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Two Jurain soldiers in space suits came floating out the ship and took Jerrens’ body into the imperial spaceship. Once inside they put him under a scanner in order to determine if he was still alive.

“I know him….it’s the princesses’ slave boy,” said the guard, “I wonder if he’s still alive?”

“I doubt it.” said the second one, “Look at him! There is no way anyone, especially a human, could survive injuries like that…not to mention floating in space for who knows how long.”

“Oh yeah, five creds says he’s still breathing.”

“Ha, easy money, you’re on.”

Jerren gasped in lung-full’s of air.

“He’s still alive!” they said in unison.

“Quick, put him in a capsule to bolster his body functions!” said the first one.

“Alright,” said the second one, scowling at Jerren’s body, “Guess you win….”

Jerren heard a small, soft familiar voice calling to him in desperation

“Jerren, wake up….please Jerren, wake up!” the voice said. He opened his eyes slowly and saw Ami by his side.

“A…Ami is that you?” he said groggily, “W…where am I?”

“Oh, Jerren….” Ami said as emotion gave free reign to tears and she hugged Jerren tight. “I thought you were dead! When I heard you were in the hospital, I rushed down here as fast as I could to check on you!”

“So, w…where am I?” he said, trying to get his tongue around the words, looking around. The room was all white and it had a monitor hanging from the ceiling. Jerren was in a pod like bed, with his body wrapped in bandages, surrounded by devices he could not identify.

“You’re in the hospital, on Jurai!” answered Ami, “You were brought in a day ago by Jurian guards and I’ve been by your side ever since.”

“Oh, I see!” replied Jerren.

“Wait a minute! W…where’s the princess? K…Kagato?” Jerren lifted himself up.

“They’re long gone!” replied Ami, touching Jerrens’ shoulder to push him back down, “Where ever they are, they’re well hidden! The Jurain authorities are still searching for them.”

“Oh!” said Jerren as he slowly turned his head to the other side.”W….well it could have been worse, I c….could have landed on a world of mutant chickens or e….exploding heads! Heh, I got that from Z…Zim!”

Ami pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes before slapping him hard in the face.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Crud Ami! Why did you do that?” Jerren said, holding his face in pain.

“You’re treating this like it’s a joke….well it’s not! When I saw you in this state I cried my eyes out! I thought I was going to lose my only friend. I fell into a deep depression for a while, worse than the one I had when we were on Earth. It got to the point where I was thinking of committing suicide just to end it all and be with you….”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa….don‘t get crazy like that!” Jerren interrupted, “You’re too smart and too good for something insane like that!”

“Well, what’s the purpose of living anymore IF MY FRIEND IS GONE, HUH?” she yelled as she shed more tears and grew flushed. “WHY DIDN’T YOU HAVE ANYONE TO BACK YOU UP JERREN? WHY? I heard that you had police officers all around you, why didn’t you let them come with you?”

“Whoa, what’s with the higher pitch all of a sudden?” Jerren said flinching away from his friend, surprised at how angry she was.

“You went by yourself…that’s why I’m angry! It was a miracle you survived!”

“The GP were being overwhelmed, I told them to stay and help their friend’s out.” said Jerren, “Since Ayeka is my master, I figured it was my responsibility to rescue her!”

“Oh no! Not this again….” Ami said as she face palmed. “How many times have I told you that you can’t take things on completely by yourself? It always ends in disaster, and in this case almost cost you your life.”

“I was doing my duty!” replied Jerren. “I had orders to guard the Princess with my life and I did.”

“But you didn’t win, Jerren!” Ami scolded, “She’s still kidnapped and you’re stuck in a hospital bed.”

“I know that!” said Jerren, “And after I get out of this bed I’ll try again and….”

Jerren screamed in intense pain and fell back to the sheets. The intense pain from his burns restrained him from going any further.

“Can’t move, can you?” Ami smiled coldly, “Good!” Ami’s temper calmed a bit and she let out a huge sigh. “Ever since we met, you have always wanted to take things on by yourself and end things your way. And it has always back fired…every time!”

Jerren immediately turned his face away from Ami and wrapped his head under the sheets.

“Don’t turn your face away from me while I’m talking to you…!” Ami pulled the sheet.

“What are you, my mom!” Jerren said as his head was pulled from the cover, “Just leave me alone!”

Ami then went on the other side of the bed and pulled the covers away from him completely. Jerren tried to cover his ears but Ami held his hands so he couldn’t.

“Let go of my hands Ami!” Jerren said as he tried to wrestle his hand away from her. “Let go!”

“I will NOT!” Ami said as she once again raised her voice. “You know what I’m saying is true! You got yourself into this situation when you refused to consider the consequences of you actions, and now…you’re in a pitiful state!”

“Well MAYBE I AM PITIFUL!” Jerren shouted angrily. He swiped his hands aggressively away from Ami and crossed them.”All my life, even before I met you, I couldn’t seem to accomplish anything! I felt powerless to do anything. My sisters and my brothers always overshadowed me. My older brother became a basketball star while the other one went on to become a professional football player. My sisters’ became actresses and own a big movie production company. And me…I was just normal. My parents looked down on me because I wasn’t as successful as them.”

“I lost every job I ever had and when I finally found a decent one, I got fired due to false charges of stealing and getting into fights. But then I was a body guard for the Princess of Jurai…I couldn’t believe it. I felt like the universe must be pulling a prank on me, so when she was kidnapped, I wanted to be the hero and take it all on my own so I could make a name for myself. But I failed at that too!”

Jerren burst into tears and covered his face.

“Now because of me, the princess is at the mercy of a psychopath who’s going to blow up the galaxy and it’s because of me! Me and my idiotic self! I’m a failure and I’ll remain one for the rest of my LIFE!”

Ami heard what he said and slapped him straight in the face, only harder this time, and gave him a very cold expression.

“AAAAAAOOOOOOHH! W…what was that for Ami?” Jerren said as he writhed in agonizing pain.

“Because you deserved it!” said Ami in an icy tone.

“Like I said before, when I saw you in this condition I was devastated, but when you woke up I cried in joy, so you didn’t fail in surviving…”

“That means absolutely nothing!” cut in Jerren, “I still lost in the end.”

“IT MEANS EVERYTHING!” shouted Ami, “Stop putting yourself down! Before I met you, my life was a living nightmare! As I told you when we were on earth, I acted in a television series called Sailor Moon when I was thirteen.”

“After my four year contract was up I went to America to study for my doctorate and medical degree. I had already graduated school by the age of 16 so I went to college, and after four long and tedious years, I did it. I became a doctor and followed in my mother’s footsteps. I finally made a name for myself, and I finally had a purpose in life, or so I thought….”

“My life as a doctor was tiring, very stressful, and most of the time….depressing.

The other doctors didn’t care about the patients, they only cared about the money they could earn, which really made me mad and I condemned them for this. But they scoffed and laughed at me and continued on with their business. I watched people die in their beds from wounds, sicknesses and old age, which really made me feel useless, but the other doctors didn’t care if they were alive or dead, they just saw them as a waste of their time. I thought I made friends with some of the doctors but they were all fakes in the end. I quit my job as a doctor and worked as a nurse part time, but I found out that that had its own problems. The other nurses at the hospital were mean to me and called me very colorful names that I won’t bother repeating….”

“Why would they do that to such a kind, sweet person?” Jerren said, interrupting Ami.

“They were jealous!” replied Ami as she once again gave way to tears.

“The doctor in charge praised me for my efforts in helping patients. In time he gave me greater responsibilities with them and this made the other nurses resent me; you see they had feelings for this man, strong feelings. He was a fit and handsome man in his early thirties. The other nurses got furious when he’d talk to me, and got even angrier when I told him that I used to be an actor on a television show. They responded by persecuting and oppressing me. They put pills in my food, and threatened me with needles. I almost went crazy…until I figured out what they were up to. When I complained, it was my word against twelve other nurses. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I quit my job as a nurse and never looked back. The doctor wanted me to stay and even threw me a nice party to try and change my mind, but I declined.

