I do not own the rights to the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim to. The idea, however, is mine.
Of Princesses and Space Pirates
Chapter 11: No Need for Emotional Baggage, Part 1
The Outlaw Star began to slow in acceleration, going at a more normal speed its' crew was used to. The energy emanating from Washu dissipated, and she turned towards the group, a satisfied look crossing her features. "Okay, everyone," she stated. "We're far enough away from Salgassou, now. You can have control of the ship again, Gene."
"Gee, thanks," he dead-panned sarcastically. He looked at her, glaring slightly. "Why didn't you tell us you were some sort of all-powerful goddess?"
"Oh," she asked, raising her eyebrows slightly. She looked to where Ayeka stood with a pale face, and then turned to her sister. "I see you've been telling our history, Tsunami."
"Washu," Tenchi began tentatively, gaining her attention. "Why would you keep something like this from us?" A hurt expression crossed his face.
"It was a bit of a conflict of interest," she replied. "Sorry, Tenchi."
"Conflict of interest," he exclaimed, frowning slightly. "But… even Ryoko didn't know about this. Why wouldn't you at least tell her?"
Ryoko looked at Washu expectantly, but something Tenchi had said began to stir a memory in the recesses of her mind, as if trying to resurface. "The same thing happened here, when Sasami had that episode," she thought. Subconsciously, she rubbed her wrist, where one of the stones she possessed lay dormant. She frowned, as the memory continued to nag at her.
"Well now," Washu began slowly, "that's not entirely true."
"What do you mean, Washu," Ayeka asked, casting a brief look in Ryoko's direction.
"There's really no easy way for you to take this information, Ayeka," Washu stated. Shaking her head slightly, she turned and looked at Tsunami. "How much have you told them already?"
"I haven't said anything concerning the stones, if that's what you mean."
"Ah, I see," the red-haired woman murmured.
"What about the stones?" Washu looked at Ryoko, who had spoken. She tilted her head to the side and smiled.
"Well, let's just jump right into this, then," she exclaimed cheerfully, in true Washu-fashion. She raised her arms into the air, and extra seats appeared behind those who were left standing. Sitting down in a chair, the others followed Washu's lead. "You see, each of the stones represent-"
"We discussed that already, Washu," Ryoko interrupted impatiently.
"Oh, well I see," she pouted slightly, crossing her legs. "Then Ryoko, you know you hold the true, so-called Juraian stones… No?" she asked, after looking at the shocked faces of Ryoko, Ayeka, and even Tenchi.
"Washu," Tenchi began, "what are you saying? This can't be true. If Ryoko already held the true stones, why did she try and take the ones from my sword? How do you explain the rivalry between her, and the Juraians? None of it would make sense if what you're saying is true."
"It all goes back to what I was saying earlier, Tenchi," Tsunami answered, turning in her seat to look at him. "The Juraian counsel summoned Tokimi, Washu, and me before them. When they expressed their wish to be free from our rule and guidance, we respectfully asked for time to think it over."
"But, I thought you said you wanted to hand over control of the planet to the Juraian people," Ayeka questioned, trying as best she could to calmly take in the situation.
"Of course we did," Washu replied. "But in time. We all felt really strongly that it may have been too soon for their independence; especially Tokimi. It was an issue that caused the beginning of a rift in our relationship. Despite our differences, the three of us came to make a decision possible. Tokimi and I would leave the planet, however Tsunami was to stay. She became an advisor to the first crowned King – your great, great Grandfather, Ayeka."
"So, she was kinda like a viceroy or something," Jim asked.
"Yes, something like that," Washu replied with a laugh.
"But why choose Tsunami to stay," Ayeka asked. "Where did you and Tokimi go?"
"Out of the three of us, Tsunami felt the most empathy for the people of Jurai," Washu replied. "I wasn't happy about leaving Tsunami behind, and Tokimi was almost dead-set against it. However, we had to come to make the best decision. So, Tokimi and I thought Tsunami would be the best candidate to continue to help guide the planet to prosperity, successfully. As to where the two of us went, Tokimi retreated to the planet that came to be known as planet Dragon, and I found a small planet called Tenrei."
