Tenchi Muyo: The Fusion (Part Two)
A Fanfiction by Chronos the Cat
Darkness. Silence. Nothingness... For the longest time, these sensations, or rather, lacks of sensation, were all Ryoko knew. She couldn't even tell how long it had been. The last thing she recalled was passing out on Ryo-Ohki. Then... dreams, and a waking consciousness deprived of anything to be conscious of but her own memories.
And then, she felt a presence... Washu-her mother! After another pause-much shorter, she thought-she felt an unbearable pain. What was this?! Wasn't she already dead? Or was she only now dying? Had the nothingness only been moments long?
But the pain slowly died down, and she started to be aware of her surroundings again. She could feel a firm mat under her, the air around her... She could hear voices... familiar voices... what were they saying? If only she could make it out...
But she thought she recognized the voices... Her mother; ...Mihoshi and Sasami; ...Tenchi!
She tried to say his name, but only a moan came out. Still, he must have understood, for she heard him speaking again, closer, in a comforting voice. She thought she could understand it... Yes!
"Ayeka. Ryoko? Are you alright?"
Ayeka?! Why did he have to mention her?! Still, to even hear his voice again.
"I love you, Tenchi," she managed to croak through lips that didn't want to work right.
"I love you, too… Ryoko." There was a strange tone in his voice when he said her name.
Slowly, she managed to open her eyes. Her heart beat faster just to see Tenchi there, looking down at her.
She reached her hand up, to touch his face. "Oh, Tenchi… I missed you so…"
Suddenly, her eyes widened. That was definitely NOT her voice. And the hand she held above her was too soft, the nails too well manicured. Her voice betraying the fear she suddenly felt, she asked, "What happened to me?!"
"Well…" Tenchi said slowly.
Ryoko sat up quickly and grabbed Tenchi's shirt with her new hands. "Give me a mirror. I need a mirror!"
"I'm not so sure that's—"
Ryoko pushed him aside and quickly got off the operating table she'd been on. She surveyed her surroundings. It was a Spartan room, with little in it but the operating table and some medical tools. However, there were other people in the room: Sasami, Mihoshi, Kiyone, Ryo-Ohki, and Washu.
"Washu! This is your doing, isn't it?" Ryoko said, in a voice she was beginning to realize she knew all too well.
"Well, sort of. I did do the operation to save your life, if that's what you mean."
Ryoko looked down at her hands and arms, and at her body, dressed in an elegant dress. Then she grasped a lock of hair, and held it so she could see it. Purple.
She scowled at Washu. "Mirror. Now."
Washu looked uneasy, but typed a few things on her laptop, and a mirror appeared. Ryoko walked over to it slowly, and got a good long look at her new face.
"How? Why?!"
"It was the only way. Don't worry, it's only temporary."
"I still don't—-" Suddenly, her mouth stopped obeying her, and said, with Ayeka's inflections, "Don't worry, I'll explain this to her, Washu."
Ryoko's eyes widened, as did, in the mirror, Ayeka's. She (they?) put her hand to her mouth.
Can you hear me? Ayeka's voice came to Ryoko, so clear and so close, it was as if Ayeka were inside Ryoko's head.
"Yes… What do you want, Ayeka?"
You should be able to communicate with me directly, as I am doing with you.
Like this?
Yes, precisely.
But how can we do this? And why do I look like you?!
You don't. Ryoko's hand lifted of its own accord, showing the jewel embedded in it to her eyes. THIS is you now.
"WHAT?!"
Tenchi reached out to her with concern. "Are you alright?"
Washu held up a hand and shook her head. "They're both fine—Ayeka's just explaining the situation to Ryoko."
"This is too strange…" Tenchi commented.
Sasami giggled. "It's funny!"
Mihoshi scratched her head. "What's going on, again?"
One of my jewels?! Ryoko looked up at the mirror again then down at her wrist. She also glanced at her other wrist, to find another of her jewels. My jewels, on your body… enough playing around, Ayeka—what is going on?!
The body that looked like Ayeka's, but felt to Ryoko like her own, sighed.
To put it simply, Ryoko, Ayeka said, Your body was destroyed, but your spirit remained in this world, thanks to your gems.
My gems? But how…?
