Disclaimer: Pioneer owns these characters. I'm just using them for a time. HOWEVER! Celestia, Crystal Warriors, Claric, Mica, Rica, and Mico are mine. =-=-=-=-= Tenchi Muyo!: Dark Times Part Five: Homecoming Brian Burke Tenchii@hotmail.com =-=-=-=-= Washu's Search Log: Day 92 I finally found her! It took three months, but I found Sasami! I should tell the others, but I think I'll wait until she's actually here. Call me a sentimental fool. Now, if only Celestia were here... I have to wait for her. She said she'd be back soon. As for the rest of us, things are settling down. It's unfortunate that Azusa, Misaki, and Funaho had to leave. They would have enjoyed this news. But, vacations can last only so long. Tenchi has finally discovered how to voluntarily use the Light Hawk Wings. After focusing for a short time, they will come at his command. I guess I can't tease him anymore... Damn! -Washu, the happiest girl here! Smiling, Washu walks towards the lab door. "Now, it's time to fight back!" =-=-=-=-= Sasami, or Tsunami as she's called now, and Mica have been planning this day for months. The time has come to take down Claric, and go home. "Remember, Sasami," Mica starts. She gives her a rather uncomfortable look. "I'm sorry-Tsunami. Claric is very powerful. And when he sees me, he's not going to be happy." "I can understand. After all, you did escape with me 10 years ago. His ultimate plan was ruined." "We can win. We just have to hit him hard and fast." "Right. Let's go." Standing, Tsunami rubs the newly appeared ring on her finger. After a second, a light surrounds her and her casual clothes are changed into Juraian battle armor. Mica rubs his ring, and a similar effect happens. "Right behind you." As they run down the halls, they approach a room Sasami hasn't seen in ten years. Entering the black room, "I hate this place," she comments. "There you are, you traitor," Claric says. A light appears overhead, and Claric is revealed. "I suppose you've come to face me, haven't you?" "And win!" Tsunami shouts. "I will not live here one more day. Today, I go home." "And what of you, Mica? What is it that you want?" "I'm leaving with Tsunami." "There's only one problem, boy." His eyes glow for a second, and Mica drops to his knees. "I'm afraid you're not going anywhere." "Mica!" Tsunami shouts, bending down to him. "What's wrong?" She then sees three figures, each partially faint. "No..." Standing, "if that's how it's going to be," she says, energizing her sword. "Tsu-na-mi..." Mica groans, "I'll be fine..." Then, he splits into Rica and Mico. "Alright, traitor," Mico says to her "brother," "I'm going to make sure you never leave." "Baka," Rica almost shouts, "if I die, so do you. Remember?" "We'll see," she says, as they both stand. Taking out her sword, "let's go." Making his own sword, "yes. Let's end this." While Tsunami is studying her opponent, she still pays attention to the other match. Finally, "Rica!" she yells, tossing her sword to him. Grabbing it, "but-" "Trust me. Use it!" "Fool," Claric shouts. "He can't use that toy. He has no power." Rica concentrates, and a blue blade does indeed form. "Thanks, Tsunami." Turning back to her own opponent, "now, for you." Five pairs of wings of light unfold behind her, about a meter in length each. Folding onto her body, two wings form arm guards. Two more form glowing plates on her legs. Four more wings wrap around her body, two on her chest and shoulders and two on her hips. One more attaches to the front of her body in a vertical fashion across her stomach. The wings in place, they all flash for a second, and are replaced by glistening armor. The final wing becomes a sword with curved wings on the hilt, five on a side. "Impressive. Let's see how much it helps you." Making his own sword, he charges her. Swinging, "mastery of the Light Hawk Wings is no easy feat," he says. Blocking the swing, "Not as hard as you think. You must not have had them." Swinging again, "they must not have been around in your time." "I believe Tsunami was saving them for someone else." The swing is blocked. "But, you don't have to worry about it." Making another blade out of the Juraian power alone, he jams it into her gut. "Now, die." Dissipating the energy, "I win." Ironically, there's no blood whatsoever. In fact, "that didn't hurt," Tsunami mumbles. Looking at her opponent, "you're turn." Claric looks at her wide-eyed, "now, don't do anything drastic." "Drastic? DRASTIC? You DESERVE this! What about that first day? You used your power to strip me of anything I had left. Then, you left me to die on that damn pillar. If it wasn't for Mica, I would probably still be there." =-=-=-=-= Rica and Mico are fighting each other viciously. After all, they've had the same amount of training. "Why don't you give up, Mico?" Rica asks calmly. "Why? I'd be still be under your control!" "You ARE me! Don't you get it?" Blocking a swing to her body, "NO! I want to be free from you! I want to get away from you!" "Is that what you want? Well, I'll tell you that will never happen. We are one! There's no denying that!" "Shut up!" she shouts. Swinging, she finds her sword knocked away by Rica. She can only watch as it slides across the floor. "Don't let anger cloud your judgement. You never