"Tenrei," Gene exclaimed.
"Yes, the Hot Springs planet," Washu stated. "Only then, it wasn't a resort, as it is today."
"But all this still doesn't prove Ryoko holds the three Juraian stones," Ayeka stated skeptically.
"Ayeka," Tsunami began, "your great, great Grandfather was a wonderful, sincerely compassionate man. He cared deeply for the well-being of his people. However, it was truly the counsel who ruled the planet, and through underhanded means. On the surface, they appeared loyal to the King. However, they held secret conferences, to discuss ways to make the planet a feared, powerful force in the universe."
"Then why didn't you warn the King of this treachery," Ayeka demanded. "It was your job as his trusted advisor!"
"He didn't want to believe his counsel was capable of treason," Tsunami recalled. "I told him many, many times; however the counsel whispered lies to him, telling him I just wanted to take control of the planet away from him. Eventually, he came to believe these lies, over my concerns or advice. I began to fear for my safety; the counsel made strange requests of me to use my power for the advancement of the planet. And so, I left Jurai briefly, to visit Washu on Tenrei. Upon arrival, I was greeted by her three apprentices, and also-"
"Whoa, wait, wait! You don't mean Urt, Ark, and Hadaul, do you," Gene interrupted.
"Oh, you're familiar with my apprentices," Washu stated, her eyebrows arched in surprise. "That's unexpected."
"I knew Hadaul was pretty damn old, but Urt and Ark can't be," he replied incredulously. "They can't be any older than I am!"
"Yes, well, Hadaul was already an older man when I met him," Washu recollected. "Ark and Urt were in their early twenties, and very eager to learn what I had to teach. Under my guidance, I helped them with their different projects."
"Did that include the creation of the castor weapons and their magic," Jim asked.
"Well no, not that project," Washu answered. "That, they did on their own. I was very impressed by their success, actually."
"But that still doesn't explain why Urt and Ark are still so young." Gene paused, frowning in thought. "Or why Hadaul is still alive, for that matter," he added as an afterthought.
"I made them demigods," Washu answered without much thought or hesitation. "They don't have any true powers, like what my sisters and I possess, but they have the ability to stunt their aging. This doesn't make them immortal by any means," she continued quickly, as Gene opened his mouth to say something. "They just age slower; much slower than a normal person."
"Tsunami, what happened when you got to Tenrei," Aisha asked, bored with what Washu was saying, and eager to continue on with the story.
"When I arrived at Washu's home, I was escorted to her laboratory by Urt," she continued. "I had a feeling she was expecting a visit from me, though."
"Yes, I was," Washu added. "I had heard rumors that great scientific advances had been made by the Juraian scientists in my short absence. I was hoping Tsunami would seek me out, so that I might look into this rumor."
"And it was true," Tsunami confirmed. "Juraian scientists had already created the prototype for the Tenchiken, which brings us back to the reason I went to see Washu in the first place. The next project Juraian scientists began to work on was a war ship."
"But why would you have concerns about that," Ayeka asked, confused. "You couldn't have expected the Juraian people to be defenseless, in case of an assault on our planet!"
"We never intended for Jurai to be an aggressive or hostile planet," Washu began. "We intended for it to be an ambassador of peace, so to speak."
"Our wish was to unite the warring galaxies," Tsunami explained. "And Jurai would have been the tool to doing just that. But with the Juraians beginning to create weapons for destruction, that just wasn't a possibility."
"So what did you and Washu discuss," Melfina asked. She sat on the arm of the pilot's chair, next to Gene; her usual spot whenever she wasn't navigating the Outlaw Star.
"I told her of my concerns," the woman answered. "How I feared for my own well-being."
"But you're this powerful being," Melfina insisted. "Why fear for your safety? Couldn't you just protect yourself?" Ryoko looked in Melfina's direction, staring at her intently. Melfina glanced up in her direction suddenly, and Ryoko averted her gaze.
