Last time around Icy, Darcy and Stormy delivered the third Stone of Power to Malaketh and The Shadow Riders. Malaketh's brother Xallos showed up, but without the fourth stone as Malaketh expected him to have. Apparently someone named The Phantom Renegade took the stone from Xallos. Icy, Darcy and Stormy were then ordered to kill Bloom. On with the show!

Chapter 8: Welcome to Jurai

Without any further information on the actions of the witches, Bloom and the others decided to carry on as planned. "The next step," said Stella, "Is to introduce Roderick to your sister, Ayeka." "I'm somewhat nervous about that part," said Sasami, "As Empress, it's my sister's obligation to make sure I find a good husband who would help provide a royal heir to the throne."

"Well Ayeka shouldn't have anything to worry about Roderick," said Sky as he and the other boys from Red Fountain loaded the girl's luggage onto The Night Rider (Brandon had to make 4 trips for Stella's). Faragonda had given her permission for Bloom and the others to take as much time as they needed. Meanwhile Sky, Brandon, Helia, Timmy and Riven also had permission to go with Bloom to Jurai.

"I hope you're right," said Sasami, "My sister has a nasty temper, it would be unwise to make her angry." "Everything's going to work out, Sasami," said Flora, "You'll see." "The ship has been refueled," said Amanda, "We'll be ready to go as soon as everyone's aboard."

"Mind if we tag along?" asked Elise as she, Morgan and Carmen tossed their luggage into the cargo hold without waiting for an answer, "That would be lovely." "Nobody said you could come along," said Musa. "They can come," said Amanda, "As long as they don't do anything to mess up my baby." She patted the hull of the ship, "That right," she said to The Night Rider, "I won't let the mean, nasty witches hurt you."

"You can rest easy," said Carmen, "We would never waste our magic on this used up rust bucket." "Oh you did not just say that, you bitch!" said Amanda as she grabbed hold of a large wrench, "I did not just hear you insult my ship!" "You want to throw down with me, outlaw?" said Carmen as she charged up a dark-blue energy ball, "You want to dance, let's dance!"

"There's no need to fight," said Morgan, "Not over something like this." She looked Amanda square in the eye, while Amanda looked back, neither of them blinking. After about a minute of glaring they nodded to each other in acknowledgement. Amanda then turned around and went back inside the ship. "What was that all about?" asked Riven. "Just a silent conversation between kindred spirits," said Morgan, "Nothing a boy would understand."

"I'm just wondering," said Bloom, "Why do you three want to go with us to Jurai?" "First reason," said Elise, "I've never been to Jurai. My wish is to see as much as possible while I'm alive." "Second," said Carmen, "In case Icy and those whores she calls sisters show up again, I'll be ready to destroy her for good."

"And the most important reason," said Morgan, "Let's just say it's not going to be exactly safe for the three of us to be around Magicx for the next few days." "Why's that?" asked Tecna. "You'll find out in," said Carmen as she checked her watch, "In about six seconds." Six seconds later a loud 'BANG!' rocked the air. "That sounded like it came from Alfea!" said a shocked Brandon.

"What did you do?" demanded Bloom as she glared at Morgan. "I didn't do anything," said Morgan innocently, and then burst into giggles, "Except plant a very large, invisible stink bomb in Griselda's office!" "An invisible stink bomb?" asked Flora, "In Griselda's office?" "'The El Bongo Stink Bomb' to be exact," said Carmen who was also giggling, as well as Elise, "We've spent three years creating the perfect combination of disgusting smells that'll take a week at the earliest to wear off."

"We timed it to go off when Griselda is supposed to be in her office," said Elise, "But even if she wasn't in there when the bomb detonated, the second she goes in there she'll be plastered with the worst odors known to humanity, and that's saying something." "In that case we'd better leave," said Bloom, "Before Griselda catches you."

"She'll never catch us," said Morgan as the ship prepared to lift-off, "We're on a mission from the gods!" "No we're not," said Carmen, "We did it for laughs." "Well it'd be cool if we were," said Morgan.

Four hours later The Night Rider arrived in orbit around Jurai. "I think I'm having a panic attack," said Sasami, "Ayeka is going to hate Roderick, I just know it." "Relax," said Ryoko, "If there's one thing I know about your sister, is that she doesn't make any decisions about people until she has all the facts."

"I sense you have a grudge against Ayeka," said Bloom, "Or something like that." "I don't like Ayeka," said Ryoko, "And she doesn't like me. But I trust her to always to the right thing, she trusts me to be Sasami's bodyguard, so let's just leave it at that." There's more to it than that, thought Bloom.

