Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka reappeared in the chamber of the High Council. The trio gasped concurrently when they saw what they Council had done. They had bound Tsunami tightly to a pillar with a glowing rope. Tsunami's hair, normally sleek and neatly done in a ponytail, was strewn all about her head, crinkly and frizzled. The High Council member with the long gold tunic was grinning evilly. The rest of the council members were glaring at Tenchi with intense dislike, their eyes twinkling maliciously. "Why?" Tenchi asked, his voice dripping with disappointment. He kept his face entirely set and did not change his expression. "We almost destroyed Jurai. Why?" The gold-clad Councilor stood up from his chair. "The Jurai Empire was slowly declining. Thou art strong, but see what happens when thou opposes me?" He gestured over to where Tsunami lay bound to the pillar. Ayeka just noticed that Sasami, unconscious, was also tied to the pillar. Her hair was likewise strewn all over, not the neat pigtails she customarily had. "Sasami!" Ayeka burst automatically. The Council member nodded slowly. "Thou art correct. Since thy sister is the counterpart of Tsunami, we cannot have her using her powers against us. But," the Councilor added quickly when he saw Tenchi reaching for his Light Hawk Sword, "thou art foolish to fight against me as well." Tenchi gave him a defiant stare and began quivering in anger. "You were controlling those rebels, weren't you? You were forcing them to go against Jurai! They said something about a Lord Masuru. That's you, isn't it?" Tenchi said, holding Ryoko back as she tried to get close enough to attack. The Council member frowned but did not answer. "A lot of loyal Juraians died. You are corrupt, Lord Masuru! Corrupt by your own power!" Masuru growled in cold fury. "Thou knowst nothing of power! I am in charge! You will NEVER take charge!" Masuru bellowed. Tenchi did not yell back, but his voice was infuriated. "I am a god. What do I know of power? There is power in good, not evil. Ryoko, Ayeka, and I have more good energy that you would ever dream of!" Tenchi paused to note with satisfaction that Masuru was starting to look panicked. "We also have to power of friendship." Suddenly, Washu, Yosho, Mihoshi, Kiyone, little Ryo-oh-ki, Achika, Nobiyuki, and the Royal Family appeared out of the mist. "This is all true, Prince, but I need no friends! Thou art foolish, thou and all thy friends!" Masuru spat. His eyes began glowing red as a remarkable physical change was overcoming him. Masuru began twitching as his golden tunic ripped. Black fur began spreading over his body. Large, leathery wings burst from his lengthening back as his fingers elongated into long claws. Masuru was emitting a horrible growl that was mingled with moans of pain. His legs expanded as more muscle built up. He began growing larger until he towered over all of them, including the rest of the High Council, casting an enormous shadow. His feet looked more like long, clawed foot-paws. Masuru's voice no longer echoed soothingly; his voice became harsh and deep. "Behold, Prince Tenchi. Thy weak powers of Light cannot match the power that thee sees before thy eyes." Masuru stopped twitching and spread his wings. "I, the descendent of the spirit of Darkness, Yuzuha, will finish what she began! Say goodbye to thy friends, Prince!" The demon Masuru laughed in evil joy and summoned a ball of black energy in the palm of his hand. Washu gasped. "Tenchi, get of the way! NOW!" she yelled. Tenchi hesitated, but quickly realized the danger as the demon raised his arm as if he were going to throw. Tenchi jumped aside too late. The energy exploded down to the ground, throwing Tenchi far back into the thinning mist. His robe ripped more as he skidded on the ground to Tsunami's feet. He ripped his already-tattered robe off and stretched his arms out in front of him in the manner that has become so familiar. Light Hawk Wings once again erupted in front of his hands and passed through him, changing his simple underclothes into the Jurai battle armor. "Don't say it, Ayeka. We know you're going to say 'Jurai battle armor!'" Ryoko said, putting her hand on Ayeka's mouth, which