"Of course she was powerful enough to protect herself," Ryoko contemplated silently. "Only, she didn't need to worry about that…" She allowed her thoughts to trail, as Washu interrupted her musings.
"You have to try and understand one thing, Melfina. Tsunami has a very gentle, very kind constitution," Washu explained. "Even if she wanted to, she couldn't hurt the people of Jurai. But when Tokimi and I left that planet, I was already concerned for her well-being. And this was before all the deceit of the counsel and scientific advances were being made. I had already begun taking measures to ensure her safety while she stayed on Jurai."
"That's why you created me," Ryoko stated quietly, her past slowly beginning to resurface. "I also greeted Tsunami, that day she came to visit you." She allowed her voice to trail, and looked at Tsunami with a new perspective. "That's why I feel so protective over Sasami," she realized. "It's because of your connection with her."
Tsunami smiled gently. "It's very possible, yes."
"But why wouldn't I remember that part of my life," she asked, her forehead wrinkling in frustration. She brought her hand up to her face, massaging the bridge of her nose as she closed her eyes in concentration. "I didn't remember any of this, all that time I was searching for answers. So why would it surface now?"
"It was most likely triggered due to the possible danger Sasami and Tsunami may be in," Washu explained. She stood from her seat, walking over to stand in front of Ryoko. She grabbed a hold of her wrist, and continued, "This stone in your wrist keeps you connected to Tsunami. When she's in danger, you'll know it; feel it. And this one," she added, grabbing Ryoko's other wrist, "keeps you connected to me."
Ryoko frowned slightly, taking in the information. "But… how?"
"When I first had my concerns, I began the process of creating you while I was still back on Jurai," Washu began. "I began in secret, of course. But when I was forced to leave, you weren't completely finished. You had the ability to phase, and fly, and such, but you still didn't have the power behind the brawn, so to speak. That's a major reason I sought out apprentices. I needed a little help; mostly a place to continue what I had begun. That's why I enlisted Hadaul, Ark, and Urt's help."
"They were my teachers," Ryoko recalled, a wry smile crossing her face.
"That's right," Washu stated. "Hadaul was in charge of your education, Ark taught you to fight in both weapon and hand-to-hand combat, and Urt taught you in the ways of acceptable mannerisms and proper etiquette."
"Oh yeah right," Gene snorted out a laugh. "Urt? As in Urt, of Mt. Nyotai? That woman's the last person I'd expect to…" He allowed his voice to trail, clearing his throat noisily.
"Anyway," Washu continued, shaking her head slightly at Gene's comments, "Ryoko's training was complete, but I still felt that because of the advancements Jurai had already made, it may not have been enough for her to protect Tsunami. So, the two of us bestowed upon her the tiniest amounts of our power. It allows her to have all those abilities she possesses at will."
"Wait, so are you saying that Ark, Urt, and Hadaul have more power than Ryoko does," Gene asked. Washu looked at him, as she turned and sat back in her seat.
"Not at all," she sighed. "Like I said, they don't have any true power, whereas Ryoko taps into our power directly. It's what sets her apart, and makes her special. You'd agree with me, wouldn't Gene," she asked, giving him a wolfish smile. Ryoko sent a glare in her direction, and as she was about to say something, Tsunami cut in.
"Soon afterwards, Ryoko and I returned to Jurai," Tsunami continued, as Gene shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I didn't want my absence to be noticed by anyone. However both Washu and I thought it would be better if Ryoko's existence was kept secret as well. The power she held was great, and we were sure that Juraian scientists would try and use that power to make more scientific advancements for their planet."
"We had hoped that Ryoko's presence on Jurai would only be temporary," Washu added, "That if the danger to Tsunami passed, Ryoko would be able to return to me. At that point, I could take away some of her power."
"Yeah, well, that didn't work out either, now did it," Ryoko asked, a frown darkening her features.
