Author: Mike Fenton Title: DYING FOR AN EXPLANATION Notes: Regular (OVA), script format Summary: One last stand to make the universe a better place (or maybe just a little less confusing). [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. MASAKI HOUSE Open on trees with color, suggesting fall. Pan around to house. 2 INT. AYEKA'S BEDROOM Ayeka is sitting next to a window, holding a pen and a small book, apparently lost in thought. She turns and looks out the window and sighs. She folds the book and puts it into a pocket. CU. AYEKA She slowly looks up and turns. AYEKA: (softly) Is someone there? BEDROOM She stands and straightens her dress. AYEKA: (to herself) That's strange, I could swear I was being watched. She reaches for her pocket again, stops, then looks around. AYEKA: Oh! It's just you, Lord Tenchi. Tenchi enters the room and smiles. TENCHI: Oh, there you are! Uh... CU. AYEKA AYEKA: Really, Tenchi. I'm surprised to see you looking for me. I thought you were teaching on Leo. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (embarrassed) Yeah, but I have a week off after orientation. No need for me to hang around during the preliminary testing. So, what were you doing? BEDROOM AYEKA: I was doing nothing, Lord Tenchi. TENCHI: Really? I thought for a moment you were writing in your diary again. AYEKA: (briefly embarrassed) So, is my sister with you? TENCHI: She went to the shrine. AYEKA: I suppose you came to make some plea on her behalf. (a little stiff) I know I've said this before, but I believe you are no different from the others--you and that bratty little girl. TENCHI: (a little upset) No, no. It's not like that. Ayeka glares at him for moment. TENCHI: (mortified) Uh, well... On second thought, maybe you're right. I'm sorry, Ayeka. I didn't come here looking for you, though. I just wanted to avoid seeing Sasami upset. I've never seen her so angry before. CU. AYEKA Turning in disgust, then turning back, curiously. AYEKA: Really? CU. TENCHI Sighing, as he leans against the door. TENCHI: Yeah. She flew into a rage when she found out about Mihoshi. I still don't think she's calmed down. I'm afraid she'll do something she'll regret. CU. AYEKA She carefully sits and begins to ponder. AYEKA: Yes, this all seems familiar to me. It reminds me of when she crashed her ship. BEDROOM TENCHI: Huh? AYEKA: She has told you about how she crashed her ship, Tenchi? TENCHI: (a little annoyed) Only about a hundred times... AYEKA: I see. Yes, she does love to relate that story. So, you know all about how she chased down some petty thugs and ended up crashing on Leo-three-- TENCHI: Yeah. AYEKA: Yes. Well, what she probably neglected to explain was how she came to be chasing petty thugs to begin with. She perhaps neglected to mention that one of them was Kimiko... CU. TENCHI A little surprised. TENCHI: No way. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (gently amused) I see. Yes, it makes sense. You see, Sasami and I were making a stopover at Leo, simply before heading to our next likely destination--it took months to travel between systems then, of course. I suspect Sasami was not too eager to be going back into time- suspension, anyway. CU. TENCHI Slowly approaches, eagerly listening. TENCHI: Yeah... CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (frowning in thought) Now, let me see... Oh, yes. I recall a certain argument broke out over whose ship could go fastest, and the next thing I knew Sasami was heading for her ship. I attempted to intercept them, of course, but it did no good. They were very fast. BEDROOM Tenchi takes a seat across from Ayeka as she continues to explain. AYEKA: The ship was light-class, atmospheric. I think it was a land-fighter. At any rate, the ships were maneuvering through terrain at tremendous speed, and I could only marvel at the fact that they were able to prevent themselves from smashing into hillsides. I didn't quite see how Sasami crashed, but when I arrived Sasami was having a terrible argument with Kimiko. I thought for a moment they were going to come to blows over the matter. TENCHI: Sasami never told me about that. AYEKA: I'm not surprised. She has a way of remembering things. I'll never forget how amused I was when Hikaru showed up, looking for his own ship--you see, Sasami had somehow collided with Kimiko, and Kimiko had been flying Hikaru's fighter. TENCHI: Yeah... AYEKA: Since I was so amused, Sasami was all too pleased to make us volunteer to make up for some of this little mishap, and thus we were forced to help pay for the damage. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: So, that's how you ended up working in that bar. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: No, that was the result of some silly bet that Sasami made. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Uh... CU. AYEKA AYEKA: Sasami always becomes terribly angry and then twists it around. I think she directs it at herself. I've seen this happen many times. You need not worry whether Sasami will do something she'll regret, Tenchi. It is inevitable. You see, Sasami cannot forgive herself--it is not in her nature. BEDROOM Tenchi looks down, pondering. TENCHI: Oh. Yeah, I've noticed all that, myself. I just never realized it. AYEKA: You are not as susceptible as I had thought, Tenchi. Observing you now, I've made a realization of my own. What is most surprising to me is that it seems to have been fate, once again. (sigh) Fate likes to play these little games with me. TENCHI: Fate? AYEKA: (a little annoyed) Yes, Tenchi. Fate is in everything we do. You are aware of your own fate, are you not? TENCHI: Sorry, I'm confused. AYEKA: (softly) It's very simple, Lord Tenchi. You draw out the connections between yourself and others and--as you would say--deduce your entire future. You are aware of your connection with others, correct? For example, you have a future connection with Ryoko, right? TENCHI: Hmm... Oh, yeah. AYEKA: (muttering) Well, so much for that. 3 EXT. WASHU'S LABORATORY Washu is leaning over her console, watching crabs go dancing across the display. Ryoko appears and looks curiously. RYOKO: What are you inventing? That doesn't look that clever to me. CU. WASHU Briefly shocked, then smiling. She presses a button and a wickedly-complicated equation appears on the screen. WASHU: Just the old time-dilation formula, again. Working out approximations, finding linear magnitudes. Research is ninety-percent of what goes into an invention, you know. CU. RYOKO Grimly curious, then scowling. RYOKO: Yeah, well, I need an invention of my own... LAB Washu looks around and sees another Ryoko--Ryoko B. She flinches in surprise and hits herself, groaning. WASHU: Not again! RYOKO B: Don't tell me this is a personality fragmentation again. RYOKO A: I still don't have my interim-memories back. This has got to have something to do with that. WASHU: (very firm) Forget it, Ryoko! I'm not going through this again! This time, you're on your own. I'm not lifting a finger! RYOKO B: But-- WASHU: (nearly hysterical) No! 4 EXT. MASAKI SHRINE A small flight of birds go over, as clouds pass by. 5 INT. SHRINE Yosho appears upset, standing over a kettle, undisguised and wearing glasses again, as Funaho sits at the table, looking annoyed. Lania is standing nearby, guarded by Azaka and Kamidake. Sasami is sitting near the door, holding Michiko, apparently unaware of the conversation. YOSHO: I won't do it. FUNAHO: Oh, come now, Yosho. Who else can we rely on for this exchange? Half the court is too obedient to the emperor and the other half is too suspicious of anyone with alien influences. YOSHO: I'm not getting involved. This is my home--a peaceful place. I won't have any more brutes and armies tramping on it. FUNAHO: So, now we're no better than Mongol hordes? CU. YOSHO Sitting at the table, still upset. YOSHO: That isn't what I said. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: Is this because of Lania? SHRINE Sasami looks around, trying to hide a scowl of anger. YOSHO: She's too crafty, but I merely object to the place you chose for the exchange. There's bound to be fighting, and I do not want my home planet to be disturbed. They are a primitive people, but Earthlings are relatively calm. These troubles of ours should remain among us. FUNAHO: Yosho, I am one of those Earthlings you are referring to, or have you forgotten? In my time, these troubles of ours were always being settled here on Earth. Earthlings nowadays are growing soft. I say, it's about time they saw a little action. YOSHO: Mother, Earthlings now are a lot more like Tenchi--they are blinded by their own arrogant, preconceived notions. They wouldn't believe or understand how to accept the reality of our problems. FUNAHO: (annoyed) You underestimate your fellow human beings, Yosho. And, anyway, this is just a simple exchange. If all goes well, no one will even notice. CU. YOSHO Rolling his eyes in doubt. CU. FUNAHO Sighing, like a parent with a stubborn child. FUNAHO: All right, Yosho. Whatever you say. We'll try to arrange a neutral place for the exchange, but it will be far more dangerous than if we conduct it here. CU. YOSHO Looking at Lania, pointedly. YOSHO: We have more to worry about than a little exchange. CU. FUNAHO Looking from Yosho to Lania. FUNAHO: Huh? Oh, yeah. (looking around at Sasami) Well, Sasami? What's it to be? Do we stay or move on? What do you want us to do with Lania? CU. SASAMI Looking back down at Michiko, very carefully. SASAMI: (softly) Might I have a word with you, Funaho? What I have to say is too sensitive for the others. CU. FUNAHO Getting up. FUNAHO: (casual) Oh, all right. 6 EXT. SHRINE Sasami comes out, holding Michiko carefully, as Funaho emerges behind her. Funaho closes the door as Sasami sits at the top step. SASAMI: I really hate that girl, but I need her. I'm not throwing away centuries of planning for a few mishaps. FUNAHO: So, we're staying. CU. SASAMI Looking around at Funaho--no hint of naivete in her eyes. SASAMI: Jurai may be your home, but Leo has always been mine. I'm just returning while I still can. I hope you understand the significance of that. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: You mean you're growing old? SHRINE Clouds continue to pass over, as Sasami looks back down at Michiko and smiles. SASAMI: I mean I'm finding my roots. When I do, I'll be able to show Lania how to be generous and thoughtful. FUNAHO: She's already impossible to manipulate. I have no idea what she's planning to do, Sasami. SASAMI: Lania still has weaknesses, Funaho. I recall a certain curious accusation she made. FUNAHO: A weakness? What did you find out? CU. SASAMI A little hesitant. SASAMI: She mentioned some gold that she thought I had stolen. I found it rather odd, but humored her. Now that I think about it, she must have been planning to use mercenaries with that money to hijack our little exchange. CU. FUNAHO Sitting next to Sasami. FUNAHO: Oh, I see. She still has doubts. She wants to keep using Kardanna. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: I keep telling her to believe in herself, but I'm starting to wonder whether she can. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: Maybe you should just ask her. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: I'll give it some thought. Meanwhile, I have a reception to plan. SHRINE Sasami and Funaho get up, approaching the door. FUNAHO: You're finished with the wedding plans? SASAMI: I'm letting Misaki handle that. I prefer to handle the reception--it means so much more to me than any ceremony. FUNAHO: The ceremony is for Tenchi? Sasami turns and stares at Funaho for a moment. FUNAHO: Right. We Earthlings do love a good ceremony. 