That, my dear, is a question for Washu. All I know is that the gems were loosing power, and without that power, you would have truly died. To keep you alive long enough for her to make a new body, Washu bonded the gems to my body, so my spirit could sustain yours. Thus, for the time being, this body is home to both of our souls. …But don't get too comfortable—as soon as Washu completes your new body, I'm evicting you!
No need to worry, Princess, I want out of this even more than you want me out! But there's one thing I don't get—why did Washu put me in YOUR body, of all people's?!
Well… Ayeka's face grew embarrassed. There weren't very many people available. The only people Washu felt would have the resilience to survive both the bonding and your presence were herself, Lord Tenchi, Sasami, and myself. However, she felt bonding with her would be dangerous for you, and I was not about to let you reside within Sasami or Lord Tenchi, even temporarily.
Is that so…?
o-o-o
Ayeka gave an evil smile—or at least, her body did. It was impossible for the others to know which of the two women were in charge of Ayeka's body at which moment. Even when one of them spoke, it was difficult to tell—the voice was always Ayeka's, even if the phrasing was sometimes Ryoko's.
Continuing to smile, Ayeka's body spoke. "You should have let me use Tenchi's body, Princess. It would have saved all three of us a lot of trouble."
Tenchi said quietly, "Uh-oh."
Ayeka's face suddenly grew outraged. "And what is that supposed to mean? Do you really think I would ever let you posses Lord Tenchi?!"
The smile returned to her face. "It isn't a matter of 'let', Princess—he's gonna be mine, eventually; it's only a matter of time. Why not just cut to the chase?"
She covered her mouth and laughed hysterically. "Lord Tenchi—yours?! Do stop kidding around—we both know he and I are destined to be together! It is written in the stars!"
She scowled and said in a dark voice, "Oh yeah? Well you must have read them wrong, 'cause there's no way Tenchi would ever choose an old hag like you!"
Sasami drooped, and in a flat voice, said, "Now, this is weird."
Mihoshi giggled. "Ayeka's arguing with herself!"
"No, Ayeka and Ryoko are arguing," Sasami corrected.
Kiyone pointed out, "It amounts to about the same thing, right now…"
"I… I guess you have a point."
Ayeka and Ryoko's argument quickly escalated, as always, until Ayeka's small sticks and logs began to appear around her, and balls of red energy formed in her hands.
"Uh, guys?" Tenchi said, trying to get Ryoko and Ayeka's attention. "It might not be a very good idea to do that right now…"
But, as usual, they weren't listening. Lacking a better target, Ryoko fired her energy blasts at the mirror, in which she could see Ayeka's face. Meanwhile, Ayeka activated her force field, to protect herself, and to prepare herself to attack.
Unfortunately, the force field appeared before the blasts had left its range, and when Ryoko's blasts hit it, they to exploded.
There was a flash of light, and a familiar boom, and burning smoke filled the area contained within the force field. As the smoke turned from red to gray, the force field went out, and the smoke began to clear away.
Ayeka stood there weakly, singed and covered in ashes, her hair standing up with static and looking very much like a longer and messier version of Ryoko's hairstyle. She began to fall forward, but Tenchi, Sasami, and Washu caught her. Kiyone also came over to help, and as Ayeka passed out, they carried her out of the room.
o-o-o
"Really, I'm a friend of Queen Ayeka!"
"Right," the guard said sarcastically, as he pushed Nobuyuki into the cell.
"I'm serious! Just ask her!"
The guard rolled his eyes. "Alright, fine—when we get a chance, and she isn't busy."
o-o-o
"Oh…" Ayeka moaned, clutching her head, as she woke up in another part of Washu's lab.
Tenchi looked at her in concern. "Are you alright, Ayeka? Er—and Ryoko?"
Sitting up, she gave another moan. "Yeah… Yes, Lord Tenchi-Nothing I can't handle-I am fine."
Tenchi stared at her for a moment. "Uh… Well, that's good to know."
Ayeka stood up and brushed herself off.
Meanwhile, Sasami, Washu, and Kiyone were explaining to Mihoshi for the third time that Washu had put Ryoko's mind into Ayeka's body.
"So now Ryoko and Ayeka are both in the same body?"
"That's what we've been saying," Washu said impatiently.
"Wow. That sounds dangerous, with all the fights they get into."
"No kidding," Washu responded dryly.
"So, what are we going to call them now?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Well, they're in the same body now, right?"