"So what happened?" Ryoko glanced in Suzuka's direction - who had asked the question – and she cleared her throat slightly.
"Tsunami's favorite pastime was to tend to the Juraian trees," Ryoko explained, after a few moments' silence. "That's where my hiding place was, actually; in the tree nursery. Anyway, there was one tree in particular that she infused some of her powers with. In fact, it was from that same exact tree, that Ryo-oh-ki was born; the original Ryo-oh-ki." She paused momentarily, and a nostalgic smile crossed her features. "The original Ryo-chan was very energetic – hyper, almost. But one day, she got loose outside of the tree nursery. Now Tsunami was very strict about where we were allowed to go, and we were never to be seen outside of the nursery in the middle of the day. So, I chased after Ryo-oh-ki, trying to capture her so that I could take her back; so we wouldn't get into any trouble. Instead of finding Ryo-chan, I came across a conference room, where Tsunami was being interrogated by the Jurai counsel about her whereabouts while she was with Washu. What happened after that is what caused Tsunami to lose her physical form." She paused, standing from her seat. She distanced herself from the group, as she walked over to look out the view-window. "I overheard them questioning about what she was up to, and where she had gone," she recalled. "Then they demanded that she use her powers to help them finish their plans for the warship. She must have sensed my presence, because she turned and looked at me as I began to phase through the wall."
"I did not want them to discover Ryoko's existence," Tsunami reiterated, as Ryoko grew quiet. "So I demonstrated to the counsel my ability to summon the Lighthawk wings as a distraction, so they would not notice Ryoko's presence. Immediately, they wanted that power. I knew that they would. I asked for some time, promising them what they had continually asked of me."
"You broke down and gave them some of your power," Gene asked incredulously.
Tsunami smiled sadly. "No, I did something far worse than that," she answered. "At the time, Washu did not know that Tokimi, too, had concerns for my well-being. The tree that I had began to cultivate, was actually infused with the tiniest amount of Tokimi's power, as well as mine. Tokimi's intention for the tree was that if I were ever in any danger, it would protect me from harm; it was an embodiment of her presence. All I need do was to go to it. So, after the counsel dismissed me, I returned to the nursery. By that time, Ryoko and Ryo-oh-ki had already returned as well. Wordlessly, I went to the tree, and began to extract some of Tokimi's energy, forming it into the first of the three stones that I would give to the Juraians. Then, beckoning Ryoko to come before me, I told her that I needed the power Washu and I had given her."
"She asked me to place my hands against the tree," Ryoko recalled, turning back around to face the others. "As I did what she asked, energy rained down from its' branches, passing through the stones in my wrists. Duplicates of the stones I possessed appeared, and Tsunami took them into her possession. She told me that she felt that we would both soon be in danger, and that she wanted to leave with me as soon as possible. However, what neither of us realized was that that counsel had summoned the King, and told him that Tsunami was planning to make her move to overthrow his reign."
"As I took hold of the stones," Tsunami continued, "the King and his personal guard entered the tree nursery. It was too late for Ryoko to hide. Both of us noticed that he wielded the Tenchiken, and Ryoko stepped in front of me protectively. He demanded to know who she was, however before I could answer, he accused me of what the counsel told him I had planned on doing all along. I tried to reassure him that the counsel was lying, even handing the stones to him right then. As I did so, they began to react towards the sword on their own accord, and merged with it. A great power surged from the sword, and an unforeseen occurrence unfolded. Too much of my power had been used; first, in tending to the tree, and of course, creating the stone for Ryoko and then replicas for the Juraians. I could feel my strength begin to ebb away. Using the last of my resources, I sent Ryoko and Ryo-oh-ki away from Jurai, despite Ryoko's protests; I would not have the Juraians using them to further manipulate our power."
Those aboard the Outlaw Star, save for Washu and Ryoko, listened in stunned silence. Ayeka shook with silent grief. "You died," she asked quietly. "You died, for us to gain the powers we possess?"
