Author: Mike Fenton Title: DYING FOR A PIECE OF THE ACTION Notes: Regular (OVA), script format Summary: Pirates are taking over, so it's time to strike back. [Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! and its characters are the property of AIC and Pioneer LDC, Inc. and was created by Masaki Kajishima. This story comes entirely from my imagination, and is strictly intended to be apocryphal--so please don't sue me.] 1 EXT. BARREN WASTELAND A single, robed figure strolls across desert dunes in the middle of a barren wasteland. Another figure appears and follows. FIRST FIGURE: (turning) Who are you? SECOND FIGURE: Who am I? Don't you know? CU. FIRST FIGURE She smiles for a moment, then frowns. FIRST FIGURE: That devil-woman. I should have known. CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: You're that Juraian princess... Or are you that tree-lady? CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: Them and so many more... WASTELAND The figures draw closer and stand, facing each other. SECOND FIGURE: You happy, now? FIRST FIGURE: Huh? SECOND FIGURE: Well, I could hardly help noticing that you destroyed the universe again. CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: Again? CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: Oh, sorry. I forgot. I'm in the past. WASTELAND A third figure suddenly appears. THIRD FIGURE: Actually, this is the future. My future, anyway. FIRST FIGURE: (a little disconcerted) Ryoko? Wait a minute... Which one is you? SECOND FIGURE: Hmm... Oh, right! She's me. I remember. THIRD FIGURE: I guess this means I'm not going to be successful--or, from your point-of-view, was not. SECOND FIGURE: Let's not jump to conclusions. I might only be here to observe. I can be very curious... FIRST FIGURE: No. I don't believe this. I know you can duplicate yourself, Ryoko. You're just trying to trick me. CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: Now, why would I return here just to trick you? CU. THIRD FIGURE THIRD FIGURE: I think we're past the point where I might try something stupid. WASTELAND A fourth figure appears. FOURTH FIGURE: I'm back! Anyone miss me? THIRD FIGURE: So, you're also from the future. SECOND FIGURE: (musing) Back in one piece... How in the world did you manage that? FOURTH FIGURE: (casual) Oh, you'd be surprised what you can accomplish with infinite intelligence. FIRST FIGURE: (nervous) This is for real. I can sense it. You really are from the future. THIRD FIGURE: And the past. CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: The future and the past are real, but this is not. CU. FOURTH FIGURE FOURTH FIGURE: Huh? CU. THIRD FIGURE THIRD FIGURE: You're not making sense, future- girl. CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: Yes. Please explain yourself. WASTELAND The third and fourth figure look like they're about to object, when the second figure gestures for silence, then beckons. The second, third and fourth figures huddle together and begin chatting. The first figure looks on, a little nonplussed. A heated discussion ensues. SECOND FIGURE: None of it...! THIRD FIGURE: But-- FOURTH FIGURE: Quiet! Keep it down...! The first figure frowns, considering. The second figure looks at the first, curiously. She then continues the discussion. SECOND FIGURE: I'm telling you, it won't work, otherwise. It's this or nothing! FOURTH FIGURE: But, how do you know? SECOND FIGURE: Because it already happened! THIRD FIGURE: Not to me. FOURTH FIGURE: I don't remember it. The second figure sighs, and slumps a bit. THIRD FIGURE: How could you even remember it if you're here? Wouldn't that mean it won't have worked? SECOND FIGURE: Just trust me. If you can't trust me, who can you trust? FOURTH FIGURE: You're the last person in the universe I trust. CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: How well I know... CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: This is all very amusing, but I have a destiny, you know... CU. SECOND FIGURE She smiles and offers her hand to the first figure. SECOND FIGURE: Hey, Tsunami, no hard feelings. CU. FIRST FIGURE She frowns, suspicious. FIRST FIGURE: What is this? CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: Really. You know what they say. 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.' What do you have to lose? WASTELAND The third and fourth figures look on, suspiciously, as the first figure considers and then smiles. FIRST FIGURE: You're so right. Why not? They approach and grasp hands. CU. FIRST FIGURE A look of brief shock. 2 ABSTRACT A bolt of lightning hits Tenchi in the chest, slicing him neatly in half. The upper half floats upward as the lower half gently falls. He looks around, curiously. He smiles, inexplicably, and his eyes glaze over, mirror-like. 3 EXT. BARREN WASTELAND CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: Oh my god! The vision again! CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: And again... and again... Recursing infinitely in a hall of mirrors! WASTELAND The third and fourth figures ponder, a little confused. SECOND FIGURE: I finally realized your weakness, Tsunami. You like to look into the future, but you can't really handle it. You always share, and then you always reflect. Like right now. CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: (casual) Hey there, Sasami! Say hello to Tenchi for me. You can wake up, now. 4 INT. TENCHI'S BEDROOM Sasami and Tenchi are lying together in bed. Off to the side, as if provided as an afterthought, is a small crib, where a baby is sleeping. Sasami awakens and gasps. (Sasami looks quite like Tsunami, but still fairly young-- like sixteen or seventeen. Tenchi looks much the same as before, except that he has long hair, tied into a pony- tail.) CU. SASAMI She briefly looks like she wants to attack someone. SASAMI: Oh my god! What a horrible dream... (looking down) Oh Tenchi... 5 EXT. MASAKI SHRINE A nice morning shot, framed by trees with coloring-- suggesting early fall. 6 INT. SHRINE Tenchi and Yosho are sitting at a table, having some tea. YOSHO: A little cold for this time of year, don't you think? TENCHI: It suits me just fine. I would prefer if there were snow, though. YOSHO: (smiling) A few more months, Tenchi. You can't always be lucky, you know. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: What do you think of little Michiko? She's very pretty for a baby. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (frowning a little) She has your mother's eyes. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: So, what did you want to talk about? CU. YOSHO YOSHO: I just wanted to see how you were doing, Tenchi. Is everything all right? How is Sasami? SHRINE Tenchi ponders a bit before answering. TENCHI: There's nothing to worry about, Grandpa. I'm doing just fine. YOSHO: You sure? You know, you are always welcome here, if anything were to go wrong... TENCHI: That's okay, Grandpa. I like it on Leo. YOSHO: The teaching... Yes, I always found that to be a good last resort, myself. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Well, it's not the teaching that pays. The tutoring is where the real money comes in. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: Tutoring? You tutor in self-defense, as well? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (amused) No, I just teach that. I do personal tutoring in Earth languages. It was a little difficult at first--they mainly just want me to teach English. Then there was the native language barrier. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: Barrier? Ah, yes. Common Juraian. I recall you always had trouble with that. It wasn't too much trouble, I think. I've noticed you've already built a house for yourself. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Oh, so you know about that? Well, yeah. It wasn't too much trouble. After the first few months, I was able to pick up enough to get by. It helped quite a bit that Kimiko was my translator. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: I thought she was your mentor. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Just for the art. She's been a little reluctant to do much mentoring, though. I think the assimilation was pretty hard on her. She was very depressed for the first month or so. SHRINE YOSHO: I was wondering why she didn't come with you... TENCHI: (a little awkward) So, how is Ayeka doing? She's not still upset, is she? YOSHO: Ayeka is working it out, Tenchi. She has a more personal way of expressing her grief. You should know that. TENCHI: She's always been a little vain. YOSHO: She just likes to handle things very privately. (softly) Tenchi, you never answered my question. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Huh? CU. YOSHO YOSHO: About Sasami. Is she doing well? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Oh... She's seems fine to me, Grandpa. I wouldn't worry about her... CU. YOSHO YOSHO: Really? There's nothing you want to tell me? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: What's there to tell? We're both very happy, Grandpa. You should see her. She was always pretty responsive, before. Now, she just fairly glows. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (casual) She's not too demanding? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (confused) She's very modest, Grandpa. She's so sweet, too. She has a knack for being annoyed and upset for just long enough to make you feel bad, but not so bad that you start to think she really hates you. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (sighing) Ah, yes. I recall, she had those qualities as a child--what I saw of her, that is. SHRINE The door slides open. Sasami stands at the entrance, holding little Michiko. SASAMI: Good morning. Tenchi gets up and greets Michiko, then gently kisses Sasami. YOSHO: Good morning. I hope you slept well. SASAMI: I stayed warm, if that's what you mean. TENCHI: I'm starting to like being a human pillow. (looking at Michiko) I could take little Michiko. SASAMI: No, Tenchi. We'll be fine. I just need to have a little talk with Yosho in private, if you don't mind. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Oh... I'll be back at the house. I'll help out Dad with breakfast. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Take your time. Big Brother and I have a lot to talk about. SHRINE Tenchi exits, and Sasami stands for a moment, considering Michiko. SASAMI: Little Michiko is very calm and well- behaved for a baby. She looks like a little magician. I just know she'll enjoy performing little illusions. YOSHO: Yes. She reminds me in many ways of Achika at that age. Sasami looks around at Yosho, and Yosho smiles. CU. SASAMI She looks somewhat taken aback. SASAMI: Yosho, you aren't still jealous, are you? CU. YOSHO YOSHO: What makes you think that? SHRINE Sasami considers, as she goes to the table and sits across from Yosho. SASAMI: (casual) You're still upset about Achika? You know you were too hard on her. YOSHO: (grim) Achika made life hard on herself. She never learned anything she didn't beg me to teach her. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (annoyed) And I suppose you had nothing to do with her begging? CU. YOSHO YOSHO: You think it was just a petty vendetta? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (sighing) I think you weren't ready to accept the truth. You never were. SHRINE Yosho gets up and pours some tea for Sasami. YOSHO: Wasn't there any way we could make up? SASAMI: You were the one with the excuses. Something was always coming up. You kept meeting others. What did you expect? YOSHO: (grimly amused) Is that why you married Tenchi? Let me know something, Sasami. SASAMI: Yes? Yosho sits again. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: Just how long have you had your heart set on Tenchi? Did you actually meet him, first? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (scowling) You are far too curious, Yosho. You and Ayeka have a lot in common. I'm surprised you didn't just relent and have her for yourself, instead. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: She isn't done sharpening her claws on me. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: I suppose that's my fault, too? CU. YOSHO YOSHO: I don't blame you for any of this. You were just using Ryoko... SHRINE SASAMI: (upset) I've never used anyone! YOSHO: Hmm... So you say, but Ayeka told me that Ryoko remembers Tenchi from when Tenchi was just an infant. Tell me, Sasami, how is that possible? SASAMI: (grim) You have some imagination, Yosho. You think I had something to do with that? YOSHO: Didn't you suggest that I let Tenchi resurrect Ryoko? SASAMI: That was your idea. YOSHO: But the timing was perfect, if you meant for Ryoko to distract Ayeka from finding me. It also allowed Ryoko to distract Ayeka from Tenchi, and it allowed you to confront Kagato at Earth--giving you an excuse to remain here. It's all a little too convenient for you, for me to just dismiss it. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (introspective) Okay, fine. I admit it. I've been mindful of him for quite some time. I didn't use anyone. Ryoko just happened to be in the right place at the right time. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: I see. So, it was a mistake, that she remembers Tenchi as a child? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: I was a little careless, that's all. You need not read anything else into it. And watch what you say about Ayeka, Yosho. Ayeka isn't as careless as you and I. SHRINE Sasami has some tea, as she considers Michiko again. YOSHO: I didn't mean to offend you, Sasami. I was just worried about Ryoko. She's okay, isn't she? SASAMI: She's fine. I know. (amused) Tenchi hired a detective to make sure she was protected. He was worried that someone might hurt her. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: That was very thoughtful of him. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: I read some of the reports. He had nothing to fear, of course. The detective spent more time protecting petty thugs from her than her from any of them. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: And Little Washu? Have you heard anything about her? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: We still talk from time to time, but I haven't heard anything from her in the past couple months. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: You plan to visit Mihoshi again? She's nearby. It may be some time before you can get back. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Maybe. I wish Mother wasn't so busy, lately. I just know she's still upset. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: She'll be glad to know you called her 'Mother' again. I don't know if you'll see her, any time soon, though. (sigh) Don't you think it's time I drop this stupid disguise? Ayeka obviously knows, but she won't admit it. SHRINE Sasami takes some tea and considers. SASAMI: I've grown to like that look, Yosho. Anyway, the disguise isn't for me or Ayeka anymore. It's for Tenchi. How do you think he would react to your actual appearance? Yosho groans, a little disgusted. 7 EXT. A LITTLE VILLA Washu is standing at the door, holding Ryo-Ohki. She considers for a moment, then knocks. 8 INT. MAIN HALL Mihoshi goes to the entrance and slides open the door. MIHOSHI: Oh, hey! Little Washu! What a suprise! WASHU: (annoyed) Really? (softly) Where is she? MIHOSHI: Who? Oh, you mean--? CU. WASHU WASHU: Funaho. I was sent for. MAIN HALL Funaho enters from a side room, looking fairly calm. FUNAHO: Hello, Washu. I see you look well. Washu scowls and enters, confronting Funaho in front of the television. The TV is blaring some children's program. WASHU: Cut the crap, Funaho. What do you want with me? FUNAHO: (feigning shock) Whatever has offended you? CU. WASHU WASHU: Well, for starters, you've made it impossible for me to go anywhere without being spied on--and I don't mean Tenchi's rent-a-cop. I've seen all those elite scouts you have trailing me. There's three outside, right now. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: (smiling) Rangers are not under our control, Washu. You know that. CU. WASHU WASHU: I know all about this little war you've got going on with the pirates. In a time of war, you take liberties with the rangers--everyone knows that. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: Uh, I'm a ranger, and this is the first I've heard of any war. MAIN HALL Funaho regards Mihoshi with some irritation, as Washu grimaces--almost amused. FUNAHO: Could you get us some tea, Mihoshi? I'd like to sit and have a word with Washu. WASHU: Don't expect me to be chatty. You think I'm a potential political risk for your campaign. I'm here to tell you that you're full of it, so back off. FUNAHO: (sighing) I wasn't here for any accusation. I merely wish to offer some sympathy and ask for some advice. Now, if it should happen that you might present us with some potential for political problems-- CU. WASHU WASHU: I know. You're prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. You'd blow up this house to make sure I didn't give an edge to that fox you have on the run. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: Oh my! Blow up this house? MAIN HALL Funaho rolls her eyes and goes to sit at the table. She sits and gestures to Washu. FUNAHO: (softly) It pains me to see you so upset, Little Washu. Believe me. I sympathize with you. Poor Ayeka is close to my heart, as much as your Ryoko is to you. WASHU: Is anyone trying to kill Ayeka? FUNAHO: Well, as a matter of fact... Washu looks a little shocked. She goes and stands across from Funaho. CU. WASHU WASHU: That ambush on Ryo-Ohki by the pirates was an assassination attempt? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: It was supposed to be a private matter for the Supreme Council and the old guard who still supported General Kent. Since the general was Lania's father, we figured it was in our best interest to keep him alive. Now-- CU. WASHU WASHU: Oh, I see. He tried to take his revenge for the death of his wife. MAIN HALL (table) Funaho gestures again, as Mihoshi returns with some tea. Washu takes the kettle. WASHU: Thanks, Mihoshi. Go watch some TV, huh? We wouldn't want to bore you. Washu pours some tea for Funaho and sits, as Mihoshi goes to the sofa. Mihoshi sits, nervously--glancing back and forth. CU. WASHU WASHU: I thought that ambush was meant for me. Afterward, it didn't really make any sense--especially after the police got involved. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: The rogues--they were placed by the pirates as a distraction for Kardanna's assault on Alpha. We believe that Lania helped the general arrange that attempt on Ayeka. CU. WASHU WASHU: Lania is turning out to be a handful. Why haven't you disposed of her? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: She's too valuable-- CU. WASHU WASHU: As bait, yes. I'm telling you, Funaho-- get rid of her. She's the risk. MAIN HALL (table) Ayeka enters from the kitchen, holding a cup of tea in her hands. AYEKA: The only problem with doing that, Washu, is that you expose your allies to leadership uncertainties. If we assassinate Lania, why not any other potential leader? Why not any current leader, as well? Washu sighs, trying to take stock. WASHU: Don't lecture me on statecraft, Ayeka. You've been using Lania from the beginning. Don't pretend to be holding the olive branch, now. FUNAHO: I think what Ayeka means, Little Washu, is that we cannot appear to be weak in the face of our enemy. It would accomplish Kardanna's purpose as quickly as doubling the size of his fleet. Ayeka sits at the table, setting down her cup. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: The alliance favors strength--they have a rule: never support weakness. If we dispose of Lania as you suggest, we would certainly appear to be weak, and Jurai would fall into the hands of Kardanna. CU. WASHU WASHU: But if you fail to strike, Lania will use someone else to accomplish that anyway. Kardanna may fall, but it will only put Jurai into Lania's hands. Then where would you be? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: The only way to ensure the security of the empire is to keep Kardanna on the run. We have Lania. MAIN HALL (table) WASHU: Under Belena--I know. FUNAHO: (a little shocked) Representative Belena? How in the world do you know that? WASHU: (glancing at Mihoshi) I have my sources. AYEKA: Belena? Are you mad, Washu? Why would we have Lania under the eye of our chief rival in the Council? CU. FUNAHO She frets, a little annoyed. FUNAHO: Ayeka... You weren't supposed to know about this, but Belena is part of this, as well. We don't trust her, but-- CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (grimly amused) Oh, I see. You are counting on her double-edged treachery. Very clever. CU. WASHU WASHU: Very dangerous. You think Lania doesn't suspect what you're planning? You think she doesn't know where Belena stands? That double-edged sword could very likely fall on Jurai. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: Don't overestimate her, Washu. Not everyone has your sources. MAIN HALL Mihoshi appears, holding a small package. MIHOSHI: Oh, that reminds me. Little Washu, some old man came by and said to give this to you. Funaho and Ayeka look fairly alarmed, as Washu curiously takes the package and opens it. WASHU: This should be good for an amusement. I suspect he's sent this to me by mistake. Sasami enters, looking curiously over Washu's shoulder. SASAMI: Really? Has anyone ever sent you something by mistake, Little Washu? Funaho looks around in a bit of shock, suddenly staring at Sasami, then turning back to Washu. Washu opens the box, and takes out a little statuette. Ryoko appears, looking thoughtfully at it, gesturing. RYOKO: Hey, that looks like me! CU. WASHU Holding up the statuette. WASHU: Well, the gang's all here. CU. STATUETTE A nearly perfect rendering of Ryoko holding a short glowing sword, looking very sullen and remorseful. In her other hand is a small roll of paper. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: That's a very good likeness. CU. SASAMI Looking at Ryoko, nervously. MAIN HALL (table) Funaho gets up and looks at Sasami, intently. Washu takes the small roll of paper and reads, as Ayeka, Ryoko, Mihoshi, and Sasami look on in amazement. WASHU: (reading) 'Learn the lesson that Ryoko had to learn the hard way--do not seek for what you are truly unready to find. Let some secrets remain hidden.' Ryoko looks a little disconcerted as several eyes start turning toward her. She begins to tremble a bit. RYOKO: (muttering) Why, that petty bastard! WASHU: That's him, all right. (looking around) Still knows how to lay it on thick. (to Mihoshi) He didn't happen to give you a name, did he? MIHOSHI: Uh-- I don't remember. AYEKA: This mesage was meant for Washu? FUNAHO: Sasami-- How you have grown! CU. SASAMI She gapes in stunned amazement. SASAMI: (softly) I think I'm getting dizzy. CU. AYEKA She picks up her tea and begins to drink again. CU. MIHOSHI She ponders for a moment, then offers a thought. MIHOSHI: Oh, yeah. I remember, now. He said it was 'Rumpelstiltskin.' I don't know how I could forget that. CU. WASHU Rolling her eyes. WASHU: Why did I bother to ask? 9 EXT. JURAI ROYAL PALACE Clouds cross the sky like country roads, as if viewed from high above. A gentle breeze stirs in a morning light. Several small cruisers are flitting up into the sky. 10 INT. HALLWAY Several uniformed figures go marching by, in step, as a few civilians scurry here and there. A couple of well- dressed guardians march toward a set of monstrously large doors. 