From: "Jason Boaz" Subject: Chapter 7: Battle In The Chapel! The Return of Sakuya! Date: Monday, July 15, 2002 5:22 PM Ryoko had huddled herself while waiting for RyoOhki's approach. Hotsuma had done all he could to console the grief-stricken space pirate. So, he returned to the Mini-Souja. In time, RyoOhki was at visual range. So Ryoko teleported back into the ship.She was immediately greeted by Ayeka. Ayeka: Well? Any luck? Did you find Tenchi? Ryoko: (is silent) Ayeka: WELL?! Speak up! Did you find him or not?! Ryoko: We have to go now! We must enter the Souja and destroy Kagato. It's all we can do, now. Ayeka: No, it isn't! If you truly cared for Tenchi, you'd find him! And...(is cut off by Ryoko) Ryoko: I DID TRY to FIND TENCHI! I'm afraid that THIS...is all that's left of him! (gives Ayeka the torn piece of Tenchi's scarf) I fear the worst has happened to him...I'm sorry. Ryoko gave Ayeka the piece of scarf which came from Tenchi's battle suit. She cried, and was devastated because she too, thought Tenchi was dead. Ayeka: (gasps with terror) Oh no...(cries) T..Tenchi! No...he can't be dead! Please...he just can't be! NO! Kiyone, Hotsuma, Yugi, Mihoshi and Nagi were now onscreen. Almost all of them feared the worst...except for Yugi, who had seen a shimmer of hope. Kiyone: Tenchi...no...please, God no! Don't be dead... Mihoshi: How awful...Tenchi... Nagi: He was a brave young man. I learned that when he looked at me defiantly, when I bound him to that cross. May they have mercy on his soul. Hotsuma: No...Why, Ryoko? Why did you have to return to Earth? Ryoko: Because I cared about him, Hotsuma. I know you'll do everything in your power to see Kiyoko again, even if its for one last time. Yugi: Listen to me, everyone. I know that things look bad, but we must not let this discourage us. For all we know, he could be alive, somewhere out there. Washuu told me about a shield that was built inside of the suit. It protects him from all harm the instant he's blown out into space...for a whole hour. Ayeka: Then we have to find him! If one of us goes out there, we can... Yugi: No...Kagato won't allow us to have that chance. Besides...I have a feeling he'll be rescued, shortly. I just know it. Ryoko: Are you sure? Who's going to save him? Yugi: Empress Hinosei gave me a sign in the form of a shooting star. She's heard my prayers, and will see to it he's safe. I know it. Nagi: Alright. Let's assume the spirits of the dead can save him, and bring him here...what do we do until he comes? Yugi: We fight, of course. But, seeing as Tenchi's down, for the moment, we need some helping hands. (smiles) And I know just where to find them. Hotsuma: Where will you find these helping hands? Yugi motioned to herself and told everyone it was time to bring Sakuya out. Yugi: From within me. (motions to herself) For awhile now, I had a feeling that my counterpart, Sakuya Kumashiro would have to return, and help us in a time of great need, where countless lives will be in the balance. That time has come. I know some of you didn't like her, in the beginning...but that was all in the past. Now, she's changed as much as I have. We need her help. One by one, the other members agreed to having Sakuya return to the world. Ayeka: I'll admit...I was jealous of her, at first. I thought of her as a stalker, and a seductress, who muddled with Tenchi's mind and used her witching powers to take him away from me. But now...I know...that there's something about her. That smile...the courage she had to ask Tenchi out...and the fact she wasn't too shy to him...she's so polite...I guess...we have a lot to learn from her example. Ryoko: Hmmm...maybe you're right, Ayeka. Sure, she's got her faults...she's a bit of a crybaby...and...and...she's possessive, but...at the same time...she has this...aura about her. She freely gives of herself, and doesn't expect anything in return. She's kind like having Christmas every day. Mihoshi: Well...Sakuya's sweet, kind, and gentle. I mean, she wouldn't even hurt a fly. But, there's another side in her...the side that can't stand to see the people that she cares about get hurt. I'd hate to be the unlucky person who was on the receiving end of her punch. Kiyone: Yeah. She's definitely as human as you or me. Why...according to Tenchi, when he had the guts to tell her about his mom dying when he was like five or six...she gave her condolences and grievances to him. Even she has the ability to cope with such losses...we all do, somehow. (looks at everyone on the screen) I say we go for it! Ayeka: YEAH! Ryoko: ALRIGHT! Mihoshi: Come on! Yugi: Then it's settled. I'm going to bring her back this minute! Tenchi Family: YEAH! But before Yugi could begin to bring Sakuya back, Nagi made a brief quip...one which had everyone falling down...exasperated. Nagi: You're saying Tenchi fell in love with this Sakuya girl? And all this time I thought he was Ryoko's man...that's what some local vermin in a bar told me when I learned she was on Earth. Tenchi Family: (all fall down) Uggh! Ryoko: Are you out of the loop, or what, Nagi? Nagi: HEY! I saw those pictures you keep of the time you and he had a date! And, in case you're wondering, I DID have KenOhki spy on all of you when RyoOhki went to the moon. You don't know how badly he wanted to fight that rogue cabbit for deceiving RyoOhki! (And maybe, if you ask...I'll tell all of you about YuOhki. I hate him as much as KenOhki does...after all...they never got along really well...I might even tell you that they're family, sometime.) Ryoko: I knew it...I knew I saw a certain cabbit with beige fur, red eyes, a gold diamond-shaped thingy on his forehead...not to mention a blue collar. You're lucky we're working together, rather than fighting, this time, Nagi. When we meet next time, I'm gonna give you what for! Nagi: Humph. We'll see, Ryoko. At the meantime, we need Sakuya's help. (looks at Yugi) Alright, Yugi...it's time. bring Sakuya out, so we have a fighting chance. Yugi: You got it. (closes her eyes, and concentrates) Sakuya...come forth. The time for your return has come! Depart from my body and live again! NOOOOWWW!! Yugi concentrated with all of her might. In a blinding flash of light, a female form split from Yugi. When the light faded, Sakuya appeared, in full Juraian Battle gear. She wore a green shirt and brown pants, a black vest with red leather lining the shoulders, collar, and waist, like Yugi's vest. She wore a purple belt with black boots and gloves. And, like Yugi, her face was painted gray, with four black streaks on it. Her emerald green eyes were filled with a fiery determination which Ryoko had the opportunity to see once, when she defended herself against the accusations of stealing the gems. (most of them were made by Ryoko and Ayeka) As Yugi had felt, the time had come. Sakuya was reborn, and was now aware of her own Jurai powers...and her heritage. Sakuya: Greetings, everyone. It's so good to see you again. I'm sorry it had to be in such a turbulent time. Ryoko: Hey there, Sakuya. Nice to see you again. Ayeka: Sakuya...what happened to the old you? You look...different. Sakuya: (Looks at Ayeka onscreen) I am different, Ayeka. Now, I am fully aware of my past. I am the counterpart of Yugi, daughter of Kamadake. Yugi: You're mistaken, Sakuya. As of now...you're no longer merely my shadow...nor my counterpart. As of now, I fully welcome you...as my sister. Sakuya: (hugs Yugi) Oh...you don't know how much this means to me. Thank you. Yugi: You're welcome. (has a look of fierce determination) We have to get going, now. I suppose you know why you're here. Sakuya: To stop Kagato, and make him pay for what he did to Kiyoko, and Tenchi. Ryoko: Right. Well, what are we waiting for? It isn't over yet. Come on! Sakuya: YEAH! As everyone prepared to fight, Ryoko clenched her fist and allowed her suit to fully form. Red areas began to overlap the black half. By the time the change was finished, the black streak which started on her neck, covered her right ear and ended on her eyebrow reappeared. Hotsuma was intimidated by that look...with good reason. Ryoko: We will defeat you, Kagato...(clenches her fist and telepathically alters her outfit) We will DESTROY YOU! (looks at everyone) I bet my life on it. Hotsuma: Uhhh...Ryoko...I hate to sound like a fraidycat, but whenever you change into that suit, it scares me. Ryoko: Why? Hotsuma: B...B...Because...when you look like that, it makes you look...much more dangerous than before. Ryoko: Thanks. I try to look my absolute deadliest when I'm facing a dangerous opponent. And...it looks much better than that dumb black and white outfit I was wearing. Now, come on! LET'S GO!! With that call to action, all four ships plowed straight through the break in the Souja's shield and went inside the ship. Ryoko: AAAAGGGGHHHH!!! 15 minutes have passed since Tenchi was blown into space. In Okiyama, Sasami had almost reached the shrine's small graveyard. She tripped, but managed to catch the necrophone when she dropped it. She finally approached the grave where Achika Masaki had been buried. Sasami: Don't die, Tenchi! (falls down a second, and drops the necrophone) OH NO! I can't let that break. (catches the Necrophone in time) Hang on...I'm ready to help you. I just need to talk to...