Sarro was entertaining guests.
Kyande dreaded when Sarro entertained guests. She always, Always came up with some so-called amusing little story about Kyande. Said amusing story always embarassed Kyande. To top it all of, either Goten, Trunks, or both were always there for said stories. Then she never heard the end of it for weeks afterward.
There was the story about her getting her tail stuck in the drain the time she decided to drain her bathwater while in the bathtub. There was the time she slept late and ran for school in her bathrobe. There was that other time she accidentally unleashed an evil on East City. But that one Trunks and Goten had known about. They'd had to help bail her out... and they never let her forget it.
Kyande sat slouched in an easychair, trying to wish herself invisible. It wasn't working. So far the amusing stories had remained out of the conversation topics. Kyande felt herself begin to relax. Maybe she'd make it through this one without turning all shades of red.
Then Bulma posed the question, " Sarro, I've always wondered, what's time travel like? "
Sarro looked at her. " It's complicated. So many little occurances in
the past can drastically change the future. " Sarro made an
imperceptable nod in Trunks' direction, " We've all seen that.
" I suppose I make it harder on myself by planning things as they were before my own chronological escapades. I want to exist on Earth with as little intrusion as possible. "
From the corner, Vejiita snorted.
Sarro sighed, " Trust me, I could've done much worse. " She smiled as a thought occured to her.
Kyande's faint hope died in an instant. She knew that smile.
" Kyande once found out the hard way the problems involved in time manipulations. "
Kyande's eyes widened in horror. Kaious no, not that story! She sat forward and protested, " Okaasan no! Not that! "
Everyone stared blankly at her, even Vejiita. All except for Sarro, who's smile only widened. " Oh, yes, Kyande. This is a story that's waited entirely too long to be told. "
Kyande whimpered and slouched back. As her mother launched the story, Kyande returned freverantly to wishing herself invisible.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Kyande stormed into the house and kicked a kitchen chair to toothpicks.
Sarro looked up mildly from across the table and commented, " I'll expect you to replace that, Kyande dearest. " She leaned forward and observed her seething teenaged daughter. " What's the matter? "
" Katera, " Kyande spat.
" Ah. "
" She's such an arrogant jerk! I hate her! She thinks that just 'cause she trains Trunks she can order the rest of us around! I'd show her if she didn't have a higher power. " Kyande lowered her voice and whispered harshly, " I wish she'd never come to Earth. "
Sarro smiled faintly. " Be careful what you wish for, Kyande. "
" Oh, I am, Mom, " Kyande said, sitting on a different chair. " You didn't need her really in the past. I... I wish she'd never been exiled! Then she would have been on Vejiitasei when it was destroyed. "
Sarro leaned forward, something new gleaming in her eye, " and why do you wish such a complicated wish? "
" Because, " Kyande answered, " Trunks really likes her. I can't see why, but he does. "
" Perhaps Trunks has his reasons, " Sarro suggested.
Kyande nodded. " So I can't just wish her dead, because that would hurt him too. Goten as well, because he really considers her his sister. " She looked up at Sarro. " But If I wish away her existence on Earth, they won't feel that way and no one gets hurt. "
" No one gets hurt? " Sarro echoed. " Kyande, it's time for a new lesson. "
" New lesson? " Kyande repeated. " In what? "
" Time. " Sarro answered. " You wish Kateraope had never been exiled from Vejiitasei under the impression that this would keep her involvement with Earth and it's people nonexistent. It's an experiment, that's your hypothesis, now for you to see it through. If you can keep Katera from being exiled, then so be it. "
The kitchen disappeared.
----------------------------------------------------------------
" What? " Kyande was halfway through the word before she realized the change in her surroundings.
She was in a dark, musty smelling hallway, where the air hung heavy and the gravity pulled until you felt so exhausted you could hardly stand. Kyande, having some experience with heavier gravity, adjusted quickly and peered around. The hallway was littered with armor that looked eerily like the type she'd seen Vejiita wear in battle, as well as metal helmets and sheilds. Kyande took a few steps and paused in surprise.
Her reflection in a large metal sheild had caught her eye. The sheild was tarnished and her reflection distorted, but Kyande could still see herself enough to note the differences.