11 INT. ELABORATE HALL A wide set of stairs ascend to a single throne. At the throne is Azusa, looking thoughtful and just a little annoyed, as some councilors pester him and Misaki stands nearby. The two guardians enter and approach, and Azusa looks around, a little relieved. FIRST COUNCILOR: (stiff) I think what happened is that devious Washu conspired with Tsunami. They are affecting this emergency to bring the empire under their control. SECOND COUNCILOR: (pondering) Let's not be hasty in our judgements. Tsunami had better opportunities than this to capture the empire--and she isn't as easy to sway as you are suggesting... FIRST COUNCILOR: Washu is a genius, your majesty. I wouldn't put it beneath her. She knows the pirates will plunder the Academy, so she has her eyes set on a throne of her own. Azusa scowls, annoyed. SECOND COUNCILOR: She was offered more power than the throne of this empire several times. I don't think she's interested-- AZUSA: (to the guardians) Morgos and Darion-- Ah, I see you have been faithful servants of mine. The two guardians stop and bow, stiffly. MORGOS: We are yours to command, your majesty. The councilors appear to be about to continue, as Azusa stands and gestures for silence. AZUSA: I know this is all very troubling. I suspect many things, but I doubt Washu is behind them. This is clearly the work of that wily fox, Kardanna. His military skill is nearly as clever as my own. He has simply made a desperate strike before we were fully able to marshal are own forces. CU. AZUSA AZUSA: Once again, it seems we must accept defeat. This will only be temporary, though. Once again, the pirates will underestimate the value of our allies. The Jurai empire is made of stronger bonds than they can imagine. We will return and crush them like the bugs they are. Come, my friends. We should make our escape. CU. MORGOS MORGOS: (formal) Your majesty, with your permission, we will stay behind and secure your escape. HALL Misaki frowns, considering Morgos and Darion thoughtfully. AZUSA: Yes, this suits us well. Fight bravely, my faithful servants. Azusa and the councilors begin to leave as Misaki slowly turns, resigned. 12 EXT. SPACE A long line of Juraian cruisers fly toward a group of pirate battleships. Several pirate fighters launch out of the battleships and form up in front of the Juraians. Several Juraian warships come around to the flanks of their line. 13 INT. LEAD JURAI WARSHIP A man in a dignified uniform stands before a tactical display at the command center. He studies the display for a moment, then makes some orders. COMMANDER: Everyone hold the line. We might be able to beat them back. We outnumber them by at least two- to-one, so stay together. Strength in our numbers. 14 EXT. SPACE The line of pirate fighters boldly strikes at the line of cruisers. The pirate fighters are outnumbered, but are clearly making dog meat out of the Jurai cruisers. 15 INT. LEAD JURAI WARSHIP The commander scowls as he considers. The comm officer looks up, a little desperate. COMM: Shall we commit the warships, sir? COMMANDER: (upset) We don't move until they do. If we get outflanked, we're all dead anyway. 16 EXT. SPACE The pirate fighters regroup as the cruisers make a valiant attempt to beat them back. The pirate battleships stay back, menacingly. 17 INT. LEAD JURAI WARSHIP The commander breathes a short sigh of relief. COMMANDER: There, you see. They'll turn on their own strategy. They'll be forced to commit their ships before we do. 18 EXT. SPACE The pirate battleships turn to outflank the cruisers, viciously blasting with lasers and missiles. 19 INT. LEAD JURAI WARSHIP The commander clenches his fist. COMMANDER: Yes! Now, give the order! 20 EXT. SPACE The Jurai warships turn to outflank the pirate battleships, viciously blasting with their lasers and missiles. Just as it looks like the battle is turning their way, a huge fleet of Galaxy Police battleships appear and begin firing on the Jurai warships. 21 INT. LEAD JURAI WARSHIP The commander looks very shocked. COMMANDER: Where did they come from? 22 EXT. SPACE The GP battleships are making short work of the Jurai fleet, as a few Jurai cruisers start to break off. 23 INT. LEAD JURAI WARSHIP The commander looks like he's about to have a tantrum. Several nasty explosions go off nearby. COMMANDER: No! Stay together! Anybody who breaks off is dead! Stay together! 24 EXT. SPACE The escaping cruisers get wasted, one-by-one, as the remaining Jurai group forms up again, signalling a surrender. 25 INT. MAIN HALL Sasami and Tenchi are playing a video game, as Mihoshi holds Michiko. Ryoko looks on, as Ayeka, Funaho and Washu continue to talk at the table. Ayeka is holding Ryo-Ohki, petting her softly. SASAMI: Oh, shoot! I give up. You never play fair, Tenchi. Tenchi chuckles, as Sasami gets up and takes Michiko from Mihoshi. Ryoko smiles, grimly, and offers. RYOKO: I'll play. Tenchi can't beat me. CU. TENCHI He looks a little awkward. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Go on, Tenchi. Show her how to play that. Kick her butt. CU. RYOKO She glances at Sasami with a wicked grin, then looks back around at Tenchi. RYOKO: What are you afraid of, Tenchi? I'm completely over you, you know. I don't suppose that stupid detective was able to tell you how many times I've skewered you figuratively. I've been wanting to skewer you literally, but I don't think Sasami would be my friend again if I did that. CU. TENCHI He looks a little introspective for a moment, then smiles. TENCHI: I was worried for a while, but I'm glad to see that I was worried for nothing. MAIN HALL Tenchi and Ryoko battle it out. Ryoko grins, beating him almost instantly. RYOKO: I told you. The only time you ever beat me is when you have help. (she turns) Isn't that right, Sasami? Sasami frowns, unwilling to add anything to that. TENCHI: Hey. Let's play again. I don't think I was ready. Ayeka looks briefly at the game, then back around at the table, considering. AYEKA: I never thought I'd live to see Ryoko again. Last time I saw her, she was going to do Kimiko's laundry. CU. FUNAHO She scowls in confusion. FUNAHO: Huh? CU. WASHU WASHU: Never mind. It's a long story. Funaho, I wonder if you've considered how to keep Kardanna on the run. He must have strongholds here and there. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: We have operatives at all his strongholds, Washu. Surely, we would know if he were hiding out-- MAIN HALL A curious beeping emanates into the room, and Ayeka and Washu look at Funaho. She takes a small sphere out of a pocket of her kimono and frowns for a moment. She then lets the sphere hover, wide-eyed with shock. FUNAHO: Well, it seems that we won't need to guess about Kardanna's whereabouts. WASHU: He's invading already? FUNAHO: He secured the rebel faction of the Galaxy Police. It's just a matter of time, now. AYEKA: Galaxy Police? Surely, such factions can be countermanded... CU. WASHU WASHU: The Galaxy Union controls outbreaks within the Galaxy Police, Ayeka. If I'm right, there are several traitors now moving within the Galaxy Union to make sure the assaults are not countermanded. CU. FUNAHO Resigned in defeat. FUNAHO: I'm afraid Washu is probably right. Jurai will have to have another restoration. The emperor will be making his escape, even as we speak. MAIN HALL (table) Sasami appears, holding Michiko. SASAMI: (casual) You are deluding yourself, Funaho. There won't be any restoration, this time. FUNAHO: (suspicious) What makes you say that? SASAMI: (sighing) Because the alliance is broken. Don't you see? Kardanna would never settle for a little group of traitors--he's probably taken control of the Galaxy Union already. WASHU: (nearly breathless) Whoa, she's right. It's a classic end-game maneuver. Lania probably arranged it all. I doubt he would have moved this quickly, otherwise. FUNAHO: I see I was right to come here for advice. This is all very upsetting. Is there nothing we can do? They all look quiet and introspective as Ryoko celebrates again. RYOKO: Yeah! Take that! CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (thoughtful) If this is the work of Lania, then perhaps we should do as Washu suggests and just dispose of her. Maybe we should cut our losses. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: (objecting) But if we do that, we play right into Kardanna's hands. He's probably already arranging for someone to strike at our outpost on Leo-three. CU. WASHU WASHU: There must be a way we can remove her fangs without making it appear to be an act of desperation. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: Is this the same Lania I know? A little curly-haired girl? MAIN HALL (table) Ayeka, Washu and Funaho glare at Mihoshi--very suspicious. AYEKA: How in the world do you know Lania? MIHOSHI: She's not all that bad. I met her when Tenchi began tutoring her in Spanish. I think she even mastered un pocito. FUNAHO: Tenchi has been tutoring Lania? WASHU: This is a real shock. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: She said that she could pretty much get out of that outpost any time she wanted. It was real easy for her to slip by the guards. I'm surprised it's so easy, myself. Those guards must be pretty lax. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: The guards aren't clumsy, Mihoshi. They are all operatives on our pay. They let her get out, so we can keep an eye on her. Apparently, though, we've been double-crossed, somewhere down the line. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: No report ever made it back to me about Lania being tutored by Tenchi. Mihoshi, did Lania ever tell you about who helps her escape and how she goes about making her plans? CU. MIHOSHI Scowling, vacantly. MIHOSHI: Huh... Now, that I think about it, she did admit that she liked to sneak into a museum for recreation. She mentioned some little statues that she kept things hidden in. I went there myself, but all I could find were little devices in some artifacts. CU. WASHU Very intent, curious. WASHU: Little mechanical devices? What did they look like? CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: A couple crystal-looking devices, like little gems. Then there were some meshed objects, like they had lots of little eyes. I can't think of any reason why someone would hide little devices in some little statues. MAIN HALL Ryoko celebrates again, and Tenchi gets up, a little irritated. TENCHI: Okay, I think I'm whipped. I want to hear what's going on. RYOKO: You're just a sore loser. Admit it. WASHU: A little modesty might be more appropriate, Ryoko. AYEKA: (softly) Command and control. The devices are for communication, analysis and confirmation. Damn! That's why we could never figure out who she was working with! She was working alone! SASAMI: Clever girl. FUNAHO: Yes. I see what you meant about Mihoshi, Washu. WASHU: Huh? Oh, right. AYEKA: Okay, we just take the devices. Problem solved. WASHU: It's not that easy. You don't just break into a museum and steal priceless artifacts without being noticed. RYOKO: Why not? I've done it several times. WASHU: Yeah, and you got yourself killed off half the time. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: Okay, use a homing missile. Blast the artifacts to kingdom come. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (rolling her eyes) That would be worse than killing off Lania--especially if we happened to kill some innocent security guards in the process. CU. WASHU WASHU: Not to mention the fact that those devices are probably pirate artifacts. We don't know that much about pirate devices--I'm very curious to see how they work. We could prevent a lot of costly battles if we knew how they communicated. MAIN HALL (table) FUNAHO: What we need is some kind of commando raid. AYEKA: Stage a feint, first. RYOKO: Yeah, distract the cops and the pirate- controlled military forces. That way, you can escape in one piece. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: It would have to be a pretty impressive feint. I'm not sure I could accomplish that. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: It won't have to be impressive. It just needs to look impressive. Little Washu, I don't suppose you have any more decoy Ryo-Ohki's you can give us? CU. WASHU WASHU: No, but I can arrange some decoy Jurai warships. That'll get their attention. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: All this, just because of Little Lania? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Whoa! Lania is involved in all this? MAIN HALL (table) Funaho looks a little exasperated as Ayeka explains. AYEKA: It's all very simple, Tenchi. Lania is manipulating the political powers of her grandfather--the Elite Pirate Guild Master--and the forces of her late father--the unlamented General Kent, previously the Commanding General of the Jurai military forces. SASAMI: Under Tsunami, of course. AYEKA: Lania is the key. We remove the key--the door stays closed. WASHU: It won't bring back Jurai. FUNAHO: No, but it may stave off anarchy. 26 EXT. ROYAL PALACE A bright, noon-like scene of columns of pirate fighters, all sitting on the ground. Pirate battleships shoot by, pursuing a few Juraian cruisers. An eery silence hangs in the air. 27 INT. ELABORATE HALL The guards, Morgos and Darion, stand alone--very solemn and still. One man in a pirate scout uniform enters and is about to brandish a blaster, when a couple of well-dressed figures enter directly behind. The first figure stops the scout. SCOUT: Melafi? Sifto? Your suggestion was good. I've discovered traitors. The one addressed as Melafi is an older guardian with an impressive build--obviously a hardened veteran. The one called Sifto is a short, fairly unimpressive looking woman with a murky look. MELAFI: (turning to Morgos and Darion) Traitors, eh? Who art thou? Friend or foe? Morgos smiles, as Darion frowns. DARION: 'Who art thou?' What kind of question is that? We will not be addressed by swine like you. SIFTO: (casual) They aren't traitors. They're here to delay us. It won't work, though. We'll have you and that paper tiger you call an emperor. Melafi rolls his eyes. MELAFI: Why waste your breath, Sifto? Let's go. CU. MORGOS He takes out a device and presses a switch. HALL The doors swing shut, and an explosion of smoke comes up around the edges, obscuring the door. The blaster in the scout's hand erupts into flame, and he drops it, cursing. SIFTO: (amused) You are persistent--the weakness of your petty minds. DARION: You talk a lot. I wonder if you can fight. MORGOS: Why bother, Darion? It's only a woman-- Melafi puts a hand on Sifto's shoulder. MELAFI: (softly) Careful. CU. SIFTO SIFTO: I should expect such tricks from you Jurai-hired thugs. CU. MELAFI MELAFI: You only insure your own deaths, gentlemen. You should surrender--everyone else has already thrown down their arms. CU. DARION DARION: Surrender is for a time of war. We will not deign to acknowledge your petty imagined grievances. CU. MORGOS MORGOS: I will die the death of a man. What kind of death will you choose? HALL They approach, considering each other carefully, as the scout goes to inspect the doors. SIFTO: This is pointless. If you beat us, you will only fall to the thousands who stand behind us. MELAFI: Well, if we cannot have your emperor, then we should at least have some sport. What do you say, Sifto? You think these two could last more than a minute against your sword? SIFTO: (considering) They don't look like much. Maybe if they both fought me together. That younger one isn't very tough-looking. MORGOS: No one proposed a fight. We cannot, in honor, make the first move. DARION: I'll make the first move. Let me, please. CU. SIFTO SIFTO: I would enjoy a warm-up. I doubt I would have to score more than a hit or two on this one, though. (amused) I spit in your mother's water. How does that for your honor? HALL Morgos stands back, as Sifto and Darion stare each other down. DARION: What kind of insult is that? I think you're a joke. A washed-up hacker and his shield- girlfriend? This is the best the mighty Kardanna has to offer? You're the ones who should surrender. Our emperor won't need our might in battle to beat such pitiful children. SIFTO: You have a big mouth-- She takes out a wicked-looking sword, and Darion folds his arms, as if amused. MELAFI: Careful, Sifto. These mercenaries are tougher than they look. Sifto grins and casts a glance back at Melafi. CU. SIFTO She brandishes and strikes with very impressive speed. HALL (two-shot) Sifto and Darion circle each other with swords drawn. Darion beats Sifto back with a couple of quick strokes. Sifto goes, apparently, right through Darion's guard with a blindingly fast finesse. She kicks, and Darion goes flying. SIFTO: His reach is good, but he's far too slow. CU. MELAFI Melafi rubs his chin, considering. MELAFI: Yes, but his maneuvers are impressive. I thought he had you fooled for a moment. CU. SIFTO SIFTO: I wouldn't flatter him like that. I'd prefer if he were a bit more of a challenge. CU. MORGOS He goes and helps Darion stand. MORGOS: (softly) She leads and favors her left. Expose her high, then look for a quick weapon change. CU. DARION He considers, thoughtfully, and nods. DARION: Yes, Morgos. I saw her favoring. HALL The scout looks back briefly, and starts banging on the door with his fist. A few bangs echo back. MELAFI: I think we'll soon have company. DARION: Yes. I'll have plenty of time to make their acquaintance. I can't speak for the two of you. CU. SIFTO SIFTO: (annoyed) Enough foreplay. Time to make my move! HALL Sifto charges toward Darion, as if to joust, then swerves to her left, crouching down. CU. MORGOS He looks a little surprised. CU. SIFTO She flings out a dagger. CU. DARION He grasps at the dagger sticking from his chest, and falls forward. CU. MORGOS Shaking his head, sadly. MORGOS: (softly) I warned you. HALL Melafi looks down at the body of Darion, considerately, as Sifto collects and cleans her dagger. MELAFI: Well, he died like a soldier, if not a man. SIFTO: I told you he was slow. MELAFI: Better luck in the next world, my friend. You should choose your sides more carefully. CU. MORGOS He ponders, looking at Melafi carefully. CU. SIFTO She turns to Morgos, approaching him cautiously. SIFTO: I suppose, by now, you know we mean business. We have no desire to fight you. Only offer us your loyalty. We can be reasonable. CU. MORGOS He looks around, a little distracted. MORGOS: Huh? Oh, you were speaking to me? CU. SIFTO SIFTO: Is there anyone else? CU. MORGOS MORGOS: (musing) I assumed you meant your friend over there. Treachery is very common among thieves, after all. HALL Melafi seems about to say something, as Sifto interrupts, scowling. SIFTO: (dark and broody) Don't say I never offered you a truce. MORGOS: Pacts made with pirates are soon broken. SIFTO: (outraged) I've never broken a pact in my life! Melafi starts laughing, as the doors swing open again. Dozens of figures in pirate uniforms enter the room, looking on, curiously. CU. MORGOS MORGOS: (casual) Like all pirates, you make a living out of breaking pacts, then you destroy the evidence so you can delude yourselves. A pact made with such a beast is like putting a ring on a monkey's finger. Soon, both the vow and the ring are lost. CU. SIFTO SIFTO: (grim) You'll soon see what this monkey can do-- HALL (two-shot) Sifto is caught in a classic attack pose, with Morgos holding back her sword with his own. He slowly forces her back and makes a bold slash. The slash cuts right through her sword and leaves a wide gash across her chest. Sifto looks down at herself, in shock, then falls. CU. MELAFI He looks at the form of Sifto, as if merely curious. CU. MORGOS He wipes his blade, and sheathes it again. MORGOS: Strength always beats speed. CU. MELAFI He looks up in casual agreement. MELAFI: Yes, but balanced forces always favor the one with more friends. HALL The uniformed pirates slowly make a circle around the two guards, softly muttering among themselves. MORGOS: Hmm... I've always had my doubts about that. I think a pure balance favors a blind chance. MELAFI: What a unique opportunity. Here we are-- two unequalled warriors, about to discover some dreadful truth that philosophers and men of soft ways could only dream. Only one of us will ever know the truth. MORGOS: Yes. And that knowledge, I suspect, will be very short-lived. That is the true burden of proof. A man can only carry so much knowledge of truth in his heart before it crushes him. MELAFI: Well, what are we waiting for? Let's test ourselves and see. CU. MORGOS He slowly draws his sword. CU. MELAFI He slowly brandishes his sword, as if to test its weight. HALL (two-shot) The two swordsmen approach and clash quickly--Melafi quickly gaining the upper hand. Melafi makes a few quick thrusts, and Morgos falls. CU. MELAFI He looks down in a bit of disappointment, wipes his sword, then ponders--looking around at his cheering comrades. MELAFI: (softly) Hmm... I think you were right, my friend. Fate favors the blind game of chance. 28 EXT. BARREN WASTELAND A single, robed figure strolls across desert dunes in the middle of a barren wasteland. Another figure appears and follows. FIRST FIGURE: (turning) Who are you? SECOND FIGURE: Who am I? As if you didn't know... CU. FIRST FIGURE She smiles for a moment, then frowns. FIRST FIGURE: That devil-woman. Yes, I was expecting you. CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: Little Miss Perfect-- CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: You may call me Tsunami or whatever you wish. I doubt it matters, now. WASTELAND The figures draw closer and stand, facing each other. SECOND FIGURE: What's your problem? FIRST FIGURE: Huh? SECOND FIGURE: Well, I could hardly help noticing that you destroyed the universe. CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: Destroyed the universe? How is that possible? CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: Enlarging the higher dimensions eventually has a drastic effect on the lower ones--I'm surprised you didn't know that. WASTELAND A third figure suddenly appears. THIRD FIGURE: Tsunami was never as clever as she seemed, though. I've always been a little disappointed-- although I've never been able to beat her. FIRST FIGURE: (a little disconcerted) Ryoko? Wait a minute... What's going on here? SECOND FIGURE: Hmm... She must be me. I'm not sure, though. THIRD FIGURE: Well, I don't remember you. So, I must be you. If you're me, then I must have failed. SECOND FIGURE: Let's not jump to conclusions. I might only want to make sure I succeed. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, you know. FIRST FIGURE: No. I don't believe this. I know you can duplicate yourself, Ryoko. You can't trick me. CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: Now, why would I want to trick you? CU. THIRD FIGURE THIRD FIGURE: I'd have to be pretty stupid to try some little trick. WASTELAND The second figure ponders as the third figure snaps her fingers. A moment later, a fourth figure appears. SECOND FIGURE: Interesting... FIRST FIGURE: What did you do? CU. THIRD FIGURE Standing very smug and proud. THIRD FIGURE: Well, just look... CU. FOURTH FIGURE FOURTH FIGURE: How very odd. How did you manage to divide me in two? CU. FIRST FIGURE She studies the fourth figure carefully. FIRST FIGURE: Hey! She's not me! She can't be! Can she? CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: Oh! I see. You've created a double-paradox. It always bifurcates the deciding consciousness between two realities. CU. THIRD FIGURE THIRD FIGURE: Yes, and what's ingenius about it is that this dimension accommodates every possible reality at once. Thus, you see both at once! CU. FOURTH FIGURE FOURTH FIGURE: Wow! This is amazing! WASTELAND The first figure approaches the fourth figure, considering carefully. FIRST FIGURE: Very clever, but it won't work. THIRD FIGURE: Huh? SECOND FIGURE: Yeah. I'm afraid you neglected one little detail. You see, Tsunami can just assimilate herself back--and she's had a lot of time to perfect her technique. The first figure takes the hand of the fourth figure and begins to glow, all around. CU. THIRD FIGURE THIRD FIGURE: Wait a minute! Won't that have dire consequences for me? CU. SECOND FIGURE Pondering for a moment. SECOND FIGURE: Hmm... Yeah, now that I think about it--since you created this paradox--her assimilation with herself will cause an equal and opposite division of your realities-- CU. THIRD FIGURE THIRD FIGURE: Making two of me? CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: No. Actually, it will create an infinite number of you--because you will essentially become a paradox within a paradox. Of course, that will cause all of us and this whole universe to collapse into one giant black hole-- WASTELAND The wasteland suddenly fills with an infinite number of Ryokos. 29 INT. TENCHI'S BEDROOM Sasami sits up in bed, gasping, and looks down at Tenchi, trembling in fear. She slowly calms and lies down again. SASAMI: Tenchi, are you awake? TENCHI: Uh, huh... SASAMI: I've been having the most bizarre nightmares lately. I wish I knew why. CU. TENCHI He sits up, thoughtful. TENCHI: Sasami, dreams are totally meaningless. You know that. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Yeah, but I dreamed that Tokimi would take you away, and she did. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (a little annoyed) You're just overreacting, Sasami. I know Tsunami can see the future. It doesn't necessarily mean anything. BEDROOM Sasami turns to Tenchi, intent with fear. SASAMI: But these dreams are a lot clearer. It's weird, but I feel like they're visions of things that are real--like you and I talking right now. You know? TENCHI: I know. The mind just plays tricks on you sometimes. Tokimi was never any threat to you or me. SASAMI: But, what would have happened, had I stayed on Earth? CU. TENCHI Scowling with thought. TENCHI: I don't think it matters, Sasami. What's done is done. CU. SASAMI She sighs, laying back again. SASAMI: You're probably right, Tenchi. I do tend to overreact, sometimes. BEDROOM Tenchi continues to sit up, thoughtful. He gets up and scratches his head, thinking. 30 EXT. MASAKI SHRINE The shrine is shrouded in evening darkness. 31 INT. SHRINE Yosho is sitting across from Funaho, undisguised and pouring some tea. YOSHO: Ayeka seemed very upset. FUNAHO: Yes, after I insisted that she command the maneuver. She had her heart set on tactics in the raid mission. Sometimes, Yosho, you just have to insist your will over hers. She gets a little too headstrong for her own good. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (smiling) Wasn't the feint her idea? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: It was--and it helped that I reminded her, but you know how Ayeka is. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (rolling his eyes) So, who's going? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: Well, Ryoko, of course. She seemed like a good candidate, and most willing--I would also prefer if we could keep an eye on her, for the time being. No telling what might happen, otherwise. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: Ryoko will make sure the job gets done. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: (frowning) I know. And it worries me, because I'm also sending Tenchi and Sasami. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (strained) You're sending Sasami? And Tenchi? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: Why not? Tenchi has been trained for combat and self-defense. I understand he even teaches a course over at a well-known school on Leo. As for Sasami, who could be a better tactician than Tsunami--whose desperado maneuver against Kagato was a thing of beauty. It makes perfect sense. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (softly) We're risking an awful lot. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: I know. But if it's a trap--it was laid with Ayeka in mind. You must know that. The only other person I could use for tactics is Ayeka. I dare not put Washu in her position. She's far too valuable. CU. YOSHO He scratches his head, thinking. 32 INT. MAIN HALL Tenchi enters, carrying some coffee toward the table. Ryoko is sitting at the table, drinking tea. TENCHI: (looking up) Oh! I didn't know you were here. RYOKO: (grimly amused) Where else would I be? CU. TENCHI Scratching his head, nervously. TENCHI: Boy, this is awkward, huh? CU. RYOKO RYOKO: (scowling) It's okay, Tenchi. I can just leave, if you want. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: No, no. It's fine, really. He goes to sit at the table. TENCHI: I just never expected to see you here again. It's a little strange. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: Yeah, well... Ayeka and Yosho both insisted. You can blame them. I'm not sure, but I think Yosho still has a grudge against me. HALL (table) Tenchi takes a sip of his coffee, and cautiously considers Ryoko. TENCHI: Actually, Ryoko--I keep thinking about that experiment Little Washu performed on you. RYOKO: Which one? TENCHI: You know, that last one before she got really burned out and went on vacation. The one where you were-- RYOKO: A little beside myself? (sighing) Don't remind me, please... CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (musing) Well, if it's not too awkward, I was wondering if you could help me understand something. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: (grimly curious) Sure. Anything. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: You know about time travel and paradoxes, right? CU. RYOKO RYOKO: Right... CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Is it possible for a paradox to make you two separate people at the same time? CU. RYOKO Her eyes widen in shock. RYOKO: Uh, yeah... I think so. It's a classic paradox-within-a-paradox. It's not very scientific, though. It's just the kind of thing Washu would scoff at. HALL Tenchi sighs, as he takes another sip of coffee. TENCHI: Yeah. That's what I thought. People who develop split personalities don't exhibit them simultaneously. Ryoko punches herself, and scowls in thought. RYOKO: How do you know that? TENCHI: (nervously) Well, because Sasami is essentially a split personality--being assimilated with Tsunami--and she never exhibits both at the same time. I've gotten pretty good about noticing the difference. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: Oh, yeah. You were always good at reading minds. Why am I just now hearing this? You realize what this means? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (embarrassed) Yeah. I think I made a big mistake. HALL Ryoko briefly looks enraged, then frowns in thought. RYOKO: That old man... He knew. He could have just told me any time he wanted to. Son of a bitch! TENCHI: That alchemist? RYOKO: Yeah. I'm going to rip his head off, if I ever see him again. TENCHI: I don't think he knew... Well, unless he was misleading me, too. Wait a minute... CU. RYOKO RYOKO: He lied to you too? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: He didn't exactly lie, now that I think about it. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: He must have realized you would figure it out, so he deliberately misled you to keep you from telling me. He didn't want you screwing up his deal with little Miss Perfect. HALL Tenchi ponders for a moment, thinking. TENCHI: Ryoko, I think all that is beside the point. RYOKO: Huh? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: If you didn't develop a split personality, then it must mean that you are going to create a paradox. Somewhere along the line, the future is going to change in some drastic way. Remember that vision you said you had? CU. RYOKO Calm again, she looks at her tea. RYOKO: Oh, right. Heaven only knows why, but I'm going to change the future to save your life. I haven't figured that one out. HALL Tenchi looks amused, as Ryoko drinks some tea. RYOKO: What? TENCHI: When did you start drinking tea? RYOKO: (annoyed) I've been stone-cold sober for years, Tenchi. I'm not surprised you never noticed. I never could compete with that pretty little princess. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: I thought you two were friends. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: Yeah--that's what makes me hate her so much. Pretty little bitch. 33 EXT. TENCHI'S HOUSE The red orb beats down in a bleak winter-like night sky. Shrubs dot the landscape of surrounding hills--like a scene from southern California. Lots of desert-like features fill in spaces between houses on the sides of hills here and there. A few little dirt roads cross through low spaces like little brown rivers. A simple one-floor built around a rectangle with an entrance leading straight into a main hall. Facing the entrance, the first room on the right is a combined kitchen with dining room, suitable for four--or six in traditional positions. The first room on the left is a study--with a small bookcase, painter's easel, a chessboard on a table with two small chairs, and a small sofa. The sofa has a small pillow and is draped with sheets--as if recently used for sleeping. The second room on the right is divided into a standard bathroom and toilet/washroom--little space for tile. Connecting to a third room on the right is a bedroom--with one double bed, and enough room left for a small cot. The second room on the left is a small, unused bedroom. The third room on the left is a utility room with a small solarium. The solarium has a large pool in the center, and is surrounded by a variety of vegetable plants--peppers, mushrooms, beans, squash, eggplants, and carrots. The windows are short and fat--and somewhat arched. Adobe-style shingled rooftop provides some treatment and shelter for the windows. On the inside of the windows are hanging drapes--untied and mostly left open. The front and back doors are edged with small porches and posted lamps. A short, wooden walkway extends the front porch. The entrance is tiled with checkerboard light and dark gray tile, and most of the rest of the floor is covered with light, khaki carpeting. The walls are blue and white, except for the main hall--which is in maroon and gray. The solarium has a nice green tile with tiled walls. Between the doors in the main hall are shelves, small tables, and a few small sofas. At the middle of the entrance-side of the hall is a small statue of Callisto-- nymph from the waist-up, and she-bear from the waist-down. She is looking around, as if in shock, apparently allowing a bottle of water to spill into a small pool. The water, of course, flows continuously. 