7 INT. AYEKA'S BEDROOM Tenchi is sitting across from Ayeka, holding a book. He is narrowing his eyes in disgust as he reads. TENCHI: 'The sun breathes fire, the heavens rain; / As many a good man, dies in vain. / Their heads they lost as men often will, / To see others shed their blood on the hill. / The thought of your eyes as I held to you tight, / Came just as the oaths before the great fight. / And many the times I'd wonder if I, / Before I could see you again, could die.' This doesn't go on like this, does it? (turning a page) AYEKA: I'm afraid so. I was writing about pirates, you see? TENCHI: I thought Jurai was originally a pirate- state... AYEKA: Yes. There are quite a few things about Jurai I'm certain Yosho never told you. TENCHI: So, where did the pirates come from? AYEKA: From Jurai, of course. Tenchi, pirates and Juraians are really the same people. It is our way of thinking that is different. CU. TENCHI Mustering some mental forces. TENCHI: You fear each other's culture? CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (vaguely amused) We have a long tradition of pretending that we don't--but, that is true. I've often wondered what it would take to make the pirates happy. It never occurred to me that they simply wanted to be called Juraians again. Why they would possibly fight with us over a bit of dirt is a mystery to me. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Possibly? Uh-- BEDROOM Ayeka seems about to explain, as Ryoko A appears at the door. RYOKO A: Tenchi, did you just do something stupid? Tenchi looks around, a little more flabbergasted than usual. TENCHI: Huh? AYEKA: Really, Ryoko... You must learn to knock or something-- Ryoko B appears in the doorway, knocking softly. RYOKO B: Hello. I hope I'm not interrupting anything. CU. TENCHI Closing his eyes, as if exhausted. TENCHI: Again? CU. AYEKA AYEKA: This isn't some stupid trick, is it? CU. RYOKO A RYOKO A: Funny, that you should say that-- CU. RYOKO B RYOKO B: (annoyed) I think what I meant was, I don't always have the best memory--especially, lately. I need someone to jog my memory, I think. BEDROOM Tenchi stands and ponders, looking back and forth between the two Ryokos. AYEKA: I can do that. Just think of something completely lacking in subtlety or understanding, and you've pretty much recovered every thought you've ever had. TENCHI: (irritated) Ayeka-- RYOKO A: Stay out of this, Tenchi. It's been too long since I had a good fight. I can't fight with myself-- heaven only knows what might happen. AYEKA: Oh, yes. Let's not argue. Let us just knock each other around for old time's sake. I'd love to know the reason. RYOKO B: Since when is reason involved? You just like to fight, don't you? RYOKO A: Yeah. You can't help it--you're pushy and obnoxious by nature. CU. AYEKA Briefly angry, then calm and a little smug. AYEKA: (softly) As if I would deign to lower myself. (matter-of-factly) You know, Yosho is much better at provoking me than you. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (to Ryoko B) This isn't about me, Ryoko --at least, not me, specifically. Don't you remember? CU. RYOKO B RYOKO B: What? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: The last time this happened, I mean. This is just the other side of the paradox--or the paradox within the paradox. Whatever it was that caused you to become two people in the first place. BEDROOM Ayeka scratches her head, pondering. AYEKA: Oh, my. Now, I see what Funaho was talking about. RYOKO A: Huh? (to Ayeka) What did she tell you? AYEKA: A most peculiar thing--a paradox within a paradox within a paradox. She said you were really three of you. TENCHI: Oh yeah-- RYOKO B: So, where's the third one? Or am I just two, this time? RYOKO A: Let's not be hasty, here. I'm really just one person, remember. That's the important thing. AYEKA: Yes, but this bespeaks of more than one reality. That is not something to consider lightly. 8 EXT. SHRINE STEPS Glaring noon over the outer shrine steps. Funaho descends to the entrance and sees Mihoshi limping nearby-- favoring her left leg. Mihoshi is using a cane, albeit rather casually. Funaho is holding Michiko, looking between her and Mihoshi as she is slowly noticed by Mihoshi. MIHOSHI: Oh! Funaho, what are you doing here? FUNAHO: (sweetly) I heard my dear Sasami was planning her wedding soon, and I came to help in person. I could hardly stay away, now could I? MIHOSHI: Uh... Isn't she already married? I never heard anything about any wedding. FUNAHO: (a little stiff) Sasami has had a few other things on her mind. She was very upset about what happened to you, for example. CU. MIHOSHI A little embarrassed, gaping in realization. MIHOSHI: Oh! CU. FUNAHO Sighing, frowning, a little sullen. FUNAHO: I'm very sorry about Lania, Mihoshi. I should have known she would try something like that. It seems I keep underestimating her. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: (stunned) Huh? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: (sympathetic) This must all seem like a lot--empires crumbling, friends betraying friends, Sasami having a nice little wedding ceremony-- ENTRANCE Mihoshi looks around reflectively as Funaho looks up, considering. MIHOSHI: Uh, well, not really. I was a first- class detective before I was a ranger. FUNAHO: (carefully) You will be at the ceremony, won't you, Mihoshi? MIHOSHI: Huh? Oh! Yeah, I just need to visit Little Washu. FUNAHO: Ah, yes--your injuries. I hope you get better soon. MIHOSHI: (strangely introspective) Thank you. Washu told me I should get better with a few more treatments. She said she needed to check the prosthesis. FUNAHO: Little Washu is a genius, you know. You should consider yourself very fortunate. MIHOSHI: Yeah. I'm just worried. FUNAHO: What about? MIHOSHI: Oh... It's probably nothing. 9 INT. SHRINE Yosho is sitting at the table, looking over a cup of tea. He considers for a moment, then looks around at Lania --still standing between Azaka and Kamidake. YOSHO: You know, Gigoro was my friend. LANIA: (a little irritated) Mine too. YOSHO: And I have a good deal of respect for Mihoshi. LANIA: (upset) You talk like a child! Our friends are nothing more than tools in the hands of worthy leaders. (grim) I assumed you would know that. YOSHO: Yes, I do. I suppose you think a worthy leader is a man of war. CU. LANIA A little anxious. LANIA: We fight wars to keep the peace, Yosho. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: And all our ministers and priests are just deluding themselves? CU. LANIA LANIA: (hesitant for a beat) Yes, they are. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: I'm sorry to hear you say that. I had thought you might become a worthy leader. I see I was wrong. 10 EXT. SHRINE STEPS Sasami trots down the stairs, encountering Ryo-Ohki-- humanoid-form--for a moment. CU. RYO-OHKI She frowns and glares at Sasami, intently. CU. SASAMI Casually perplexed, stopping to consider. 11 EXT. FLOATING CITY A huge city hangs suspended in mid-air over a barren wasteland. Airships flick here and there. The air is lit by a soft reddish glow from a large planet hanging in the sky directly above. On the horizon, a bright, sun-like star appears and pours light down over the landscape. Tall, impressive towers appear among forests within the city. Huge battleships appear in the sky, floating ominously. 12 EXT. FOREST Sasami is standing next to a tree at the edge of a path, merely looking up mournfully. She continues to stare upward as Ryo-Ohki approaches--in a much older humanoid form. Ryo-Ohki appears a little irritated and folds her arms, tapping one foot. RYO-OHKI: Another invasion? SASAMI: (casual) It's nothing. CU. RYO-OHKI Wryly amused. RYO-OHKI: You could stop it. It isn't fate--no matter how annoyed they make you. CU. SASAMI Still looking up. SASAMI: (cold) I am no longer the guardian of this world. Anything I do will only hasten my own end, as well. PATH Sasami looks around, and Ryo-Ohki flinches in recognition. RYO-OHKI: Who are you? SASAMI: I'm what I always wanted to be, my friend. This is my greatest achievement. Isn't it amazing? RYO-OHKI: (nearly breathless) Why are you doing this? SASAMI: (amused) Me? You see me doing anything? The ground starts trembling. RYO-OHKI: So, why don't you stop it? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Why should I? We're all bound to this fate, anyway. Why not enjoy it, while we can? CU. RYO-OHKI RYO-OHKI: You still think I'm too immature to know good and bad? Your own daughter is here, you know? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (casual) I know. 13 EXT. SHRINE STEPS Sasami is trying to get her balance, briefly, as Ryo- Ohki--once again, child-form--continues to stare at her. Ryo-Ohki turns and quickly goes down the steps. 14 INT. MAIN HALL Funaho is sitting, still holding Michiko, as she talks with Ayeka. Tenchi enters with a platter and some cups of tea. Ryoko B enters, a little flustered. AYEKA: Yosho is right, Funaho. I doubt the exchange is safe. It all seems very risky. If we fail-- RYOKO B: But I'm telling you, Tenchi--it all triggered on my memories, somehow. When I could remember the dream, it all came to me. Something happened in the past couple weeks that caused all this. FUNAHO: If we fail, Ayeka, we can always try again. It's not like Jurai is going to run out any time soon. The only real question is how long our royal trees can hang on-- Tenchi sets down the cups, frowning in thought. TENCHI: I know, Ryoko, but that was before. Everything is in the future, now. The only reason you came together was because you decided to change it. Now, you have to deal with that paradox. RYOKO B: But-- AYEKA: Are you two still arguing about that? I told you before-- FUNAHO: Yes. But, let's sit and think about this for a moment. Tenchi sighs and sits, thinking, as Ryoko B stands near the table. RYOKO B: What are you two talking about? That dirt again? AYEKA: You cannot just make dirt, Ryoko. FUNAHO: Jurai trees only grow in special soil, Ryoko. You should know that. RYOKO B: So? TENCHI: The vision you said you had was some danger to me, wasn't it? You said you saw a vision of my death, right? Funaho looks around in surprise at Tenchi, as Ayeka ponders and Ryoko B scowls in thought. Just at that moment, Sasami rushes in, looking very upset. SASAMI: (tearfully) Michiko! Oh, my little girl! Funaho looks a little shocked, as Sasami scoops up Michiko, and flees the room, sobbing. AYEKA: Oh my--! TENCHI: Sasami? FUNAHO: (musing) She grows more and more like her mother all the time... RYOKO B: Tenchi, don't just sit there. Go comfort her, or something. You are her husband, right? TENCHI: Huh? (getting up) Oh, yeah. Tenchi gets up and stiffly exits. AYEKA: (to Funaho) Funaho, I think our problems can wait. This situation with Sasami looks serious. Maybe we should cancel this wedding. CU. FUNAHO Scowling with thought. FUNAHO: Oh, this is all too much. I need to think about all this. CU. RYOKO B RYOKO B: Yeah. I hate to see anything bad happen to the kid--I mean, even though I can't stand the sight of her. She's still my friend. Surely, there's something we can do. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: (sigh) There's nothing we can do, Ryoko. Ayeka, all we can do is hope that Tenchi can calm her down. This is his problem, now. I hate to see Sasami so upset, but this isn't likely the first or the last time. I should know... CU. AYEKA Frowning with sympathy. AYEKA: Ah, yes. You are correct, Funaho. We should wait and see what Lord Tenchi says. 15 INT. SHRINE Yosho is getting up from the table, as Lania smiles, invitingly. LANIA: So, what's to become of me? I'm going to rot away on some outpost with my grandfather, I suppose. YOSHO: No. LANIA: Oh? Where then? Here? You have some dungeon set aside for me, huh? YOSHO: (irritated) Unlike pirates, Lania, we Juraians do have rules. We cannot just make anyone we choose a political prisoner. All we have is your confession to Mihoshi, and that is not enough to justify putting you into a prison. LANIA: (amused) I'm surprised you still hold on to all that, Yosho. Don't tell me Jurai still has jurisdiction here? CU. YOSHO YOSHO: We're not stupid, Lania. We know you're out for revenge. That's why we're going to keep the guardians on you at all times. There won't be any sneaking around, this time. Aside from that, you may go wherever you please, so long as you do not take the guardians off this property. CU. LANIA LANIA: Another stupid regulation? CU. YOSHO YOSHO: (wryly amused) No. Their function is ceremonial. They must guard our doors until the wedding is complete. It's tradition. Even I would not defy tradition. And since we can't let you wander off without them, you must stay here, as well. 16 INT. LIBRARY Sasami is hugging Michiko, sobbing, as Tenchi enters, very sullen. TENCHI: Sasami? What's going on? SASAMI: Tenchi-- Stay away from me. You have no idea. I can't let this go on! Tenchi sits down next to her. TENCHI: What are you talking about, Sasami? The future? SASAMI: Tenchi-- I, uh... TENCHI: What? 17 INT. TENT (b/w--flashback) ALCHEMIST: (softly) I see two firy dragons--one good, one evil... 18 INT. LIBRARY SASAMI: (very softly) I'm a monster... I'm going to be, anyway. TENCHI: Huh? 19 INT. TENT (b/w--flashback) ALCHEMIST: (softly) I see also that the dragons are very wise. If they believe that they are truly threatened, they will go back to sleep and deprive you of your greatest wish. You must tread very lightly. 20 INT. LIBRARY SASAMI: (nervous) I can't talk about it. If I do, I don't know what will happen. TENCHI: Sasami-- You've got to tell me. Was it that old man? SASAMI: I, uh-- 21 INT. TENT (b/w--flashback) ALCHEMIST: I have kept my end of the bargain. See to it that you keep yours. 22 INT. LIBRARY SASAMI: (very nervous) It's the future, Tenchi. I'm going to become evil. I know it. I can't keep hiding from it. TENCHI: So, what are you going to do? (thinking for a moment) You know, Sasami--if you become evil, then I will too. SASAMI: What? TENCHI: (smiling) Look, I can't face a future without you. If you become evil, then so will I. Who cares what the reason is? CU. SASAMI Chuckling, looking down at Michiko. SASAMI: Tenchi, for all you know, I'm evil already. I just don't do anything to make you suspicious. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (musing) Well, if my death is what makes you evil, then you don't need to worry. Ryoko just split apart again. Remember how I told you she decided a long time ago to change the future? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Her realities came apart? She's two people, again? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Yeah. I've been arguing with her about it all morning. Don't worry. You may be in a paradox, but so is Ryoko. She would never let anything happen to me if she could help it. CU. SASAMI Very relieved. SASAMI: Oh, Tenchi. I can't tell you how hard all this has been. It's a real weight off my chest to hear that. Thank you. CU. TENCHI He hugs her close. TENCHI: Forget about it. We'll think about it later. Remember what Washu said. The future is always changing. 23 INT. MAIN HALL Ayeka and Funaho are still talking, as Ryoko B looks on. Tenchi and Sasami enter again--Sasami holding Michiko, as Tenchi has an arm around Sasami. AYEKA: So, are we okay? FUNAHO: Yes, is there anything we can do to help? TENCHI: (casual) Nothing's wrong. Don't worry. We'll sort it out, later. Let's take care of everything else, first. RYOKO B: Right. Okay, first of all-- 24 EXT. WASHU'S LABORATORY Washu is sitting at her console, apparently studying something, as Mihoshi limps nearby, Ryoko A floats beside Washu, and Ryo-Ohki watches--a little nervous. RYOKO A: Don't tell me you don't know anything about temporal paradoxes, Washu. I've seen that time- machine of yours. I know you can visit the past. WASHU: (annoyed) I don't go changing things, Ryoko. I don't create paradoxes. I'm very careful. I could have, for example, used my time machine to return to eight years ago, but I hate to think what might happen. RYOKO A: What might happen? WASHU: I don't know. (grim) I think that was my point. Mihoshi limps closer to Washu. MIHOSHI: Maybe Ryoko has already used the time- machine--I mean, will use it. RYOKO A: (to Mihoshi) Then, where is it? WASHU: If there are two Ryokos from using my time machine, Mihoshi, there would have to be two time-machines. I think I'd notice that. MIHOSHI: But what if one of them were sent to the future at the same time? CU. WASHU Rolling her eyes. CU. RYOKO A Glaring at Mihoshi. RYOKO A: (to Washu) Anyway, I still haven't heard a good explanation for why I was split into three people, in the first place. Didn't you study my brain- waves, or something? CU. WASHU Looking down, thoughtfully. She then types at her console for a moment. LAB A holograph appears just above Washu's console--a pair of spirals curl in and out of the holograph, flexing and bobbing. They shimmer around the edges for a moment and then spark a small flash. WASHU: (thoughtfully) You know, I never really went back and studied this. RYOKO A: (gesturing) What was that flash? WASHU: Huh? Oh, just some artifacts of the filtering process. (a little mortified) I forgot to filter the caps around my amplifier sub-base inputs. RYOKO A: That's the interference? It looks like it's originating from myself. WASHU: Yes. Funny that there's feedback--it's like you're caught in a paradox, ad infinitum. Thus, the singularity in my projections. CU. RYOKO A RYOKO A: Ad infinitum? CU. WASHU WASHU: Well, if you're willing to accept a double-paradox, why not an infinite-paradox? CU. RYOKO A A little startled. CU. WASHU WASHU: You see what can happen when you go messing with temporal paradoxes? CU. RYOKO A RYOKO A: I haven't done anything, yet. 25 EXT. MASAKI HOUSE A chill, evening wind blows through wooded hills. Tilt down to house--a single figure is sitting alone on a front patio. CU. LANIA Looking over the side of the hill. LANIA: (calling out) Yes, Ayeka. I'm sitting with my back turned. You can finish me, if you choose. PATIO Azaka and Kamidake float into view from the sides, hovering near Lania. Ayeka slides open a door and emerges, holding a plate. AYEKA: Why would I wish to murder you? LANIA: That's what you do, isn't it? You use people, then murder them. AYEKA: (almost amused) You must have me confused with someone else. Ayeka closes the door and sits next to Lania. AYEKA: Really, Lania. Your wit is not very sharp. I would have expected your insults to be more creative. LANIA: I'm not the poet. My scars are more than just figurative ones. AYEKA: (wryly amused) You think a lot of yourself. To me, you seem pretty pathetic. You talk and you conspire--but can you really act? CU. LANIA LANIA: (matter-of-factly) I'm just disappointed I didn't actually kill Mihoshi. Now, where am I going to find someone who's worth killing? CU. AYEKA Holding out the plate. AYEKA: Here, Lania. Tenchi's honorable father prepared this. I'm certain it will meet with your approval. (frowning for a moment) I assure you, it isn't poisoned. CU. LANIA LANIA: How thoughtful. (refusing the plate) I won't dirty my palate with your notions of food. (looking around) I prefer to make my own food. CU. AYEKA Taking the plate again. AYEKA: (softly) If that's your idea of bait, you need to work on your technique. You should draw out some kindness from me, first--then squash it with your notion of truth. PATIO Lania stands, about to walk away, then folds her arms. LANIA: Okay. I'll admit I have some preferences. I would consider it merciful for me to take out some dagger and plunge it into your chest. AYEKA: Really? LANIA: You killed my mother--you've hurt me worse than if you'd stabbed me. AYEKA: (smirking) You are your mother's daughter, aren't you? LANIA: (starting to bridle) You can look at me and doubt my heritage? I'd doubt my father, first. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (chuckling) That isn't what I was suggesting. I merely wish to know what's stopping you. Why not wreak some vengeance upon me? Can't you prove yourself? CU. LANIA Trembling in anger. LANIA: Just give me one good reason I shouldn't. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: I doubt you possess the courage. Sure, you would pay with your life, but you would have your revenge. What's more important? CU. LANIA Grim for a moment, then very calm. LANIA: You really know how to bait someone. You Juraians are a treacherous, tricky lot. PATIO Ayeka gets up, leaving the plate, and faces Lania. AYEKA: I wasn't baiting you, Lania. I look at you and I see nothing but a frightened child. Just look at yourself. You're disgusting. Lania scowls, upset. LANIA: I don't have to listen to this-- AYEKA: Aren't you curious? LANIA: (muttering) You bitch! AYEKA: I promise what I have to tell you will torment you, the more so if you refuse to hear me out. CU. LANIA Seething in anger for a moment, then calm. LANIA: All right. I'll hear you out. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: I want you to promise me something, first. CU. LANIA LANIA: (amused) Another proposal? I can't wait. What's it to be? Information? Some favor, perhaps? CU. AYEKA AYEKA: Promise you won't let anything happen to Lord Tenchi. CU. LANIA LANIA: Tenchi? CU. AYEKA Frowning, a little impatient. AYEKA: Promise, or all my secrets die with me. PATIO Lania considers for a moment, then bursts out laughing. LANIA: Oh, okay. Whatever you say, Princess. AYEKA: Promise. LANIA: I swear on all I hold dear. (a little perplexed) Why would I let anything happen to Tenchi? I like him. AYEKA: You like him? (considering) Assuming you hold anything dear... All right, I'll tell you. LANIA: This had better be good. AYEKA: (a little hesitant) First of all, Tenchi is mine. If I am fated to be anyone's lover, it is with him. LANIA: (laughing) Oh, I bet Sasami would love to hear that. AYEKA: She could never deny it. She even once admitted it. As for your mother, I did not murder your mother--contrary to what you have been told. I suspect Belena and the others suggested these things to guide your sympathies. You know how much their opinions are worth, do you not? CU. LANIA LANIA: I know you don't trust anyone in a rival faction. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: Yes. Aside from that, there are many other convenient suspicions you have been fed on. You must have wondered why such things occur, though. People don't just rob each other of life for no reason. CU. LANIA LANIA: People, yes. You're an animal. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: An animal? Would an animal beg to save someone else's life? PATIO Lania looks at Ayeka briefly, then around again. AYEKA: Your mother was murdered by your father, not by me. LANIA: My father! AYEKA: Your father and I were not lovers as you might imagine us, but we were close. I had hoped that when you were born, I could persuade him to save your mother's life. He didn't want to take any chances. LANIA: My grandfather knew! He was using me, all along. What have I done? AYEKA: Something you cannot undo, Lania. Now, you must make amends. From now on, stop trying to resolve the past. There are no more Juraians or pirates, anymore. (turning toward the door) Azaka, Kamidake--keep guard on Lania. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid. AZAKA: Yes, your highness. KAMIDAKE: Count on us, Princess. Ayeka goes back inside, leaving Lania with the untouched plate. Lania sits again, looking back down. 26 EXT. MASAKI SHRINE Evening has settled around the little shrine. 