I realized that all the time I’d had a high paying career and made a name for myself, I was really accomplishing absolutely nothing and that I felt completely empty inside. I was just fulfilling my mother’s dreams in the end and not my own, I felt like I was in her shadow. I quit my job and I was temporarily un-employed. I fell in a deep depression. It was not a high point in my life…”

“Whoa…now that’s some dark stuff right there!” Jerren gaped. “I never knew you had it so tough! When I saw you at the hospital you always looked so happy!”

“That’s because I didn’t want to make people gloomy and dislike me, especially after I met you. You gave me some measure of happiness and you cared about me and my feeling and emotions. You gave me comfort in that heck.”

Jerrens’ eyes misted in sympathy to his friends past plight.

“Wow Ami, that’s…the sweetest thing you’ve ever said me…”

“I see we’re alike in a way,” Jerren said as he rose up from the bed a little, “We both felt like we failed in life, and couldn’t find something real to believe in, but I think helping each other out…is now, our purpose. We’re on this planet and I don’t know what’s going to happen, but something tells me it’s going to be one wild ride…with only each other to rely on when things get rough.” Ami giggled at Jerren and dried her eyes.

“We’ll see, Jerren…we’ll see!” she said as she rubbed his head gently.

For the next three days Ami visited Jerren at the hospital after she finished her work at the castle, staying with him, and comforting him until her next shift came around. On the fourth day, Ami rushed into the hospital excited at a new discovery.

“You have healing powers?” Jerren exclaimed in surprise, “How did you get them?”

“I…I…don’t know, Jerren,” Ami said as she looked at her hands, “I could manipulate water on Sailor Moon when I was Sailor Mercury, to, you know, heal wounds and stuff. But that was just pretend…!”

“One of the girls cut her hand and I…well I didn’t even think. I grabbed some water to clean the wound and there was this energy and…the wound just disappeared!”

“Wow! That is soooo cool!” Jerren said.

“Here, hold out your hands. I want to try it again.”

The next morning, Jerrens’ burns were completely gone and his flesh was fully restored to its original state.

“My burns are completely gone!” Jerren said as he hopped out of bed. “I feel great, like I could break through a wall.”

Jerren broke the wall with his right hand and left a big, gaping hole into it.

“Gyah!” Jerren recoiled in shock.

“J…Jerren…?” Ami stuttered in shock, “Y…you decimated that wall with just your bare hands…?”

“I…I don’t know how I did that Ami,” Jerren said as he looked at his hands, “But that…was…AWESOME! It’s like…like someone just gave us super powers.”

“I agree!” replied Ami, “But as a doctor, I am extremely concerned about unexplained powers suddenly developing out of nowhere!”

Meanwhile, in outer space, Shoja was hovering over Jurai.

“All the pieces are falling into place…I can finally set my eyes on the grand prize, Jurai’s most closely guarded secret! Finally, Tsunami will be mine, and then I will have no more use for this piddling planet…”

Ayeka pleaded with Kagato.

“No…not Jurai!” She said, “Not my home!”

“Oh yes, princess, your precious home is next,” replied Kagato, “And we’re hovering over it, right now!”

“If you dare raise one finger against my planet,” The princess threatened, “So help me…”

“Pray tell, what precisely are you going to do about it?”

“As the princess of Jurai, I command you to leave my planet alone!”

Kagato laughed.

“You…command me, princess? You must surely jest!”

A holographic image of Jurai appeared on a screen. With a gesture, the image zoomed in to a location that had a plethora of trees and rivers in an idyllic setting.

“Ah, a perfect target to test my ships accuracy.” Kagato said, a low hum building in the chamber. A terrific burst of energy leapt from the ships cannons, arcing towards the unwary planet. The blast struck the ground and everything within a few miles radius was instantly vaporized; a crater where once life had thrived.

“NOOOOO!” Ayeka screamed, horrified. The aftermath of the blast caused a huge shock wave felt thousands of miles away.

A male patient at the hospital was looking out the window when the shockwave hit and was blown backwards by the pressure. He was sent flying out of his room into the desk counter where one of the nurses was working. Hitting the nurse, they were both sent sprawling. The earthquake shook the hospital and Jerren and Ami felt its devastating effects.

“W…w…wha…t’s…go…ing on?” Jerren said as he clutched at a wall.

“I…I…d…don’t kn…o…w!” Ami said as she fell to the ground. “It f…f…feels like an earth…quake!”

The earthquake caused by the shockwave subsided and everything returned to normal.

Azuza and Misaki felt the shockwave as well.

“What in Tsunamis name was that?” Misaki barked as she pulled herself from the floor, “I have never felt anything like that in my life!”

“I have no idea my Empress,” Azuza said as he recovered himself from the floor also, dusting his robe and cape, “It felt like an earthquake, but something was off, it didn’t feel natural…”

Back on the Shoja, Kagato was scrolling through potential targets for his ship to decimate.

“A most satisfactory test,” he said with a smirk, “and I believe I have just found my next target!”

An image of a big city with thousands of people in it appeared.

“NO, not a city,” Ayeka again pleaded with Kagato, falling to her knees, “There are innocent people down there…”

Kagato glanced coldly at her and then looked back to the city.

“So what, princess?” replied Kagato, “They’re just worthless nobodies, what do you care?” Kagato then fired a stronger blast at the city and in seconds it was obliterated.

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Ayeka screamed as she burst into tears. “The people…”

Like the previous blast it sent out a shock wave in its wake.

The wave hit the hospital again and this time it felt like it was going to be shaken to peices. Jerren and Ami were holding each other tightly, afraid that they might die from the hospitals collapse. People were stumbling, scared and panicked, around the hospital.

Azuza and Misaki had fallen to the floor again as the quake rocked the foundations of their castle. Finally, the tremors subsided and the ground became stable once again.

Kagato projected a giant ten storey hologram of himself to every major city on Jurai.

“Greetings citizens of Jurai,” the hologram said as it looked down on the population, “I am certain I need no introduction.”

People saw the giant hologram and turned to focus on what it had to say. Azuza and Misaki saw it nearby as they gazed out of the castle windows. Jerren and Ami saw it as well and were amazed at how large the projection was.

“It’s Kagato,” Jerren said as he saw the hologram, “How did he get so big?”

“He’s just projecting a hologram of himself,” replied Ami, “He’s somewhere else.”

“People of Jurai, I have your precious Princess Ayeka as my prisoner. If you desire her return, then all you must do is one little thing, a trifle really. Azuza, Misaki and Funaho, for your sakes you had best heed my words.”

“What does he want?” Misaki said as she looked out the window, “Gold…power…what?”

“The same thing he came for when he attacked Jurai the first time…” replied Azuza.

“I want Tsunami!” Kagato said smiling manically over the people. “You have an hour to respond. If you choose to ignore me then the princess will die, and then your world will follow!” The holograms disappeared.

Ayeka was stunned as she heard his threat.

“I thought you wanted to make me your trophy?”

“You screech like a bitter old maid,” said Kagato, “The idea of keeping you any longer than I have to has grown…unappealing, so you better hope they desire your return. Not that it matters, even if they do, I will destroy your precious planet anyway.” Kagato laughed.

“W…w…what did you call me?” Ayeka said, her rage building, “An OLD maid? I SWEAR I WILL RIP THAT MOUTH OF YOURS STRAIGHT FROM YOUR FACE!”

Ayeka spewed intense bursts of energy that started to crack the force field until Kagato added his energy to the walls and made the field thicker.

“Oh my, princess, did I strike a nerve…?” Kagato laughed again.

Back at the castle, Azuza and Misaki were discussing the troubling events plaguing Jurai.

“This isn’t good!” Azuza said as he walked back and forth his throne room, “First he kidnaps my daughter and now he attacks Jurai! That does it; it’s time to counter his Shoja with our mighty Jurain fleet!”

“No dear!” Misaki said placing her hands on his shoulders, “We already lost half of our fleet to his ship six days ago. Don’t sacrifice any more of your men.”