"So?"
"So, don't we need a name for the both of them put together?"
Washu rolled her eyes. "Mihoshi, I—"
Sasami interrupted her. "No, she's right, Washu. I mean, do you want to have to say 'Ryoko and Ayeka' every time you want to talk about them?"
"Well, I don't know… I suppose that could get a little cumbersome… but—"
"I know!" Mihoshi announced. "We can call her, 'Ryo-Ayeka'!"
Sasami shook her head. "No, that makes her sound like a relative of Ryo-Ohki."
"Oh, right. Mmm… How about, 'Ayekoko'?"
"Umm…"
Washu interjected, "Maybe you should ask them?"
Sasami and Mihoshi both looked embarrassed. "Oh, right."
When Sasami and Mihoshi recounted their discussion to Ryoko and Ayeka, Ayeka looked surprised. "A name? For both of us? –No way, I'm Ryoko, that's it! –Yes, and I am Ayeka… Furthermore, as this is my body, you shall address me as Ayeka, rather than 'Ayeka and Ryoko'. That woman is only along for the ride."
Ayeka put her hands on her hips and scowled. "Now wait just a minute here! I'm the spirit and you're just the host. That makes you my slave!"
Tenchi moaned. "Not again! Uh, girls?"
"Slave?! I am the Queen of Jurai. I am slave to no one! –Uh-huh, you just keep thinking that, Princess! –And stop calling me—Wait, did you say 'Queen'?
"That is correct, Miss Ryoko—while you were gone, I moved up in the world. I am now the ruler of Planet Jurai."
A sly grin played across Ayeka's face. "—And I'm in your body… This suggests some interesting possibilities…
"Now don't you—Too late, Queenie!
"I will not allow it! –Aww, come on, it'll be fun!
"Absolutely not!
"…Party pooper. You need to loosen up, you know that, Ayeka. You take life wa-ay too seriously."
Tenchi and the other girls shared a concerned look with each other.
Meanwhile, Ayeka had found another mirror, and was trying to straighten up her hair. When she couldn't do it by hand, she turned to the others. "I need to visit my rooms, so I may… freshen up."
Tenchi shrugged. "Alright, let's all head back to the royal apartments."
"No! I… I can't be seen like this by my people… -Oh you're such a wimp, Ayeka. Fine, I'll take you there." And with that, she teleported away.
Tenchi and the girls looked at each other again. Tenchi commented, "This is going to take a lot of getting used to…"
o-o-o
Ayeka looked in the mirror at her hair, in despair. "Why can't I get it to lay flat?!"
Her body and face laughed, in tune with Ryoko's mind.
"I'm glad you find this amusing, Miss Ryoko," Ayeka said sourly.
She had already tried washing it, to help get out the static from Ryoko's blast; to little affect. It no longer looked quite as messy, but instead, it clumped together into thicker spikes, making it look even more like Ryoko's hairstyle.
She stared into the mirror, as if that would bring some answer. There must be SOME way to get my hair back to normal. WHY is it standing up and clumping together like this? It has never done anything like this before…
A wry smile crossed her face, and Ryoko thought to her, Get used to it, Queenie. My guess is your hair isn't going back to normal until I'm out of this body.
What?!
It's my powers. They create some strange energy-field that causes effects similar to static electricity. Washu could explain it to you if you wanted.
No, thank you.
Anyway, I've tried everything I could think of to get my hair under control, but the only thing I was ever able to figure out that worked was to not use my powers. After a week or so, the energy field wears out—but use the power again, and BOOM!—the field's back… along with spiked hair…
…And here I thought your hair was some misguided fashion statement…
'Fraid not.
And even Washu can't do anything about it?
If she could, do you think her hair would be spiked? She has the exact same problem.
Oh, my. I had no idea…
Ayeka ran her hand over her hair. "I suppose my subjects will just have to get used to it…"
Your subjects? What about you?
What about me?
I mean, normally, you'd get really upset over something like this…
"I have, and I am. Why would you think otherwise?"
Well, you only said your subjects would have to get used to it. Aren't you upset for your own sake, too?
Ayeka looked puzzled. Whatever for? I don't think this look makes me look that bad… It's just a bit messy for the Queen –or a princess, for that matter—of Jurai.