"No, not exactly, Ayeka," Tsunami answered. "While it was true, that I was growing weak, I only needed time to recover the energy I lost. However, in order to do that, I needed to assimilate with another life form. The only reasonable choice I could make at the time was to assimilate with the tree I had nurtured to maturity."
"So that part of Jurai's history still holds true, then," Tenchi asked uncertainly.
"In a way, yes, that is correct," Tsunami stated. "In the state I was in, I could still sense what went on around me. However physically, I could do nothing to stop the Juraians, as they began to grow and cultivate more trees from the saplings of the tree my spirit resided. Soon, they were able to build their warships. Also, because the King held the Tenchiken at the time the stones merged, some of that power seeped into him. He gained the ability to summon the Lighthawk wings, and the power that all Juraian royals possess, was passed down from him to the next generation."
"It's no wonder you hate us, Ryoko," Ayeka whispered, gaining the woman's attention. "Being ignorant to the truth of my own history, I only added to your hatred of us." She turned her gaze away from the former space pirate, bowing her head in shame.
"So how does Kagato play a part in this history, then?" Tsunami and the others looked in the direction the question came from, noticing Mihoshi standing there, supporting Kiyone.
"Kiyone," Tenchi exclaimed, standing as the two women joined the others.
"I see you recovered faster than I expected, Kiyone," Washu observed.
"Thanks to you," she smiled. Pulling away from Mihoshi slightly, she slowly walked over towards Tenchi, taking the seat he offered her. The color had returned to her face, and she seemed stronger, although she still walked stiffly with pain. Grimacing as she sat down, she looked in Washu's direction. "I've been listening to what you've been saying," she continued. "If the rivalry between Ryoko and the Juraians was caused by what happened to Tsunami, then how do you account for what happened dealing with Kagato? How does he fit into all of this?"
"That's the only part of it, that doesn't make sense to me," Washu answered. "I honestly can't tell you, who Kagato truly is."
"He was Tokimi's apprentice." Washu turned her gaze towards Ryoko, who had spoken. Crossing her arms in front of her, she walked back closer to the group. "When Tsunami sent me and Ryo-chan away from Jurai, we incidentally ended up on Planet Dragon. It was Kagato, who found me, weakened from the extraction of the power from my stones." She paused, allowing a confident smile to grace her features. "Granted, I could have fought him if I felt I was in danger, but I could sense Tokimi's power all around. It radiated especially strongly from him. He extended a helping hand towards me, offering a kind smile." She shook her head, before continuing, "That's when he took me to Tokimi. She automatically sensed yours and Tsunami's powers within me. She asked who I was, and I explained everything to her. I could tell she grew angry as I recalled my story, but I didn't care; I wasn't sure what had happened to Tsunami, and was desperate to get back to Jurai. She promised to help me get back. But she told me that in my current state, I wasn't strong enough to help Tsunami; that I had failed in my mission to protect her, and only she could rectify it."
"Is this when you gained Tokimi's power, and the ability to summon those creatures," Washu asked, her brow knitting together.
"Her power," she snorted out bitterly. "Yeah, you could say that. I accepted the stone she created, or more accurately, it was forced upon me. I was filled with an intensely deep hatred for the Juraians; though I was already angry about the whole situation, those feelings paled in comparison to what I was feeling with Tokimi's power coursing through me. I wanted to return to Jurai right then, but Tokimi insisted the timing wasn't right; that there were preparations to still be made. What I didn't know, was that she had already been planning to invade Jurai, and my sudden appearance was the key to doing that. When she did finally allow me to return to Jurai, it was during the reign of King Azusa." She paused, and it was her turn to hang her head in shame. "We all know what happened after that," she continued softly. "The only good that came of it, was Tsunami's resurrection, and, Yosho ultimately freeing me from Tokimi's control," she added, gaining a far-off look in her gaze. "However, during the time Yosho lived on Earth, Kagato assumed his identity, claiming to be the true heir. If only I had realized this during that time, I could have saved us a lot of trouble. I should have remembered when Kagato's shadow came for me, on Earth. I just… I just couldn't remember any of it."
