Chapter 21: No Need for Father
A ship descended onto the Masaki household. Someone new started to show themselves. After landing, the large tanned man appearing soon after. "Father!" gasped Ayeka. The father approached the group.
"Azusa darlinng," Funaho named, "We had no idea you were nearby." Ash and Pikachu eyed Azusa, concern building among Pokémon and Trainer.
"So, he's Azusa," Ash gulped. Azusa faced Katsuhito.
"Father," Katsuhito murmured.
"I did not mean to return so suddenly, Yosho," the father apologized. "My reason is that I learned about the goddess Tsunami rrevealing herself here." Sasami gasped, looking down at her feet.
"She did appear," Ayeka confirmed. "She arisen to meet young Ash and explain her duty." Azusa nodded, believing Ayeka. He turned to Sasami, standing by Ash and Pikachu.
"Stay away from my daughter, right now," he ordered. Ash and Pikachu gawked before stepping from Sasami. She realized the magnitude of the ordeal.
"Father, don't hurt him!" she pleaded. Azusa shook his head to his youngest child.
"As long as he's compliant," he voiced. "He will suffer no harm." Ash and Pikachu seemed a bit relieved to know that Azusa wouldn't hurt him without reasoning.
"Just to let you know, dear," Misaki started. "Ash and Sasami have started to date and they're just discovering their love for-"
"Why!?" snapped Azusa. "No Earthling should be allowed to date any of my daughters, even if they have Juraian blood flowing through their bodies." He took a deep breath before choosing his next move. "Let's enter and discuss matters." They all reentered in the household except for Washu, Ash and Pikachu.
"I know how upsetting it is when Daddy Dearest denies your doting," she brought up.
"I don't want to rush into the conversation, Mom," Ash whispered. "Let's go back inside." Agreeing, Washu placed her hand on Ash's back as they headed back to the household. Inside, Azusa sat across the table from Ayeka and Katsuhito.
"Yosho, I'm still upset at you for running yourself into exile," Azusa accused.
"Father, it's more complicated to understand why I left your sight 700 years ago," Katsuhito mulled. "You may be king, but you don't comprehend the trauma of marrying who's my sister."
"It's not that I don't listen, but I feel that being members of the Masaki household remains holding strong," Azusa dismissed.
"It is not that he's wrong, father," Ayeka tried to explain. "It's more about what our feelings were about each other, including Sasami." Azusa listened to the argument while Ryoko, Mihoshi and Ash listened.
"I don't like how the king's making knee-jerk reactions because of what Sasami just got," Ryoko growled while holding Pikachu.
"Isn't the reason the king's coming by because of Tsunami appearing?" wondered Mihoshi.
"Maybe," Ash figured. "After what happened, I wouldn't be surprised if other Juraians came down to find her." Azusa refocused on the topic at hand.
"Princess Sasami may be young to love someone, let alone an Earthling like that boy," he brought up. "What can you tell me about him?"
"Ash may be a mere boy," Ayeka started. "But he's a brave boy who has done more than what even Tenchi has done… and that's before we bring up his Pokémon." Azusa seemed amused by what his eldest daughter brought up.
"Pokémon?" he repeated.
"You've seen Pikachu after you arrived," Katsuhito pointed out.
"Ah, the little rodent…" realized Azusa. "Is there a chance that I can get a closer look at him?"
"Yes, of course!" complied Ayeka before leaving, only to find Ryoko holding Pikachu. "Perfect! I can watch over him." Pikachu hopped from Ryoko's arms to Ayeka's.
"I guess King Pop has a knack to learn after all," Ryoko teased.
"Much more than you do," Ayeka replied before retreating. Ryoko looked mad. Pikachu hopped onto the table between the king and his children. Azusa offered a hand to allow Pikachu to climb onto his person.
"Such a gentle creature," he studied as he itched under Pikachu's chin. "Though, I find it concerning with the tail. Is that supposed to indicate something about it?"
"Pikachu is best known as a lightning mouse," Katsuhito clarified. "We've seen him electrocute Mihoshi after she squeezed him incredibly hard."
"Like a defense mechanism," Azusa believed. "A creature such as yourself should be considered dangerous, but that you've accepted my hold tells me you're friendly to those you seek as trustworthy."
("Does that mean I qualify?") asked Pikachu. Azusa stroked the Pokémon's head.
"Now, while I am skeptical about the boy's advances to little Sasami," he spoke. "I will want to know more about his owner." Ayeka sensed that Azusa would learn about Ash's and Sasami's relationship.
"Are you sure?" she questioned. "Even after learning about the news?" Azusa soon realized that the owner of Pikachu was the person dating his youngest daughter.
