Night After the Carnival

Chapter 15

Kagato sat silently on the bridge of his ship.

His Face flashed from the images on the screen in front of him.

"Where is it that you are going?"

He spoke to the lone ship leaving the surface of the war torn planet.

Kagato's ship fell in behind the departing ship.

" I can feel your power boy."

Deep inside of Ryo-oki Tenchi stood.

He had one hand on each of the control orbs that controlled Ryo-oki's flight.

He had saw Ryoko do this a couple of times.

He looked down at them and sighed.

" I still don't have a clue how to use them." He told the cabbit.

He found himself actually wishing Ryoko was here.

Actually he surprised himself.

He was already missing everyone.

He was brought out of his daydream by a huge screen opening up in front of him.

"Meow!" the cabbit warned him.

" What is it Ryo-oki?"

The screen reviled another ship.

Without thinking the Tenchi-kin was in his hand.

On the other ship Kagato smiled.

" I will have my revenge."

He brought his ship to bear directly behind Ryo-oki.

Tenchi's eyes went wide as he watched the guns of the unknown ship start to glow.

"Ryo-oki!! Look out!!"

He tried to warn her but it was to late.

A few of the shots raced harmlessly past them.

But the large explosions followed by the violent rocking of Rio-oki told Tenchi not all of them missed.

The cabbit cried out in pain from the blast.

"Rio-oki can you shoot back at them?"

"Meow Meow."

Another round of fire came from the ship.

Ryo-oki was nearly spun completely around from the impact.

"Ryo-oki!!"

Tenchi pleaded.

"MEOW!!" The cabbit howled.

Tenchi knew it was hopeless to try and fight.

Without him knowing the controls Ryo-oki cannot operation on her own.

Their only chance was to run.

He placed the sword between Ryo-oki's control orbs.

He reached deep within himself; slowly he closed his eyes as he felt his power come alive.

"Take me to Tokime."

The two red gems on his sword burst into life.

Their power crackled over each of the control orbs.

All inside of Ryo-oki began to turn a warm glowing red.

"Huh?" Kagato watched as the outside of the small ship began to glow.

" What is this?"

A shimmering circle enclosed Ryo-oki.

Kagato narrowed his eyes.

"That will not save you boy."

He fired another round.

But the blasts just bounce harmlessly around the field of power.

"Damn!" he slammed his fist on the arm of the chair.

He stood up ready to fire another round when his eyes went wide.

The cabbit was pulsating red with power.

The outer force field was engulfed in yellow arcs of lightening.

A huge boom followed it shortly.

Kagato never took his eyes away from the little ship.

Even as his own ship was being torn away from around him.

Kagato stood in the outer reaches of space his ship was reduced to nothing more then shards of wreckage.

" You may have destroyed my ship boy."

Kagato raised his hand towards the Cabbit.

"But I will not be so easily defeated."

His hand released a huge pulse of black energy, but it shot off harmlessly into space.

Ryo-oki was no longer there.

Kagato grinned.

" I will not chase you boy."

He turned back to the planet.

" Not when I can make you come to me."

Ryoko walked out into the Royal garden.

She had been everywhere looking for Tenchi but he was nowhere to be found.

" Tenchi." She called out.

" He is not here."

"Who is here?" she asked not seeing anyone.

" It is just me Ryoko." Yosho answered coming up from one the many paths in the garden.

"Have you seen Tenchi?" she asked him.

"He is not here." Yosho sat down on one of the two stone benches that lined the walkway.

" Well I can see that." She shot him a look

"Where is he?"

Yosho looked up at the stars.

"He has gone to confront Tokime."

Ryoko almost jumped back several feet.

"WHAT!? Are you saying he is not longer on Jurai?"

"Yes that is what I am saying."

Yosho never took his eyes off of the sky.

"Damn what was he thinking, he will get killed going there alone."

She curled her hand into a tight fist.

" We have to go after him."

'We can not." He told her.

" The hell we can not!"

"We have our own trouble to worry about."

This took the steam right out of her.

"Huh?"

"Someone is coming."

She followed his gaze to the heavens.

A small light was streaking towards the palace.

Mihoshi had recovered very quickly.

She was well enough to sit up on the side of her bed.

Washu was there taking data from the officer.

Standing just off to the side of Mihoshi was Z.

He had not said a word since Washu had come in to take her test.

Even thought Mihoshi seemed fine he found himself still unwilling to leave her side.

"Well Mihoshi all your bio rhythms are in perfect sync." Washu declared.

"Thanks Washu I am feeling much better.

Ya know there for a while I was not sure what was....

Um?

Washu?"

Washu had turned and was looking up at the ceiling.

Z could feel it to.

Someone was coming.

Ayeka was alone in the palace throne room.

She was sitting at the foot of her late fathers throne.

It was here that he ruled the most powerful force in the universe.

Or so she use to think.

But know things where different, he was no longer ruler of Jurai.

Her tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

And Tsunami the one who was the token of this power.

The one who was supposed to protect us instead has forsaken us.

She became angry. "This is my fault."

She tightened her grip on her Kimono.