27 INT. SHRINE Funaho is sitting at the table, drinking tea, as Yosho writes. FUNAHO: I noticed you did not join us for dinner. Ryoko made a very interesting toast. YOSHO: I can imagine. Mother, I do not always need company. I would prefer some quiet contemplation. FUNAHO: (thinking for a moment) You're still worried about the exchange. Perhaps it would ease your mind to know that the emperor has selected Alpha. It seemed an appropriate choice. YOSHO: Ah, yes. He can make amends while making our exchange. Very appropriate, indeed. CU. FUNAHO A little irritated. FUNAHO: He is treating the exchange like a thing we wish to hide. You know it will be attacked for sure, now--if only by the merely curious. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: If you will excuse me for saying so, I think that is the most appropriate part. CU. FUNAHO Picking up her tea, a little reflexively. 28 INT. MAIN HALL Misaki is sitting at the table with Ryo-Ohki, looking over some notes. MISAKI: Which do you like better? 'From now on' or 'from henceforth'? A solemn occasion needs a solemn speech. CU. RYO-OHKI Ryo-Ohki merely stares at Misaki for a moment. CU. MISAKI Scowling in surprise. MISAKI: Yeah, you're right. 'From now on' has a lot better feel to it. It flows right into the invocation and the dedications. 29 INT. KITCHEN Sasami is holding Michiko, drinking some tea, as Tenchi and Mihoshi are talking. MIHOSHI: Wasn't that Lania out on the patio? TENCHI: I think so. MIHOSHI: Isn't it cold out there? SASAMI: (looking around) Maybe you should ask Ayeka. TENCHI: It looked cold out there. MIHOSHI: How long has she been living on Leo- three? SASAMI: The past ten or so years. MIHOSHI: It's mostly deserts, isn't it? TENCHI: The desert gets pretty cold at night, Mihoshi. MIHOSHI: Oh yeah, I know that--doesn't she want to come in? TENCHI: I invited her, but I think she's still a little self-conscious--you know, after nearly killing you, that is. MIHOSHI: (frowning) Poor kid. She must be really paranoid. SASAMI: You aren't upset about what she did to you? MIHOSHI: I'd rather not talk about that, if you don't mind. Tenchi and Sasami exchange a look as Mihoshi leaves the kitchen. 30 EXT. SPACE A huge cargo ship emerges from a vortex, spiraling out of a huge gate, escorted by a pair of pirate warships. 31 INT. CARGO COCKPIT Two men pilot the craft--one is very tense as the other one heaves a sigh. (The first one is Masahiro--a fairly warm and somewhat ordinary-looking man with thoughtful expressions. His wide-eyed expression at the console belies a tendency to recite clever, little aphorisms. The second one is Fujiro--an impish-looking man with a thin face and smooth, gregarious expressions. He looks as if he is about to pull out a bottle of beer and crack a joke.) FUJIRO: (a little amused) You can relax, now. If we were gonna get hit, they'd have hit us by now. MASAHIRO: Oh. (relaxing) I'll just check our heading. FUJIRO: Damn! I hope we do get hit. All this sittin' around is boring the crap out of me. MASAHIRO: I heard that. FUJIRO: What do you care? You're a new guy, right? CU. MASAHIRO A little nervous and confused. MASAHIRO: Uh... Yeah. CU. FUJIRO FUJIRO: Don't go doing anything brave. I don't want to have to explain you getting your ass shot off. CU. MASAHIRO MASAHIRO: Okay. I heard it's just dirt, anyway. CU. FUJIRO FUJIRO: What is? CU. MASAHIRO MASAHIRO: What we're hauling. COCKPIT Fujiro puts his feet up on the console, folding his arms. FUJIRO: Oh, hell! We're risking our necks for dirt? MASAHIRO: (a little scornful) Hey. It's Jurai dirt. They both start laughing. FUJIRO: Yeah. And if you get wasted, they can bury you in it. MASAHIRO: After they remove all the other corpses, of course. FUJIRO: Hey, who knows? We might find the emperor hiding in it. MASAHIRO: Nah. More likely we'd find hidden messages. (half-serious) I'll just bet you're a double- agent, Fujiro. FUJIRO: No way, man. I'm totally neutral. I don't care who runs Jurai--pirates or royal family. It's all the same to me. A soft beeping sound goes off, as a small light blinks on their console. MASAHIRO: Raiders? FUJIRO: Damn! (nervous) I was just kidding around about getting hit. I'm not ready for this! MASAHIRO: Just relax, man. You can only die once. FUJIRO: Once is enough! 32 EXT. DIZZYING FIELD A small tent, apparently standing in the middle of a field. Above, stars can be seen visibly turning in the sky. Sasami stands in front of the tent, considering for a moment, then goes in. 33 INT. TENT Sasami sees the alchemist, kneeling before a fire. The fire leaps and dances without smoke. He has a cane across his lap, and a thoughtful, sad expression. ALCHEMIST: Welcome again, young one. I see you have returned. CU. SASAMI She narrows her eyes thoughtfully and considers for a moment. SASAMI: Is this real? CU. ALCHEMIST He smiles and gestures expansively. ALCHEMIST: Real? My dear, everything is real. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Even fantasy? CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Fantasy is the heart of reality. Without imagination, there would never be a need for proof. TENT Sasami sits across from the alchemist. SASAMI: I'm sorry I was so rude, but I don't really know whether I'm dreaming or awake. ALCHEMIST: Yes. I see. Is this a vision or just some figment of your tortured imagination? If this is real, is it happening now, or is it just a vision of the future? SASAMI: (dizzy with confusion) Please, help me. I don't know what to do. ALCHEMIST: (pausing in thought) Now that you have come to terms with your outside form, I can only help you with your inside. I can see by the expression on your face that your inside form is disturbed. SASAMI: So, how did this happen? ALCHEMIST: This disturbance is always with you. >From now until the end of your days, you will see only what you have inside of you. This is your destiny. You see, once you become one with someone else, it cannot be undone. CU. SASAMI Nervous, but eager. SASAMI: I want to make a deal. CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: You may offer, and I will listen. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (grim) Tell me how to end this torment. I need peace. CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: (folding his arms) What will you give me in return? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Anything you ask. TENT The alchemist shifts into a sitting position, and considers carefully. ALCHEMIST: I'm afraid I cannot. SASAMI: You can't? Why is that? ALCHEMIST: Because it's too late. You have already become the incarnation of your torment. Sasami stands, very upset. SASAMI: No! That's not true. I can stop it. The alchemist looks down, sadly. ALCHEMIST: For you, Sasami, I can offer no hope. I can only offer my pity. Take it for what it's worth. CU. SASAMI Wide-eyed and speechless with fear. 34 EXT. DIZZYING FIELD Sasami bursts from the tent, tripping over her own feet as she reaches for a spiral staircase. The staircase vanishes just before she can touch it, and she rolls over-- looking upward. 35 EXT. DIZZYING SKY The stars very clearly turn in a visible way--not fast, but very noticeable. 36 EXT. DIZZYING FIELD CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (barely audible) This can't be happening. (calming down) Where is my little Michiko? That damn girl is never around. (sighing) Why do I bother? She never listens to me, anyway. I could blow up the moon, and she'd never notice. FIELD Sasami sits up, considering the sky. SASAMI: Here, there is no moon--just stars. How appropriate that they look like little pinpoints. They provide the most visible constants and frame symbols in our minds, but they are so far out of reach they may as well be infinitely far away. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: What a pitiful thing it is to actually reach out and find them! Why did we even try to go? Where did we think we were going? We could go from one end of the heavens to the other and still be right back where we were, to begin with. (disgusted) I still don't know where I began to live. I don't belong anywhere! Nothing is my home. FIELD Ryo-Ohki appears in child-form and looks at Sasami. She goes and stands near. SASAMI: (sadly) Ryo-Ohki? Ryo-Ohki looks on her pitifully, and gives her a hug. 37 INT. TENCHI'S BEDROOM Sasami sits up, almost relieved. She looks over at the crib and sees Michiko, asleep. She turns and sees Tenchi, looking back up at her. TENCHI: Another bad dream? Sasami hugs him as he sits up. SASAMI: Tenchi, do you love me? TENCHI: Huh? Yeah, sure I love you. She releases him and considers, very serious. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Tenchi, I'm serious. I really want to know. Do you love me? CU. TENCHI Scowling with thought, a little irritated. TENCHI: Of course, I love you. What are you saying? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Don't play games with me, Tenchi. I'm not putting up with all this for nothing. I want to know how much you love me. BEDROOM Tenchi pauses for a moment in thought, then hugs her again. TENCHI: (earnestly) With all my heart, Sasami. Now, go back to sleep. We have a big day, tomorrow. Don't get cold feet. Tenchi lays back down and closes his eyes. Sasami lays down beside him, calmly considering. 38 EXT. SPACE Tsunami is escorting a couple of Jurai battleships and the cargo ship. They approach a hyperspace gate. 39 INT. TSUNAMI'S BRIG Masahiro and Fujiro are standing, apparently, on a grassy knob of a hill, surrounded by browned branches in interlocked weaving--just wide enough to tease the mind with thoughts of escape. Fujiro is attempting to escape, and branches keep getting in his way, as Masahiro sits, a little disconsolate. MASAHIRO: Hey, Fujiro. What happened? FUJIRO: I'd say we've been captured. MASAHIRO: No, I meant about the raiders. I didn't see what happened. FUJIRO: (looking around) Neither did I. MASAHIRO: But you were at the Nav-Comm. You must have seen something. CU. FUJIRO FUJIRO: Masahiro, all I know is one moment we saw a swarm of raiders--next moment, they were attacked by a swarm of mercenaries. CU. MASAHIRO MASAHIRO: Didn't Kardanna take all the mercenaries of Jurai hostage? CU. FUJIRO FUJIRO: That's what I thought. The emperor must have gotten some new ones. CU. MASAHIRO MASAHIRO: I wonder how they got the money to do that. BRIG Fujiro nearly strangles himself on a branch and finally decides to pull away and stop. FUJIRO: Damn Juraian royalty. I should have known they had something buried away for a special occasion. MASAHIRO: Special? What's so special about a big ship full of dirt? FUJIRO: It's Juraian dirt. You remeber? MASAHIRO: Oh, right. The royal trees. 