"So that's it…" he figured. "While I do not approve the conception, I would like to understand the purpose of the reason he's in Sasami's life." After the discussion, Katsuhito escorted Azusa outside to where Ash was feeding his other Pokémon. "Oh, these must be more Pokémon. Quite a bunch to behold."
"They would be, father," Katsuhito agreed. The two approached where Noctowl hooted to alert Ash. Turning, Ash found the king and son.
"King Azusa…" he hushed. Azusa reached Ash as Bayleef rushed to Ash's side, ready to defend her trainer.
"I do not want to show hostility without cause," he promised. "I merely came over to have a conversation with you." Bayleef awed Azusa's reasoning. Ash felt that he wanted to talk about Sasami.
"I can go with that," he accepted. Bayleef became worried about Ash and Azusa together. "Don't worry, Bayleef… The king and I will just be talking." He joined Azusa as Bayleef watched, still worried. Ash and Azusa journeyed through the woods.
"For nearly 750 years, the Masaki Household on Jurai has ruled the world, but not with an iron fist," Azusa started. "Funaho and Misaki were blessings to me that love became paramount."
"I'm still amazed that you're Kat- I mean, Yosho's parents while I see it as vice-versa," Ash admitted.
"Funaho told you about how we Juraians do not age as rapidly as those on Earth. Nevertheless, it still pains me that my son has become like this. I suppose the second most painful moment is my youngest daughter engaged with an Earthling, as if history's repeating itself."
"Still, if that tunnel didn't cave in when my friends and I were crossing, I wouldn't have been able to meet Sasami." The detail made Azusa stop and turn to Ash.
"A cave-in? Was one of your Pokémon involved?"
"No, it was another trainer. Her Rhydon drilled a wall down to create a passage as a way to help her injured grandmother." Hearing, Azusa understood the occurrence.
"Epitome of wrong place, wrong time."
"Pretty much… Pikachu and I traveled down the road near the side when we were first greeted by Ryo-Ohki and then Sasami… and she invited me to stay at the household while we awaited my friends."
"I don't believe you to be an opportunist by the sound of your story. Mere unfortunate situations led you to be with my children and other members, including my great-grandson."
"Tenchi…"
"I'm not particularly proud of the family dynamic after Yosho left for here, let alone what transpired during the duration."
"From Lady Funaho, it was supposed to be between Yosho and Ayeka, even though theyre both half-siblings."
"It may seem unusual for siblings to be engaged. After all, he still has to come clean as to his departure and self-exile." Azaka and Kamidake flew in and saw Ash and Azusa together.
"Lord Azusa!" yelped Azaka. Azusa saw the guardians as they landed in front.
"Azaka…" he adressed. "Kamidake… I heard that you're able to protect my daughters very well."
"By all means, your highness," Kamidake confirmed. "We'd surrender our lives to preserve the Masaki Household on Jurai should the need for them come."
"I do nor doubt your resolve," Azusa understood. "You and Azaka can return to your post."
"AT ONCE, YOUR HIGHNESS!" spoke Azaka and Kamidake in unison. They hovered away. Ash smirked to the loyalty Azaka and Kamidake displayed.
"I'm glad that they're here for all of us," he brought up.
"Not for you or your Pokémon, but I digress," Azusa shrugged. "Anyway, what have you and Sasami done since your unfortunate detour?"
"Sasami taught me to cook after I told her of a moment one of my friends who can cook fell sick and another tried to make stew but made a mess. I kept her safe after she was frightened by a clap of thunder. She took care of me when I was sick, we shared our partners with her having Pikachu and me with Ryo-Ohki…" On cue, Ryo-Ohki mewed. Ash and Azusa turned to see Ryo-Ohki in her little girl form. "Oh, Ryo-Ohki…"
"I bet she was wondering what happened to us." A mew from Ryo-Ohki was her reply. Ash resumed his list.
"And a few days ago, I took her out to the festival and had a nice time." Hearing all of what had occurrence between Ash and Sasami, Azusa seemed highly concerned.
"It troubles me that you've been incredibly close to my Sasami that I worry that your influence would poison her future."
"I realize that. I mean… falling for a princess is easy for any boy to go through, and I'm no different."
"While you understand my stance about the issues, it doesn't qualify, let alone give you any blessings to take Sasami's hand. Do you understand?"
"I'm not interested in taking her hand or wish for any blessing. All I care about right now is that she's happy with everything going on. That's what I feel is important as this point." The reply made Azusa nod.
"It isn't that you know your place. It's that you seek the same thing I do. Part of me is glad that we can reach a resolution rather than make pointless arguments."
"Yeah, I don't think Mom would be ready for anything like that." A snort came from Azusa.