Kyande's hair was in a braid, looped into a bun atop her head. Her face was devoid of any makeup, and she wore a short, tight black dress under armor like that scattered about the hallway. Her tail was looped about over the waist of the armor. On her feet were heavy boots made of the same material as the armor, as were the guards on her wrists.
I understand, Mom's giving me a chance to change the past to suit my wish. That's the lesson. Kyande smiled, Well then, let's see. Katera was exiled because Vejiita didn't want her to become stronger than him. All I have to do then, is find Vejiita-Oji and keep him from being at that arena where Katera's revealed.
Now, if I were the Saiyajin no Oji, where would I be?
" Get the hell out of my way, " someone gruffly commanded, pushing past her.
Kyande reeled back and around. She gasped as she recognized the voice and silently thanked her mother.
Vejiita turned and glared at her, having heard the gasp. He narrowed his eyes at her. " Do I know you? "
Kyande wracked her brain for a way to keep Vejiita away from the arena. " No, but I know you. "
Vejiita turned fully to face her, now interested. His tail flicked back and forth behind him casually. " Is that so? "
" Um, yes, yes, you're Prince Vejiita, the strongest of the Saiyajin. The strongest in a... really long time. " Kyande continued blathering on, hoping desperately for a plan to formulate. " So, I ah, was wondering you know, since you're so great and all.... can I buy you a drink? "
Vejiita raised an eyebrow. " Buy me a drink? "
What am I doing? He's only five!! Kyande thought despairingly, but it was too late now. " Yes, buy you a drink. You know, a, uh, celebration... of how great... you... are. "
Vejiita chuckled. He looked Kyande up and down and stated, " I have no interest in taking a mate at this time. "
Kyande bristled, for a five year old he sure was direct! " Neither am I! "
Vejiita smirked. " Then stop wasting my time. " He turned his back to her and continued down the hall.
Kyande's jaw dropped. She frantically wracked her brain again. " A drink then a duel! " she blurted out.
Vejiita stopped.
Kyande kept going hopefully. " A drink, then a duel. That's all I want. A chance to fight the great prince is an honor afterall. "
Vejiita turned on her. Within seconds he was in the air and had his hand around her throat and her back to the wall. " Did my father send you? " he demanded.
Kyande shook her head. " N-no. No he didn't. I've never even seen the king. Please, Ojisama, I'm just a low class soldier, trying to prove myself. " Vejiita tightened his grip and Kyande choked, " Please! "
Vejiita dropped her. He sneered down at her, " You expect me to believe that? "
" Hell, no, " Kyande said, standing up. She was pleased to note that Vejiita was even shorter as a child. " Why would you believe the truth? "
Vejiita's expression darkened. " You flatter me and then you insult me? What kind of a Saiyajin are you, woman? "
" ... a crazy one? " Kyande suggested. She smiled condescendingly, " I'll tell it to you straight then, Vejiitaojisama, " she was pleased to see him tense at the Katera-esque sarcasm she put in his name and title, " My comerades and I think you're just all talk. You're no super-elite. " Kyande leered down at the prince, " You're only third class. "
With a roar of rage Vejiita moved forward and sent both fists at Kyande's
middle. Kyande caught both and returned the
condescending smile. " What, no drink first? "
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Trunks gave Kyande an incredulous look. So, she still wasn't invisible. " You asked my Otousan out for a drink? "
" Well, what would you have done? " Kyande retorted, " I was trying to be subtle. "
" He was only five!! " Trunks shouted incredulously.
" Four, actually, " Sarro pointed out.
" Subtle? " Bulma gave Kyande an odd look. " With Vejiita? "
Vejiita shot Bulma a dirty look.
" Kyande's little experiment had been set in motion, " Sarro continued, " Vejiita had been detained, and the king was 'conveniently' in his place at the big revelation. The king, being much more reasonable than his heir... "
Vejiita's next dirty look was directed at Sarro.
" ... but sadly not as bright, decided to keep Katera around as a sparring
partner for Vejiita-Oji. Katera was almost too good a
sparring partner for Vejiita. "
Vejiita's dirty look became a malicious grin, as memories of a recent sparring match with Katera entered his mind.