learned that." Grabbing her by the throat, "and you won't." A second later, Mico disappears again, and Mica returns. "It's over, Mico." =-=-=-=-= Tsunami is having a ball of a time. Knowing full well that Claric's powers are useless against her, "so, what shall I do with you?" Raising her sword, "maybe I should just kill you. That might help." "Tsunami!" Mica shouts, "forget it. You've already won. There's nothing he can do to you." "It's not he WILL do. It's about what he DID." "TSUNAMI! Enough! We need him." Looking at her foe in disgust, she dissipates the Light Hawk Wings. "You're right." Turning towards Mica, "besides, there are others to torture first." Looking at his sword, he has one quesion on his mind. "How did this work? Mico had my power." "Simple. I merely charged the thing with my own power. Any Juraian should be able to use it now." Smiling a bit, "ready to go?" "I have been for 10 years." "Let's go, Tsunami," he says. "Let's go home." =-=-=-=-= At the Masaki residence, a woman with long blonde hair and golden armbands drops down from the sky. Standing out in the yard, she and Washu stand ready to crack the seal. Ayeka is behind them, as are Tenchi, Mihoshi, Kiyone, Ryoko, Noboyuki, and Katsuhito. Washu has her holo laptop in front of her, as she is typing in a sequence. "Celestia. You know what to do." "Yes. I do. I'll go in and get Sasami. Then, I'll come right back." "Remember. Rica has the opposite of your powers. So, your fighting him could wipe out everything, including yourself." "I know." Her armbands glow for a second, and a golden gateway opens in the air about 3 meters in front of them. "Uh, Washu?" "Go on. It's safe." "It's not that. They're already coming. And they're using MY gate!" "Sasami?" Ayeka asks. "I don't know." From the portal, Claric, Mico and Rica emerge. "It's been too long," Claric states. "But this time, we won't stop at a single abduction. This time, you all die." Ryoko summons her beam sword, "no. This time, we'll win." Activating the Light Hawk Wings, "Where is Sasami?" Tenchi asks. Claric muses. "She's safe. But, not in a good mood." Summoning her logs, "give her back!" Ayeka shouts. "Don't worry about her," Rica states. "It's yourselves you should worry about." Katsuhito creates a sword of his own, "Claric, I may have to kill you. You know that." "Really, Yosho? I'd like to see you try!" Washu moves over to Mihoshi, Kiyone, and Noboyuki, who is holding baby Mayuka. Placing a shield around them, "don't worry. You'll be safe in here." =-=-=-=-= Ryoko charges, flying towards Mico. "You beat me last time, but you won't again!" Pulling out her sword, Mico changes it to an energy blade. "We'll see." Taking to the air, the two have a mid-air battle. =-=-=-=-= Tenchi charges Rica, sword ready. Taking a slash, it is met by Rica's own Jurai sword. Shocked, "I thought you didn't have any Jurai power!" "Looks are often deceiving." Taking his own slash, he is met by the Light Hawk Sword once again. "Myself for example. I am more than what you see." =-=-=-=-= Katsuhito walks over to Claric. "End this, Claric. If it's just a fight you want, then there is no point to it." "We are not your true enemies this time, Yosho. We are merely setting the stage for somebody else." "Who?" "You'll see." Creating a sword, "well, at least I can have some fun with you." Swinging, it is met by Yosho's sword. "I grow tired of fighting. End this." Swinging himself, "otherwise, I will." =-=-=-=-= Mico is the one having trouble this time. Before, she fought Ryoko with only one of the gems. This time, she has three. Her swing blocked, "damn, you're being a pain." "You're such a sore loser," Ryoko responds. Just give up and go home. "We shall never return there. Never!" Ryoko sends a blast to Mico that drops her to the ground. "Where is Sasami?" "Where do you think she is?" Mico asks. =-=-=-=-= Tenchi is finally getting the upper hand as he knocks away Rica's sword and puts the tip of his just under Rica's jaw. "Where is she?" "Where you can't corrupt her anymore." "CORRUPT? How dare you say such words. I oughta-" "That's ENOUGH!" a new voice shouts. Everyone, save the Exiles, look towards the portal. "I've had enough of this fight. Rica! Mico! Claric! Leave them to me!" The three back off, and move towards the portal. Appearing from the gate is a woman the Masaki family never expected. Wearing Juraian battle armor, "I told you not to hurt them." Looking at the group with red eyes from anger and hatred, "it's been a long time." "Sasami?" Ayeka asks. "Is that you?" "Sasami is gone. I am Tsunami. And I've got a score to settle." It was a day like this when she was taken. Ten years ago, on a day like this, she vanished. But now, she's back. Seeing her former friends ahead of her, "I haven't see any of you in ten years." "Sasami, I-" Tenchi starts, but is cut off as dagger of light implants itself into the ground, inches from his foot. "Sasami is gone. I am Tsunami." "You're right," Washu says, "because Sasami would never act like this." "What have they done to you?" Ayeka cries. "We're you're friends! Don't you remember?" "Of course I remember. You left me to die in that place. I know. I saw what you were doing while I was down there." "We searched everywhere for you," Ryoko shouts. "Don't