Huh. So you aren't always miss prim-and-proper after all. Ryoko, and with her, Ayeka's body, smirked at this.
I don't see why you find that so amusing. Even a Princess likes to put her hair down every once in a while. However, the royal family has an image to keep, so it is imperative she looks her best in public.
Oh, you mean, like how a space pirate has to seem fierce and cold, if she wants to be treated with respect by the other pirates. She can't afford to show her feminine side, even if she wanted too…
Precisely. …Perhaps we are not as different from one another as we thought…
o-o-o
Ayeka and Ryoko found Tenchi and the others waiting for them in the royal garden.
"So, how are you doing, you two?" Tenchi asked with some concern.
"Much better now, thank you.—Yeah, we're fine. Still a little weirded out by all this, but otherwise, fine."
"That's good to hear."
Kiyone spoke up. "I thought you were going to fix your hair."
"I tried; however…"
Washu finished the thought: "You didn't have a heck of a lot of luck. I should have warned you about that…"
Mihoshi giggled. "So, Ayeka has to have Ryoko's hairstyle, now? That's funny!"
Under her breath, Ayeka said, "I don't see the humor in it. –Well, I do, Queenie. It's the thought of YOU being forced to be anything like me! …All right, so I do see the irony in the situation. But I still don't find it funny."
Sasami said cheerfully, "I like it. I think you look good with your hair like that."
"Thank you, Sasami."
Just then, a servant stepped in. "Uh, excuse me, your majesty? The chamberlain told me to remind your majesty that you had planned to hold court at this time. He also mentioned that there are several parties waiting for an audience with your majesty, if it pleases your majesty."
"Now?! Couldn't it wait a bit?!"
"Er… I can inform the chamberlain your majesty shall be late, if your majesty wishes it…"
"No, no. I'm coming."
"…Yes, your majesty…" The servant bowed and left, trying hard to hide his confusion.
Why the heck did you schedule anything right after our 'bonding'?! Ryoko demanded of Ayeka.
I didn't! I was not aware Washu would wish to do the operation this morning when I scheduled this court session.
And you couldn't have canceled it?
What was I to say? That I needed an operation, but not with the royal doctor? That I was subjecting myself to one of Washu's experiments?
Well…
Besides, I did not realize how long Washu's procedure would be. We started it quite early this morning.
Whatever.
o-o-o
The chamberlain was not pleased by Ayeka's new hairdo. "Er, your majesty, you are aware that your hair is, well…"
"A mess?"
The chamberlain gulped. "Well, I would not have chosen those words, but I was noticing it is not your usual style, and I'm not certain it is entirely appropriate for holding court—If you don't mind my saying so…"
Ryoko couldn't resist scowling at him, which caused his face to go pale.
Quickly, Ayeka regained her composure, and said, "Yes, I am aware of this fact, and you are quite justified in saying so. However… well, that is… -I can't get it to lay flat. Big deal—It's only hair!"
The chamberlain's face had begun to recover some color, but his expression was even more shocked than ever. After considering the situation further, he decided to drop the matter.
At first, Ryoko had been afraid she'd have to act all prissy like Ayeka during court. But then Ayeka reminded her, all Ryoko would have to do was let Ayeka handle everything. Unfortunately, even this would prove to be a challenge.
It didn't take long for Ryoko to become incredibly bored. She began amusing herself by making wry comments to Ayeka about the clueless nobles wasting both their time. As this was quite distracting, Ayeka told her to stop, but this only encouraged Ryoko.
To make matters worse, Ayeka often agreed with Ryoko's comments, and several times ended up laughing at them out loud—not a very appropriate action. And as the session continued to drag on, Ayeka's mental defenses began to weaken, and Ryoko's emotions began to show thorough.
Finally, after thoroughly insulting a high-ranking noble, Ayeka put her hand to her head, as if she had a headache. "I'm afraid I'm really not feeling well today. I shall have to postpone all further audiences until another day…"
Eager to end this fiasco before it went any further, the chamberlain agreed, and, urging her to go get some rest, announced that the day's court session was over. As Ayeka headed back to the royal garden, the chamberlain and his assistants began rescheduling appointments, and otherwise performing damage control.
Unnoticed, one royal guard headed back down to the dungeon. "Oh well, she would have just told me she had never even heard of any 'Nobuyuki', anyway…"