34 INT. STUDY Kimiko is sitting at the chessboard, apparently playing chess with herself. A bright light briefly fills the windows, and a loud thud goes through the ground. Kimiko looks around, casually curious. 35 EXT. TENCHI'S HOUSE Kimiko emerges from the entrance, walking toward a small spaceship. A hatch opens, and Washu steps out, carrying Ryo-Ohki. As Kimiko stands, staring at the cruiser, Washu casually strolls next to Kimiko and looks up at her. WASHU: You need to wait on Earth. After they reverse on Alpha, they'll be forced to rendezvous here. (softly) I have a hunch about this rendezvous. CU. WASHU WASHU: (musing) It's weird, but I could swear I've seen this house before. Deja vu, huh? CU. KIMIKO She shudders and grimaces. KIMIKO: I know. I've been getting that feeling a lot, lately. (blunt) So, the old man's still afraid of me? CU. WASHU WASHU: Can you blame him? CU. KIMIKO KIMIKO: He should fear me. (grim) If I had my way, he'd be sharing a toast with Kagato. (softly) To be perfectly honest, Washu, he still gives me the creeps. I don't know why you're willing to deal with him. He must have made one heck of a deal with Sasami to shut her up like that. WALKWAY Washu starts toward the house, giving a little wave. WASHU: Send my best, Kimiko--and remember to tell them to meet up here. I'll be ready, when Mr. Know-It-All comes along again. Kimiko looks back briefly and nods. She walks up to the spaceship, as if dreading to leave. 36 INT. STUDY Washu enters as the ground trembles a bit and a bright flare of light briefly fills the room. She goes to the chessboard, considering the positions. The alchemist enters and considers over her shoulder. ALCHEMIST: You up for a game? It'll be a while before they return. CU. WASHU She turns around in some shock. WASHU: Aren't you a little early? Ryoko isn't dead already, is she? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Whoever said Ryoko was going to die? STUDY Washu glares at him, pointing a finger. WASHU: I believe it was you. Don't tell me you've got me all worked-up for nothing. ALCHEMIST: Well... I have to admit I have my doubts, but there's really no disputing it. (musing) Then again, Ryoko was bound to kill herself one way or another. I just wonder if she's discovered the truth, yet. WASHU: (annoyed) What truth? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: (casual) You remember her little disagreement with herself? It was all just a misunderstanding, of course. I could have told her, but she never would have believed me--and if she had, it would have been even more tragic. CU. WASHU WASHU: For you-- CU. ALCHEMIST Rolling his eyes. ALCHEMIST: Haven't you realized it, Washu? Ryoko expects far too much from that poor boy. He's only a Earthling, you know. STUDY Washu considers carefully, as she slowly realizes. WASHU: Huh? You're kidding, right? ALCHEMIST: No. WASHU: (sitting) I must not be much of a mother, not to sense that. ALCHEMIST: On the contrary, Washu, you're a genius. Your problem is that you're too good a mother. That's why I needed you out of the way. CU. WASHU Looking up, blankly. WASHU: You sabotaged my time machine? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: (matter-of-factly) You seemed to think I did you a favor until you learned about Sasami. CU. WASHU WASHU: (embarrassed) Is there anything you don't know about me? CU. ALCHEMIST Sitting down across from Washu. ALCHEMIST: How's your chess? You like to play opened or closed-style? STUDY Washu starts to arrange the pieces. WASHU: You'll find out on my first move, Rumpelstiltskin--if that is your real name. ALCHEMIST: (a little taken aback) So, she told you about that? WASHU: Mihoshi can't keep a secret. I'm surprised you don't know that. ALCHEMIST: (sighing) I didn't bother to study her, actually. I might have admitted a little more than I meant to. Washu smiles, as she looks up from the chessboard. 37 EXT. BARREN WASTELAND A single, robed figure strolls across desert dunes in the middle of a barren wasteland. Another figure appears and follows. FIRST FIGURE: (turning) Who are you? SECOND FIGURE: Oh, nobody important. CU. FIRST FIGURE She smiles for a moment, then frowns. FIRST FIGURE: Ryoko-- CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: That's my name. What's yours? CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: I have many names, but they mean nothing to me, anymore. WASTELAND The figures draw closer and stand, facing each other. SECOND FIGURE: Are you ready? FIRST FIGURE: For what? SECOND FIGURE: To fight me, of course. We're not just going to stand here talking. I've got to make you pay. CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: Make me pay? For what? CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: For killing my Tenchi, that's what for. WASTELAND The two figures briefly hesitate, as they consider each other. FIRST FIGURE: You blame me? You were there. Don't you remember? SECOND FIGURE: You think I blame Ayeka? FIRST FIGURE: Why not? You both are more to blame than me. SECOND FIGURE: Oh, forget this. I'm putting an end to you, right now! CU. SECOND FIGURE She throws a devastating punch, knocking the first figure into next week. WASTELAND The first figure goes tumbling, laughing as she goes. FIRST FIGURE: C'mon, Ryoko. You can do better than that! Hit me harder! The second figure runs up and seems about to deliver a kick, as she looks down. CU. SECOND FIGURE She scowls, backing away in confusion. CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: (amused) What's the matter, Ryoko? Have you grown weary of defending your Tenchi? Is Tenchi too much man for you, now? CU. SECOND FIGURE SECOND FIGURE: Why aren't you fighting back? If you keep your defenses lowered, I could just crush you like an ant. WASTELAND The first figure sits up, chuckling. FIRST FIGURE: So, why don't you? The second figure seems about to act, then stops. SECOND FIGURE: No. This isn't right. I can't kill you, but I can do the next best thing. I can defeat you. Then, you can learn to live with what you've become. The second figure makes some curious gestures, and the first figure begins to shrink. FIRST FIGURE: What are you doing, Ryoko? SECOND FIGURE: Making you more portable--easier to manage. Once you're the size of a photon, then I think my work is done. The first figure makes a quick, silent chant and immediately returns to normal size, smiling. FIRST FIGURE: I won't make it that easy. You should know better, Ryoko. I'm not just Tsunami and Sasami, anymore. CU. SECOND FIGURE Frowning, repeating the gestures. SECOND FIGURE: What's going on? Why aren't you shrinking? CU. FIRST FIGURE She giggles, as a few more moments pass. CU. SECOND FIGURE She suddenly stops, a little horrified. SECOND FIGURE: You didn't stop shrinking. You've just enlarged the higher dimensions--making this dimension shrink, to compensate... CU. FIRST FIGURE FIRST FIGURE: (amused) We're going down together, Ryoko. (laughing) I always knew you'd fall for me. Tenchi was just as easy. CU. SECOND FIGURE Grimacing in shock, gesturing again, as if to ward off a fly. 38 INT. TENCHI'S BEDROOM Sasami sits up in bed, grimly looking around, holding her head in her hands. SASAMI: What is going on? Was Ryoko's vision of something real? It all seemed so real, but they can't all be real. Tenchi sits up, a little worried. TENCHI: Sasami, did you have another bad dream? Sasami hugs Tenchi, shaking with fear. SASAMI: I'm not a bad person, am I Tenchi? I would never turn evil, would I? TENCHI: What the hell? No, of course not. Whatever happens, you're the most wonderful person I've ever known. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (softly) In the dreams, I'm burning with anger. I'm like a fire--I'm out of control. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (gently) Then the dreams aren't real. Trust me. Anger doesn't control you, you control it. Even if something happened that made you angry, all you need to do is calm down for a few moments, and it goes away. You taught me that, remember? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: I know. I just wonder if I really believe it. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: It's all in your mind--the nightmares, the feelings. Just let it go. 39 INT. STUDY Washu is studying the board, frowning in thought. WASHU: It's your move. The alchemist rubs his chin. ALCHEMIST: Damn modern games. Too complicated-- tactics within tactics. Who can keep track of it all? WASHU: Oh, stop whining. It's just move number thirty-seven. You can't reasonably call a stalemate before move number forty. CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: I know that. It's completely arbitrary, though. I'm just about to get checkmated six or seven moves from now, if I read this right. CU. WASHU WASHU: Are you referring to that red herring knight there or that sitting duck I've got pinned at F-6? STUDY The alchemist slumps, defeated. ALCHEMIST: I resign. It's the only honorable thing to do. WASHU: But I haven't beaten you yet. ALCHEMIST: I prefer to resign. It's more dignified. WASHU: (grinning) You're just a sore loser. Admit it. 40 EXT. MASAKI HOUSE The morning is just turning twilight purple as a small cruiser lands. 41 EXT. LAUNCH FIELD The small cruiser stands in a clearing. Sasami and Tenchi are standing near the hatch, as Kimiko holds Michiko. Tenchi is making note of certain items, going through a mental checklist. SASAMI: Maybe she isn't coming... KIMIKO: Oh, I wouldn't worry. She'll be along. I just can't imagine the three of you working a raid like this. It seems like such a strange combination. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Just make sure you look after little Michiko. We'll be back soon. CU. KIMIKO KIMIKO: Oh, yeah. That reminds me. Washu said to rendezvous on Leo. FIELD Tenchi approaches, wearing a curious fedora. TENCHI: We know. Ayeka briefed us on the plan before she left with Washu. KIMIKO: Uh-- Tenchi, lose the hat. It's giving me the creeps. CU. TENCHI Taking off the hat, and looking at it. TENCHI: Really? I wore it all the time at classes. He tosses it aside. FIELD Ryoko suddenly appears, holding a small book in one hand. RYOKO: Found it. Mihoshi had it hidden under a bunch of her junk. I don't know how she kept getting into my books. SASAMI: What's that for? RYOKO: Meditation guides. They help you clear your mind before tense situations. I'm going to get back in practice before we go in. It never hurts to be well prepared, you know. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: We won't be going into a tense situation. The whole point of the feint is to make sure we aren't pursued. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: Once we get into space. Yeah, but we might have a situation before we get that far. The pirates still have their watchdogs on Leo. Plus, the whole thing smells like a trap. If we spring it, we'll likely have militia on us. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Okay. Anything goes wrong--we ditch the artifacts. It's not like we don't have other options. FIELD Kimiko lets out a short sigh as Sasami exchanges a look with her. Sasami waves, as she and Tenchi climb into the cruiser after Ryoko. Kimiko looks down at Michiko and smiles, walking toward a short path. Yosho approaches from the path, looking up as the cruiser climbs into the sky. Kimiko fishes in a pocket and takes out a strange, wooden device. KIMIKO: I found another one. YOSHO: Another probe? I thought I found the last one right before the siege at Alpha. Yosho takes the device, and studies it for a moment. YOSHO: Juraian--like the others. KIMIKO: You think we should warn them? CU. YOSHO He considers, thoughtfully. YOSHO: It wouldn't change anything. They would just proceed, anyway. If we tell them later, it'll be one less thing for them to worry about. Kardanna will probably have most of the old guard executed by now, anyway. CU. KIMIKO KIMIKO: You told Sasami what our options are? FIELD Yosho frowns, looking around. YOSHO: She knows. She still thinks this mission is secondary, but Ryoko has enough experience to recognize a primary when she sees it. KIMIKO: Sasami is blinded by her involvement with Lania, isn't she? YOSHO: I hope not. If she is, then we're all dead. KIMIKO: (amused) Yosho, you're so theatrical. Take it easy. Wherever she stands, I'm sure we can trust her. You need to stop looking at her like a jilted lover. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (a little embarrassed) Oh, it's that obvious? CU. KIMIKO KIMIKO: As plain as that silly disguise you're wearing. 42 INT. STUDY Washu is typing at a console, as the alchemist enters and folds his arms. He rolls his eyes, a little disapprovingly. WASHU: What? ALCHEMIST: Nothing. It's time to go. WASHU: Where? ALCHEMIST: We're going to watch a bank robbery, of course. CU. WASHU WASHU: (confused) Wasn't this mission a raid on a museum? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: We can't help with that mission. I have another one in mind. CU. WASHU She looks back at her console, frowning. WASHU: A bank robbery? What good will that do us? STUDY The alchemist taps his foot, a little impatient. ALCHEMIST: We're wasting time. Are you coming, or not? Washu looks up from her console again, sighing. WASHU: Oh, all right. This had better be worth it. I was working on a really nifty paradox. ALCHEMIST: Your science includes temporal anomalies? WASHU: Of course. They're just fluctuations in the field structures of space-time. They have a very special curve. CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: (softly) Space-time! Really! You have some imagination, Washu. 43 INT. CRUISER Ryoko is piloting, as Sasami navigates. Tenchi looks over some gear, pondering absently to himself. RYOKO: (a little nervous) Did Tenchi tell you his theory? SASAMI: Theory? About what? Tenchi looks up, a little alarmed. RYOKO: He thinks my split personality was really just a temporal paradox. CU. SASAMI She carefully stares ahead. SASAMI: Really? How did he reach that conclusion? CU. RYOKO Considering Sasami carefully. She frowns and narrows her eyes a little. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Uh-- CU. RYOKO RYOKO: (grim) You knew. I don't believe this. All this time, and you never once thought to mention it to me. I thought you were my friend, Sasami. CU. SASAMI Scowling, a little remorseful. SASAMI: Look, Ryoko. I didn't know for sure. I was just as much in the dark as you. CRUISER TENCHI: Ryoko? RYOKO: (softly) It's okay, Tenchi. It's just me and Sasami talking right now. (bitter) I understand, Sasami. You just needed me to provide Ayeka with a little distraction. Yosho told me all about your little mind games. I'm just a plaything to you, huh? SASAMI: (shocked) It wasn't like that, Ryoko. Yosho just has a habit of imagining wicked intentions where he merely sees the wind blowing. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: (casual) So, when you helped Tenchi hack my hand off--that was just good intentions? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (firm) I had nothing to do with that. Yosho was controlling the sword, when Tenchi fought with you. CU. TENCHI Blankly confused, a little disgusted. TENCHI: Uh, hey-- What is this? CRUISER RYOKO: (sweetly) Tenchi, please-- SASAMI: (calm) What? TENCHI: Uh... Sasami, you knew what happened to Ryoko the whole time? About the paradox, I mean. SASAMI: (pondering for a moment) What does it matter now? It's pointless to argue about it. TENCHI: But, Sasami--you knew how I felt, then. Didn't you? You didn't trust me? CU. SASAMI Wide-eyed in shock. SASAMI: It's not that I didn't trust you, Tenchi. I just didn't feel comfortable. It's not the kind of thing you just blurt out in conversation. 'Oh, by the way. I think what Ryoko actually experienced... etc.' CU. TENCHI Grimacing, fighting a strong feeling of disgust. CU. RYOKO She looks around for a moment, then starts laughing. RYOKO: This is a great pep-talk. How about we start trading insults, too? Why in the world did Funaho pick the three of us? CRUISER The three seem speechless for a moment. SASAMI: Okay, I admit I wasn't happy about what happened between you and Tenchi, Ryoko. I deliberately misled you several times, too. I feel awful about it now, but there's nothing I can do. What's done is done. RYOKO: (softly) Okay. (looking around) Hey, Tenchi. You hearing all this? TENCHI: (firmly disgusted) Yeah. RYOKO: Boy, aren't you proud, now? CU. TENCHI He smiles, a little disdainfully. TENCHI: Actually, Ryoko, I've never been more proud of Sasami than at this moment. CU. SASAMI Sighing, somewhat mortified. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: (very grim) That's so sweet. I just love these little chats. Next time, just give me a good slap--I think it would be less upsetting. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (gently) Don't take it so hard, Ryoko. You baited him into admitting that, you know. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: (musing) So, I did. How about that? 44 EXT. SPACE A small cruiser goes shooting by. 45 INT. CRUISER Ayeka is piloting, as Mihoshi is flipping through some comics. AYEKA: There it is--Alpha. MIHOSHI: (looking up) Huh? CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (annoyed) Why do I bother? (firm) Mihoshi, did you ever study war strategy? CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: Uh-- I just mostly had survival training. Extreme conditions, rescue operations, emergency situations--that kind of thing. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (softly) I thought so. (explaining) The first thing you do in staging a feint is find the enemy's hidden resources, and lure them away. Then you sneak in and make use of those resources to your own advantage. Catch them with a long supply-line, and you could even turn the enemy forces inside-out. CRUISER MIHOSHI: Oh. So, why are we here? AYEKA: Because this is the staging area of the Pirate Guild's invasion. The alliance turned because Alpha could not be protected by Jurai--because certain people have a habit of underestimating their enemies. MIHOSHI: Wow. They must have committed a lot to its invasion. AYEKA: Not really. I suspect they mostly just sent in some warships to harrass the leadership. That's usually enough to secure an invasion. (suddenly thoughtful) Of course, there would always be counter-movements and betrayals, and the required payment of bribes. Then there are those allied forces who discover your need for haste and decide to cut themselves in--making bold claims of defending your cause, etc. Hmm... MIHOSHI: (amused) You don't just knock on the enemy door and say, 'Hello. Could I come in and conquer you? Just for a little while, till we rip the galaxy apart. Thanks!' CU. AYEKA Scowling with thought. AYEKA: Yes, I see your point. Naturally, they will be defending this area most diligently. We should exercise extreme caution. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: You know, as long as we're luring their defenses away, why don't we just invade? CRUISER Ayeka turns, a little nonplussed. AYEKA: With what? You mean, just the two of us? MIHOSHI: (casual) Why not? If it's so easy to capture their resources, why would we want to reverse, anyway? AYEKA: The enemy is brash, Mihoshi. They aren't stupid. They won't just let us march in there and keep everything. MIHOSHI: Aren't they invading Jurai? AYEKA: Yeah. MIHOSHI: How far away is that? AYEKA: Seven jumps. MIHOSHI: That's a pretty long supply line, huh? CU. AYEKA Wide-eyed with surprise. AYEKA: (softly) Oh my god, it's brilliant. With Kardanna on Jurai, the alliance turning their backs on the police, and the Academy facing destruction, no one would ever suspect a direct assault on Alpha. They'll only leave behind a token fleet of a few warships--which we could easily lure away. We could have our own little raid on their palace. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: We just need to find their buried treasure. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: Huh? CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: Well, pirates always leave behind buried treasure. Don't you read, Ayeka? CU. AYEKA AYEKA: Oh, girl's comics-- (snorting) I don't read things like that... 46 INT. BANK VAULT A door opens, and the alchemist emerges. Washu follows shortly, looking around. WASHU: Well, this is an interesting place to watch a bank robbery. ALCHEMIST: We're not going to watch from here. I just wanted to demonstrate something, first. Later, we'll want to return for a brief withdrawl of our own. WASHU: (amused) I just knew you were the type for larceny-- ALCHEMIST: I'll pretend I didn't hear that. The alchemist holds up a bright torch and looks around at huge piles of gold coins. Washu boggles in amazement. WASHU: Look at all that! A scientist's dream. Think of all the wiring I could lay with that! ALCHEMIST: Wiring? (taking a moment) I thought you wanted to be the top genius butterfly-collector in the universe. CU. WASHU Rolling her eyes. WASHU: (contralto) I was speaking facetiously. Can't you tell? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Really? Oh, that's too bad. I rather admire butterfly-collectors. 47 EXT. LEO-THREE A huge red planet looms over the relatively small, populated moon. 48 EXT. SPACE STATION A line of cruisers is approaching the station, as a small flight of battleships guard the station. The battleships suddenly turn and head toward the hyperspace gate. 49 INT. COMMAND CENTER A commander is looking at his tactical display as a beeping emanates from a small console nearby. He turns and looks at the console. COMMANDER: (softly) Invasion on Alpha? What the hell? 50 EXT. A LARGE CITY Airships fill the skies of a city at night. Tall buildings fill the horizon with a soft glow in the distance. 