“Then I’ll engage him in battle with my ship Kiroto, and beat him myself!” He said striking his chest.

“NO honey, don’t do that either,” Misaki shook her finger, “Remember the last time you fought him, you two ripped a hole in space creating a void and our guardian Tsunami had to fix it.”

“Then the only thing I can do is ask the Kamiki house for reinforcements…”

“You mean…ask my mother for help!” Misaki gasped.

“Yes, I mean her,” replied Azuza, “Lady Seto! It’s our only choice at this point. The other two houses won’t help us so the only logical choice is ask Seto for assistance.”

“If my mother finds out about Kagato’s true plans, we’ll never be able to get her claws completely out of our business again. I don’t even want to think what she’ll do to US if she finds out.”

“She won’t find out about this mess!” said Azuza, “We’ll just say that we need more men to fight off a rebellion.”

“We’ve got to do something!” Jerren said walking around the room,”If we don’t, this planet will be nothing but rubble in an hour and the princess will be killed! Now that I’m healthy again I’m going back to that ship and stopping him once and for all and…” Jerren smacked his fist into his palm and moved towards the door but Ami barred his way.

“No! Not this again…” Ami said grabbing his right hand, “Take some help with you this time!”

“You didn’t let me finish, I was going to say ‘…you’re coming with me!’”

Ami let go of his hand and a puzzled expression greeted his statement.

“Did I stutter, Ami? You’re coming with me to fight Kagato and help me save the princess!”

“But…but what can I do, I’m only a tailor here…” said Ami. “Yes I have healing powers now, but what good would that be in this situation?”

“If I remember correctly, weren’t you a fierce fighter on that Sailor Moon show you starred in?” Jerren pointed out. “You always said that you calculated how much power an enemy had before you engaged them in battle.”

“That was a show…it wasn’t real!” Ami countered. “That was just acting; you know that’s not really me. This is a real situation, and besides, even my ‘character’ wasn’t that great a fighter.”

Jerren reached down and cusped her hands in his own.

“Maybe you weren’t the best at fighting, but you ‘were’ a crucial part of the team…and the brains of the group.”

“Perhaps, but that was a scripted television series, no matter what, we were going to win at the end regardless. This Kagato is a real life threat so even if I could use the moves and techniques that I did on the series, there is no guarantee of victory…”

“No, but I trust your judgment,” said Jerren, “And I do have a secret weapon…”

“What secret weapon?” Ami said curious now.

“You’ll see Ami…hey; did you bring my original clothes like I asked?”

“They’re in my bag, why?”

“Well, unless you want me to face Kagato in my birthday suit, I’m going to need something to wear.”

Ami scrutinized Jerren, rubbing her chin while contemplating such a scenario. A slow smile worked its way onto her face.

“Ami…!” Jerren said sternly.

“All right all right!” Ami giggled as she let go of Jerrens’ hand. She gave him the bag and he went into the bathroom and changed.

“Good thing I brought my own clothes then,” Ami shouted through the door, “I certainly can’t fight in this slave getup!”

Minutes later, Jerren and Ami were fully dressed. Before they left Ami had an idea she wanted to check out.

She went to one of the hospitals public terminals and went on the galactic net.

“What are you looking for?” Jerren asked as she went onto galactigoogle.

“I want to look up the guy were facing,” answered Ami, “If I’m going into battle then I need all the tactical information I can get to formulate some strategies.”

She typed ‘Kagato’ and got over 500,000,000,000 results.

“I’ll check Galactipedia. I can’t believe they have their own version of Google and Wikipedia on here! I have to wonder if someone on Earth managed to tap into this information net and copied the setup and added it our own local net.”

“Yeah, that caught me off guard as well,” replied Jerren, “It is kind of weird.”

Ami clicked on the link and read the information.

“Let’s see now, ‘Kagato, a space pirate, more than 5000 years old, notorious for sacking planets for their valuable artifacts with his battle ship called Soja, also known as ‘Destroyer of Historical Ruins.’ Number of artifacts destroyed: 3326. Number of planets destroyed: 4024,’ 11 more planets have been added in the past 6 days. ‘Artifacts stolen: Unknown.’ Oh my goodness…”

Ami then skimmed down to ‘Incidents’ and started to read.

“In space calendar year 5901 Kagato attacked planet Alpha, he burglarized an antiquities museum. In 5902 he attacked planet Beta, in that same year over 2000 men, women and children, including certain officials of Beta disappeared. In 5903 he attacked Yura, and destroyed several cities. In 5904 severe electromagnetic fields disrupted communication with the planet Skylark. Kagato is believed to be responsible as several important artifacts disappeared in this time frame. In 5912, Kagato attacked the Royal Space Academy on the planet Todain. Only one student was taken, she has not been heard from since.’ Oh, how sad. Mass plundering, destruction, etcetera, etcetera…Ah, here we go; ‘He then attacked the palace of the Misaki house to gain access to Tsunami (no information available) until the legendary swordsman Prince Yosho engaged him and Ryoko (See space pirate Ryoko) in battle. Kagato retreated and has kept a low profile ever since. Prince Yosho set after Space Pirate Ryoko and neither has been heard from since (Update in progress).’”

Ami exited out of the page and paused for a moment.

“It seems he has an obsession with ancient artifacts!” said Ami. “Though maybe not for the usual reasons, thinking about it, these so called ‘artifacts’ might actually be ancient and powerful weapons of mass destruction. The artifacts are only the surface of his desires! Judging from his actions and manner, I get the feeling he feels trapped or caged somehow and is using whatever power he can get his hands on to free himself…and to heck with anyone who stands in his way.”

“Also, judging by the data, this isn’t the first time Kagato has attacked Jurai. He’s after the same thing he came for the first time…something called ‘Tsunami’. Whatever it is, it must be quite powerful if Kagato wants it.”

“He did mention something about Tsunami when I engaged him in battle…or was that Ryoko? Wait! It was Ryoko who mentioned it. She said that it had the power to rip time and space apart and that with Soja and Tsunami merged together…he would be unstoppable.”

“Then we need to get going, and quickly!” said Ami, “If he gets his hands on that much destructive power there’s no telling what he will do.”

“Then what are we standing here for?” replied Jerren, “Let’s go!”

Rushing from the hospital, the pair made a beeline for the palace.

“Wait, what was the secret weapon you were talking about?” Ami stopped Jerren.

“Oh yeah, it’s this…” Jerren said as he took out the master key sword. It had been returned after he woke up in the hospital. He activated it and Ami was amazed at the clear verdant glow of the blade.

“W…What is that thing?” she said amazed. “It’s a fascinating weapon.”

“It’s the master key,” Jerren said as he waved it around. “The princess gave it to me…well actually it flew out of her pocket and into my hand when I was trying to rescue her from a giant robotic head.”

“A giant what attacked you?” Ami was taken aback.

“Never mind that right now…It’s also known as the light hawk sword.”

“Princess Sasami told me about this when she visited me while I was sewing said Ami. It’s the most powerful weapon in the Jurain Empire and only the members of the royal family have the power and the authority to wield it. Anyone else who tries to wield it is electrocuted with painful shocks or in a worst case scenario…Death!”

“How are you able to wield it when you’re not part of Jurai’s royal family?”

“I have been asked that question ever since it fell into my hand,” replied Jerren, “And the answer is still the same…I don’t know! I’m just glad it’s on our side to stop this guy. But…even with its power I was no match for Kagato.”

“Well, maybe you haven’t unlocked its full potential yet.” Ami offered.

“Speaking of that,” Ami said thinking for a minute, “Where on earth, or actually where on Jurai, are we going to find the sort of transportation we need to reach Kagato?”

“I haven’t thought of anything yet,” said Jerren, “I’m still thinking it through. The last ship I had was the Princesses ship Ryu-Oh, and the Soja blew it up. I survived thanks to the light hawk sword, but the ship didn’t, I thought, maybe there might be one at the palace…?”

“Well, if we’re going there anyway, how about asking Azuza and Misaki? They must have a ship we can use!”