"And your father wouldn't as well." A gasp came from Ash before he turned his head away. Azusa saw the gesture, sensing a problem. "Are you implicating that your father was never around?" Ash shook his head. "I see… Many apologies for my insensitivity."
"It's fine… besides, I got my mom's adventurous side." That's when they felt air pressure from above. The pressure made Ash's jacket start flying up from the waist. "NOW WHAT!?" The three looked up, finding the nose of a new ship. "IS THAT ONE OF YOUR FLEETS!?"
"NO, THE MODEL'S FAR FROM ONE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY'S!" Ryo-Ohki mewed frantically, sensing trouble.
"RYO-OHKI!?" The shape-shifting cabbit continued to mew as she pointed back the way they came.
"Everyone!"
"Let's go and check it out!" The two ran back to the household as the white-haired man wearing circular specs appeared. He wore a black military outfit over a green cape. Others came out to see the man.
"Kagato!?" gasped Katsuhito. "I heard that you died!" A sneer shaped Kagato's face as a darkened-skinned man with curls in his white beard appeared on a hovering platform. He wore a black robe to match is unusual hat and one eye blacked out from the other.
"Kagato shouldn't be the only one, Yosho," he laughed. Washu gasped to the sight as Pikachu stood in front of Sasami.
"Dr. Clay!" named Washu.
"Of course, my fellow Philosopher," Clay smiled. "But we came for a pick-up… of the goddess!" He held a remote and pressed a button. Suddenly, everyone felt pressure and were literally floored as if the area had an increase of a gravitational pull. "The power of science is a cruel mistress if mishandled. Now, we can get our hands on the vessel." Katsuhito stood up and held a hilt with two ruby stones on it.
"Did you forget that I still exist!?" he proclaimed as he held the hilt with both hands. That's when a sword of light emerged. "I may be over 700 years old, but I'm not ready to lay down and die!" He leaped, but Kagato came after Katsuhito with a light-emitting sword of his own. Ash, Azusa and Ryo-Ohki arrived to see the swords clash.
"Of course, Yosho would still have the Tenchi Sword," Azusa grumbled. Azaka and Kamidake flew back, hoping to save the family.
"You should've retired at a hundred years," Kagato scoffed before he stabbed Katsuhito, but in the right shoulder. He yelled in pain.
"Grandpa!" shouted Tenchi. Azaka and Kamidake bashed into Kagato as he removed the sword. Katsuhito fell.
"Dad!" shouted Nobuyuki as he ran to Katsuhito's side, getting around the area of the gravitational pull. Azaka and Kamidake positioned themselves in front of Kagato.
"Annoying guardians," Kagato scoffed before blasting the guardians back into the fray.
"How do you like Kagato now?" mocked Clay.
"You leave my family alone!" snapped Azusa as he palmed the air, unleashing a torrent of force. However, a shield of light formed around Kagato and Clay.
"Not even your powers have anything against my science, menacing lowness!" taunted Clay as he shot a round from his ship. Ryo-Ohki tackled Ash out of the way as the blast blew Azusa back. With everyone out of commission, Kagato returned for Sasami.
"Now, you're mine," he cackled as he plucked Sasami by the neck. Sasami clasped at Kagato's arm, but she felt weakened by the pressure beforehand.
"SASAMI!" everyone below shouted. Kagato carried Sasami up to Clay on the platform, unable to cry out from Kagato's hold.
"After this, the galaxy will be ours," Clay believed. They flew to the ship.
"MY BABY!" cried Misaki. The ship flew off. Ash clenched his teeth and fist.
"They must have known about Tsunami," Funaho mulled.
"But if they rip Tsunami from Sasami, she'll die!" growled Ryoko. "If that was Ayeka, it would be a different story… but Sasami's off-limits except for Ash!" Ayeka bashed Ryoko in the head.
"Why don't you also tell us your life story while you're at it!" she snapped. The group soon stood except for Katsuhito.
"My boy…" Funaho muttered.
"Mother, I'll be fine-" brushed off Katsuhito before he winced from the injury.
"We can't let Dr. Clay and Kagato take Sasami away," Kiyone groaned.
"Do you want me to start the ship?" asked Mihoshi.
"You do that," Ash suggested before turning to the girl. "Ryo-Ohki, let's do it!" Ryo-Ohki proudly mewed before jumping off of Ash's hands used like a platform. She transformed into the ship.
"Tenchi…" mulled Katsuhito as he had the Tenchi Sword. "You must do what you can to save Sasami." Tenchi took the sword of his namesake. Mihoshi got their patrol ship started with Washu and Kiyone joining. Ryo-Ohki beamed the others on board. They soon took off, chasing Sasami's kidnappers.
'Sasami, hang in there,' Ash wished. What will happen when they fight again?
TO BE CONTINUED...