"If I had of been here instead of on earth thinking about myself.

I could have done something."

Her thoughts went to Tenchi.

"But if I had not went to earth then I would have never..."

She left her words at the ending of that thought.

"What am I going to do?"

She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of one of the huge twin doors being opened.

"Ayeka? Are you in here?" Sasami whispered.

Ayeka Quickly brushed the tears away from her face.

"What is it Sasami?"

"Oh there you are. I was looking all over for you."

Sasami came on into the room.

She could tell that her sister had been crying.

"What is the matter Ayeka?" She asked.

Ayeka blushed a little.

" I cant hide anything from you can I?"

The little girl giggled.

"No I guess not."

Ayeka turned to look at the empty throne; Her smiled fading

" I miss father."

Sasami put her hand on her older sisters shoulder.

"How could tsunami do this?"

A fresh set of tears falling from Ayeka's face.

"Ayeka Tsunami didn't do this Tokime did."

Sasami was surprised at her revelation.

"If they are sisters Then Tsunami knew Tokime was out there.

Why didn't she do something to keep this from happening."

Ayeka said pointing her finger at the king's chair.

Sasami's smiled Faded as she looked at the Throne.

"We just have to trust that things will work out."

Ayeka thought about this for a bit.

She turned to look at Sasami.

Wiping away the new set of tearstains she smiled at her.

"Since when did you come to know everything?"

Sasami blushed

"come on Ayeka lets go find mom."

Seto waited just outside of the main throne chamber.

She was starting to get nervous.

But her feeling was gone as soon as he phased in front of her.

"At last you are here."

Kagato smiled.

" I have gotten rid of the queens.

Princess Ayeka and Sasami are inside." She instructed him.

" I could have killed the queens as well Seto." He replied calmly.

She thought about this for only a second.

" I want them to have to suffer the disgrace of handing the throne over to me."

Kagato glanced over at the throne room doors.

" I do not care who rules this miserable planet as long as I get what I want."

He turned back to Seto

" I will honor our deal."

He smiled evilly at her.

"For now."

Seto didn't like the sound of that at all.

But she would worry about that later right now with Kagato getting rid of the two Princesses there would be no one left in the masaki clan to rule.

The queens would be forced to give up the throne to the second ruling family.

Namely hers.

With Kagato doing all the dirty work no one would expect her.

She slipped away into the night laughing to herself.

Ayeka and Sasami where stopped short of the door by a figure phasing in front of them.

"Princess Ayeka, princess Sasami it is good to see you again."

The color drained from Ayeka's skin as her eyes lay on the person in front of her.

" It can not be!"

Sasami shrank back behind Ayeka.

" Oh I assure you it can." Kagato smiled at them.

The two girls backed away from him.

"Tenchi killed you."

Ayeka's voice would barely come.

"Lets not bring up such unpleasant memories shall we."

He drifted down until his feet touched the ground.

" I will make this brief. Just give me Sasami and Washu and I will let the rest of you live."

Ayeka protectively moved Sasami farther behind her.

" You will have to kill me first."

Kagato laughed.

"I was hoping you would feel that way."

In less then a second Kagato raised his hand and fired a blast of black energy at Ayeka.

She brought up her arms to protect herself from the Attack.

But it never came.

On either side of her were her guardians.

" We are here to protect you princess." Azaka said.

"No harm will come to you." Kamadake added.

Ayeka and Sasami were in the protective field of the two logs.

"Ah yes you two are still here."

Kagato raised both of his hands towards them.

" Who will protect you?"

Two huge black claws sprang from his hands and grabbed each of the guardians.

"Allow me to show you something I learned from an assassin."

He squeezed the claws shut

Ayeka and Sasami covered themselves from the exploding wood.

"A quick death."

He flung the carcasses of the two former knights aside.

They thudded hollowly against the walls.

Each one was nothing more then a crushed wooden shell.

"Azaka!!

Kamadake!!!"

Ayeka screamed.

Behind Kagato the two massive doors where thrown open.

Poised in the doorway stood Yosho, his mother's sword gleaming in his hand.

Just off to his left was Washu.

Her arms folded up in front of her.

Just behind her stood Z his, energy sword glowing.

On Yosho's right the two Galaxy police officers stood, blasters in hand.

Hovering just behind the old man was Ryoko.

Her sword glowing brightly.

"Kagato step away from them."

Yosho's voice was calm and commanding.

Kagato slowly turned the face the group.

" You think you can order me around so easily first prince." Kagato grinned at him

"Oh that is right you are no longer even the first crown prince, you gave up that power didn't you?"

Yosho narrowed his eyes.

"I hope you have not come here to try and pull your old tricks.

Your grandson is not here to protect you this time."

Kagato eyed Z for the first time.

" But I see you have another."

He looked more closely at the knight.

"Do I know you??"

He asked to himself more then to them.

" Ahh yes now I remember, you are the lowly knight that is in love with Ryoko aren't you."

He could see the instant reaction from Ryoko.

Yes he had hit a nerve with not only her but with the knight as well.

But what was more interesting was the reaction from the blonde.