Sarro shifted position and crossed her legs pertly. " Vejiita-Oji and Kateraope became a very good team. Watched over by the ever dutiful Nappa, they were away from Vejiitasei when Vejiita-Oo, and Bardock's revolt against Freezer, ended in disaster and Vejiitasei met with it's usual end.
" Kyande, meanwhile, I had sent into the future to observe the fruits of her labour; to a black day for planet Earth. "
[Sorry, little... would that be a pun? If you've seen the english dub you know what I'm getting at. ^_^]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The crowd watched as each of the three spacepods opened up and a being emerged from each. The murmurings increased as the three beings levitated out of their respective craters and stood as a group together at the center of the crowd.
One was extremely tall, and bald, with dark armor and a furry brown
belt that upon closer inspection appeared to be his tail.
The other two were smaller, about waist height to the taller. Both
were dark, with small builds, and armor of the same fashion. Both also
wore navy blue body suits with white gloves and boots. All three had a
small mechanical device on their faces over their left eyes.
Kyande blinked. I-- I thought it was just two... who's the third? ... No... No way, It couldn't be...
Kyande pushed through the crowd and blinked in surprise when she got a clear view. " Katera?! "
Kyande froze as the Saiyajin heard her name and her gaze snapped to Kyande. Katera narrowed her eyes. Kyande bailed.
As Kyande pushed through the crowd she looked back over her shoulder
and whimpered as she (a) noted that Katera had
disappeared, and (b) ran into someone.
Kyande swallowed and turned around.
There stood Katera, with her arms crossed and an expression of mild curiousity on her face. " My name, " she said, a strange tone in her boyish voice, " How do you know my name? "
Kyande whimpered attempts at an answer.
Katera grabbed her by the collar, and Kyande could sense her ki rising. " Well? "
" Katera, " Vejiita's voice pierced the air sharply. Katera looked from Kyande to the Saiyan prince, " Come here. That idiot Radditz probably blathered it out. Come here, " Katera glared at him and Vejiita added graciously, " Please. "
Katera looked back to Kyande and smirked. " You're lucky, " she said and dropped the girl. Katera smoothly stepped over Kyande's body and returned to Vejiita's side.
Kyande's mind was in a whirl. Katera arrived with Vejiita and Nappa and listened to Vejiita? Not only that, but Vejiita said 'please'?! Since when? Kyande looked up at the three Saiyajin. Katera and Vejiita as a team were formidable, even at this point in time. This wasn't what was supposed to happen. Katera was supposed to have died on Vejiitasei.
Kyande felt about to cry. What had she done? What was she going to do? What was her mother going to say?
Vejiita looked over at Katera. " You look irritated. "
" I am, " Katera snapped. She crossed her arms and glared balefuly at Kyande. " Let's get on with it. "
Vejiita smiled and looked around at the crowd. " Nappa, how would you like to greet our gracious hosts? "
Katera's breath came out in a sarcastic noise.
Vejiita looked at her again and narrowed his eyes. " You disagree? " he asked, his jaw muscle twitching.
Katera met, and matched, his gaze, answering, " Yes. Nappa's just going to dessimate the city. "
Nappa slapped her on the back. Katera didn't flinch. Nappa laughed obnoxiously. " Aw, c'mon Katera. One little city's not gonna affect the price of this planet. "
Katera looked up and over her shoulder at Nappa as she pointed out, " and what if there's a Dragonball in this city, then what? "
Nappa stammered in an attempt to answer.
Vejiita smiled. " Good, Katera, I never thought of that. " He pressed a button on his scouter and looked around, " Search for the highest powerlevel, that will be the one who killed Radditz. "
" Hai, " Katera activated her own scouter and looked in the other direction.
Nappa bristled as his readings came to him. " I don't understand it, there are readings over the thousands... how? In a backwater like this? "
Katera smirked. " Yes, how? When Kakarrot and his partner overpowered
Radditz. I'd say this planet's population was gravely
underestimated. "
" Just look for the highest, forget the rest. Ah, " Vejiita paused, looking off into the horizon, " there we are. Two high powerlevels, close together. "
" Immortality, here we come! " Nappa declared, taking off into the air. Vejiita and Katera followed, rising into the sky and rocketing towards the high powerlevels.