“Hey, great idea Ami! Then let’s go and ask!” Jerren said as he put the sword back in his pocket, “Come on, we’re wasting time!”

Pushing open the door of the throne room, Jerren and Ami walked in on Azuza and Misaki arguing.

“Your Highnesses!” Jerren and Ami said in unison, bowing. Jerren then stepped forward. “May we have a moment of your time?”

Azuza and Misaki turned their attention on the two interlopers and became indignant.

“How dare you two slaves just burst in here…?” Misaki yelled. “How rude, especially in this time of crisis were in.”

“You dare come before us in those ridiculous peasant clothes?” Azuza snapped, “WHY ARE YOU IN THOSE VULGAR RAGS?”

“Sorry your highness, my other outfit was burnt up so I had to settle for what was on hand, replied Jerren, “But now I’m ready and willing to fight Kagato again.”

“I needed more flexible clothing to fight in.” replied Ami.

“You two…fight Kagato?” Azuza pointed at them, “Even after you, ‘boy’, failed against him once before? You must have lost your mind.”

“It would be wrong to underestimate us,” replied Jerren, “When we’re together we make a pretty lethal combination!”

“…A Lethal combination?” Azuza and Misaki looked at each other; “You must surely jest with us?” Misaki cackled at the pair.

“This is no laughing matter,” said Ami, “We can defeat Kagato and save your daughter, the Princess Ayeka. Please, just give us a chance.”

Azuza contemplated the offer, stroking his beard.

“Alright then!” Azuza replied. ”You may try. If you do manage to come back victorious, you shall be showered with wealth and made nobles in the Misaki house.”

Jerren and Ami glanced at each other excitedly. Misaki glared at her husband trying to get his attention.

“Now that’s some motivation right there!” Jerren said pumped up at the offer.

“That is right,” said Azuza, “Nobles have vast amounts of political power all over Jurai, they govern the provinces of the four kingdoms and answer only to the Emperor and Empress.”

“Not to mention, authority over the royal body guards and military which I command at will!” Misaki said smiling at them.a special little bonus only if you come back in one piece

“You’re kidding me,” replied Ami, “You would actually grant us those kinds of powers?”

Azuza and Misaki nodded.

“Don’t worry your highnesses,” Jerren said in excitement, “We’ll get the princess back, I guarantee it.”

“Yes we will,” said Ami, “We will not disappoint you.”

“I do not doubt it.” Azuza replied, pressing a communicator button on his throne. “Guards, give the slaves Jerren and Ami a ship!”

Jerren and Ami left the castle. Azuza and Misaki stared at each other and laughed.

“Seriously, did you really just promise them all that?” asked Misaki.

“Of course, there is no harm in promising things to the walking dead. Especially if they can distract that oaf Kagato, and allow an opening to put our real plan in motion.”

“You are a wise ruler my husband!” siad Misaki.

“This is priceless,” Azuza laughed, “not only will Kagato die but all it will cost is two lowly servants lives.”

“You said it my husband.” replied Misaki. “It would appear that doomsday prophecy was merely hyperbole after all…”

The sound of laughter echoed throughout the halls of the palace for a long while

The ship Azuza and Misaki gave them wasn’t particularly fancy, being a small transport carrier from a trade station. They started it with difficulty and as it slowly lumbered its way skyward with much noise and resistance, Jerren and Ami wondered if they would even reach space.

“This thing is cramped!” Jerren complained, trying to find some space to accommodate himself and Ami.

“Yes…I know!” Ami winced in pain banging her knee on a console as Jerren bumped her again. Space in the shuttle was at a premium.

It took the ship almost half an hour to bring the Soja into view. As they approached the mammoth war machine, Ami’s nerves started to get the better of her, and a cold pit of fear settled in her stomach.

“Oh my goodness,” Ami exclaimed. “The size of that beast, it’s like a Titan of old mythology.”

In the blink of an eye the little freighter was surrounded by a hailstorm of coruscating energy as the Soja opened fire. Jerren and Ami screamed in fright, pressing all the buttons on the dashboard in the hope of finding something that could help the ship evade the incoming blasts.

“Where’s the dodging button for this thing?” Jerren shouted, daring the button he sought to materialize. “They should put labels on these things when they put the buttons in!”

“Ah here it is…” Ami said as she found a little green button that was labeled: evasive maneuvers. She pushed it and the ship moved clumsily but effectively, through the field of fire. Some of the blasts hit a nearby comet that blossomed into thousands of fragments.

“Wow…that was a close call, indeed!” Ami shivered looking outside the ship, “One hit to our ship and we’ll have to walk home!”

Meanwhile Jerren was looking around for a way to fight back.

“Ooh, okay, let’s see what this big red button does…?” A beam of light burst from the freighters undercarriage, dissipating harmlessly several hundred miles from the great ship.

“What the heck! It didn’t even reach the ship!” Jerren was stunned.

“Of course not Jerren…this is a freighter, not a warship. That’s probably just to divert incoming space debris and other junk.”

“Oh you mean like this blaster? I wonder if it can shoot itself…” Jerren hit the console in frustration. Jerren and Ami were forced to hold onto their seats as the ship started spinning uncontrollably, the artificial gravity malfunctioning, going from weightless to five times normal gravity and back again in a span of seconds.

Seconds later a beam of immense power split the space they had just vacated in a torrent of merciless fire.

On the Soja Kagato curled his fist in annoyance.

“An impressive show of piloting skill, but it will avail you to no good end I assure you, little buzzing gnat!” A screen showed the little freighter in crosshairs.

“Well it’s a good thing I wasn’t counting on this ship to fight our battle…” Jerren said un-strapping himself from his seat and indicating Ami to do the same. ”Set this thing on Auto pilot, we’ve got another way in.” Ami typed a few commands and jumped from her seat.

The Soja then shot another beam at the small cargo ship that had suddenly settled into a more stable flight path and it was decimated into dust…but Jerren and Ami were no longer aboard.

“Alright Ami, let’s do this!” Jerren said vigorously. “We’ll save the princess and Jurai from this Kagato freak.”

“It’s time to stop this fiend once and for all!” Ami agreed; excitement and adrenalin making the young woman giddy.

Hurtling though space, the duo were surrounded by the vibrant energy of the Light hawk wings. Too small to register on the massive Sojas’ sensors as a threat, they entered the ship, but inside they were surrounded by an impenetrable darkness. The light from the sword dimmed as they entered the breathable atmosphere.

“Aw, what? Don’t cut out now you stupid sword it’s as dark as night in here!” Jerren complained, “I can’t see a thing.”

“Here let me shed some light…” Ami said, removing a gadget from her pocket.

It was a blue visor she placed over her eyes. She turned a little switch built into it on and they both could see as light shone from it like a torch.

“Cool shades,” said Jerren, “Where did you get those from?”

“It was from the show!” replied Ami. “It was designed to sense out an opponent’s energy in the show but in real life it only shines a bright blue light. I thought it was cool so I kept it as a souvenir.”

Looking around they saw that they were in some kind of conduit. Gesturing for Ami to lead, Jerren eyed their surroundings warily. They walked through the passage for a while and saw three branching directions before them.

“So, which way do we go from here?” Ami pointed to the portals.

“I…don’t know! This is a different part of the ship than when I was here last.” Jerren said. “Maybe the sword knows…” Ami joked.

“Please sword, guide us to where Kagato and the princess are…” Jerren said as he pointed it at the doorways.

Ami’s eyes bulged at the sheer absurdity of her friends actions, and she had to stifle a giggle.

“Please choose the right path!” Jerren opened his hand and the hilt floated towards the middle passage.

“That’s the way, let’s go…great idea Ami!” Jerren strode towards the middle passage grabbing the hilt as he passed. Ami stood gaping at her friend until he was almost out of sight.

“Are you coming or not?” Jerren shouted back at her. Gathering her wits Ami stumbled after Jerren.

“I can’t believe that worked.” She whispered, entering the passageway.

As they walked along the tunnel, Ami heard metallic scraping noises and slithering, but no matter where she shined her light nothing out of the ordinary greeted her eyes.