Were his eyes playing tricks or did he see a sign of hurt in her eyes.

Z stepped up next to Yosho.

" I will not allow you to harm my friends."

"Allow?"

Kagato laughed,

" My boy you can not stop me."

Z rushed him.

In a blink Kagato was gone.

Only to reappear behind Sasami, a small power blade resting closely against her neck.

Z froze in his tracks.

" Still the coward I see." Yosho goaded him.

" What do you want from us?" Washu spoke up.

"I don't want anything from you. But Tokime wants you so I am going to deliver you to her."

"What is in this for you?"

Kiyone asked never taking her blaster aim from his head.

" Why I get the pleasure of killing Tenchi." He smiled.

" Like hell you will!" Ryoko growled.

She took to the air

"Careful Ryoko I could slip."

The small blade brushed across Sasami's skin.

The little princess let out a small cry as the blade cut into her.

Z saw his chance.

He pulled Ayeka away from Kagato and retreated back to the group.

The older princess in tow.

Ryoko shot her hand out but she did not fire.

She didn't want to hurt Sasami.

" Kagato with my last breath I will hunt you down if you harm Tenchi."

" Well the invite is nice and all but I think I will pass on going."

Washu cut her off.

"Oh but I think you should reconsider."

He answered not taking his eye off Ryoko.

" She has something that I think you will find you can not refuse."

"What is that?" Washu asked.

"Why your son."

There was a gasp among most of the group.

Even Washu's normally witty comeback was lost to her.

" Impossible."

She muttered.

" Not impossible at all Washu in fact I brought him to her myself."

Tenchi found himself standing on a circular Transport.

Ahead of him was what looked like a river?

But its banks where made of some kind of stone, the likes he had never seen before.

The transport started to move.

Tenchi looked down at his feet.

Next to him sat Ryo-oki.

He reached down and picked the cabbit up.

"Are you going to be ok?"

"Meow." The cabbit rested her head on his arm.

Tenchi hadn't realized how fast they had been traveling.

He looked up to see the end of the river.

He eyes widened as he saw it falling off into nothingness.

There was at first was only blackness, but slowly he began to see things.

He found himself standing on a large hovering platform.

In front of him were long glowing lines of yellow light.

Behind them stood massive stone pillars.

Everywhere else was only the twinkling stars of space.

"Where are we?" he asked.

He only got another Questioning meow from the cabbit.

He took one better look around.

After still not seeing anyone he called out

"Hello."

His voice echoed as if it went thru time itself.

He took a huge step back as several shadowy figures came up from nowhere.

But what really got him was the woman who appeared after them.

She towered over him forcing him to have to look up at her.

"Hello Tenchi." She greeted him.

He fought the urge to fall to his knees in her presents.

"Who are you?"

" I am Tokimi." She smiled.

Tenchi could not take his eyes off of her, but he did happen to notice the two silhouettes behind her.

The one on her right he knew immediately as Washu's but the other one was not so easy to figure out.

Could that be Tsunami? He thought.

" I am glad you have come Tenchi."

" What do you want with my family?" he demanded.

"Your Family?"

Her smile left her.

"Washu.....Tsunami....are my sisters."

The anger left his face.

"I have come to take them back." She finished.

"Take them back?" He asked puzzled.

"Yes they left the place of the gods to live among mortals.

They can not stay here any longer."

Tenchi thought about this.

"But what if they do not want to go back?"

"What they want is of no matter."

"Of no matter? How can you say that? Of course it matters."

" Do not speak of things you know nothing about."

He could feel the force in her voice.

There was no way he was going to let this happen.

"Then you better make me understand because I will not let you take Washu or Sasami."

Tokimi lowered her eyes at him.

She felt that nagging feeling in the back of her mind.

It will not be much longer now.

Tokimi came down to stand face to face with Tenchi.

"You have lost someone very close to your heart Tenchi."

Thoughts of his mother filled his mind.

"What if I told you that I could bring her back."

Tenchi again felt his knees go weak

"How?"

His voice was barely a whisper.

"Give me Washu and Tsunami and I will grant you the one wish that you have always wanted."

His mind was now a jumble of images.

She again smiled seeing the troubled look on his face.

" I will give you some time to think it over Tenchi."

Will the outcome change?

She thought.

She waited for a few minutes.

Tenchi looked long and hard at the little cabbit at his feet.

"What will happen to them."

No it will not.

Her mind answered.

"They will be taken back and their powers will be taken from them."

"But why?" he asked.

"They have broken the most sacred of laws."

She turned away from him.

"They have mix the blood of the gods with the blood of mortals."

Tenchi Stared at her back for a long while as what she said sunk deeper into this mind.

He saw the image of Washu in his thoughts and the things she has said that night in Mihoshi's room.

But Washu's image soon faded only to be replaced by Ryoko's

"Then my answer is no."

She lowered her head.

No it will not change.

"I am sorry you feel this way Tenchi."

So we come to it.

Yes the end of another chapter. Oh we are so close you can almost taste it cant ya.

Well stay tuned. Kagato is coming.