As she flew, Katera's scouter alerted her and she looked back. " That human who knew my name is following us... " she growled.
" Leave it alone, " Vejiita ordered quietly. " You'll have plenty of time to play with the inhabitants after we're done with the Dragonballs. "
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Piccolo jerked attention up to the sky and narrowed his eyes. Gohan looked up questioningly.
" Piccolosan? "
" Alright, Gohan, they're heading straight for us, " Piccolo stated, throwing off his cape.
Gohan quivered slightly. " They are? "
" Don't be afraid, we've become much stronger in this past year. " Piccolo very calmly removed his turban, then looked to the side suspiciously. " What? There's one more coming from that direction... and still more all around. "
Gohan's quivering went up a notch. " I- I thought there were only three Saiyajin. "
Piccolo never answered, the arrival of the first was answer enough. A man only slightly taller than Gohan himself with a bald head and an orange gi landed and greeted, " Long time no see, Piccolo. "
" Saiyajin? " Gohan wondered.
Piccolo laughed derisively, " What have you come for? To watch the real fighters? "
" Yeah, right, " Kuririn quipped, unusually amicable with the demon king, " I've been training for a year. "
Piccolo begrudgingly admitted an increase in Kuririn's power. He then inquired, " Are the other idiots coming too? "
" All of them, " Kuririn answered, failing to address the fact that Piccolo had called he and the others idiots, " I was just closest. "
[So this is almost straight from the manga, It's pretty basic conversation]
Gohan's memory suddenly clicked. He darted over to Kuririn and exclaimed, " I remember you! "
Kuririn looked him over. " Yeah, I'm Kuririn. You're looking much tougher. "
" My Otousan used to talk about you! He said you're small but your strong! "
Kuririn took insult at that (never mind the idiot comment...) He crossed his arms and pinched his face. " Figures he'd lead off with small, just because he grew more... " Kuririn trailed off into murmurings.
Gohan paid this no attention. " You're going to fight with us! "
Kuririn suddenly gave the kid a closer look and leaned in, " So, how was it being trained by Piccolo, anyway? "
" Hard, " Gohan admitted truthfully. " But he's a lot nicer than-- "
" Both of you Shut Up! " Piccolo interrupted the chitchat, " They're here. "
Kuririn and Gohan looked up with a whine to observe the three Saiyajin n the sky above them.
Nappa gave a chuckle. " So, there's three of them now. "
" If you'd paid attention to your scouter, Nappa, you would have seen that before, " Katera reprimanded.
" They've been expecting us, " Vejiita observed, decending down towards the ground.
Kuririn clenched his fists and muttered, " I can feel their ki, it's demonic! "
Vejiita crossed his arms and tilted his head, examining the three defenders of Earth before him. " So, have you been preparing for us? "
Piccolo, in response, added to the tension by answering, " How'd you guess? Now what do you want here? "
Vejiita grinned, " Ah, that voice, you were the one to kill Radditz. "
" A Namekuseijin, " Katera observed, " Kakarrot has made at least one strong ally. "
" Not so strange that Radditz was beaten, " Vejiita added.
Piccolo lost his poker face and repeated, " Namekuseijin? "
Kuririn looked up at the demon king, " You're an alien, Piccolo? No wonder. "
" Really Piccolo? " Gohan asked.
Piccolo was at a loss for words.
" Well, well, it's said these Namekuseijin slugs have powers beyond comprehension, beyond their fighting abilities. Even sorcery, " Vejiita informed. He narrowed his eyes and examined Piccolo, " You made the Dragonballs, didn't you? "
Kuririn jerked, " You know about the Dragonballs? "
" Why else would we bother with this dump? Hand them over! " Nappa ordered.
" Please make me force you, " added Katera.
From where she was watching (okay, hiding) Kyande gulped. Please don't make her force you! she pleaded inwardly. Kyande watched the rest in aprehension, 'blah blah blah'ing out the words in her head as Vejiita ordered Katera and Nappa to remove their scouters; as Nappa called Radditz a weakling and everyone choked on his words. It was all going according to what Sarro had told her, but for Katera's being there.