"What I don't understand, is why Tokimi wants control of Jurai so badly," Tenchi began. "Why not just take control, instead of going through all that trouble?" Washu looked towards Tsunami, and vice-versa, however neither one said anything. Noticing the discreet exchange, Ayeka cleared her throat.
"What aren't you saying?" Washu looked at her, a conflicted look behind her eyes. "Please, Washu," Ayeka pleaded. "What aren't you telling us?"
"We don't have any other choice, Washu," Tsunami spoke softly.
Washu sighed. "Jurai sits at the center of a powerful cosmic axis," she began. "It's why my sisters and I chose Jurai. From there, we could manipulate that power. When we set out to bring peace to the galaxies, it truly was our intention. We set a pact, so that individually none of us were more powerful than the other two; only a displacement of power could change that. Together, the three of us would shape the future, until that peace was achieved. However, witnessing the greed and ingratitude of the Juraian people changed something in Tokimi. It took a long time, before I sensed what had happened to Tsunami. But when I felt the shift in power, I knew that our sister would, as well. With the pact broken, she could completely manipulate the axis herself, if she chose to do so. Immediately, I went to Tokimi, and the two of us exchanged words, among other things." She paused, smiling sadly at the memory. "I'll spare you the details," she continued. "In the end, I had to lock Tokimi away, until the day would come that Tsunami would be strong enough, so that our pact would come back into place."
"I don't ever remember you being on Dragon," Ryoko frowned.
"And I never sensed you there, either," Washu answered. "Tokimi's power must have corrupted you, because during the time you were under the influence of her power, I could never sense where you were. I… thought the worst had happened to you, when Tsunami's energy waned."
"The Leyline is the place where you imprisoned this Tokimi," Suzuka asked, causing Washu to nod her head. "Why would you build the Outlaw Star, then, if the purpose of the ship was to enter the Leyline? If you didn't want anyone to free her prematurely, that doesn't seem to make very much sense."
"It's true that the Leyline is Tokimi's imprisonment," Washu explained. "However, it would take both Tsunami and I to free her from it. Creating the Leyline exhausted a great amount of my energy; almost to the point where my powers waned to nothing. I made plans for the XGP, because I would need a way to find the Leyline once again, in case my powers didn't return to me until the time that Tsunami regained her powers."
"So the fight between you and Tokimi stripped away your powers," Suzuka asked.
Washu nodded her head. "Yes, because of the balance of power pact the three of us made," she answered. "When any one of us grows weak, the other two are also affected; the fight between Tokimi and I only caused us both to grow even weaker. After sealing her behind the true entrance to the Leyline, and placing a strong barrier around the building, I was suddenly able to sense Ryoko once again. The corruption from Tokimi's power threw Ryoko's mind into a state of confusion and chaos. I used the very last of my powers to transmigrate to Jurai, however I was too late. I witnessed Yosho chase Ryoko away from Jurai, but had no power to follow them."
"At this point, I could sense Washu's presence on Jurai," Tsunami continued. "But I had already assimilated with Sasami, and her body was too weak to emit my powers."
"I searched for Tsunami, but could never detect her presence, because the young princesses' natural abilities still had yet to mature," Washu stated. "Knowing that that place was where Tsunami's presence resided, I temporarily took up the life of a mortal; I attended school, gaining recognition for my unique intelligence. The Juraians had a great respect for me, ignorant to the fact of who I really was."
"Generally, the public had no knowledge of either of my sister's existences; only mine," Tsunami added. "Through Sasami's studies, she learned the fake history of Jurai. The extent of my power was strongest while Sasami slept. I was able to project myself, and it was during those times that I learned that descendants of the first King's Counsel still whispered the truths of our existence, and sought out to find our lost power. The Counsel kept this knowledge from the public and the Jurai Royals."