40 EXT. MASAKI HOUSE A bold, first quarter-moon peeks out from behind the clouds. Tilt down to a tree, where Lania sits, looking down from a high branch. CU. LANIA She narrows her eyes, continuing to look downward. TREE Lania begins to climb down. 41 EXT. PATH Ryoko A is silently following Ryoko B. Ryoko B looks around, annoyed, and continues down the path. CU. RYOKO B She stops as Ryoko A teleports in front of her. RYOKO B: Would you leave me alone, already? PATH Ryoko A folds her arms, stubbornly blocking the way. RYOKO A: Where do you think you're going? RYOKO B: Away from you. RYOKO A: Why don't you just teleport around? RYOKO B: What good would that do? Lania appears at the bottom of a nearby tree. Azaka and Kamidake lurk nearby. LANIA: Hey, Ryoko! RYOKO B: What? RYOKO A: Hey, who are you? RYOKO B: Are you that girl who tried to kill Mihoshi? CU. LANIA Musing, trying to resolve some curiosity. LANIA: You don't remember me? CU. RYOKO A RYOKO A: I think I would have remembered you, had I seen you. CU. RYOKO B RYOKO B: Am I supposed to know you? CU. LANIA LANIA: Don't tell me you forgot. You were standing right next to me when I stabbed her. PATH Ryoko B scowls in disgust as Ryoko A flares in anger. RYOKO A: Why, you little monster! RYOKO B: What are you doing here? Why haven't you been locked up in a prison, somewhere? LANIA: I am in a prison. I'm stuck here. (gesturing) You see Ayeka's guardians over there? Ryoko B looks around, thoughtfully, as Ryoko A approaches Lania. RYOKO A: That's never stopped an elite pirate before. What's stopping you from escaping? LANIA: (pausing for a moment) Why are you here, Ryoko? Why are there two of you? RYOKO A: I don't know why there are two of me. Anyway, it's none of your business. RYOKO B: Come on, Ryoko. This kid is an animal. She's just trying to toy with us. CU. LANIA She smiles and looks down at her feet. LANIA: Oh, I see. You're here for Tenchi. CU. RYOKO B Flaring in anger. RYOKO B: You little bitch! CU. RYOKO A Calm, a little amused. RYOKO A: I'm not here for anybody but myself. I've forgotten what happened to me the past couple weeks. I'm only here to try to convince Washu to help me get my memories back. She's not helping, though, and being a little stubborn about it. PATH Ryoko B approaches the other two. LANIA: Really? That's too bad. Ayeka seems to think that she's Tenchi's destiny--despite the fact that Tenchi is obviously Sasami's. Lania looks up briefly at Ryoko B, and smiles again. RYOKO A: What the--? LANIA: Yes, I see I've hit the mark. You miss him, don't you? RYOKO B: (softly) Don't you know it isn't polite to tease a complete stranger? RYOKO A: Yeah. Where are your manners? CU. LANIA Still looking down, chuckling to herself. LANIA: You can fool yourself, Ryoko, but you can't fool me. I've seen that look before. You have a broken heart, right? CU. RYOKO B Wide-eyed with shock, a little embarrassed. CU. RYOKO A Frowning with anger. RYOKO A: I'm telling you, kid. You'd better shut up. CU. LANIA She looks up at Ryoko B, suddenly serious. LANIA: Should I? That sounded like a jealous threat, to me. (pausing for a moment) Let me guess--you two--I mean yourself and Tenchi--were lovers. You were close in many ways. CU. RYOKO B Turning red from embarrassment. CU. RYOKO A Seething with anger. PATH Lania nods to herself and looks down again. LANIA: (softly) You still dream about him, don't you? You miss his voice, his touch... His kiss... Ryoko B is barely restrained, as Ryoko A fires a punch at Lania. Lania catches the punch without even looking up. LANIA: I know. I'm opening old wounds. Does it hurt? RYOKO A: You're awfully brave to talk to me like this. Lania lets Ryoko A go, and Ryoko A looks at herself a little doubtfully. RYOKO B: To both of us. LANIA: What are you going to do? Kill me in front of Ayeka's guardians? What would Sasami say? RYOKO B: I think she'd thank me and wonder why she didn't kill you herself, in the first place. LANIA: (defensive, looking up) Hey! No need to get hostile. I'm just a curious kid. It's not like I have anything better to do. RYOKO A: No? You've never been in love? RYOKO B: Yeah. Why don't you try being in love, sometime, then go mock yourself when he breaks your heart. Come on, Ryoko. This kid is making me sick. CU. LANIA Pondering to herself as she looks down, again. LANIA: (VO) What incredible anger she has! I can see why Ayeka thinks someone is trying to hurt Tenchi-- I'd bet anything it's Ryoko she's worried about. 42 INT. MAIN HALL Ayeka is sitting at the table, drinking sake, as Funaho enters--a little casually, obviously not expecting anyone. FUNAHO: Oh, Ayeka. What are you doing up? AYEKA: I could not sleep. FUNAHO: And here I thought I might bump into Sasami. Don't tell me you're getting jitters for her? AYEKA: I thought you were on Leo-three. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: (a little jaded) I'm on my way. I just needed to check a few security arrangements. This whole wedding ceremony is making me nervous. It's like Sasami has made herself a target, deliberately. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (looking up, concerned) You're worried about Sasami? Yes, so am I. I cannot help but think that Lania may be saving her frustrations for a convenient moment. MAIN HALL (table) Funaho pauses for a moment in thought, then sits across from Ayeka. FUNAHO: What are you drinking? AYEKA: It's nothing, Funaho. FUNAHO: (a little patronizing) You shouldn't drink so much, Ayeka. AYEKA: (rolling her eyes) I can handle it. CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: (annoyed, somewhat firm) Your father, the emperor, is still at Alpha. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (softly) Still making amends? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: Yes... A most interesting thing happened just before our little exchange. I just heard about it, myself. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (innocently) Oh, and what might that have been? CU. FUNAHO FUNAHO: I think you know. You found mercenaries on Alpha, didn't you? How did you manage to find the money to hire them? CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (chuckling) Yes, our little army would never venture into space over a shipment of dirt. I knew we might have need of some extra friends. When Mihoshi found a small cache of treasure-- CU. FUNAHO Wide-eyed in surprise. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (wryly amused) Yes, I thought it was surprising, myself. I left instructions for how it was to be used. I can see it was used wisely. MAIN HALL (table) Ayeka takes a drink, and then continues. AYEKA: I trust your instructions will be followed with as much diligence. FUNAHO: I can't take the chance that they won't. AYEKA: (wistful) I see. You're going to go weed out the profiteers. Best of luck, Funaho. FUNAHO: Thank you. I could use all the luck I can get. AYEKA: Not an easy task, I take it. FUNAHO: It's bad enough trying to renovate a palace. Just try looking for honest contractors to handle a foundation that needs to last for over ten thousand years. 43 INT. SHRINE Misaki is sitting at the table, looking over her plans, as Ryo-Ohki lies asleep (cabbit-form), nearby. Misaki lifts a pen, about to write by the light of a candle. CU. MISAKI She writes, scowls and scratches something out. MISAKI: (absently) I keep forgetting. The 'of Jurai' only applies to members of the royal family. (sighing) I hope that girl doesn't change her mind again. I wonder if she really knows who she wants to be. 44 INT. TSUNAMI SHIP Light streams from trees under a dark ceiling-- apparently far above. Tenchi stands considering the figure of Tsunami--standing in front of the largest tree--bathed in light from all around her. CU. TSUNAMI TSUNAMI: I am Tsunami, the flagship of Jurai--and we are inside of myself. SHIP TENCHI: Inside of you? But you're human. Wait, I get it. You own this ship, right? TSUNAMI: No. The owner of this ship is Sasami. TENCHI: Sasami? CU. TSUNAMI TSUNAMI: Yes. (explaining) You see, what I am is the mind of this ship. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: You're like a human version of Ryo-Ohki? Oh my god! Ryo-Ohki-- Where is everyone? CU. TSUNAMI TSUNAMI: I can detect Ryo-Oh's key seventy light- seconds from us, at this moment. SHIP Wide, overhead shot. The dark, glassy floor radiates briefly and shows a space-shot of the Soja. TENCHI: (worried) Are they still alive? TSUNAMI: I feel Ryo-Oh's key responding from within Soja. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (looking down) Alive... TSUNAMI: (OC) They must be in close combat. TENCHI: (looking up) Combat? Are they really fighting over there on that ship? (a little stern) Please, take me there. We have to get in there! CU. TSUNAMI TSUNAMI: Tenchi, listen to me. I cannot leave this ship, and I cannot ask you to leave, either. This fighting is because of me, and I must face this alone. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: But I can't just stand here! What am I supposed to do? CU. TSUNAMI TSUNAMI: Don't worry, Tenchi. Kagato thinks he can defeat me, but he doesn't yet have the power. If I move quickly, I can defeat him. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: How will you do that? CU. TSUNAMI TSUNAMI: (a little grim) You'll see. 45 INT. SOJA Kagato's 'chapel.' An elaborate floorway between flanking arches, leading up to the largest pipe organ in the universe. Little monuments float here and there, encased in magically hovering spheres. A huge pillar stands at the base of a small stairway. Another pillar has collapsed in ruin, nearby. Kagato has turned to face Ryoko--sitting on the floor, as the gems in her wrists spark lightning into the emblems on the floor. CU. KAGATO KAGATO: There is one final use for you. When you lose consciousness, all the power from your gems will be will be Soja's to use. SOJA Picking up Ryoko by the forehead with his left hand. KAGATO: It's a pity, Ryoko, that you won't live to see me as the ruler of the entire universe. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: I'm sorry, Tenchi-- CU. KAGATO His arm begins dissolving from the elbow up, and he looks on in shock. A flash of light strikes and Kagato reels backwards. KAGATO: Argh! What was that? 46 INT. SOJA Three-way split-screen with Washu, Ayeka and Mihoshi in close-up. AYEKA: Tenchi! 47 INT. TSUNAMI Tsunami frowns, very annoyed. TSUNAMI: Tenchi. I wish you had thought a little harder about all this. 48 INT. SOJA Kagato has Tenchi by the wrist, looking very smug. KAGATO: What's the matter? Your sword doesn't help anymore? CU. KAGATO KAGATO: If only you had left these women behind, you could have remained alive. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (fierce) I would rather die than forsake any one of them. SOJA Kagato laughs, villainously, as he hurls Tenchi into a pillar base. CU. KAGATO KAGATO: That's all right with me, cause I have all the gems. SOJA Wide shot showing Kagato spreading his arms in triumph, laughing. CU. RYOKO Crying out in pain, as the gems erupt in smoky green arms. CU. TENCHI-SWORD The two gems in the sword arc in bursts of green lightning. CU. KAGATO His hair grows as he radiates power, laughing. He holds out his hands, wide-eyed with ecstasy. KAGATO: Marvellous power. Splendid. (laughing) Come to me now, Tsunami! 49 INT. TSUNAMI A quick shot of Tsunami standing under the tree, looking very stern. Sasami--standing in the reflection-- lets out a short gasp. 50 INT. SOJA Tenchi looks on in disbelief. TENCHI: No. This can't be the end. 51 EXT. SPACE Tsunami approaches the Soja, as a scary-looking docking port opens in the Soja. 52 INT. TSUNAMI CU. SASAMI Looking on, upside-down. She covers her face with her hands. SASAMI: Tsunami! I'm scared! 53 INT. SOJA Kagato stands with his hands outstretched, as if he can reach out and touch Tsunami. KAGATO: It won't be long, now. Your power joined with mine-- 54 INT. TSUNAMI Tsunami considers carefully. She holds out a rather large crystal orb in her hands. CU. TSUNAMI TSUNAMI: (softly) There is nothing to fear. 55 INT. SOJA Kagato appears shocked. KAGATO: Hey! She can't do this! Her power should not be able to reach me! 56 EXT. SPACE Tsunami radiates small spheres of white light, gleaming violently for a moment, then curving out toward the Soja. The Soja shudders for a moment, then darkens. 57 INT. SOJA Kagato is furious, trembling with anger. He starts to shrivel as his power fades. KAGATO: She isn't transmitting her power--she's absorbing mine! Argh! How dare she take my power! 