Then something changed.
" Nappa, let's have a little fun, " Vejiita offered, " There's still six Cultivar seeds left, aren't there? "
Nappa grinned and reached for them.
" How 'bout not, " Katera intervened. " Those things annoy me to no end. I'd rather play with them myself. " She smiled, and Kyande noted that unlike Vejiita and Nappa, Katera still had her scouter on.
At the same time, Kyande felt three approaching ki signatures: all of them very familiar.
Tenshinhan and Chaou-zu came in for a landing, followed almost immediatly by Yamcha. Kyande felt her stomache seize up. Yamcha! Her father! Kaious he looked like her at this point in time...
" Hey, " Yamcha looked at the Saiyajin, " Is that all? Two shrimps and a big guy? Did I miss anything? "
" Not a thing, " Kuririn answered. " And what's wrong with short people? I'm stronger than you! "
" Ah, but I've been training, " Yamcha boasted.
" So've I! " Kuririn stated defensivly.
" Enough, " Piccolo snapped, " We're going to be needing all of us to defeat them. " He grinned, " We all know I'm the most powerful anyway. "
Kyande gaped. Had they really been this arrogant back then? Or was it something she had inadvertantly done? She didn't think it could be her. The only thing that had changed on Earth had been the fact that the city had survived.
" Enough! " Katera snapped. Everyone, including Nappa and Vejiita turned to look at her. Kyande was surprised, Katera had always possessed a commanding presence, but she'd never utilized it in such a way. Kyande found herself intrigued by this Katera, sure, she was alive, not like Kyande had antisipated, but she was certainly much different. There was a new quality about her... a new flavor to her ki... Almost like a flash it hit Kyande. This Katera looked the same, she still looked like a man, but there was something new that made sure she didn't play the part. Without exile, this Katera was perfectly comfortable with who and what she was. This Katera had nothing to be bitter about.
Kyande watched intently as Katera turned to Vejiita and offered, " I'll take the Namekuseijin. "
" No, " Vejiita said with a knowing smile, " Leave him for Nappa, we need him alive. " Vejiita observed the others, " You can have the little one. " Vejiita pointed directly at Kuririn.
Kuririn whimpered and barely resisted the urge to back down.
Katera gave him a completely unimpressed look. " Him? " she turned back towards Vejiita, " I'll try to have fun. "
Kyande's mouth opened wide again as Vejiita stroked Katera's cheek and said quietly, " I know you will, " he then cupped her chin in a gentle firmness that was not to be taken lightly, " Don't disappoint me. "
Katera smiled, " I wouldn't dream of it, Vejiitaojisama. "
Kyande felt lost. Katera held no sarcasm in saying the prince's name. There was something new! The more she tried to figure these new developements out, the more confused she got.
Katera approached Kuririn with a slow sure step. When she was standing
directly before him she stuck out her hand and said
serenely, " I'm Katera. "
Dumbstruck, Kuririn took her hand and answered, " I'm Kuririn. "
" Kuririn, " she said and tossed the runt into the air, " ohaiyo! "
[ohaiyo=good morning]
Kyande felt Katera's ki screaming higher and higher. With one silent blow she had Kuririn out of the battle.
" Nice to meet you, " Katera finished in an idle tone.
" What?! " Yamcha shouted and stepped forward, " You-- "
" Calm yourself, sir, " Katera said smoothly, on her way to stand back next to Vejiita, " You can be next. "
Kyande felt sick. If her father died in the past in this reality, she might die, and things would never be righted again.
Dangit!
" Now, " Vejiita stated, calling out across the battlefield to where Earth's defenders stood mourning Kuririn's end. His voice was met with quite a few nasty looks. Not that he cared. " I'll ask again, where are the Dragonballs? "
" We don't know! " Yamcha yelled back. " They were just used before you came, and won't be ready for another year! "
Vejiita looked over at Nappa. Nappa smiled.
" I've been waiting all day for this, " he crowed. Slowly he drew his last two fingers back so that only the pointer and middle finger were extended. He held his position like this, collecting energy while Vejiita responded to Yamcha's answer.