"It's so green," said Flora as The Night Rider began its decent towards the planet, "I've rarely seen such a planet that still has so much forestry." "Trees are sacred to us Juraians," said Sasami, "We believe that each tree has its own living soul. Some of Jurai's trees even have minds of their own. Those trees are raised as parts of our own line of starships." "I'd like to see how that is done," said Tecna eagerly. "Me too," said Timmy. "Indeed," said Elise.

The Night Rider landed at the Juraian Royal Space Port. "And here's our welcoming committee," said Sasami as a large greeting party approached the ship, "The one in the lead is The Dowager Empress Funaho, my dad's first wife." The woman indicated by Sasami had long dark hair and brown eyes. She wore Japanese style robes. "Welcome home, Princess Sasami," said Funaho.

"I thank you, Lady Funaho," said Sasami, "It is good to be home. This is my potential fiancé, Roderick." "It's an honor to meet you, my lady," said Roderick. Sasami then introduced Bloom and the others. "Sasami has told me a lot about you girls," said Funaho, "And I've especially heard a lot about you, Bloom."

"I don't mean to sound too pressing," said Bloom, "But are you really from Earth?" "Yes," said Funaho, "Lord Azusa, the former emperor, he came to Earth about 4,000 years ago to study the planet. He met me and it was love at first sight. One thing led to another, an I, a simple farmer girl from ancient Japan wound up as Empress of Jurai."

"But that was 4,000 years ago," said Brandon, "Yet you don't look a day over 30, 35 at the most. How can that be?" "I can explain that," said a female voice. Bloom and the others looked down to see a short woman with long, spiky-red hair and large green eyes. "Forgive me, Washu," said Sasami, "We didn't see you down there."

"Its okay, Sasami," said Washu, "I'm used to it. As I was saying, the reason Juraians live so long is due to the natural background radiation of the planet, as well with the other 6 planets in this star system. The very air you younglings are breathing contain electron-sized particles that promote cellular regeneration. Spend enough time on Jurai and the aging process begins to slow down, even stop. The effects are permanent, so if you were to spend oh, say 20 years on Jurai and then return to your home planet, not only would you look younger than you are, but also you would have added several decades to your lifespan. As it turns out, Juraians and humans born on Earth have almost an identical genetic makeup, so if a human who was born on Earth moves to Jurai and spends several years here, he, she or in this case Lady Funaho, will have their life greatly extended."

"Am I the only one who didn't get what she was saying?" asked Riven. "You're not alone," said Musa. "I think I get it," said Bloom, "If you spend time on Jurai, you'll end up living a longer, healthier life." "That's right," said Sasami, "That's why Jurai is known for its many health resorts."

"Wait a second," said Elise, "Wait one second here; you're Washu?" "Yep," said Washu, "That's my name, don't wear it out." "The Washu?" asked Tecna. "No," said Washu, "A Washu, remember, I come in a six-pack."

"Washu," said Timmy, "The greatest scientific mind in the galaxy? In fact the whole universe?" "I wouldn't go as far as to say the whole universe," said Washu, "But yes, I am pretty great."

"Pinch me," said a very excited Elise, "I must be dreaming!" Morgan then pinched Elise on the arm. "Why did you do that?" asked Elise as she rubbed her arm. "You said to pinch you," said Morgan. "We're definitely awake, ladies," said Timmy, "We're in the presence of 'The Goddess of Science!'" Elise, Timmy and Tecna then started to bow before Washu and chanted 'We are not worthy! We are not worthy!'

"There's no need for that," said Washu, "I'm not really that special. Just call me Little Washu!" "You may be small in terms of height," said Ryoko, "But your ego is the size of a Juraian battleship." "Nice to see you again, Ryoko," said Washu. She then began to walk around the former space pirate as if inspecting Ryoko. "Do you have to do this every time you see me after I go away for an extended period of time?" complained Ryoko.

"No," said Washu as she finished her inspection, "I do it because it annoys you. Uh-huh, yes, you seem to be in good shape. You might want to work on tightening your buns a bit, they're starting to sag again." "There's nothing wrong with my ass, you female pervert!" raged Ryoko. "Is that any way to talk to your mom?" asked Washu.

"She's her mom?" asked Stella. "You see," said Sasami, "Washu used her DNA to create Ryoko." "So you're into genetics, Dr. Washu," said Bloom, trying to prevent a fight from breaking out between Washu and Ryoko. "Mostly genetics," said Washu, "But I also have experience in quantum physics and temporal mechanics." "What are those?" asked Stella. "I think temporal means time," said Flora, "And I may be wrong, but I think quantum physics has something to do with what makes the universe tick."

"Enough talk about science," said Lady Funaho, "Come, the Empress awaits." "And I know how much Ayeka hates to be kept waiting," said Sasami, "So let's go. I'll show you to my house."

