subversive program implanted into your genetic structure and your sickness was caused by it." Washu summarized.
"A subversive program?" Ryoko asked.
"Yes, it was designed to run at a time where you were at your weakest and then it merged with you." Washu explained.
"Yeah right. I don't know what you are up to Washu but I'm not bighting." Ryoko scoffed.
"She's telling the truth, Ryoko." Tenchi said.
"Then how come I don't remember any of this. If we merged then I should remember something." Ryoko pointed out.
"There was a situation where you were able to separate from the program." Washu said with hesitation.
"A situation?" Ryoko asked when she noticed Washu was holding back. Washu looked like she didn't want to answer. Tenchi put his hand on Washu's shoulder.
"Ryoko, you…the program that took over your body was going to kill all of us. It was only when you fought to get free did you separate from the program." Tenchi said. Ryoko looked thoughtful. She tried to remember anything. She concentrated for a moment.
"I don't remember anything like that." Ryoko said.
"Try harder, Ryoko." Tenchi pleaded. Ryoko concentrated hard. She focused and tried to remember anything. Suddenly, Ryoko's eyes opened wide and she gasped. Ryoko took a step back.
"Ryoko?" Washu asked upon seeing Ryoko's reaction. Ryoko raised her hand to her face and then she touched her lips with her finger. Tears rolled down Ryoko's cheeks. Ryoko started to shake her head. She had the same panicked expression as she did when Sasami hugged her only this was much worse. Ryoko's mind filled with memories of the previous days on Crixus. Ryoko remembered the boys in the ship that offered her a ride. She remembered the tank, the buildings, the city. She remembered everything all at once.
"No." Ryoko whispered.
"Ryoko? Ryoko?!" Washu almost yelled. Washu stepped up to Ryoko and pulled her hands away from her face to get her attention. Ryoko looked down and saw Washu. Ryoko jerked her hands away from Washu.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Ryoko roared. Everyone in the house woke.
"Oh no. Not again. What have I done!" Ryoko yelled franticly.
"Ryoko, calm down. Please." Washu pleaded but Ryoko wasn't listening. She couldn't get the images of all the people who suffered by her hand out of her head.
"They are all dead. Dead. I did it to them and I was smiling. Laughing." Ryoko said as she took another step backwards.
"No Ryoko! None of this was your doing." Tenchi tried. Ryoko's far away expression left her as she focused on Tenchi. Ryoko shifted her attention back to Washu. Ryoko felt hate rising inside herself.
"WHY DID YOU MAKE LIKE THIS?! WHY DID YOU MAKE ME A MONSTER?!" Ryoko raged. Washu was speechless. Ryoko dashed to Washu and lifted the little scientist by the collar.
"Why!" Ryoko growled through grit teeth.
"Why what, Ryoko?" Washu asked in a daze.
"Why did you make me like this? Do you enjoy watching my agony?" Ryoko spit.
"Of coarse not." Washu said trying to defend herself.
"How could you let someone do this to me? What kind of mother are you? ANSWER ME!" Ryoko bellowed. Washu couldn't speak. Ryoko threw Washu down. The little scientist was able to get enough traction to keep from sliding off the angled rooftop. Washu rose to her knees but she still didn't have any words for Ryoko. Ryoko brought her hands to her face and cried hard. Tenchi stepped in Ryoko's direction.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME! Just stay away! I don't want to see any of you ever again. EVER!" Ryoko finished. She turned and ran down the roof and leaped onto the balcony then ran inside. Tenchi looked at Washu. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as well.
"Washu?" Tenchi asked upon seeing her so shaken. Washu took in a deep breath.
"I'll be fine, Tenchi. Go after Ryoko." Washu instructed. Tenchi saw a light shine out into the yard as the front door opened. He then saw Ryoko run outside and towards the woods. Tenchi needed to gain some time on Ryoko so he ran to the corner of the roof and looked down. He saw a bush and that was going to have to be good enough. Tenchi jumped and crashed into the bush. He hit a lot harder than he thought he would. Tenchi couldn't waste any time worrying about his injuries. He got up and ran after Ryoko. Tenchi heard Ryoko crashing through the underbrush. Tenchi had been running through the woods since he was a little kid and he knew every in and out. Tenchi got to a point to where he knew he could cut Ryoko off. He jumped over a bush and then ran up a grass-covered path and waited. Tenchi then realized that Ryoko hadn't flown, phased or teleported. Tenchi dismissed the thought as soon as he heard Ryoko coming his way. Tenchi jumped out onto the path and grabbed Ryoko around the waste and tried to tackle her. Ryoko collided with Tenchi like a freight train but he held fast and was able to pull Ryoko to the ground.
"Stop Ryoko!" Tenchi yelled.
"Let go of me!" Ryoko yelled back.
"No. Tenchi said.
"All I do is hurt or kill people. The Ryoko you know isn't real. It's all a lie!" Ryoko yelled as she tried to get to her feet. Tenchi pushed Ryoko over and pinned her to the ground.
"That not true. I've never seen you hurt anyone on purpose. That other thing out there is just using your form." Tenchi tried to explain.
"THAT'S BULLSHIT!" Ryoko yelled. Ryoko reached up and grabbed Tenchi's neck. She grabbed Tenchi to control him, not choke him. Ryoko rose to her feet. She held Tenchi in place. Tenchi tried to get free but Ryoko's grip was like steel. Ryoko raised Tenchi slightly.
"Do you feel that Tenchi? No normal girl could do this. I could rip your head off your body as easily as shearing an eraser off of a pencil. Only a monster would even think of doing such a terrible thing." Ryoko sobbed as she made her point. Tenchi tried to speak but Ryoko was holding him to tight. Ryoko loosened her grip.
"A real monster would have killed me by now. What's stopping you? Why don't you kill me?" Tenchi asked. Ryoko didn't answer.
"The reason why you can't kill me is because you care for me. Tender feelings are things that monsters aren't supposed to have." Tenchi said.
"Then I fail as a monster as well." Ryoko said as she let Tenchi go. Tenchi coughed before he answered.
"Don't you see? Your failure as a monster is your success at being a good person." Tenchi explained.
"I wish that truly applied to me, Tenchi. The fact of the matter is I'm no good to anyone. I never have been and I never will be...I'm leaving." Ryoko mumbled. Tenchi couldn't believe his ears.
"I won't let you leave." Tenchi said.
"It's for the best." Ryoko said as she turned. Tenchi dashed in front Ryoko before she could react and stood his ground.
"Move." Ryoko ordered. Tenchi shook his head. Ryoko was about to produce her blade but decided against it. Tenchi noticed. Suddenly, an unknown force seized Ryoko from behind. Ayeka stepped out from behind a tree with Washu. Washu walked up to Ryoko and placed her hand on Ryoko's shoulder. Ryoko looked shocked. She slowly sank to her knees as her strength left her.
"I'm sorry I have to this to you so shortly after you have recovered but it's for your own good." Washu commented. Ayeka released her grip on Ryoko.
"Why won't you let me go?" Ryoko mumbled. Tenchi didn't answer as he picked up Ryoko.
"Please let me go, Tenchi." Ryoko pleaded almost inaudibly. Tenchi continued towards the house.
"I don't want to be like this anymore. I wish I was never born." Ryoko whispered.
More to come...