"Several hundred years passed, and finally, slowly, Tsunami's powers began to emit from Sasami. I, too, was beginning to regain some of my dormant powers," Washu recalled. "By this time, I had gained recognition, and graduated with top honors from Jurai's prestigious university. I was asked to help create a ship more powerful than even the Jurai flagships." She paused, and her features darkened. "What I wasn't aware of, was that the Counsel members had come to recognize who I truly was. I agreed to help, and once again found myself on Planet Dragon. When I arrived, I discovered that my plans had been found; the Counsel contracted the help of the Special Force and Kei pirates, and the XGP had already been created. The Counsel demanded to know how to gain access to the Leyline, using the ship. Naturally, I refused to answer. Under orders from the Counsel, it was the pirates that trapped me in the dimensional prison, where I would stay for several more hundred years."
"You were freed, when Kagato's shadow showed up on Earth for the first time," Tenchi recalled, "after Ryoko had already been released from the cavern prison Yoshi placed her in."
Washu nodded her head. "That's right."
"Don't forget that the Special Force and Kei pirates fought over what to do with the plans and the XGP," Gene reminded. "Then Hilda stole the ship, and the Outlaw Star ended up in my possession. So I guess, in a way, you totally owe me for keeping this ship from falling into the wrong hands." He crossed his arms across his chest, allowing a cocky smile to cross his face.
"Not necessarily, Gene," Washu replied, causing him to scowl. "When Tsunami and I began regaining our powers, Tokimi did, as well. There was a flaw in my seal to the entrance of the Leyline, and Tokimi created a key, which would free her from it. However, the Special Force officers took that key away from Dragon, before she could manipulate anyone into freeing her."
"Do you mean the Dragon Sphinx key," Mihoshi asked, her eyes widening slightly.
A look of surprise crossed Washu's face. "Yes, why do you ask?"
"That's what the MacDougall brothers were after," she exclaimed. "They took it from the base. But how would they even know about it?"
"Obviously they're under Tokimi's control," Ryoko answered. "It makes sense, now, why the younger one was attracted to Sasami, back on Sentinel." She punched a fist into her other hand, and a glint of excitement flashed in her eyes. "They would have taken the key back to Tokimi by now, right," she asked. "I owe those bastards one for what they did to Kiyone, and also for putting Sasami through hell."
"Ah-ah, Ryoko, not so fast," Washu started, raising a hand into the air. "If the key has been placed in the Alter of Restoration, then Tokimi's already been freed from the Leyline. She's also regained all, or nearly all of her power like Tsunami and I have."
"What's the Alter of Restoration?" Washu looked towards Melfina, who had asked the question.
"It's that indention in the ground, which stands in front of the entrance to the Leyline, Melfina," she answered. "A statue rises from that spot, and it's where you place the Dragon Sphinx key. It sets Tokimi free."
"You mean she can come after Sasami now," Jim asked, his voice full of concern.
"No, the barrier will hold her there, but only for so long," Washu answered. "Don't worry, Jim. Nothing will happen to Sasami."
"Sasami has grown to understand her role in this fate," Tsunami stated. "Her acceptance has made both of us stronger."
"What does that mean, Tsunami," Ayeka asked.
"It means that we need to stop Tokimi." A glowing figure appeared next to Tsunami, revealing Sasami, as the emanating power resided.
"Sasami!"
The younger Juraian princess glanced towards her sister, smiling slightly before turning her attention back to Washu. "Washu, we need to go to Planet Dragon," she stated. "If she gets free from the Temple, then she'll-"
"Don't worry about Tokimi, Sasami," Washu interrupted.
Sasami frowned slightly. "But-"
"You may have accepted your fate, Sasami," Washu continued. "But you are not strong enough to stand against her."
"I can try!"
"No, she's right, Sasami," Ryoko stated. "It's too dangerous."
Washu stood from her seat once again, turning towards the Outlaw Star's main console. "I suggest for now, we return to Tenrei," she began. "Gilliam, I've set the coordinates."
"Tenrei," Gene asked. "But why go back there?"
She turned, smiling at him secretly. "I have my reasons."
To Be Continued…