As they passed a section of the tunnel, the walls came alive with squirming masses of undefined serpentine objects.

A lithe metallic tentacle reached for Ami. Faster than thought, Jerren slashed the grasping extremity severing it from its body, shocking the unaware girl.

As though a signal had been sent, the walls burst like an exploding, seething mass of sinister intent. Slashing wildly at the walls, Jerren severed limbs right and left, before giving Ami a push down the tunnel. Taking the hint, she ran down the hall as fast as she could until the walls stopped moving.

“Huff…huff, Jerren?” she looked back the way she had run, but could not see her friend.

“Oh no Jerren…!” Ami took a few steps back the way she had come, but froze when she heard the sounds of battle moving towards her. A swarm of robot orbs rounded the bend with Jerren firmly in the center of their buzzing laser stings.

“Oh dear, what do I do now?” Ami said under her breath as she felt a wave of panic threaten to overwhelm her. “There are too many for us to deal with!”

“Keep your cool Ami,” Jerren shouted at his friend. “I’ll take care of this, just watch me!” Jerren deflected the lasers with the light hawk sword sending the beams back at his tormentors. Then he charged at the others and slashed and cut them into pieces in a spinning flurry of movement. Using his super strength to punch some of them into the hallway walls he finished off the remaining few with an energy wave from the blade.

“MY…goodness…!” Ami exclaimed in surprise. “You…destroyed them all in seconds!”

“It’s no big deal!” Jerren said modestly.

Ami lowered her head with tears welling at the corner of her eyes. She clenched her hands into fists.

“You see I told you, you don’t need me on this mission!” Ami cried. ”You defeated them all by yourself, and me…I just panicked and froze. What good am I to you? I was so scared something had happened to you…”

Jerren held her shoulders and gave her a firm shake.

“Hey, don’t talk like that,” Jerren comforted her, drawing her into a hug, “You’re new to this and you’ve never experienced this sort of thing before. Don’t worry, let it sink in, in time it’ll come naturally to you like it did for me, so please don’t be sad…”

Just then another swarm of orbs burst around the bend firing at Jerrens back.

“Look OUT! Ami shouted as she spun Jerren out the way, prepared to take the lasers for him. But suddenly she felt the moisture in the walls like a caress around her body and instinctively she called to the water for help. Vapor poured from the walls forming a bubble that surrounded and protected her from the shots. But that wasn’t enough and responding to her thoughts the field reflected the blasts back to their source destroying every orb in the swarm.

“Whoa! Ami you go girl!” Jerren crowed in astonishment. “When did you learn to do that?”

“I…I don’t know!” replied Ami as she paused for a second staring at her hands in the light from her visor. “Even on the show as Sailor Mercury I couldn’t do this, it just…developed out of nowhere.”

“I told you it would come naturally to you.” Jerren beamed as he gave Ami a pat on the back.

Jerren continued down the path, drawing Ami along. The passage ended, opening into a wide hall.

“You see I told you that you would make a perfect addition to this…hey my feet…why does it feel like they’re sinking in quick sand?”

Ami looked down at their feet, but couldn’t find them.

“The floor…it’s consuming us!” Ami said in panic. Jerren and Ami struggled helplessly before sinking through the floor where they suddenly found themselves in another room. Rising to their feet unharmed they looked around.

“Where are we now? And why do I get the weird feeling we’re upside down?” Jerren held his head.

“You’re asking the wrong person…!” replied Ami pointing to the center of the room.

The room was completely clear with the exception of a crystallized prison in the middle of the floor. Two giant serpents entwined the crystal.

“Who or what is locked up in that crystal?” Jerren said as he saw the prison. Moving closer to it he saw that a person was its sole occupant.

“It looks like a little girl…sleeping?” he said in a puzzled voice. “Ami come over here and check this out!”

Ami had stayed where she was, studying their surroundings as Jerren had walked over to the crystal. She joined him now.

“It looks like this person has been in hibernation for a long while,” she said as she touched the crystallized prison. “Judging by its age I would say about three or four thousand years at least!”

“Oh, come on. I know you’re smart, but how could you possibly know how old this crystal is?”

“Sailor Moon was all about crystals. When we had a few crystal expert geologists on the show as consultants, I listened to what they had to say.”

“Oh!”

They both stared back into the crystal.

The prepubescent girl was a little less than five feet tall. Her hair was a spiky pinkish red, with a Caucasian skin tone.

Her attire was a steam punk reminiscent vest, with trousers, a mixture of green and yellow. Black sandals adorned her feet.

As they studied the girl, dust descended from above to land on Ami’s shoulder. She looked at it in confusion and then looked up. She choked back a scream and tugged Jerrens’ shirt. He looked at Ami and then to where her eyes had gone.

The serpents were coming to life.

Slowly their heads turned to view the intruders.

“Watch out!” Ami shouted as one of the heads darted at Jerren. She raised her hands and once again felt the call of the surrounding moisture responding to her thoughts. Bubbles shot from her hands into the serpents open maw, forcing it back.

“That was shine Aqua mist! I…it’s a move from the show.” Ami exclaimed in wonder.

“You know, I have this weird feeling that you’re becoming Sailor Mercury!” replied Jerren.

“What…what if I am?” Ami asked, wide eyed at the implication.

“Well I say lets finish these giant snakes off first and then we talk, okay?” Jerren offered.

“Okay!” Ami nodded, assuming a ready position.

Moving in concert, Jerren and Ami darted forward as the giant snakes swept towards them. Ami distracted one of the serpents with bubbles in its face as Jerren leapt through its thrashing coils to slice along the length of its body before snapping off a spin slash that sent the stone head writhing and gnashing its jaws to smash on the ground.

The second snake hissed like a jet engine and raised itself high in the air to crush Ami, but Jerren swiftly grabbed its tail and swung the beast in a violent arc that sent it smashing head first into the Crystal shattering its stone body on the impossibly hard surface.

“Oops!” Jerren grinned. Ami rolled her eyes at him.

The snakes’ destruction triggered a crack in the crystallized prison and in seconds a spider web of cracks split throughout the crystalline structure and it shattered. The little girl stumbled free from the shattered remains of her prison and stretched her muscles. Yawning, she opened her eyes flashing an emerald green stare around the room before finally resting on Jerren and Ami.

She grinned impishly at the pair.

to be continued……………..

“MISS AYEKA!” yelled Jerren, “I need to save her…quickly!”

“We’ll go with you!”Kiyone said walking up to Jerren while slinging her giant thermal canon over her shoulder, “You might needs some extra hands if you’re going to take on Ryoko.”

“No! You two stay here….” replied Jerren, “You need to help out your team mates and put a stop to this madness. I’ll be fine; I have the light hawk sword.”

“…The light hawk sword?” Kiyone held her hand over her mouth in shock at the revelation, “How did you get your hands on the most powerful weapon in the galaxy? I heard that only those of Jurai’s royal family can wield it, but…you’re not even Jurian so how….?”

“The princess asked me the exact same thing,” said Jerren. “And I still have no idea. I’m just glad it’s on my side to help me save her.”

Mihoshi approached Jerren and gave him a little pink control cube that she had in her pocket.

“What’s this thing?” Jerren said turning the cube over in his hands. “It almost looks like a Rubik’s cube, except its all one colour!’

“It’s a control cube!” Replied Mihoshi as she giggled. “An inter-dimensional cube that can fit just about anything inside it, from weapons to coffee makers; which is a great help in getting me up in the morning.”

“Wow cool!” said Jerren, “But why are you giving it to me?”

“It may be useful,” said Mihoshi, “To, you know, help save Princess Ayeka.”

“I don’t know how much it will help, but thanks!”

“Actually I kind of fibbed a little,” Mihoshi said twiddling her fingers. “The reason why I gave you my cube is because…I…” Mihoshi came up to him and gave him a very tight hug.

“W….what is th…this for?” Jerren stuttered as he struggled for air.