51 EXT. A SMALL SIDE STREET Tenchi and Sasami are looking at a small console, briefly curious and strangely silent. Ryoko considers them, and then smiles. RYOKO: Hey, let's lighten up, huh? We're back together again. We're like family, don't you think? Tenchi looks down, a little forlorn, as Sasami ponders somewhat vacantly. SASAMI: (softly) I'm not really sure. Tenchi? CU. TENCHI Looking up, strangely melancholy. TENCHI: I don't know, either. I mean, I have a bad feeling about all this. CU. RYOKO Still smiling, strangely cheerful. RYOKO: Well, you gloomy killjoys can just sulk all you like. I'm going to enjoy this. I haven't had a good raid in centuries. STREET Sasami glances at Tenchi, a little alarmed, as Tenchi frowns. The console briefly flickers some information on the display. TENCHI: The feint is on. RYOKO: That's our cue. Let's go. 52 EXT. OBSCURE HILLSIDE Washu and the alchemist are hauling a couple sacks of straw through a door. The door closes and flickers out. WASHU: Gold into straw? I thought you alchemists liked going the other way around. ALCHEMIST: Nah. No challenge in that. Now, gold into straw--that's the real challenge. Gold is just a pure element, but straw is very fickle--very tricky to get just right. CU. WASHU Setting down the sack. WASHU: We're just going to return this, right? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Huh? Oh, right. We thwart the pirates in both ways. CU. WASHU WASHU: Both? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Pirates like to keep souvenirs, you know? HILLSIDE Washu ponders for a moment, confused. WASHU: I'm still trying to figure out how you got this doorway into that bank vault. ALCHEMIST: It was a difficult job. I had to arrange a deal with twenty different people. They all wanted something special. WASHU: (a little amused) When you work at a bank, you might tend to get a little greedy, yourself--with all that money going by all the time. ALCHEMIST: It wasn't so much that making the deals was hard--but I had to convince each one that everyone else was completely in the dark. Mutual mistrust is one of my specialties, but after a while even that gets to be a real headache. CU. WASHU She looks a little alarmed. WASHU: They're moving. They seem to be in a hurry. I can't really tell, though, thanks to your stupid blocks. CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: (wistfully) Well, it doesn't always help. Sometimes, it's just better not to know. CU. WASHU WASHU: (a little upset) You mean it's going down now? We're just standing here-- CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: That's right. CU. WASHU WASHU: I can't do this. I've got to help. I don't care about any stupid deals. HILLSIDE The alchemist sighs, as Washu vanishes. ALCHEMIST: Here we go, again. 53 INT. PALACE HALLWAY Ayeka and Mihoshi are running down the hallway about ten feet in front of a small, pursuing line of troops. They run, head-on into a small band of ragged mercenaries. MIHOSHI: Whoa! Who're they? AYEKA: You with us? The lead mercenary smirks, a little indignant as he begins firing a blaster. Mihoshi and Ayeka cringe as several troopers fall behind them. LEAD MERCENARY: That answer your question? Let's go. They'll regroup soon. 54 INT. BANK VAULT Lania enters, escorted by a couple of uniformed figures. (Lania is a fairly short girl with dark curly hair and a very calm, shrewd disposition.) The vault is empty. LANIA: (a little upset) Where is all the gold? FIRST FIGURE: We've been double-crossed! LANIA: (pondering for a moment) That pretty little bitch suckered me! She replaced that scheming tramp with herself and then took the gold! FIRST FIGURE: We'll never be able to buy off all our mercenaries, now. LANIA: We'll just have to cut our losses. Get back to base and report in. I'll be along later. I've got to set up my new C-and-C. 55 EXT. OBSCURE HILLSIDE The alchemist is sitting as he watches airships go flitting by. He looks down sadly as Washu appears behind him, brandishing a short light-dagger. WASHU: I should kill you. How dare you just sit there? ALCHEMIST: How amusing--like mother, like daughter-- CU. WASHU WASHU: (outraged) You son of a bitch! CU. ALCHEMIST A little bitter, resigned. ALCHEMIST: Go ahead, Washu. What are you waiting for? Waiting for me to beg for mercy? HILLSIDE WASHU: (grim) That would be good for a start. Then you might explain how you intend to make Ryoko your apprentice when you're dead. ALCHEMIST: (smiling) I'd be her master till the end of time, if you killed me. You really want that, Washu? Kagato would have been a much better master than me. WASHU: You flatter yourself to compare yourself with Kagato. He was a brilliant man. ALCHEMIST: Yes, he was, and look where it got him. You want the same for Ryoko? CU. WASHU Still wide-eyed with shock, trembling with anger. She slowly calms and puts the dagger away. WASHU: I'm not angry at you. I mad at myself for letting you live in the first place. I should have dealt with you the way any good exterminator deals with an infestation. I had a feeling I was being watched from the beginning. CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: You were too busy patting yourself on the back. Ryoko was so much stronger, and she owed it all to you. You could just about feel that dream coming to reality again--mother and daughter in a brilliant, gleaming eternity. It's the same thing Tsunami showed me. The only difference is, she wanted the whole package--father and mother along with a daughter. HILLSIDE Washu sits, barely controlling herself. WASHU: Tsunami is the most wonderful person I've ever known. ALCHEMIST: That's what makes her dangerous. Her dream is far better than anything this universe could ever accommodate. WASHU: So, you intend to exterminate her. ALCHEMIST: No. That's Ryoko's job--assuming you are willing to let her go. WASHU: And if I don't? ALCHEMIST: I'm not sure. I've never seen a quadruple-paradox before. It would be interesting to see what happens. I thought a triple-paradox was confusing, but this could be one for the books. CU. WASHU WASHU: How much did Tsunami know? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Everything. Tenchi, too. CU. WASHU Flinching in shock. WASHU: Him too? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Of course. (gently) Tsunami could never accept her visions--she always shared them. First, with Sasami, then with Tenchi--once she realized that Tenchi had a pacifying effect on Sasami. It's the natural pattern, Washu. A mind can only take so much irritation. HILLSIDE The alchemist stands as he considers. ALCHEMIST: We should go now. Ryoko awaits. WASHU: Do we have to? ALCHEMIST: If not us, then who? Washu stands, and the door flickers into existence again. 56 EXT. SPACE A small cruiser emerges from a hyperspace gate. 57 INT. CRUISER Tenchi is piloting, as Sasami looks at a console, briefly confused. SASAMI: Ayeka is still on Alpha. The comm lines are all down, so it must be good news. We'd have heard from them for sure, otherwise. CU. TENCHI Thoughtful and oddly composed. TENCHI: (softly) Yeah. CU. SASAMI Slowly becoming annoyed. SASAMI: We should rendezvous on Earth. We can't meet up with Washu on Alpha, now. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: You think we'll ever see her again? CRUISER Sasami folds her arms and sits, sulking. 58 INT. PALACE CENTRAL HALL A cheering throng greet Ayeka and Mihoshi as they assemble in the center. Ayeka waves a sword in the air to urge another cheer. AYEKA: You know, Mihoshi, this was a good idea. We might not get Jurai back, but at least we'll have our own little strongholds. Mihoshi gapes in amazement as the crowd lifts up Ayeka. A couple of soldiers carry her around, and Ayeka waves. 59 INT. BANK VAULT The vault is once again filled with gold as Washu considers a gem in her hands. The alchemist stands nearby, holding a small torch. WASHU: You know, as a scientist, this should fascinate me--a whole person transformed into energy and stored in one of these gems. It boggles the mind. ALCHEMIST: The one great mystery I've never seen, myself. I'm not even completely sure I can restore her. WASHU: You're just saying that to amuse me, aren't you? CU. ALCHEMIST He takes out a small necklace with what appear to be black pearls. ALCHEMIST: Oh, well. You never know till you try, huh? Abra-cadabra... He waves his hand over the necklace, purely for a stage effect. VAULT Washu rolls her eyes as the gem slowly starts to flicker, then brightens--gleaming an angry shade of red. A moment later, a somber figure in a monk's robe appears next to Washu. The figure trembles a bit and slumps, as if having just run a mile. ALCHEMIST: (sighing) Damn. I was afraid of that. WASHU: (alarmed) What? Something wrong? ALCHEMIST: Oh, well. I think I transposed my double-N's again. (defensive) Organic material is so damned nonlinear! Blending electro-chemical transformations with energy is pretty complicated, you know. CU. WASHU Looking at the figure, curiously. WASHU: She looks fine. I'm still only getting garbage from the link. What are you complaining about? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: It's her memory, Washu. Ryoko always did have a difficult memory system. I could never figure out how to erase certain memories, for example. CU. WASHU WASHU: I think it's because of her highly associative nature. She was made from masses, after all. You didn't make her amnesiac, did you? VAULT The alchemist frowns as he shrugs, narrowing his eyes in disgust. ALCHEMIST: Well, it's better than being dead. Washu glares at him. ALCHEMIST: Anyway, it's not like she can't recover. WASHU: She won't remember everything, though. There are some things I still can't remember. (grimly amused) For all I know, I might have known you at one point in time. CU. ALCHEMIST A little alarmed for a moment, then scowling. ALCHEMIST: I doubt that. 60 EXT. MASAKI HOUSE Another early-morning twilight. Pan around to leaves falling from a few trees. 61 INT. MAIN HALL Sasami and Tenchi are sitting at the table having tea, looking very grim. TENCHI: So, who's next? Mihoshi? Ryo-Ohki? SASAMI: (defensive) Why are you blaming me? What did I ever do to Ryoko, really? TENCHI: What did you do? What didn't you do? SASAMI: I feel just as bad about Ryoko as you, Tenchi. Trust me, I can't take much more of this. TENCHI: Trust you? I don't know who you are, anymore. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (very upset) I'm your wife, Tenchi! I love you! What has gotten into you? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (seething) You love me? You love yourself. You never loved me. MAIN HALL Tenchi gets up and storms out, as Sasami starts to cry. SASAMI: (angry) I deserve a lot better than this! You're an unfeeling brute, Tenchi! 62 INT. KITCHEN Tenchi enters, muttering to himself, as Noboyuki looks around, pouring some coffee. NOBOYUKI: Hey, Son. Are you all right? TENCHI: (stiff) Yeah, I'm fine. NOBOYUKI: Really? That sounded like a nasty tiff. You look pretty upset. TENCHI: I've been through a lot the past couple of days. CU. NOBOYUKI He drinks a bit as he considers. NOBOYUKI: Tenchi, I'm really disappointed in you. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Huh? KITCHEN Noboyuki puts a hand on Tenchi's shoulder and leans close. NOBOYUKI: No matter what's happened, Tenchi-- that's still your wife in there. She's really hurting. Helping her out is your responsibility. You go back in there and comfort her. Be a man, Tenchi! He pushes Tenchi toward the door, and gives him a kick, just for emphasis. TENCHI: Okay, okay. I'm going. Noboyuki looks through the door, nodding to himself. NOBOYUKI: Kids... What would they ever do without us adults? 63 EXT. TENCHI'S HOUSE Washu and Ryoko go up to the entrance, Washu leading the way. RYOKO: What's this? WASHU: This is home, Ryoko. From now on, you live here. Don't wander off, huh? I don't want to go looking for you again. THE END