(reaches the shrine, and sees Achika's grave)...her. Sasami kneeled and used the necrophone to talk with Achika's spirit. She pleaded to Tenchi's mother for help. Sasami: (speaks through the necrophone) Lady Achika...can you hear me? Your son is in great danger! At this very minute, he's floating out in space, somewhere. If you're not able to help, the shield will fade...and he'll die in space. PLEASE! HELP HIM!! As if in response, the clouds became gray and turbulent. Thunder crashed, and a lightning bolt struck the gravestone. Amazingly, it didn't rain, and the gravestone was undamaged. The lightning did force Sasami back a little, though. Sasami: (closes her eyes as she was forced back) AAAHHH! (opens her eyes, and sees something) What the...(sees a woman) Excuse me...but who are you? (Whoa! She's pretty...and, she looks very gentle. This must be...Tenchi's mother.) Sasami opened her eyes and saw a beautiful woman. She had her black hair in a ponytail. She wore a lavender colored yakuta, which was tied onto with a blue obi with a cord. (sash) She wore some socks and some setta (leather sandals) Her gentle brown eyes looked at Sasami with a calmness which just beamed out of her. She wore her ponytail in a cloth similar to the one Ayeka puts her hair in at night. As the sky cleared, she held an parasol to deflect the rays of the sun. This was Tenchi's Mother...Achika Masaki. Achika: Why, hello there, little one. I'm Achika. Why are you here? How did you get me here? Sasami: We need your help, Lady Achika. Your son, Tenchi, is in mortal danger! he's floating out in space right now! He's being protected by a shield, but it'll only last for 45 more minutes! You have to help him. Achika looked at Sasami and asked her who could've done such an awful thing to Tenchi. Achika: That's horrible. Who could've done this to my son? Sasami: It was Kagato. Achika's gentle expression was replaced with a fire in her eyes...It was the same fiery expression which Sasami saw on Tenchi before. Achika: So...once again, someone is trying to kill the ones I love. I won't let Tenchi die! I'll save him. Then, when the final battle comes, I must fight by his side. Sasami: You will? That's great! Achika: Yes. I've been watching over you all. I feared this would happen, sooner or later. (places her hand on Sasami's shoulder, and looks at her gently) You did the right thing, Sasami. Rest assured, I WILL save Tenchi! Sasami: Thank you! Achika: You're welcome! Now, I'm off! (disappears) I'll talk with father and Noboyuki when I get back. Sasami: Alright! Thanks again! Goodbye, and good luck! In the blink of an eye, Achika had disappeared from the Earth. Somewhere, deep in space, Tenchi was floating aimlessly, with the shield protecting him. Achika then appeared close to him, and spoke to his unconscious form. She then teleported him to a place with a breathable atmosphere, as well as great danger...subspace. Achika: (appears in front of Tenchi) Tenchi, my son...you don't know how good it is to see you, again. But now isn't the time to catch up, yet. I'm going to take you to a place where you'll be able to recover. (The only immediate area I know of with a breathable atmosphere is the subspace quadrant which held Kain. It's dangerous, especially since that creature might not be dead, yet. But, I have to send him there, so he can recover. Then, when he's ready, we will fight Kagato...together!) Hang on, my son...I'm going to save you! (disappears with Tenchi) And so, with her mind made up, Achika took Tenchi to a place with some air to breathe. Elsewhere, Kagato had got off his throne, and walked up to the organ. He began playing a suite, since he was expecting company. Kagato: Status report, Tessei? Tessei: Sir, the enemy has burst through the hole in the shield, and have made it inside. They are headed this way. Kagato: Excellent. I knew they'd arrive. Both you and Tetta must come to the chapel at once. The time is right. (walks to the organ, and begins playing it) Tessei: Yes, sir. (screen turns off) As Kagato played, the Tenchi Family, Nagi and Hotsuma started their approach. Ryoko knew that Kagato was expecting company. Ayeka: What's that music mean? Ryoko: Whenever Kagato expects company, he plays his organ. If we follow the music, we'll find him. Sakuya: Right. No sooner than when they turned a corner, they were met by