“I can’t hold it in any longer…” replied Mihoshi, “I have a HUGE crush on you! When you came into the office my heart stopped for a second and I just couldn’t resist that beautiful face of yours not to mention those nice…hot…muscular arms.”

“Well I work out a bit!” said Jerren. Mihoshi let go of him and turned her head away.

“Please….stay safe.” Mihoshi said in a small voice, “I want to see you again.”

Jerren sighed, lifting her chin; he looked straight in her eyes.

“I promise you Mihoshi….I will, and after this is all over, maybe we can go get some donuts or something? Cop’s like donuts, right?”

“DONUTS….I LOVE DONUTS….!” Mihoshi yelled happily as she hugged Jerren a second time.

“Y….you’re….crrr….ussshing….me….eee!” Jerren wheezed as he almost suffocated in Mihoshi’s embrace.

“Oops! Sorry about that!” Mihoshi said as she let go of Jerren, “My bad, SORRY!”

Jerren ran from the war torn hall and Mihoshi and Kiyone were left to help their colleagues fight Ryokos pirate gang. Nodding to each other in silent accord, the duo charged at some pirates that were gaining the upper hand on the GP officers. Kiyone did a kick in the air and hit one space pirate, knocking him out; she then took out two laser hand guns and laid out a barrage of fire at the pirates, but they retaliated with a wave of their own fire. Kiyone dodged the blasts and shot two pirates leaving them on the floor wounded.

One big pirate came up from behind and tried to bear hug her, but she slipped free and kicked him hard in the face.

Mihoshi was surrounded and cornered by five pirates and she screamed. Flailing wildly in a shooing motion she froze them all in solid ice with her gloves.

“Oh, did I do that?” Mihoshi giggled, “Yay!”

Kiyone turned to another space pirate ready to lay into her, but the woman held the high priestess hostage at gun point.

“Take one more step cop, and this little priestess is history…” she said as put the gun to her head. Kiyone took a yo-yo out of her pocket and aimed for the pirate. The pirate woman nimbly dodged the flying weapon, smirking at Kiyone.

“You missed officer! And you lose….” Kiyone jerked the string, bouncing the cylinder off the wall and hitting the head of the woman knocking her out as she slid to the floor unconscious.

“Do I…?” Kiyone smirked.

The priestess hurried away, nodding to Kiyone in gratitude.

The battle was a stale mate and neither force was getting the upper hand over the other.

“We need reinforcements!” Mikami said yelling into her communicator watch.

Meanwhile, Jerren found Ryo-oh and ran up the landing plank.

“Alright, Ayeka….” Jerren said as the ship activated, “I’m coming for you!”

The ship launched into outer space in pursuit of the kidnapped Princess, who was on the silver plated ship, imprisoned in a force field.

“Let me go!” She said as she tried to use her great strength to break through the force field. “Wait, this force field….it feels familiar…?”

A man playing a giant organ halted mid note. He got up from his seat and walked to Ayeka.

“Be quiet, Princess!” he said in a deep, calm voice as he put his hand on the force field. “No matter how much you batter away at this field, it is worthless. You see…this force field is specially designed to contain Jurain super strength like yours. Your efforts are futile!”

The man was over seven feet tall and he had a very pale skin tone colour. He had the most yellow eyes Ayeka had ever seen, with smouldering red pupils, long silver hair, and white gloves on his hands. A mixture of green and purple dyed robes adorned his body.

“It is you….!” Princess Ayeka said in a shocked voice, “You’re the S class criminal Kagato! I knew you looked familiar. You attacked my planet 700 years ago with that monster of yours, Ryoko. You almost destroyed it!”

Kagato grimaced.

“Yes….almost. Indeed, it is I, the dread Kagato…” replied Kagato taking a bow, “And now here you are; my captive.”

“The robot that captured me when I was leaving for GP headquarters, you sent it!”

“Yes, it was destroyed, so I used my servant Ryoko to capture you instead.”

“…Ryoko? Where has that devil woman been hiding all this time?” Ayeka spat.

“If you must know, I found her on a little backwater planet, trapped…until I released her of course.”

“Why do you want me so badly?” Ayeka demanded, “What is do you want this time?”

“Oh nothing much…the secret of Jurai’s power for starters,” said Kagato walking around the field, letting his fingers trail nonchalantly across its surface leaving sparks, “A secret which your family holds, and since the Misaki branch is the most prominent member of your little clan, I chose you to reveal it to me!”

“You cannot really believe I will tell scum like you anything?” Ayeka scoffed, “I would never give information on something like that to a madman like you!”

“Really…?” Kagato leaned closer to the Princesses force field, “Well it doesn’t matter, I’ll have the secret of the galaxies most powerful Empire in my grasp whether you resist or not. I’ll just take Jurai by force with my newest weapon, the mighty Soja, and reduce everyone on it to ash. Commanding Soja, once I learn the secret of your families’ power, the mysterious Tsunami, I will be unstoppable, and you will be my trophy to remind me of my greatness!”

“Hmph!” the princes said as she turned her back to Kagato, “That is what you think. Right now my body guard is coming to rescue me from your clutches and he will be here at any moment.”

“Indeed?” replied Kagato with a small smile, “Well I simply must see this young man who has captured the faith and trust of a Princess.” The screen opened up and he saw Ryo-Oh coming straight for his ship.

“Oh my Princess, what a big ship he has….” Kagato said mirthlessly, “Let us see if his ship is any match for my Soja.” Kagato summoned two orbs to his side and used one of them to make his ship fire three giant laser beams.

“Uh oh, the ship is about to fire!” Jerren said as he panicked a bit, “What do I do now?” Ryo-Oh formed three wings similar to those produced by light hawk sword and absorbed the blasts.

“It absorbed the beams…?” Jerren blurted in surprise, “So Ryo-Oh can generate light hawk wings too! Ha, cool!”

“So the ship absorbed Soja’s energy?” said Kagato, “And it used light hawk wings as a shield. A royal Jurain ship…I am impressed! No matter though, a shot at full power will take care of this pest.” The Soja generated more energy and shot a lancing beam full force at Ryo-Oh.

“Oh no, it’s going all out!” Jerren said panicking again.

“I don’t think the ships shield can absorb this much power. We just need to dodge it, but how do I do that?”

Ryo-oh then shot a full blast out of its own main cannon of its own free will and as soon as the blasts connected it was a struggle of power; for one ship to dominate the other. The intensity of the struggle rose by degrees, but in the end the Sojas’ blast overwhelmed Ryo-oh and engulfed the ship.

Ayeka looked at the screen in horror as she saw her ship vaporised.

“NO, Jerren!” Ayeka screamed, “NO…NO! YOU WERE MY LAST HOPE!”

“Your bodyguard put on an impressive display Princess, but quite fruitless in the end!” Kagato looked up and smiled coldly at Ayeka.

A light shone from the destruction of the ship, Jerren was in a force field generated by the light hawk wings and it flew him safely through space to the Soja.

“HE IS ALIVE!” Princess Ayeka burst out in relief, “I am so glad!”

“So the boy survived the blast?” said Kagato frowning, “Well no matter, he won’t be able to get past the Soja’s defences. His fate is sealed.”

Jerren landed on the Sojas landing platform through an environmental shield and entered an open doorway.

“Just hang in there a little bit longer Miss Ayeka…” he said taking a deep breath, “Jerren Ryo Gregory is here to save you!”

Meanwhile back on Jurai, in the castle of Azuza and Misaki, Ami was still sewing clothes for the royal family. She worked tirelessly for 8 hours and was on her final garment. She was pondering what Jeremey was up to, with him being a slave for the princess on the first day.

“I wonder what my partner Jerren is doing with the princess right now?” She said as she sewed her last piece of clothing into the sewing machine. “I hope the princess of Jurai is not too tough on him, and I hope she’s not a cruel and sadistic master. OH, I wish I could be with you right now, and maybe play some chess.”