was opened. Ayeka sniffed huffily and frowned. Ryoko changed from her red robe to her battle suit as Ayeka did likewise and changed into her Juraian battle armor. Tenchi moaned as he wiped blood from his cheek, where he had a gash. Tsunami groaned and opened one eye. "Believe," she whispered. "Believe in your ability, in your power as a Juraian. Your friends...will..." Tsunami passed out again, leaving Tenchi slightly confused. Ryoko and Ayeka appeared next to him. "Come on, Tenchi. We can beat this loser, just like we beat Yuzuha!" Ryoko said confidently. "Together, we can attack, Ayeka can paralyze him, and this whole thing will be over in the blink of an eye! Right?" Finally, Tenchi understood Tsunami's words. He smiled, looking from Ryoko to Ayeka. "I know, but maybe I can talk to him and make him change his way." Ryoko frowned as Ayeka bit her lip. "What's the point in killing when we can make friends and save a few lives?" Tenchi said as he heard the demon Masuru howl with evil laughter. "If you must, Lord Tenchi." Tenchi smiled and gave Ryoko and Ayeka a hug, causing them to blush profoundly. Tenchi squared his shoulders and gave Achika a fleeting glance. "Masuru, why do you do this? Don't you care about your friends?" Tenchi asked, his eyes blazing. Masuru snorted, his nostrils emitting a puff of smoke. "Friends!" he growled contemptuously. "I have no friends! I do this out of hate for Jurai! Dost thou know why I hate Jurai? Ask thy grandfather, and thy friend Tsunami!" snarled Masuru. Tenchi started. He could hear murmurs of surprise behind him as his friends shuffled about nervously. "Tsunami? What does she have to do with this? I understand with my grandpa and all, but what about Tsunami?" Tenchi asked sharply. A distant look overcame the demon. "Before that brainless Juraian showed up, I was the leader. Everyone supported my ideas and motives. I was master with Yuzuha! Thy Juraian changed it all! She found out about Yuzuha's evil and forced her into the realm of darkness!" It looked as if Masuru had calmed down, but his eyes were still glinting maliciously. "Now, it is thy time to die." Achika gasped. "You will not," Tenchi said, bracing himself and holding his Light Hawk sword. "You have no friends. You are alone." "Thou art also alone! Farewell, Prince!" Masuru raised his hand to blast Tenchi, but stopped abruptly as Tenchi spoke. "You can say that I am alone. My friends, family, and I are untied as one! We are together as one! You might be able to control others, but when you do, you destroy their spirit! They can never be on your side!" Tenchi said loudly. Yosho patted Achika's back as she began trembling. "Do not worry, Achika. Your son is wise beyond his years." Achika turned around and smiled gratefully. She seemed lost for words and gave Yosho a hug. When she looked back, Tenchi had produced the three Light Hawk Wings. Two Wings disappeared, leaving one. Tenchi grasped it, changing it into the Light Hawk sword. Masuru laughed openly. "Thy feeble powers are nothing compared to mine!" Masuru produced a ball of energy in his hand. He threw it hard at Tenchi, who was still braced and ready. There was a great explosion as the ball connected with the prince. Ayeka and Ryoko rushed forward, only to be held back by Azusa. "Father! Release me! Father!" "Yeah! Let us go! Tenchi needs us!" Ryoko bellowed. Azusa pointed at the cloud of dust that was clearing. Tenchi was standing exactly as he was before. He was glowing oddly, the way he was when he was fighting Yakage. The prince looked angrier than ever. Suddenly, his body began flickering, as if it were disappearing. He winced as bluish electricity coursed visibly about his body. He turned to Ayeka. "Do it NOW!" Ayeka snapped into action. She summoned her wood and forced herself to keep her energy at maximum. The wood surrounded Masuru and began giving painful shocks to paralyze him. While Masuru was twitching in agony, Tenchi grabbed Ryoko and leapt into the air. Ryoko produced her energy sword and smiled at Tenchi, who gave her arm a squeeze and gestured for her to go to the left. Ryoko zoomed off as Tenchi veered to the right of the demon. Washu bit her lips as she watched Tenchi and Ryoko