a small army of robot heads, just as Washuu had predicted. Ayeka: Look! It's an army of...heads. Kiyone: What do we do? Ryoko: Only one thing to do...let's wreck them, and take them apart! Sakuya: YEAH! Sakuya and Yugi were the first to go. They expertly used their superior skills to slice and dice some of the robots. Ayeka was impressed. Sakuya: Hai-ya! (slashes a robot) Ki-yai! Yugi: Take that, you overgrown tin can! Ayeka: (to herself) Oh my. Sakuya sure has changed...for the better. Those combat skills she and Yugi possess were thought to have been forgotten long ago...there is no doubt in my mind that she and Yugi are the daughters of Kamadake. (smiles) Sasami will flip when she hears Yugi's accepted Sakuya as her sister. Ryoko: No time for daydreaming, Ayeka...we gotta bust some heads...LITERALLY. Ayeka: (snaps out of her train of thought) Oh! Right. Ryoko and Ayeka took out their fair share of robots. Hotsuma used energy blasts to take some out, too. The two Galaxy Police Dectectives used their weapons to blast several more. Then, Nagi finished them off with her whip and sword. Nagi: I guess that's that. Ryoko: For the moment. We gotta hustle. We're almost there. Yugi: Right. In a matter of time, everyone had made it to the chapel. Kagato had completed his suite, turned around, and greeted his guests. Kagato: (bows) Welcome to my chapel, ladies and gentleman. Hotsuma: So...after all this time, we meet again. Kagato: Yes. You certainly look well, Hotsuma. I'll bet Yugi brought you back to life. Hotsuma: You'd win that bet... (Aw, dang!! So much for keeping my death a secret. Oh well.) Nagi looks at Ryoko and commends her for her cleverness. Nagi: Very clever, Ryoko. So...you did kill Hotsuma, didn't you? Ryoko: Yeah. I realized he should be brought back, since he helped me remember...Kiyoko. (looks down) Does this mean you're going to turn me in, when we're through? Nagi: No...I'm a woman of my word. You can go free...this time. Ryoko: Thanks. (sees Ayeka starting to lose her temper towards Kagato) Stand back, Ayeka! Ayeka: Alright. But, it wasn't Ayeka Ryoko had to worry about. Sakuya was the one who, in rage, swung a powerful punch directly at Kagato. He merely shrugged it off. Sakuya: Raarrgg!! (punches Kagato) Take that, you scumbag! Ryoko: (Whoops. I was watching the wrong person. Oh well.) Kagato: Is that a term of affection, or do you just not like me? Just then, an energy attack threatened to force Sakuya back. She blocked it, but her shirt got a small rip on its sleeve, and her cheek and arm got cut. This was from one of the knights. Yugi was greeted the same way, as she dodged Tetta's attack. But, her shirt got ripped on the chest, and her left cheek and chest were bleeding. Sakuya: UUNNGHH! (blocks the attack, and gets hurt in the process) So...you WERE expecting us, weren't you?! Kagato: As a matter of fact, I was. I knew you'd take care of the robot army with no problems. But now, your ultimate battle is at hand...Sakuya Kumashiro. It's so delightful to finally meet you, face to face. Sakuya: I'll bet the pleasure is all yours! (sees an energy attack get close to Yugi) Yugi, watch your back! Yugi: Thanks, sis! (dodges it, but gets a bit wounded) Man! Whoever did that...is really good. Tetta: (steps out of the shadows) Thank you. I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Tetta. Yugi: So...you're one of Kagato's Knights. Do you realize that you and your partner dishonor yourselves and our home planet, by doing such evil deeds? Tetta: Yeah? So? Yugi: I see...you knew that all along. You obviously don't care about chivalry, honor OR anyone else! That means THERE'S NO POINT TALKING TO YOU! (energizes her energy sword, and begins her battle with Tetta) Tetta: YYAAHHH! (strikes the sword with his staff) Sakuya: (looks at Tessei) You're not bad, yourself. What's your name, warrior? Tessei: I'm Tessei. And I must say, I truly look forward to your challenge. Tetta and I...well...we never fought the offspring of a Legendary Knight, before. Seeing how you dodged my attack with ease, I KNOW...that this will be my greatest fight ever. Sakuya: Yes...and it shall be the final battle...for one of us! TO ARMS! (powers up her sword, and she and Tessei begin to fight) Tessei: Hi-ya!! No sooner than Yugi and Sakuya began their fight, Kagato began his fight with everyone else. Ayeka blasted Kagato with an energy beam...it hit his shoulder, and it bled for a moment. He then counter-attacked with his sword....which was met by Ryoko. Hotsuma jumped and fired at Kagato, who