Meanwhile on the Shoja, Jerren was going through the ship, slicing through sphere shaped orbs that were shooting lazers at him and deflecting them with the master key sword. He went through a door and he came across a few giant robot heads shooting at him. They shot lazers directly at him, but the master key sword deflected them and shot back at the heads, which instantly destroyed them. “Now where is the princess being held at?” Jerren wondered as he walked across a passageway that had 3 doors to choose from. The sword showed him by guiding him to the middle door.

“Why thank you, master key sword!” said Jerren. “Okay princess, I’m coming for ya!”

Meanwhile, Kagato was looking at his screen and saw Jerren becoming successful in his attempts to find the princess.

“I see there’s more to this boy than meets the eye,” Kagato said, amused and amazed at the same time. “I could take him by myself, but I’m too busy at the moment trying to take over the universe. I’d better send Ryoko to stop his progress.” Kagato then contacted Ryoko telepathically, who was in an unknown part of the ship. Ryoko picked up the signal quickly and responded.

“Yeah what is it, master?” Ryoko asked as she spoke to him mentally. “I’m here.”

“Ryoko, there’s an intruder on the ship I want you to take care of. I’m giving you the coordinates right now.”

Ryoko saw where he was mentally and smirked.

“So I see, it’s that guy from the signing,” She said as she grinned. “don’t worry, I have something special in store for him”.

A few minutes later, Jerren came across another door and it opened. He entered the strange room with floating blocks and an infinite void at the bottom.

“Wha– what is this!?” Jerren said as he looked around the room. “It’s a bunch of floating blocks! What is this, some videogame like Super Mario Bros. or Sonic?”

He looked at the bottom and saw the dark void of nothingness.

“Is that a bottomless pit?” Jerren thought in a bit of a frightened voice. “If I fall, I’ll fall forever! Just thinking about it gives me chills!”

He saw the exit on the other side of the room.

“I guess in order to get to that exit, I have to cross these blocks,” Jerren gulped in nervousness. “Well, I can’t back down now, I’m so close to finding the princess! I just have to avoid falling.”

He jumped across two giant floating blocks but when he landed on the 3rd one, it collapsed suddenly, and he almost fell into the infinite void. The master key sword carried him in a forcefield and flew him once again to a safer floating block.

“(Sigh) That was a really close one,” he said sweating, “If it wasn’t for this sword, I would be falling right now!” Jerren then heard laughs, familiar laughs he heard from the signing.

“That laugh,” he said looking around, “It’s that voice from the signing!”

“That’s right, little boy!” She scowled, now able to be heard all over the room. “It’s me, Ryoko”!

“Show your face, you monster!” Jerren yelled, waving the master key sword around, “You’re going to pay for the destruction and chaos you caused today! Now where are you hiding the princess?”

“I won’t pay,” Replied Ryoko, “Instead i’ll let my friends have the pleasure of taking you down!”

Suddenly, one of Ryoko’s space pirates hopped off a floating block from above and tried to attack Jeremey in mid-air with a small knife. Jerren dodged in time to avoid his attack, and the pirate was sent falling, screaming to his death into the dark void.

“I see what you’re doing now,” said Jerren, “You’re using your goons to do your dirty work – typical cheap villain stuff!”

“You can say that,” replied Ryoko, “But the fun’s just beginning! Hahahaha! It’s a battle to the death now so stay on your toes!”

Another pirate from above came and landed on the block that Jerren was on. He had two red sabres in his hands and charged at Jerren. Jerren countered his attacks with the master key sword and resisted his blows. The pirate tried to use the ‘two against one’ tactic against Jerren, but it was useless, for the sword was easily blocking the attacks. The sword then blew the space pirate away, sending him falling into the void below. Another pirate came, but it was a huge muscular one with two iron gloves on his fists. He grabbed Jerren by the neck and chock slammed him. Jerren wasn’t hurt too badly, but his neck was a bit sore. The pirate tried to strike him with his iron fists but ended up hitting a nearby block and destroying it.

“Aw man, he’s strong enough to turn that block into rubble,” Jerren said in shock, “I’ve gotta be careful or he’ll punch my head off my body!”

Jerren then tried to counter-attack with the sword, but the pirate was blocking with his fists. Jerren then jumped onto another platform to escape, but the pirate followed and almost smashed him. his fist destroyed the platform causing himself to fall into the infinite void to his doom. Jeremey used the sword to fly towards the exit route to safety.

“Well that was stupid!” He said as he went to the exit, “For a brawny guy like him, he sure has a small brain.”

Jerren then went into the exit to await his next challenge.

In the tremendous holds of an unknown vessel, Jerren entered through a door, the room was pure black where nothing could be seen by the naked eye. Suddenly, the lights sparked to life, Jerren shielded his eyes and saw the silhouette of Ryoko sitting on a ceiling platform with her legs crossed.

“So, we finally meet face to face kid,” Ryoko smirked, as she yawned.

“Yeah, we finally have,” Jerren murmured with a serious tone.

“But, I just want to ask though,” Jerren crossed his arms, and asked away, “what was the purpose of kidnapping the princess, and for what reason did you wreak you the peace treaty for?”

Ryoko remained silent for a moment to tease Jerren down below letting the question hang in the air.

Jerren uncrossed his arms, and burst out, pulling his sword out; his patience wearing thin, “Answer me now, YOU CRIMINAL!”

“It was all just a job,” replied Ryoko. “Does that answer your question?”

“‘Just a job’? What do you mean by that?” Jerren wondered. “I don’t get it. Who hired you then?”

“It was a job assigned to me by my master, Kagato,” she explained. “He sent me to capture princess Ayeka, and to distract the GP officers with my gang.”

“Who’s this Kagato person? What are you talking about?” questioned Jerren, scratching his head with his free hand.

“My, my, you’re full of questions today aren’t you boy,” mocked Ryoko. “You just never know when to stop.

She continued, “Kagato is even a bigger criminal than I, and he has plans for the princess and for the planet Jurai.”

“What plans?” he asked, taking an offense position clenching the blade’s handle tightly. “It’s obviously a crooked one!”

“Bingo!” replied Ryoko. “You see, he is going to use the princess as an experiment and extract information from her in to gain knowledge about Jurais most most powerful ship Tsunami”.

“What’s a Tsunami?” he inquired. “Who or what is it?’

“You really are an idiot aren’t you?” she teased, laughing out loud.

“I’m not an idiot!” shouted Jerren. “I’m just a bit naïve, but not an idiot!”

“Let me put it to you in simpler terms so you can understand, ok,” she began. “Tsunami is a ship that can manipulate any type of matter in the universe. It is so powerful it can rip the fabric of time and space apart.

“Kagato wants this so he can control the ultimate power in the universe, and learn the secret of the galaxy,” she finished; a mischief smile grew on her face.

“With that kind of power,” started Jerren. “Jurai will never give something like that up to an insane person like him!”

“It doesn’t matter,” she snorted. “Compromise or not, once he has gotten what he wanted he’ll just blow up the planet with the ship you are inside right now, the soja and will have the princess as a trophy.”

“B-blow the planet up!” he said in shocked, a single brow arched. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“Yes, like I said ‘blow it up’,” answered Ryoko, “and he’ll eradicate every living being and creature on that planet, too.”

‘Oh no, this isn’t good,’ Jerren thought. ‘Amis is still on Jurai, and not only that the people of Mercury are there, but thousands of innocent people will die.’

He sighed, ‘Man, this day has gone from running errands to saving the universe from a madman.’

With the sword in one hand, Jerren pointed it at Ryoko, and a look of determination appeared on his face. “Then, I’ll stop you and master Kagato from messing up Jurai, and all the other planets!” he exclaimed.

“Try as you might little boy,” she boasted as she stood up, and dropped from the hanging platform, “but in the end. You will surly fail!”

As she fell, she generated a yellow saber out of her own energy, and charged at right at him. Jerren dodged, and countered her attack with the masterkey sword, the two tried to overpower to one another.

Upon closer inspection, Ryoko instantly recognized the crafted weapon. ‘That sword! How did a kid like him get his hands on a sword that only the Jurain royal family can hold?’