lie to me. It won't help. The point is that I spent ten years in that hell, and none of you even tried to get me out." Yosho looks to Tsunami with his usual calmness. "Tsunami! What are you thinking? We wouldn't abandon you." "Yosho," Tsunami says, "you lie too much for your own good. Your appearance, for example." Tsunami snaps her fingers, and Yosho loses his disguise. Ayeka looks at him with confusion. "Yosho? Why didn't you tell me this? Why did you have to hide from me?" "Ayeka, I-" His sentance is halted as Ayeka gives him a hard slap to the face. "You betrayed me. How could you?" "Because," Tsunami adds, "he never was good at telling the whole truth. How about you, Ryoko? How did you like the fact that Yosho branded you as a demon to everyone he met? Sure, being a space pirate is one thing, but being called such a vile thing is insulting." "I guess I deserved it, after what I did, even if I was under Kagato's control." A single wing appears and transforms into Tsunami's Light Hawk Sword. "But, enough chat. Who wants to be first?" "We don't want to fight you, Tsunami," Washu says. "Fine. Be that way," she responds. "I wanted to fight Tenchi first anyways," she says, charging. Meeting Tenchi, she swings, but is blocked by his own sword. As Tsunami starts to fight, the rest of the group fans out, avoiding injury. "What are you doing, Tsunami?" he asks. "We're your friends!" "No, you're not. I spent ten years down there," she says, swinging again, "and none of you showed up." Blocking the swing, "We tried, Tsunami. If you saw what we did, then you know we tried." Stopping, "you're not even fighting, are you?" "No. I'm not. I will not strike you." "Fool." Tsunami gives him a right cross, sending him to the ground. "You really have a lot to learn." Then, she hears a familiar sound behind her. Turning, she sees Ryoko, in her black and red outfit, with a beam sword. "Leave him alone," Ryoko orders. "We don't want to hurt you, Tsunami. But, you leave us with few options." "You're going to fight me? It's just as I thought. You really aren't my friends." Running off towards Ryoko, she swings en route, but is met by Ryoko's own sword. "Tsunami! Wake up! We're not your enemies!" Ryoko shouts, swinging her sword. Blocking it, "well, you sure aren't my friends!" Ayeka watches as the scene unfolds. "There's no other way," she whispers. Concentrating her Jurai power, she sends a blast of energy at Tsunami. But, she sees it is merely absorbed by her sister. "Nice try," she says, turning towards Ayeka. "But, wouldn't this be more appropriate?" she asks, surrounding the Juraian princess with small logs. A second later, she sends Ayeka a short, but powerful shock of power, dropping the girl. "No!" Ryoko shouts, swinging at Tsunami's back. But, she is stopped and similarly shocked by Tsunami's own shield. Dropping to the ground, "damn that hurt..." she mumbles before passing out. "Idiot," she says, looking back. "Did you actually think that would work?" "I don't know who you are," Celestia says, "but it looks like I'll have to fight you myself." "I have no idea who you are, either," Tsunami says, "but, you seem to want a similar fate." Creating an energy sword, "we'll see," Celestia returns. "Celestia!" Washu shouts. "Be careful. You have no idea who you're up against." Running for Tsunami, Celestia sees her opponent do the same. Slashing, she is met by Tsunami's sword. Another slash, another block. "Who are you, anyways?" Tsunami asks. Swinging herself, "that is not important to you," Celestia answers. "Why are you trying to kill these people? What did they ever do to you?" "It's what they didn't do." "Yeah, I know. They didn't come to get you. Is that it? Is that all they did?" "You have no idea what I went through. I spent ten years waiting for them. They never came. Do you know how betrayed I feel?" Using her power, Tsunami sends a blast into Celestia, knocking her to the ground. "We looked for you, but you were completely lost." =-=-=-=-= As Tsunami and Celestia fight, Washu picks up Ryo-Ohki. "We have to get out of here." "Meow?" "Don't worry. We won't leave her like this." Tossing the cabbit into the air, she sees her instinctively transform. A second later, Washu is standing alone on the bridge. "Let's get the others and get out of here." "Meow!" she complies, enveloping the rest in her transit beam. Looking over, Tsunami can see the group start to vanish. One by one, they vanish, finally, she uses her power to keep at least one of the members here. "You're staying here, Tenchi." "Hey! Wait!" he complains. Looking skyward, he watches as Ryo-Ohki disappears into the air. "No!" Celestia takes off towards Tenchi, and lands next to him. "I'll get you out of here," she says, "somehow." "Tsunami?" Mico asks. "Yes. You can beat on her all you want." She then runs toward her, slamming against her advesary at full throttle. Landing on top of her, Mico pulls out her sword. "Now, you-" but before she finishes, Celestia vanishes. "What? Where'd you go?" Above the scene, Celestia looks back at the scene. "I'll be back, Tenchi." With that, she takes off after Ryo-Ohki. Tsunami looks to Celestia, "fine. Run like the coward you are!" Walking back to Tenchi, "I'll just have my fun with you." -To Be Continued!-