shot back. It wasn't long before Ryoko figured that it was too dangerous for Ayeka, Nagi, Kiyone and Mihoshi. Ryoko: (dodges another blast from Kagato) Ayeka, Mihoshi, Kiyone, Nagi...you four have to go, now! Ayeka: BUT WHY?! Mihoshi: And where? Nagi: Why should I? I never backed out from a fight, before! Ryoko: Listen to me, everyone. Sakuya, Yugi, Hotsuma and I can't use our full power as long as you four are here. If we do that...you'll all be turned into ashes by the immense counterflow! NO! I won't let that happen. Besides...you four have a task to do. Kiyone: What is it? (fires a shot at Kagato) Ryoko: The four of you must go into the Reverse World. Once there, you must go and rescue Kiyoko! Not only will you guys be safe, you'll also be helping us, big time. Ayeka: I understand. We'll do this for Kiyoko. After all, she was pretty nice to me, as a kid. Alright. It's settled, then. Let's go. Mihoshi: But how? Ryoko: All you have to do is mess around with your control cube, Mihoshi. It'll get all four of you inside the Reverse World. The others and I will be fine. Trust me. Nagi: Alright. We'll do this, Ryoko. Kiyone: But what about you guys? Hotsuma: Don't worry! (kicks Kagato) We have the situation under control. Kagato: OOF! My my....you've gotten stronger, Hotsuma. Hotsuma: It's all thanks to Yugi. Yugi: Don't mention it, Hotsuma. (looks at Nagi, Ayeka, Kiyone and Mihoshi) As for the rest of you...don't worry about us! Sakuya and I must show these so-called Knights that justice always prevails...it's our mission! Sakuya: Now, go! (Hang on, Tenchi! I proved myself once, and I'll prove myself again! I'm back, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. Just watch. I will use my powers as a Juraian to eradicate this evil knight. Then, I'll make you, my father and Azaka proud.) Mihoshi: Alright. And so, Mihoshi fooled around with the control cube, as Ryoko instructed. All four allies held hands, as they were sucked into the floor. Meanwhile, in subspace, an ominous being had awakened from a nightmare...a nightmare he had for the last fifty years. His body was made up of black energy. His hands were white, and his face was as pale as a corpse. This was the A-1 Class Criminal...known as Kain. This evil entity has been kept in subspace for the last hundred years. Kain: (wakes up) NNOOOO!! (sweats a bit) That dream again! It's always the same...a mysterious girl uses a powerful blade to slash me, stab me, and slice off my hand. After that, she uses that infernal weapon to slice me in half. Then...a powerful flash of light comes...I think it kills me! Every time I have this nightmare, the face of the girl becomes clearer and clearer...only this time...I finally know what she looks like! She's a high school student in someplace called Japan. One minute, she has black hair and brown eyes. Her hair's in a ponytail, which is tied back with a red hairband. She's wearing a black shirt and jacket, along with a black skirt. She wears socks, and some shoes for school. She has this bow tied on her jacket, and it's like a sailor's shirt. But...that isn't the thing that bothers me! Suddenly, I see her explode with the power of Jurai! First, her ponytail gets undone! Then, her hair becomes lavender in color...After that, her clothes rip to shreds, and then they're immediately replaced by a Juraian kimono...then...black streaks appear on her face. And her eyes...I'll NEVER forget those red eyes. The dream becomes more and more real every time. I KNOW...that this is a prediction of the future! I MUST destroy her, before she destroys me! (senses something) Huh? Kain then sensed the presence of two people appearing in his area of subspace. He could sense Juraian blood in them. Kain: Hmmm...I sense two people have come to this place. And, I can feel it in them...they have the blood of Jurai in their veins! (smiles evilly) Well, whoever they are, they shall regret the day that they chose to come here...with their lives. No one can withstand the power of Kain. As Kain slowly approaches Tenchi and his mother, he is unaware that Achika is the girl of his nightmares, and that she has come to this place to save her son from death. He is also unaware of her immense power. Will all go well in the Reverse World? What traps and surprises are in store for Ayeka, Nagi, Mihoshi and Kiyone? Can Sakuya and Yugi defeat Tetta and Tessei? And, can Ryoko and Hotsuma hold Kagato off until Tenchi and his mother arrive? The final battle begins, in the next exciting chapter of Kagato's Attack! To Be Continued...