58 INT. SOJA (reversed-world) Ayeka, Mihoshi and Washu look on through Washu's display in a bit of shock. AYEKA: What is Tsunami doing? WASHU: I don't know. I guess Tsunami came prepared for Kagato the way Kagato came prepared for her. The hunter has become the hunted. 59 INT. TSUNAMI Tsunami looks on, her stern expression changing to a look of worry, as the orb radiates more and more. SASAMI: Tsunami--! Kagato appears in a hazy, translucent form, glaring at Tsunami. KAGATO: (softly, grim) I won't be defeated so easily. 60 INT. SOJA Kagato looks back at Tenchi for a moment, smiling, then vanishes. 61 INT. TSUNAMI Tsunami reels in shock, as she sees Kagato emerge from the floor, taking her by the ankle. KAGATO: (whispering) Our powers will be joined together, one way or another... CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (gasping) Tenchi, I'm-- 62 INT. TENCHI'S BEDROOM Sasami awakens, hardly daring to move. She looks over at Tenchi, then sighs. SASAMI: Tenchi, I need to tell you something. TENCHI: (sleepily) Yeah. SASAMI: I think I understand, now. The paradox is because of me. It has nothing to do with Ryoko, and it's not because of the future. It's because of the past. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (a little more alert) The past? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: Yeah. I remember two different things. I could never remember one of them before. Now, I know. The pit trap gave me a vision of the other reality. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Pit trap? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: It's hard to explain, but I was dead. That's all I can tell you, Tenchi. Sorry. 63 EXT. MASAKI HOUSE Early pre-dawn haze fills the cloudless sky. Tilt around to nearby trees--where a figure sits, apparently looking out toward the lake. Azaka and Kamidake stand nearby. CU. LANIA She shivers for a moment, then frowns in thought. LANIA: (to herself) Tengo los huesos muertos. 64 INT. STUDY (b/w-flashback) Tenchi and Lania are sitting at the table--the chess board has been removed and replaced with some books and notes. Lania is resting her head in her arms--folded on the table. TENCHI: Huh? LANIA: (looking up) Tengo los huesos muertos. I'm dead tired. TENCHI: (somewhat amused) I think the expression is 'los huesos molidos.' LANIA: Really? I think it should be 'muertos.' CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Well, trust me. It's not. Why are you so dead tired, Lania? CU. LANIA LANIA: (muttering) I just want to be an ordinary human being. Can't everybody just leave me alone? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Huh? CU. LANIA LANIA: (looking down) Never mind. 65 EXT. TREES Lania sits, pondering. She leans back against the tree and folds her arms. LANIA: (VO) I can't let Ryoko hurt Tenchi. I've got to stop her. 66 EXT. TENCHI'S HOUSE A hazy purple glow descends as the day approaches evening. The sky darkens for a moment as the air fills with shimmering streams of descending blossoms. 67 INT. MAIN HALL Kimiko is sitting as she raises a cup to her lips, looking at the statue. KIMIKO: (VO) Well, today is the day. She gets up, alarmed. CU. KIMIKO KIMIKO: What the hell? 68 EXT. SPACE A pair of Juraian battleships approach, as Tsunami turns toward Leo-three. 69 INT. LEAD BATTLESHIP A huge platform leads up to an elaborate throne--where Azusa sits, flanked by various councilors and lackeys. CU. AZUSA AZUSA: Now is the time. If we press our advantage... What the hell? 70 EXT. SPACE Tsunami flickers and vanishes. 71 EXT. TENCHI'S HOUSE The air is filled with glimmering rays, like a fog lit up by a thousand flashlights. CU. KIMIKO Squinting through the haze. KIMIKO: Already? WALKWAY A pair of figures appear on the walkway surrounded by a throng. The pair of figures are Masahiro and Fujiro. The throng is a large group of Juraians in elaborate uniforms-- many of them look very perplexed. Kimiko, intrigued by the appearance of the pair, approaches them. KIMIKO: What just happened? Masahiro looks dumbfounded, as Fujiro confronts Kimiko. FUJIRO: Hey, don't ask us. We've been locked up for who knows how long. CU. KIMIKO KIMIKO: What happened to Tsunami? CU. MASAHIRO MASAHIRO: Who? CU. FUJIRO FUJIRO: Tsunami? Oh hell, we were on the flagship the whole time? (a little overwhelmed) I've got to go sit down. 72 EXT. WASHU'S LABORATORY Washu is sitting at her console, watching crabs dance across the display as a monstrous explosion goes off nearby, billowing smoke and dust through the air. CU. WASHU Very surprised, covering her face with her arms. WASHU: Holy crap! 73 EXT. MASAKI HOUSE Dawn has brightened to early day over a relatively peaceful scene. 74 INT. KITCHEN Sasami is standing next to the stove, looking across the room blankly. She reels somewhat, as if dizzy, then turns to the stove. A moment later, Washu enters--her clothes covered with dust and still smoking. Sasami looks around, surprised for a moment, then sighing with resignation. WASHU: (barely able to speak) What the hell just happened? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (casual) Good morning, Washu. Big day, today. I hope you're ready. CU. WASHU Still a little stunned, but suspicious--staring at Sasami as she turns back to her cooking. 75 EXT. TREES Yosho approaches Azaka and Kamidake at the edge of the clearing. A figure sits up in a high branch of a tree. YOSHO: Good morning. I trust the night was uneventful. Azaka and Kamidake glide up next to him, tilting slightly in salute. AZAKA: The girl did not move from this spot, all night. KAMIDAKE: We kept a sharp watch at all times. Yosho nods to himself and looks up into the tree. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: Lania! Get down here! I need to speak with you! TREES The figure in the tree doesn't move. YOSHO: Lania! (looking back down) Is she asleep? (looking up) Hey! AZAKA: She must be asleep. She just climbed up there an hour ago-- CU. YOSHO Frowning, as he looks back down and rubs his chin. YOSHO: She isn't asleep. She isn't here at all. Damn! TREES Yosho stalks off, upset, as Azaka and Kamidake float up into the tree. CU. AZAKA AZAKA: Well, I'll be-- CU. KAMIDAKE KAMIDAKE: Clever little fox. CU. TREE BRANCH Clearly a holographic projection of Lania, emanating from a small jewel--lodged in a crook of the branch. 76 INT. MAIN HALL (table) Washu returns to the main hall, looking around. Ayeka sits with Misaki, drinking tea. Ryo-Ohki is sitting next to Ayeka (cabbit-form). WASHU: (to Ayeka) Where's Ryoko? AYEKA: (wistfully) No idea. I suppose she's still fighting with herself--or trying to make it appear that she is not. My sister is in the kitchen, as I said? CU. WASHU Still too stunned to frame a coherent thought. WASHU: I think so. 77 INT. RYOKO'S ROOM Ryoko A and B are sitting, as if in meditation. Ryoko A looks up, alarmed. They both take out a glowing sword. RYOKO A: Did you sense that? RYOKO B: (cautious) Sense what? CU. RYOKO A Her best imitation of a thousand-yard stare. RYOKO A: Like someone dancing on my grave. CU. RYOKO B She looks at Ryoko A and then back at the sword in her hands. RYOKO B: Uh... This is probably just nothing, but don't I only have one of these? ROOM They look at the swords, suspiciously, then at each other. RYOKO A: They're really just the same sword. RYOKO B: Yeah, but there's two-- RYOKO A: (annoyed) One! 78 INT. MASAKI SHRINE Tenchi is sitting in front of an end table. The end table has an ordinary compartment and some books on it. Tenchi is holding Michiko. He looks through the pile and finds one book. Michiko reaches out to touch the book, and Tenchi smiles at her. TENCHI: You know what this is? Michiko looks around, somewhat glassy-eyed, as if unaware of anything. TENCHI: Transactions from that year. I was looking right at it, when Yosho caught me looking for that stupid key. I can't believe it. CU. TENCHI Opening up the book, curiously. TENCHI: How could I be so stupid? If you want to learn the secrets of the ancients, you have to look through their transaction records. Receipts, payments, trades... It's all right here-- CU. SHRINE DOOR It slides open, ominously. CU. TENCHI Flinching in shock, turning to stare at the door for a moment, then closing the book again. SHRINE Tenchi looks up and sees Sasami looking down at him. She is sitting on the end table. SASAMI: All right, Tenchi. What are you up to, now? (taking the book) 'Accounts and Transactions--' You are a naughty boy, aren't you, Tenchi? TENCHI: I was just curious. Honest. CU. SASAMI Chuckling, she looks down at the book in her hands and flips it open. SASAMI: Really, Tenchi! What were you hoping to learn from this? CU. TENCHI Chuckling nervously. TENCHI: Oh, nothing. I just had some silly ideas. CU. SASAMI Her smile fades as she reads the page where Tenchi had turned. SASAMI: Nothing, huh? (softly) Why does Yosho keep a record of these things? She snaps the book shut with one hand, annoyed. She looks up, blankly, with a little alarm in her eyes. SASAMI: Yosho must be mad. The marginal notations alone would have made him a marked man. (looking down at Tenchi) Sorry, Tenchi, but there are just some things people were never meant to know. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Huh? SHRINE Yosho enters, looking around curiously, then smiling nervously. YOSHO: Tenchi-- Sasami? What are you two doing? Sasami smiles, putting the book under one arm. SASAMI: Nothing, my brother. Just clearing up a few mysteries. TENCHI: Just an honest mistake, really. CU. YOSHO Frowning, trying to detect some clue about the book. YOSHO: Really? I have warned you before about curiosity, haven't I, Tenchi? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (playful) Why, Yosho! Is that a veiled threat? CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (serious) What are you two arguing about? Geez. It's not like I'm looking for love letters or gambling debts, you know. SHRINE Yosho looks down at Tenchi, somewhat grim and scornful, as Sasami looks at Yosho, a little bewildered. 79 EXT. WOODED HILLSIDE The trees are very calm as a shadowy figure lurks between the trunks. A slight glint flickers through, suggesting something metallic. CU. LANIA She is standing next to a tree, attaching pieces of what appear to be a small blaster together. She slides a bolt back and pulls it into shape--forming a handle in one end. She then carefully points it at the ground and scans around. LANIA: (softly) Here we are. What a nice place for an ambush. Too bad I can see it, myself, Ryoko. I'll have a nice clear shot of your head if you hide here. CU. RYOKO B She suddenly appears behind Lania, smugly unsurprised. RYOKO B: A blaster, huh? I should have known. You elite pirate scum always use the most lethal kinds. HILLSIDE Ryoko A appears a moment later. RYOKO A: Where did you hide that, Lania? Juraians are very careful about how they search people. Lania turns her head, glaring at Ryoko B. LANIA: You won't stop me, Ryoko. I know you have it in for Tenchi. I'm going to make sure I keep my promise to Ayeka. Azaka! Kamidake! The guardians appear in a flash. Ryoko A and B look a little stunned with confusion. LANIA: You heard what Ayeka said to me. Ryoko is the most likely threat. I'm making sure Tenchi doesn't get hurt. Take hold of her. Make sure she doesn't get away. The guardians hesitate for a moment, turning to each other, doubtfully. CU. LANIA LANIA: (furious) What are you waiting for?! You know she can teleport! Do it, quickly! She looks down the hillside. HILLSIDE The guardians trap the Ryokos--one each, as Lania looks downward. LANIA: (sighing) Just in time. There's Tenchi and Yosho, now. RYOKO A: (collecting herself) Azaka! Are you mad? Get away from me! RYOKO B: Kamidake! Let me go! This girl is crazy, I tell you! 80 EXT. MASAKI SHRINE Tenchi stands on the front porch, still holding Michiko, as he talks with Yosho. TENCHI: That's what happened? Oh, wow! I always thought Dad paid for those renovations. When he told me you had some money hidden away, I always thought he was kidding. Yosho chuckles, as he claps Tenchi on the shoulder. YOSHO: I'm relieved, Tenchi. Here, I thought you were trying to find something to blackmail me with. Tenchi laughs out loud as he bounces Michiko slightly. TENCHI: Oh, come on, Grandpa! Me? Blackmail you? They both laugh and suddenly stop laughing as the ground starts shaking. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: What the--? 81 EXT. WOODED HILLSIDE Ryoko A and B manage to free themselves a moment before the quake hits, and they fly straight at Lania--Ryoko B reaching for the pistol. CU. LANIA Reeling for balance. LANIA: Whoa! What's up with the ground? CU. RYOKO B Just barely managing to drop the pistol. RYOKO B: Hells bells! HILLSIDE The pistol goes off and rips a hole through the air, an ear-splitting clap of thunder blasting through, a split- second later. 82 EXT. MASAKI SHRINE One of the front window panes explodes as a bolt of energy flashes through. Tenchi and Yosho flinch in shock, a moment later. YOSHO: (alarmed) What was that? CU. TENCHI Somehow managing to keep his balance, holding Michiko and grasping a sudden burst of insight all at the same time. TENCHI: Sasami! 83 INT. SHRINE The ground is still trembling violently as Tenchi and Yosho manage to get under the door frame. Tenchi looks in, but there is no one in sight. The previously mentioned book is lying on the floor among shards of broken glass--face down. TENCHI: What happened? YOSHO: I don't know. She must have gone when the quake hit. TENCHI: But she can't just disappear like that, can she? YOSHO: I wish I could say. 84 EXT. WOODED HILLSIDE Lania is babbling in shock, as she points at Ryoko. LANIA: How the hell--?! RYOKO: Get to cover, you crazy bitch! Azaka and Kamidake fly off, leaving Ryoko glaring at Lania--who is stunned with shock. CU. RYOKO Snarling with impatience. RYOKO: Come on! Didn't you hear me? HILLSIDE Ryoko snatches Lania by the arm and flies off with her. 85 INT. MAIN HALL The windows are shattering as the walls are trembling, but holding. Ayeka and Misaki stand under a door frame. Ayeka is holding Ryo-Ohki. MISAKI: This kind of thing doesn't happen all the time, does it? AYEKA: Sorry. This is my first. Ryo-Ohki meows in sympathy. Washu appears a moment later, still a little dirty. WASHU: Well, I guess this makes the question of who blew up my time machine a little moot, huh? 86 EXT. MASAKI HOUSE The sky is bright and clear--a calm, sunny afternoon. A figure in a suit walks up to the front. CU. NOBOYUKI Examining the front of the house, proudly. NOBOYUKI: Hey! It held up nicely. Nice bit of work, if I do say so myself. FRONT PORCH He gives one of the supports a little kick and it shivers for a moment, holding firmly. 87 INT. MAIN HALL Tenchi and Mihoshi are sitting next to each other at the sofa--Mihoshi holding Michiko--as Funaho appears in the doorway. Ayeka, Ryoko and Washu are sitting at the table. FUNAHO: (softly) I'm afraid I didn't have any luck. Don't tell Tenchi, but Tsunami disappeared, too. AYEKA: What does Mother think? Looking back around toward the kitchen. FUNAHO: (grim) I don't know. I'm afraid to ask. She's just standing there, staring at all the pots and pans. CU. TENCHI Standing, wide-eyed in shock. TENCHI: What was that? MAIN HALL Noboyuki enters, looking calm and cheerful. NOBOYUKI: Boy, is it a nice day, or what? Tenchi sits back down, very grim and disappointed. The others turn and glare at Noboyuki angrily. CU. NOBOYUKI NOBOYUKI: (very casual) What? 88 INT. MAIN HALL Night has fallen, leaving Tenchi sitting alone with Ayeka. Ayeka is knitting, otherwise looking very calm. Tenchi sighs and scowls, looking at Ayeka. AYEKA: Hmm...? TENCHI: Oh, you're still here? AYEKA: Of course, Lord Tenchi. Where else can I go? TENCHI: Oh. Tenchi gets up to leave. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (musing) You going back to Leo? CU. TENCHI Looking back around, sadly. TENCHI: No. CU. AYEKA Looking up, brightly. AYEKA: Cheer up, Tenchi. She may not be dead, after all. CU. TENCHI A little stunned for a moment, then flaring in anger. TENCHI: Ayeka! (calming quickly) I'll never love again. MAIN HALL Ayeka nervously returns to her knitting as Tenchi leaves, still trembling in anger. AYEKA: My, my. How marvelously familiar this all seems. 89 INT. TENCHI'S BEDROOM Tenchi enters, seeing Michiko in the crib--Ryoko standing over her. RYOKO: You know, I think I'm starting to get the hang of this. Michiko just went right to sleep. Michiko promptly awakens and begins crying. Tenchi, a little irritated, goes and picks up Michiko, comforting her as Ryoko pouts a little. RYOKO: What? What did I do? CU. TENCHI Trying to calm Michiko. TENCHI: Ryoko! You didn't try to feed her, did you? CU. RYOKO Sullen and startled for a moment, then a little angry. RYOKO: Hey, I'm not stupid. I fed her just like Washu showed me. Anyway, she probably just woke up because of you. CU. TENCHI Glaring at Ryoko sternly. TENCHI: I doubt that. (to Michiko) Oh, my baby. Daddy's here. Don't cry. I'll make sure to take good care of you. (casting a glance at Ryoko) No scary monsters are going to get you, tonight. BEDROOM Ryoko slumps and sighs, defeated. RYOKO: (softly) All right. I know when I'm not wanted. Ryoko flickers and vanishes. Michiko promptly calms and starts to sleep. Tenchi gently places her back in the crib. Tenchi sits at the bed for a moment, holding himself briefly. TENCHI: (softly) Goodnight, my little angel. Be grateful for Ryoko. She's probably the reason you're still here. 90 INT. MAIN HALL Ayeka is sitting at the table, drinking. Ryoko enters and looks around, flinching in disgust. RYOKO: You! Don't you ever leave? AYEKA: Me? You're the interloper here, not me. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: You're some princess, now, huh? A fallen empire, a dead ex-sister and an ex-lover to go with your ex- prospect. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: You make quite the space pirate, yourself. You cannot even account for your actions, much less who you pretend to be. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: I had everything under control until you started giving Lania ideas. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: I seem to recall Lania saying that the discharge was your fault. Can you deny it? MAIN HALL (table) Ryoko flares in anger for a moment, then sits at the table. RYOKO: You'd better pour me one of those. AYEKA: Really? I thought you were too good to consume along with the rest of us. Ryoko grabs a bottle of sake and starts to pour a drink for herself. She considers the cup for a moment, then downs it in one gulp. RYOKO: Why the hell are we still fighting? AYEKA: I believe you were accusing me of trespass. As you should well know, this is my family's property. RYOKO: Yeah, but why are we fighting? CU. AYEKA Pausing for a moment. She sighs and takes another drink. AYEKA: Because we enjoy it. CU. RYOKO Ryoko smiles sadistically and lifts her cup. RYOKO: Here's to all our fights. May we continue fighting like this till the end of time. CU. AYEKA AYEKA: (to herself) How revolting. 91 EXT. MASAKI SHRINE Yosho is hammering away at some repairs to the windows, as bright morning shines. Tenchi and Mihoshi go up to the steps, watching Yosho work for a moment. Yosho turns and stops. YOSHO: Good morning, Mihoshi. Good morning, Tenchi. TENCHI: Good morning, Grandpa. How's the work going? CU. YOSHO YOSHO: Oh, just fine, thank you. I've repaired this building more than once, you know. Is there anything I can do for you, Tenchi? I wish I could offer more than sympathy. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: It's all right, Grandpa. Is Lania still here? I wanted to have a word with her. SHRINE Yosho puts down his tools and goes to the steps, just above Tenchi and Mihoshi. He flexes his hands as he removes his gloves. YOSHO: Tenchi, are you sure about this? Lania seemed pretty upset. I tried to comfort her, but she just kept groaning all night. TENCHI: Yeah, that's what I thought. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: We've been talking about it, and we feel pretty bad for her. CU. YOSHO YOSHO: Really? Even you, Mihoshi? You know she tried to murder you just a few days ago. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: It wasn't her fault, Grandpa. Lania just didn't want to be forced to stay on Leo-three. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: I'm not a child, Yosho. I know why Lania did what she did. I just want to know if she knows. STEPS Yosho pauses in thought for a moment, then steps aside. YOSHO: Lania is still inside. Be my guest. TENCHI: Thanks, Grandpa. This won't take long. 92 INT. SHRINE Lania sits at the table, drinking some tea as she looks up at Tenchi and Mihoshi. Tenchi looks very worried. Lania stares, apparently right through them. MIHOSHI: Maybe this was a bad idea. TENCHI: No. This is right. I feel it. (going over to the table) Lania, I just want you to know that I don't blame any of this on you. MIHOSHI: Yeah. Neither do I. Mihoshi continues to stand as Tenchi sits at the table. TENCHI: The truth is, we feel bad for you. CU. LANIA Still in a mild state of shock. LANIA: Oh? Okay... CU. TENCHI TENCHI: You mind if I sit here? CU. LANIA LANIA: I don't mind. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Are you going to be all right? SHRINE Lania looks around, a little disbelieving. LANIA: This is a joke, right? MIHOSHI: No. We really are worried about you. LANIA: (chuckling) You are just kidding around? I mean, if I wasn't here, you'd be just fine. Ryoko would have never lost her memories. Mihoshi would still have her old leg. Tenchi, you'd probably be all set with Sasami. I just ruined your lives, you know that? TENCHI: (softly) It wasn't your fault, Lania. Like I keep telling Mihoshi and everyone else--it was just a bizarre coincidence. These things just happen. CU. LANIA Very grim for a moment, then laughing hysterically. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (to Mihoshi) Maybe this was a bad idea. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: Come on, Tenchi. I think Lania has lost her mind. Little wonder, too. CU. LANIA Gesturing to them. LANIA: Wait, wait, wait. I want to show you something. I just learned it last night. CU. TENCHI Standing and looking back around, curious. TENCHI: What? SHRINE Lania smiles as the flickering form of a single light hawk wing appears. Mihoshi gasps. TENCHI: Was that--? How did you do that? LANIA: I'm afraid it's a secret, Tenchi. I was a little rash, and I learned a few things no human being should ever know. (looking up) I only learned in the first place because I was so angry at myself. TENCHI: Did Sasami teach you that? LANIA: In a way. (looking back down) I wish I could have learned the way Sasami would have wanted. (to Tenchi) I'm sorry, but I really am responsible. I can't blame anyone else. CU. MIHOSHI MIHOSHI: So, it wasn't fate? You planned it? CU. LANIA LANIA: Well, no-- CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Yeah. She might not even be dead. She was in a paradox, after all. CU. LANIA LANIA: (remorseful) Sorry, Tenchi, but she really is dead. I know. It came to me in a vision. She said she could only return in a dream, now. SHRINE Tenchi smiles, curiously. TENCHI: Oh, that's just because she's shy. She'd return, if she really were dead, though. MIHOSHI: Sasami wouldn't let a little thing like death get in the way of her friendship with me. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: Yeah, if I know Sasami, she's probably just as upset as we are. She's not dead. SASAMI: (OC) That just shows how little you really know about me, Tenchi. SHRINE Tenchi and Mihoshi look around in shock as Lania smiles and Sasami folds her arms, glaring at Tenchi. A soft, eery glow surrounds Sasami--like she is standing in front of slowly rotating bulb. SASAMI: I may be dead but I'm not stupid. MIHOSHI: Sasami? Oh, boy... Mihoshi faints, as Tenchi stares in complete shock. Sasami looks over at Lania, wryly amused. SASAMI: You see why I have to appear in visions? 93 INT. KITCHEN Sasami, now the relentless specter, is standing over the stove, happily making breakfast. With one hand, she holds a spoon--stirring in a pot--as the other hand passes through the door of a cabinet, returning with some spices. Tenchi is standing beside her, ready to help at any moment--still a little dumbfounded. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: (softly) I've always wanted to be able to do that. (smiling at Tenchi) Ryoko's not the only one who can walk through walls, now. KITCHEN Ryoko enters, sees Sasami and quickly exits again. A moment passes as Tenchi exchanges a look with Sasami. Ryoko enters again and hits herself very firmly. RYOKO: Oh, come on! What the hell is going on here? Washu walks in and starts laughing. WASHU: I knew it! Washu promptly walks back out, still laughing. Ryoko walks up to Sasami and tries to touch her. Her hand passes right through. CU. RYOKO She looks at her hand and hits the counter with it, flinching in pain. CU. SASAMI Rolling her eyes. SASAMI: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm a ghost. Why are you so surprised, Ryoko? It's not like you've never seen a ghost before. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: I never saw one I knew personally. At least, not that I recall, anyway. KITCHEN Ayeka enters, about to politely ask something. AYEKA: What is all this--? Tenchi and Ryoko look at her, briefly, then back at the pot. RYOKO: So, what are you making, Sasami? SASAMI: It's a surprise. Just wait. CU. AYEKA Ayeka blinks a few times, and scowls in thought. She looks around--as if attempting to find her bearings. AYEKA: (soft contralto) Oh, I'm dreaming. That must be it. (softly chuckling) KITCHEN Ayeka turns and stiffly exits. CU. SASAMI She looks back at the stove and sighs. SASAMI: Ayeka always has trouble accepting reality. I sometimes like to humor her. KITCHEN Funaho enters, holding Michiko. FUNAHO: (casual) Tenchi, I wonder if you've thought about living on-- (looking up) Hello? (doubtfully) Sasami? Is that you? Sasami smiles and looks around. SASAMI: Yeah, but don't tell Mother. She's upset enough as it is. FUNAHO: I wouldn't dream of it. Lucky for you, Misaki is not here. (to Tenchi) Uh, you seem a little busy at the moment. I'll leave you with the others. Funaho turns and exits again. CU. RYOKO Frowning, grimly curious. RYOKO: All right, Sasami. What happened? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: What do you mean, Ryoko? CU. RYOKO RYOKO: How did you get killed? We never found a body. CU. SASAMI A little mortified, reluctant. SASAMI: Well, it's kinda complicated. You see, my past and my future were in conflict. When my future was resolved, it resolved my past. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: The paradoxes canceled each other out. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: What? CU. SASAMI Rolling her eyes. SASAMI: It's okay, Ryoko. I'll explain it later. Tenchi and I need to discuss something. KITCHEN RYOKO: Oh... Ryoko ponders for a moment, then vanishes. SASAMI: Tenchi, we still share a part of each other--well, you still have a part of me. All I have are memories, now. TENCHI: Yeah. I mean, I still feel it. SASAMI: I don't really need to go anywhere. Technically, I'm living in a higher dimension, but everyone else there looks down on me. I hate being an object of pity. TENCHI: Pity? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: You don't mind if keep living here, do you? I don't need to eat or sleep, and I promise I wouldn't make a mess of things. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: (briefly considering) Hey, I can't imagine living without you. You may be dead, but that doesn't mean I've stopped loving you. CU. SASAMI Sighing gently, a look of worry. SASAMI: Yeah, I know. Even like this, I can't let go of my feelings, either. KITCHEN Tenchi scratches his head, nervously. TENCHI: You do love me, right? SASAMI: Huh? TENCHI: Well, you're dead. You know... SASAMI: (amused) It's okay, Tenchi. Don't worry. I love you with all my heart. (sigh) I just wish we could really be together. 94 EXT. LAKE EDGE Tenchi wanders to the shore of the lake, as it glistens in midday sunshine. He sees Ryo-Ohki (still in her cabbit- form) and picks her up, gently petting her. TENCHI: Hey there, girl. I haven't seen you around very much. Have you just been avoiding all this? CU. RYO-OHKI She looks a little sullen and introspective. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: I know. It isn't easy to lose someone. Things have gotten really weird, but it's nothing we can't handle, huh? CU. RYO-OHKI Still a little sullen. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: She isn't really gone, though. I don't think you'll miss her too much, huh? CU. RYO-OHKI She looks down, calmly, then back up in shock. She leaps from Tenchi's hands. CU. TENCHI Looking around at Ryo-Ohki in surprise. LAKE EDGE Sasami appears and swats Tenchi on the arm. SASAMI: Tenchi, you idiot! TENCHI: Huh? SASAMI: You just want to make your father proud of you? TENCHI: (a little shocked) Oh, wow. I thought that was just a dream. Ryoko appears a moment later, looking around smugly. RYOKO: Sasami just tried to twist the ultimate paradox. Sasami folds her arms, pouting, as Ryoko laughs. TENCHI: Ryoko, if I had known then what I know now-- RYOKO: Yeah, yeah. You'd change it all. Don't insult me. CU. TENCHI TENCHI: It's not an insult, Ryoko. I just see things differently. That's all. CU. SASAMI SASAMI: I think we've all changed, Tenchi. (sighing) Now that I think about it, I probably would have never let you stop caring about the others. They were my friends, too. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: You mean, we're not your friends anymore? LAKE EDGE Sasami folds her arms, narrowing her eyes. SASAMI: When were you ever my friend, Ryoko? RYOKO: (defensive) Well... All the time. Really. SASAMI: Really? RYOKO: Well, yeah. I mean, I didn't come out and say it, but you know I was. SASAMI: Oh, come off it, Ryoko. You were jealous of me the whole time. You still are. RYOKO: All right. Fine. I admit it. I was jealous. (subdued) That doesn't mean I hated you. CU. SASAMI Her expression softening. SASAMI: Yeah? You liked me? CU. RYOKO RYOKO: We were friends. Let's just leave it at that, huh? CU. TENCHI Covering his mouth, almost smiling. CU. RYOKO Snarling, looking at Tenchi. RYOKO: You are an idiot, Tenchi. Sasami is right. You may look a thousand times better now than you did then, but I think your brain has turned to mush. I'd never stop caring about you. LAKE EDGE Ryoko and Sasami vanish, leaving Tenchi by himself. TENCHI: (to himself) Yeah. I can't change, either. 95 EXT. TENCHI'S HOUSE Several Juraians are standing outside, looking at the large red planet, hanging high overhead in the night sky. 96 INT. KITCHEN A few officers are standing around at a counter, as Kimiko sits with Masahiro and Fujiro, looking over some plates of food. KIMIKO: It belongs to a friend of mine--a pupil, actually. It's more of a summer home, though. I don't think he'll be back any time soon. FUJIRO: So, it's okay if we hang out here for a while--just till things calm down a little? KIMIKO: Oh yeah. (gesturing) This house was designed for big parties, you know. MASAHIRO: Really? It seemed a little old- fashioned, to me. KIMIKO: It's patterned after the ancient palaces of old Leo-three. FUJIRO: Sorry, but I don't remember those. KIMIKO: Those were around over twenty-thousand years ago, right in the middle of the last desert age. I'm not surprised you don't remember. FUJIRO: So, you read about it? KIMIKO: I was there. I helped design some of those ancient palaces. CU. FUJIRO FUJIRO: No kidding? CU. KIMIKO KIMIKO: Hey, would I lie to you? 97 EXT. WASHU'S LABORATORY Washu looks sadly over some of the old parts of her old time machine. A hole in the air opens and she tosses them in, sighing gently. The crab-chime jingles as the alchemist enters. WASHU: It's about time. I was wondering when you'd show up. ALCHEMIST: Just avoiding some nasty arguments. You know how I hate to stir up trouble. WASHU: (amused) Actually, you seem to thrive on conflict. I recall a certain promise you made to me. CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Ah, yes. Right, you are. Since I am not likely to stay Ryoko's master, it is fairly certain I will have to make you my own apprentice. I cannot, in honor, make any other arrangement. RYOKO: (OC) So, you were jerking me around? LAB Ryoko and Sasami have appeared, as the alchemist flinches in shock. ALCHEMIST: Hardly. As you should well know, I was fully capable of making my end of the arrangement. You can't possibly expect me fulfill it, now. SASAMI: Why not? Don't you have your word? Doesn't a promise mean anything to you? ALCHEMIST: Well... RYOKO: Yeah. WASHU: Ryoko, don't be silly. You know the old man is at his wit's end. He's just an alchemist--not a miracle worker. CU. ALCHEMIST ALCHEMIST: Don't test me, Ryoko. And, Washu, I don't need you to defend me. I was simply hoping to spare the boy's feelings. (to Sasami) Would you have me deny him his greatest wish? (to Ryoko) You want me to help you break his heart? LAB Sasami and Ryoko both pout, annoyed, as Washu looks grimly amused. WASHU: Well, it looks like it's up to me. (to the alchemist) I'd love to learn the art, but I'm not really interested right now. Maybe some other time. ALCHEMIST: You aren't tired of all this silly science nonsense? WASHU: Not just yet. Humor me for a little while. I'll get back to you. The alchemist ponders for a moment, rubbing his chin, then bows. ALCHEMIST: Oh, very well. I'll leave you for a little while. The alchemist turns and leaves. CU. RYOKO RYOKO: You're turning down an apprenticeship? CU. SASAMI SASAMI: You know what you're doing, right? CU. WASHU Smiling, a devilishly clever grin. WASHU: Trust me. (to Ryoko) You wouldn't mind tutoring me, first, would you? CU. RYOKO RYOKO: Huh? Oh, sure. There's nothing to it. I just wish I had the full range. CU. WASHU WASHU: Let's have some fun with this guy, first. THE END *** Yeah, that's it. The end. (Well, unless I get around to working on yet another trilogy...) I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge a few of the people who made all this possible: "Ayeka" , owner of FTFF-- --without whom, these efforts would have probably been tossed into the circular file. Thanks! Emily "Mink" Koh , for inspired Tenchi enthusiasm and a few of her own works for which I feel some affection. Aldrich "GenSao" Bautista , owner of TMFFA--for giving this work a nice little retirement home. Thanks to all the members of FTFF. Stay tuned! I'm still working on quite a few other adventures... *** One last epigram: "Why do you let her give you heartache?" she asked. "Because I still love her, I suppose," he answered, a bit too quickly, as though he had rehearsed it. "Does _she_ love you?" "Yeah, I guess she does." He paused, then added in a contemplative monotone, "Yeah. I'm quite certain she does. Otherwise we wouldn't try to kill each other so hard. It's making us both very sick, her loving me." -- Harlan Ellison, _Lonelyache_