Ten minutes later…

"This is your house?" asked an amazed Flora. They were standing before a large Japanese style castle that must have had at least 1,000 rooms. "I know it's a bit over done," said Sasami, "But it's home." It's weird that a lot of Juraian style is very similar to that found in Japan, thought Bloom.

They were led to a large chamber, which Bloom correctly assumed was the throne room. At the far end of the room was a large gold and emerald throne, and sitting on the throne was a woman who looked to be in her early twenties, yet Bloom had no idea how old she really was. The woman had long dark-purple hair and bright-red eyes like Sasami. She wore long flowing Japanese style purple robes.

"Welcome home, Sasami," said Empress Ayeka, she spoke in a mild British accent to Bloom's ears. "It's good to be home, big sister," said Sasami. Ayeka stood up from her throne, walked down to Sasami and embraced her sister. "I trust you were successful in finding a candidate for a husband?" asked Ayeka.

"I sure was, sister," said Sasami, "This is Roderick of Solaria." "It's an honor, your majesty," said Roderick as he and the boys bowed, while Bloom and the girls curtseyed. Ayeka then examined Roderick almost the same way Washu had examined Ryoko. "Very nice, Sasami," complemented Ayeka, "Very nice indeed."

Ayeka then set her red colored eyes on Stella, "And you must be Roderick's cousin," she said, "Stella, Princess of Solaria." "I am honored to meet the sister of my friend," said Stella, "She speaks very highly of you." "And here we have Sky," said Ayeka, "Crowned Prince of Eraklyon, and then we have the legendary Bloom of Sparkx. I don't know if anyone has told you this, but you, young lady, are the almost exact image of your birth-mother."

"I am?" asked Bloom. "Almost in every detail," said Ayeka, "Except the eyes. Your father had the same color eyes. Your parents were good people, very good people, and good friends with Jurai. I still think of them. I doubt you'd remember them." "Only bits and pieces," said Bloom, "I am told that my father was a strong leader, while my mother was a most kind and generous person." "They were," said Ayeka.

Just then a woman in a blue and white police uniform came running into the throne room. She had long, curly-blond hair, blue eyes and very tanned skin. "I'm so sorry I'm late!" she exclaimed in a high-toned voice, "I had a terrible time with traffic." "I'll excuse your lateness, Mihoshi," said Ayeka, "This time."

"It won't happen again," said Mihoshi. "Sure it won't," muttered Ryoko. "So," said Mihoshi to Sasami, "Did you find a husband yet?" "Manners, Mihoshi," said Washu, "It's polite to introduce yourself first." "Oh yeah," said Mihoshi, "Where's my head today?" "Probably where you left your brain," muttered Ryoko.

"Detective First-Class Mihoshi of the Galaxy Police at your service," saluted Mihoshi. Just then there was a loud 'Boom!' coming from somewhere in the castle. "Oh no," said Washu, "Not now!" She ran off to parts unknown in the castle. "You didn't go into Washu's lab again, Mihoshi," said Sasami, "Did you? You know how she hates it when you mess around with her equipment."

"I haven't been in Washu's lab in days," said Mihoshi defensively, "And for your information, those were accidents." Washu returned a few minutes later, partly covered in black soot. "Just a minor chemical reaction," said Washy as she brushed the soot off, "Nothing to worry about." "What kind of reaction are you talking about?" asked Timmy eagerly.

Washu then began to go into a long speech that Bloom didn't clearly understand. In fact, only Timmy, Tecna and Elise had any idea what Washu was talking about. "That's brilliant," said an amazed Tecna, "More than brilliant, pure genius!" "Now why didn't I think of that?" asked Elise.

"While the brains are in their own world," said Ryoko, "Tell me, Ayeka; are you happy with Sasami's choice for a husband? Because I am." "There was once a time, Miss Ryoko," said Ayeka, "When I believed your opinion was of little or no value. That changed when you Sasami chose you as her bodyguard. She trusts you, therefore I trust you. In answer to your question; yes, I am happy with Sasami's choice. Roderick would make an ideal husband, and I'm sure he'd be a wonderful father for the next heir of Jurai. Yes, I believe we have a match."

"Thank you, sister," said a very happy sounding Sasami. "Assuming we already have the permission of his parents," said Ayeka, but was interrupted by an eager sounding Roderick, "We have their permission," said Roderick, "They're as anxious to have me married as you are to have Sasami married." "Then we have a match," said Ayeka." She signaled to the many attendants in the throne room, "Let the engagement celebrations commence!"

The end of chapter 8. Next chapter, as the engagement party gets rolling, Icy, Darcy and Stormy show up to spoil everyone's fun. Reviews will be thanked with cake and pie. See you next time!