" I don't believe you. Hand over the Dragonballs, or another one of you will die. "
" We're telling the truth! " Yamcha protested angrilly.
" Nappa, " Vejiita stated.
Nappa's grin widened, " Say g'bye! "
Tenshinhan and Gohan gasped. Chaou-zu called out Yamcha's name. Piccolo tensed. Nappa's energy formed around Yamcha's feet.
" Bakuhatsu! "
Kyande couldn't stand it: she HAD to break the primary time travel rule. Shouting " No! " she raced across the battle field and dragged Yamcha to safety just before the Explosion attack ripped her father apart.
The three Saiyajin watched this in mild surprise. Then Kyande stood up.
Katera jerked in real surprise and clenched her fists, " What the--
it's that little brat that knew my name! " She took another step
forward and prepared to attack.
Vejiita reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. " Calm, " he said quietly, and Katera's gaze trailed back towards him. He smiled at her, " You'll have your time soon enough. "
Katera took a slow breath and stepped back. In a low growl she stated, " But that little wench is mine. "
Kyande couldn't stand that anymore either. " Okay! " she shouted and pointed at the Saiyajin, " What is with you two?! You hate each other! The way you're acting is repulsive! What is going on? "
" So, Yamcha, who's the girl? " Tenshinhan asked.
" I don't know, I've never seen her before in my life, " Yamcha said wonderingly. " But she's pretty. "
Kyande faltered, Oh great, this is just what I need...
Nappa bristled, " Watch your mouth! " he shouted indignantly, " You are talking to the Prince of the Saiyajin and his mistress! "
Kyande fell over in shock.
Katera punched Nappa a fair ways and stated, " You know I hate it when you call me that, Nappa. "
Vejiita merely chuckled.
Kyande groaned. " I'm in a Saiyajin soap opera! " she wailed, " Katera and Vejiita! What's next? My mother and Gokuu?! "
Tenshinhan glanced down at her, (Kyande's still on the ground) " Gokuu? Your father is Gokuu? "
Kyande jerked. " No! " but in this screwed up reality, who knows?!
" Then what are you--? "
" Never mind! " Kyande interrupted, sitting up quickly and raising her hand triumphantly into the air. The Earth fighters all blinked at her. " There's only one thing left for me to do. "
" What's that? " Gohan inquired.
Kyande faltered, " I was hoping you wouldn't ask. "
" You don't have a plan, do you? " Piccolo correctly guessed in a dour tone.
Kyande faltered some more, " No... " She slapped her fist against her chest (and coughed) " But I will! Er... soon... " Kyande followed this wonderful display with suitable nervous laughter.
" You're only prolonging the inevitable, " Nappa leered.
" Tell us where the Dragonballs are and maybe we'll let you live, " Vejiita offered.
" Why don't you stick it in your ear and go back where you came from? " Kyande shot back. " Oh, wait, that's right, you can't. Your home planet was destroyed, wasn't it? What a pity, no more Saiyajin, " Kyande placed her hand on her chest in a sarcastic display of sympathy. " Too bad. You aren't even really a prince anymore, what with a grand total of two subjects. "
Kyande watched with satisfaction as Vejiita's face melted into a scowl and Katera and Nappa bristled in defense of their prince.
" Can I kill her now? " Katera requested tersely.
Vejiita reached out with one hand, pointing with the same two fingers Nappa used for Bakuhatsu, and blasted Chaou-zu out of existence.
" Chaou-zu! " Tenshinhan cried.
" You, and the Namekuseijin, " Vejiita said, smouldering eyes on Kyande,
" you will tell us where the Dragonballs are, or all of your companions
will die, one after another. "
¤¤
[Now there's an ultimatum if ever I wrote one! ~coughcough~ Anyhoo, This ends part one of the Alternate Universe story, which I stuppose needs a name, neh? Will Kyande right things? Or are things too far gone? Will Katera's presence tip the scales in the Saiyajin's favor? Stick around for {Insert story name here} Part Two; Wait! This Experiment's Gone Too Far!]
[Written by Inseiko, 1999]
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