dodging Masuru's flailing limbs. She turned around and saw Yosho sitting on the ground as if meditating. "What are you doing, Lord Katsuhito?" Yosho did not open his eyes but he answered loudly enough to allow everybody to hear. "The demon is strong, but have faith with those three. Try to concentrate your Jurai energy on Ayeka, Ryoko, and Tenchi. It will help them greatly." Nobody said a word, but they sat down to concentrate. Even Washu, Mihoshi, Kiyone, and Nobiyuki focused, regardless of the fact that they aren't Juraian. The group began glowing blue, as did the three fighters. Ayeka was having difficulty keeping Masuru distracted with her field. It was as if Masuru was soaking up half of the energy she was using on him. Luckily, Tenchi and Ryoko kept wounding Masuru, slowly weakening him. She gasped and felt a sudden surge of energy flow through her. "Lord Tenchi! Please hurry!" Ayeka roared as she struggled to keep the energy being channeled to her. Masuru was nearly finished. He was about to take off with his wings, but Ryoko's eyes locked on the moving wings in time. "Tenchi, the wings! Cut his wings off!" she yelled, starting to pant. Tenchi gave her a thumbs-up to show understanding. He zoomed to the left wing as Ryoko hurtled to the right. Demon Masuru howled in agony as odd black blood poured from the stubs that used to be his wings. Ryoko and Tenchi landed side by side, breathing heavily. "He's much stronger than Yuzuha," Tenchi managed to say. Ryoko patted him on the back. "That's okay! We nearly got him!" Suddenly, there was a bright flare of blinding light. One of the High Councilors grinned nastily. The Councilor next to her lay slumped in his seat, lifeless. She turned to the man next to her, who also looked corrupt and evil. "Look at poor Shitsuma. He was trying to let Tsunami go." "Should we help Masuru?" "Just leave him. His stronger powers have made him arrogant. He never gives us any respect these days." When the light faded, Tenchi and Ryoko nearly fell over with shock. All of Masuru's wounds had healed, and he had regenerated his wings, which were dripping with black blood. He stretched them and laughed. "See how useless it is to oppose me? Thou art naught but a fool!" Tenchi's hands tightened on his sword. He was struck with a sudden thought. "Ryoko," he whispered urgently, "when you cut that big gash in his chest, did blood come out?" Ryoko shook her head quickly and looked over at Ayeka, who was panting heavily. She found that they were glowing blue, and she felt an odd energy renewing her. Tenchi smiled. "Our friends are giving us their extra energy," whispered Tenchi, accurately reading the look on her face. Ryoko finally found her voice and answered his question. "When I cut him there, a sort of black misty stuff came out. When I looked again, his cut had opened and I could see inside. It was kind of hollow, like he had nothing in there." Tenchi gave a weak smile. "That's what I thought. Here's what we do..." Tenchi began explaining his plan to Ryoko as Ayeka walked up to them. "What's going on, Lord Tenchi?" she asked curiously. Ryoko grinned and pulled Ayeka into their huddle. Tsunami was slowly regaining her energy back. She sat, horrified, as a Councilor tossed Shitsuma's body down next to her. The Councilor laughed cruelly as he glared at the tree spirit. "You don't like that, do you Tsunami? Look, your little Tenchi is having trouble with Masuru," said the Councilor, smirking. Tsunami spat on his face as he drew closer to her. "Why I ought to-" "Chibume, leave her. You shall enjoy yourself when Masuru finishes with these weaklings." Chihame sneered and turned away, wiping his face contemptuously. Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka were ready. Ayeka began to distract Masuru with her force field. The demon was cringing in pain as Tenchi and Ryoko zoomed towards his broad chest. Simultaneously, Ryoko and Tenchi slashed down with their swords, cutting one long gash in his chest. Tenchi put his hands on the opened flesh and pushed himself in, pulling Ryoko with him. Ayeka halted her onslaught immediately and clasped her hands together, her lower lip quivering. "Tenchi, please be safe," she muttered worriedly. Everybody, even the Councilors and Tsunami, gasped as their eyes widened. "Tenchi!" Nobiyuki exclaimed, trying to keep Achika from running over to Masuru. She was about to say something, but forgot when there was an odd rumble. Masuru had stopped moving; he was completely still, staring at his chest. Suddenly, Masuru howled in anguished pain as colossal Light Hawk Wings exploded from his shoulders and stomach, splattering black blood everywhere. There was another rumble and the chest of Masuru completely imploded on itself, then exploded as converted energy. Tsunami smiled when she saw Tenchi and Ryoko behind those Light Hawk Wings, each with faces of intense concentration. Masuru groaned and staggered backwards, leaving Tenchi and Ryoko suspended in the air. As the demon fell to the ground, he simply melted away into a black puddle of blood. Tenchi sighed, allowing himself and Ryoko to float down gently and causing the Light Hawk Wings disappear. Ryoko yelled happily and hugged Tenchi in joy. She was about to give Tenchi a kiss when Ayeka bulled right into them, crying in ecstasy as she managed to enclose the both of them in a tight hug. Achika gave Nobiyuki a kiss on the cheek and received a tight embrace in return. Washu whooped in joy and, forgetting all her pride as the number one genius in the universe, joined Mihoshi and Kiyone in a little dance. Yosho and the Royal Family of Jurai sighed in relief. The Councilor that killed Shitsuma growled in anger. "No! You and your friends are so...so...how have you beaten our demon? The demon that succeeded Yuzuha? How?" roared the Councilor. "Light always prevails over darkness!" Ayeka bellowed in rage. She trapped all of the Councilors in her force field and pushed her remaining energy into it. All of the Councilors passed out, if they didn't get killed. Tenchi had already freed Tsunami and Sasami, who was still asleep. Tsunami flexed her sore arms and thanked him gratefully. She walked among the bodies of the unconscious or dead Councilors and pulled three people from the group and laid them a bit away from Shitsuma. She checked their pulses and their eyes and sighed in relief. "These three, and poor Shitsuma, weren't caught up in Masuru's plans. They tried telling me to get rid of the demon, but I was a fool. They tried helping me, but Masuru used powerful mind control to overcome them," Tsunami explained quietly, her face downcast. "It takes power of mind and physical power to possess the mind of one of our Councilors, and Masuru must have had dark power we could never dream of having." She bent over Shitsuma and straightened him out, allowing a tear to fall from the ground. "He always looked overworked. Perhaps it is best to allow him to enjoy himself when he returns in a few days." Tsunami sealed his body in a force globe and sent it away. Lady Tokimi shuddered and sat up, holding her head. "What was that, sister? Why does my head feel so light at this moment?" Tokimi said slowly, rubbing her head. Washu laughed. "Masuru was using mind control on you. The darkness has gone from your mind, so you're free from his bonds," explained Washu in a matter-of-fact way. Tsunami laughed softly behind her hand and smiled. Tenchi squared his shoulders and walked up to Tsunami. "Tsunami," Tenchi muttered, bending down on his knee in respect, "I don't think I want to be a part of the High Council just yet. I talked with my friends and family, and they agree." Tsunami looked taken aback. "Is this true?" she asked incredulously, turning to the group of companions, who had exhausted their energy in their joy dances. Everyone except Yosho, Achika, and Azusa nodded, as it seemed as if those three really just wanted peace, no matter how it was achieved. Tsunami sighed and smiled. "I see. I understand how you feel. I'll be fine with my three friends and my sister. Enjoy yourselves..." Tsunami's voice was drowned out by the great whooshing as she sent them back to their lives. Well, that's the end of the Shadows of Jurai Saga! I'll try to make a new series, erm, one that is more centered on the humor, or at least a death-less battle scene. Heh. ~Rayani DISCLAIMER: These characters belong to Pioneer and AIC, yes I know, I know.