She pushed even harder, before kicking Jerren in the gut and backing away. He fell on his back, and quickly got back up. Before he got the chance to run up against her, she popped a single question, “Where did you get that?”

He looked down to the blade, and back to her. “Don’t know and don’t care,” replied Jerren, “just glad it’s on my side to defeat a menace like you.”

They ran to each other, and clashed blades once more. The sword fight was an intense fencing match; the two were almost equally matched from the beginning. And then, they returned to clashing their blades against one other. Jerren was trying his best not to be defeated by her, until the masterkey gave the extra boost to over powered Ryoko’s matter generated sword. The blade then blew her away, and sent her landing to the floor.

‘What just happened!?’ Ryoko viewed the well polished weapon, ‘that sword just blew me away like I was just a piece of paper.’ Ryoko shot a few energy blasts at Jerren, but deflected the shots.

‘What in the-?!’ she growled, ‘it deflected them like they were nothing! Hmph, well let me see what it can do against two of me.’

Ryoko then duplicated herself; they both ganged up on Jerren and the masterkey. But the blade was holding its own against the two Ryokos. It blew them away with its own energy with full force, and sent them flying to the walls; landing on the metal floor. The doubles disintegrated, and Ryoko slowly got up.

“I give in,” panted Ryoko. “And, if I had my gems I would have finished you off a long time ago. I hope Kagato whorls you up good,” she chuckled as she teleported away.

Jerren stood in the now empty room for a short amount of time, and roamed until he found a passage way out of the now dim place. ‘Don’t worry princess,’ he thought. ‘Just hold on, I’m almost there.’

Jerren left the dark room, and was now in a hallway with two paths ahead of him.

He inspected the fork in the hallway, and pulled out the blade. Jerren pointed it straight ahead. “Alright sword, don’t fail me now,” he uttered. “Where is princess Ayeka being held?”

The sword pointed the way, and it was the passageway to the right.

“Bingo,” said Jerren, and lowering the weapon, “thank you sword I don’t know what I would do without you!”.

He went to the second passageway, and found a huge door before him. The automated doors slide opened up, and Jerren entered. He saw the princess in a big red sphere-like force field, and he waved at her. Ayeka saw the boy, and was very surprised and glad to see he was okay.

“It’s Jerren!” cheered Ayeka. “Oh thank Tsunami, it’s him! You’ve finally came to rescue me from Kagato.”

Meanwhile at an upper floor of the room, Kagato was playing his giant organ grinder, and heard the voice of Ayeka. He stopped playing, and got up; looking down to see Jerren was talking to Ayeka.

“So, boy you actually got passed Ryoko,” he affirmed, as he processed down the steps.“I guess there is more to you than meets the eye.”

“Your evil plan stops right here, right now,” Jerren said as he pointed the masterkey at Kagato. “You’re not going to hold the princess for ransom, and you’re not going to take Tsunami nor let you destroy any more planets!”

“So I see, Ryoko told you all about my plan.”He smirked at Jerren, and continued, “And, I also see that you have the sword in your possession. Tell me, how did a boy like you get to wield the most powerful weapon in Jurais royal family?”

“Funny,” grumbled Jerren, “you’re the fourth person who asked me that today, and I’ll tell you what I have told the others. I don’t know, but I’m glad it’s on my side to defeat you!”

“Ok then, if that’s how you want it,” told Kagato. “I shall test your skills for myself, since Ryoko couldn’t get rid of you; I’ll just finish off her job!”

Kagato then generated a green coloured energy sword from his hand, and jumped from where he was towards him. Jerren countered the attack, and was amazed by the force that his opponent had. The masterkey was trying to get the upper hand in the battle until, Kagato started to overpower him.

‘Man! This guy’s strength isn’t a joke,’ he thought, struggling to keep his position, holding his own against Kagato’s sword. Kagato stop for a moment, and Jerren was already panting.

“You can’t be tired already boy,” argued Kagato. “I was hoping for a real duel, so at least try to keep up with me.”

“I’m not done yet,” growled Jerren,taking deep breathes.Then,he charged towards Kagato once more, and bellowed, “This is just only the beginning!”

Jerren and Kagato clashed swords with one another; it was so intense that one could say that the battle itself shook the ship a little bit. Ayeka was observing all this and was amazed how well Jeremey could keep up with Kagato.

“This human boy…” she murmured, as she was stunned by his fighting styles. They were almost like that of my brother Yosho.

“Where did he learn how to fight like this?” Ayeka whispered and blushed, as she continued to watch the battle. She felt the warm sensation on her cheeks, and shook her head.

‘Did…did I just blush,’ questioned Ayeka, as she grew red again in embarrassment. ‘Oh my, I hope I’m not developing feelings for this human boy!’

The battle between Kagato and Jerren were getting more intense by the second as the sound of their blades started to grow louder, pounding against one another. They stopped, and paused for a few minutes and Jerren was gasping for air. Kagato wasn’t having any trouble like him.

“Well, I’m impressed boy,” said Kagato, “you were able to keep up with my attacks for a good 20 minutes, and with quite ruthless aggression. Now, tell me boy, where did you learn these skills, who taught you this?”

“Let us just say a little movie from a galaxy far, far away called Star Wars,” sarcastically replied Jerren.

“Well no matter,” said Kagato, “you have reached your limit and your taking heavy breathers while I am not. I suggest you back down now before you get killed”.

“I’m not backing down,” boasted Jerren. “I will defeat you, and I will rescue princess Ayeka!”

Jerren once again charged at Kagato with fury, and tried to hit him with a number of aggressive attacks. But, Kagato was countering every move, and blew him away sending him flying to the floor. Jerren slowly got up, and saw that his shirt was ripped in half.

“My shirt!” he screamed, holing pieces in his hand. “You’ll pay for that!”

Kagato then generated a green energy wave out of his right hand, and aimed and shot at Jerren. The masterkey formed a forcefields to protect him from the blast, but they were starting to vanish from the sheer power.

“What’s going on?” Jerren was astonished. “Don’t tell me that the sword is losing

energy!”

The sword lost all of its energy, and the blast blew him away sending him flying once again to the floor.

Jerren got up; the sword in his hand was out of energy.

“Oh, great out of all the predicaments I’ve been in this is the worst,” said Jerren, gripping the now powerless sword.

“So, it is now out of power I see,” examined Kagato. “Too bad for you, now I’m going to kill you now, since there is nothing else for you.”

Kagato then grabbed him by the neck, squeezing it tightly.

Jerren was suffocating, and the pain was unbearable.

“Now, you go boy,” whispered Kagato, tossing him through a space shoot into outer space were he suffocated, and fired a huge beam from the soja at Jerren. The beam hit Jerren, and there was an explosion. He was nowhere to be found; his body was completely gone.

Ayeka screamed. “No! It can’t be possible, all hope is lost.”

“Now that he’s out of the way,” said Kagato, turning his attention to the princess, “I’m going to extract the information of the Tsunami from you.”

“Over my Jurain body,” Ayeka sneered.

“That can be arranged,” Kagato said as he pulled out a syringe. He penetrated the red force field and put it to Ayeka’s neck, slowly she became unconscious.

When Ayeka woke up, she was tied to a steel, metal table with her hands and feet chained to the table.

“L-let me go!” she yelled, struggling to break free.“Let me go, let me go, let me go!!!!!!!!”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that princess,” he responded, as he took off his glove. Now you will give me the secrets of the one called tsunami.

“Help someone help me!” she screamed, still struggling to get away. “Get that thing away from me!”

Kagato took the refilled syringe out of his pocket again, and pecked it hard into her neck.

“No…” she mumbled, as she slowly went into a deep sleep.

“Nighty night princess,” whispered Kagato, as he started to search into her mind.

After about a half hour of psychological torture, he placed Ayeka back in her force field prison. She was shaking uncontrollably, completely out of it for the most part; constantly repeating the same words, and mumbling some else at times.

“Now that I’ve extracted the information from you princess,” declared Kagato, “I can now set my site on universal domination. I could attack Jurai right now, but I feel like paying another planet a visit.”

To be continued……..